Unemployment Simulator 2018

Unemployment Simulator 2018 places the player in the role of a long-term unemployed resident of a single-bedroom apartment in an undisclosed Nordic welfare state. Set in 2018, the game centres on surviving the daily routine of social isolation and joblessness, with the stated goal of enduring one week in this situation.

The core mechanics involve managing a set of survival stats covering both physiological needs and mental health. Players must eat, drink, use the toilet, wash and rest, while also maintaining dopamine levels to prevent a state described as death by boredom. Activities include finding ways to stay entertained and avoiding or hiding from responsibilities as part of the daily cycle.

The game is structured around a personal, story-driven progression. Completing each day allows the player character to sleep, at which point the narrative shifts into dream sequences. In these dreams, the player can take on different identities, such as a salaryman, a husband, or a hero, before waking again to resume the cycle of daily survival.