Dystopicon Review: A Dystopian Life Sim Where Watching TV Pays Your Salary
What happens when your government pays you to sit on the couch and stare at a screen? That is the central question posed by Dystopicon, a satirical time management sim released today on Steam by Spanish indie studio Palitroque. You play as a Class-2 citizen in a retro-futuristic world where robots have taken all human jobs. Your only task? Watch television to earn your wage, then spend that money on services to survive. The game launches at a base price of $7.99 / €7.99, with a 15% discount during the first two weeks, bringing the starting price down to roughly $6.79.
What You Need to Know
– Release date: Available now on Steam
– Price: $7.99 (€7.99) with a 15% launch discount for two weeks
– Developer: Palitroque (Spanish independent studio), led by Juan Felipe Molina
– Gameplay length: 28-day loop with branching choices and 14 possible endings
– Key feature: Earn in-game currency by watching TV; use money to buy survival services
– Art team: 3D artist Xenia Almela and 2D comic artist Mario Alba
—
The Premise: Work Is Dead, TV Is Your Job
In Dystopicon, the world has changed. Machines handle every profession, leaving humans with nothing to do. The government offers a simple solution: they give you a home and a TV. Your role as a Class-2 citizen is to watch programming, earn a salary, and use that income to purchase services you need. Think of it as a dark mirror of modern streaming culture.
We spent several hours with the game before launch. The core loop is deceptively simple. Each day, you sit in front of your screen, choose what to watch, and receive payment. That money then goes toward buying food, paying rent, or treating yourself to entertainment. But here is the twist: every choice you make has consequences. The government sends daily reports. Characters react to your decisions. And the world slowly reveals its secrets.
Juan Felipe Molina, director and lead developer, shared the game's origin story with us. “What could be the next step? Getting paid for doing exactly that,” he said. “Once I had those two elements—being paid to watch TV and using that money to buy services—I started building the rest. I finished a prototype with a 28-day loop where players survived by watching TV and reading daily government reports. Then the pandemic hit, and people found themselves locked at home, watching screens, often receiving government support. The game became disturbingly real.”
From Prototype to Full Release
Dystopicon started small. Molina created a rough prototype on Itch.io back in 2018 using third-party assets from the Unity Asset Store. Over about 12 months, he expanded the story and loop, testing what worked. That early version hit 12,000 downloads—a strong sign that people connected with the concept.
For years, positive feedback piled up. Players enjoyed the dark humor and the uncomfortable questions the game raised. But Molina juggled other work. He could not dedicate full time to the project. That changed in November 2025, when he left his job and committed to releasing Dystopicon professionally on Steam.
The game needed more than solid mechanics, though. The 3D models lacked personality. Molina brought in Xenia Almela, a 3D artist who gave the game its visual identity. He also convinced Mario Alba, a 2D artist who had created comics for the early concept, to produce more artwork for the final version. Their contributions transformed the game into something with real character.
Palitroque, the studio that Molina works with, helped shape the final direction and presentation. The result is a polished, weird, and thoughtful game that feels both familiar and fresh.
How the Game Plays
You control your citizen from a first-person perspective inside a small apartment. The TV dominates the room. You select channels from a list. Each program earns a different amount of money. Some shows are boring but pay well. Others are entertaining but barely cover rent. You manage your time and energy across 28 days.
Your cash goes toward critical services. Need to eat? Buy a food subscription. Feeling lonely? Purchase a chat service. Want to rebel against the system? Spend money on underground propaganda. The game does not judge your choices—at least, not immediately. But every action pushes you toward one of 14 possible endings. Will you remain a loyal citizen? Or will you fight back and face the consequences?
We found the tension addictive. You never have enough money for everything. You cannot watch every show. You must prioritize survival over ethics, or risk everything for freedom. The game makes you think about how easily society could shift if work truly vanished.
A Satirical Look at Modern Life
Dystopicon is not subtle about its themes. The game skewers our growing addiction to screens, the gig economy, and government control through financial means. It asks hard questions: If your only value is your attention, are you really free? The retro-futuristic art style (think 1980s sci-fi mixed with Soviet block architecture) reinforces the sense of a world stuck in a loop.
Compared to other life sims like Papers, Please or Not Tonight, Dystopicon focuses less on bureaucracy and more on passive consumption. You are not stamping passports or checking IDs. You are watching TV. That passivity is the point. The game challenges you to find agency in a system designed to keep you still.
Verdict So Far
Based on our early experience, Dystopicon delivers a sharp, memorable experience for its low price. The 28-day loop feels well-paced. The branching paths encourage replay. The visuals, thanks to Almela and Alba, give the world a distinct, grimy charm. If you enjoy satirical indie games or thought-provoking sims, this one is worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Dystopicon release on Steam?
Dystopicon launches today on Steam. It is available now for $7.99 (€7.99) with a 15% launch discount for the first two weeks.
What is Dystopicon about?
You play as a Class-2 citizen in a world where robots replaced all jobs. Your job is to watch TV to earn a salary, then use that money to buy survival services. Your choices lead to 14 possible endings.
How long is Dystopicon?
The main gameplay loop spans 28 days. Each day involves watching TV, receiving a report, and spending money. Multiple playthroughs are encouraged to see all endings.
Who developed Dystopicon?
Dystopicon was developed by Spanish independent studio Palitroque, led by director and lead developer Juan Felipe Molina. 3D artist Xenia Almela and 2D comic artist Mario Alba contributed to the final look.
Is Dystopicon worth buying?
At its discounted launch price of roughly $6.79, yes. It offers a unique satirical take on life sims with strong writing, meaningful choices, and a dark sense of humor.
—
Please note that when you make a purchase through our links at GameHaunt, we might earn a small commission. This helps us keep bringing you the free journalism you love on our site! And don't worry, our editorial content remains totally unbiased. If you'd like to show some support, you can do so here.
