DEI Manager Simulator is live! 🥳
First off, a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the project. I’m just a solo dev working out of my home. I couldn't really talk about this project with my peers in the industry because I didn't want to get into trouble (or at least, not right now haha). It was a very lonely path (I couldn't even playtest the game properly because the topic is so sensitive), but I'm glad I walked it.
Before you hit "Play," I want to manage your expectations.
This game is exactly what it says on the tin: it’s short, it’s barebones, and it’s arguably "barely a game." Think of it more as a long-form, interactive joke. It’s super linear, and your choices don't really matter, they just impact your final score and which achievements you unlock. It was never intended to be the next GOTY or a deep simulation. If you’re looking for 100+ hours of gameplay, this ain’t it!
Why did I make this?
Because I had to. I’ve spent the last few years watching the industry I love get absolutely eaten alive by some of the most bizarre and counter-productive DEI nonsense you can imagine (most of the game content is actually from first-hand experience). I reached a breaking point where I just couldn't "shut up" about it anymore. Making this game was a deeply cathartic experience. Getting these frustrations out of my system and into a satirical format made me feel a whole lot better.
A quick word on AI.
I used AI tools to help bring this project to life much faster than I ever could have alone. I know this topic is polarizing, and I don't ignore the real challenges and questions this tech brings to the table. But for a solo creator like me, it was the difference between this game being a "maybe later" and an actual experience I could share with you today. It allowed me to express myself efficiently, and I hope the result is worth it.To those who think making a game nowadays is basically entering a prompt and watching the AI do all the job: you couldn't be further from the truth. It still takes a lot of manual labor, hundreds of hours, experience with the tools, and in this case, real-life first-hand experience with the topic.
What’s next?
I had an absolute blast making this, I laughed my ass off from start to finish. If you get a good laugh out of it, that would honestly make my day. If this goes well, I’d love to keep making satirical, bite-sized experiences about other topics that get under our skin.Oh, and if you enjoy the tunes in the game, the full album "Mandatory Fun: Songs from the New Workplace" is now live on YouTube! Feel free to go have a listen.Thanks again for being here, love ya'll. Cheers!Facetious Labs