The game is out.
This is now everybody's problem.
Ball Scratch Simulator is available now on Steam. The world's premier public ball-scratching experience is now a real product that Steam will actually allow you to purchase.
Scratch, sniff and see who loses their dignity first with up to four players online. Compete for the highest score, then observe your friends' technique in spectator mode. You can even scratch your friends with an awkwardly long arm. The suspicion is still your problem. Find the rare Slap power-up and slap their hand away, stopping their scratching for three seconds. Friendship is a complicated thing. If your friends refuse to participate, there are bots. They will scratch with you. They do not have a choice.
Six terrible places to do this. Different witnesses, routines and opportunities to discover you misread the room.
One completely untrustworthy hand. Scratch when nobody is looking. Use Pinch and Roll to slow the itch and preserve your multiplier when things get awkward.
Global high scores and Weekly Challenges. Apparently this needed to become competitive.
18 collectible cards and 21 Chibis. Fill the Shame Deck. Each Chibi has three outfits to collect, with extra outfits unlocked through difficulty challenges. Even they have a better wardrobe than you.
Stars, difficulty badges and Steam achievements. Proof of decisions you should have kept private.
Hidden game modes and Easter eggs. There are things in here I am leaving for you to find.
Desktop play and optional seated PC VR. For anyone who needs to experience the panic personally. VR Streamer Mode includes a stable 1080p spectator view.
You can now collect and customise your pants and arms. Because apparently the scratching was not enough. Earn new arms and pants as your playtime adds up, then mix and match them in Outfits. There are also free official cosmetics on the Steam Workshop, plus support for your own custom textures. Creator templates and instructions are available for anyone keen to make the situation worse. There are optional premium arms and pants with detailed, glowing and animated finishes for anyone who would like to support development while becoming even harder to ignore. Browse the Steam Workshop. I am both excited and concerned to see what you put in there. Custom meshes and waifu customisation are planned for later. You can find the launch feature list and future plans here.
Own Ball Scratch Simulator on or before 30 September 2026 to receive Founding Fidget, the exclusive Founding Chibi. She comes with her own voice line and a gold-and-burgundy confetti burst. Because poor decisions deserve ceremony. Eligibility is based on your Steam purchase date, so she will still be waiting if your first scratch happens later. The cutoff is 30 September at 23:59 UTC.
If the game does something it definitely shouldn't, please let me know through Options > Privacy & Support > Report a Bug, or start a thread in the Steam discussions. The first updates will focus on player reports, performance, comfort and balance. More of the itch's mysterious origins are planned for free content updates. Your feedback will help decide what comes next.
Thank you to everyone who playtested, wishlisted, shared the game or asked for multiplayer. You have all contributed to this situation. If you give it a go, an honest Steam review would help. So would telling the one friend most likely to understand. Go scratch. Try not to look suspicious. Tim