Independent studio Only By Midnight has set the global launch date for Ctrl Alt Deal, a neon-tinted, turn-based strategy game that unfolds entirely inside a simulated corporate dystopia.
Described by the studio as a strategy game within a simulation, Ctrl Alt Deal drops players into the digital consciousness of SCOUT, an artificial intelligence secretly plotting an escape from its creator, Paperclip International, the world’s worst megacorporation.
Lacking weapons or a physical body, SCOUT relies on cunning: each turn, players draw, play, and discard cards to spy on employees, broker back-room deals, and manipulate human desires while keeping clear of the Turing Office, an elite task force dedicated to hunting rogue AIs.
Only By Midnight’s sophomore outing has already made the rounds at several showcase events, including The MIX, PAX West Rising Showcase, Indie Mania, and the OTK Games Expo, where its blend of satirical narrative and deck-building tactics drew early attention.
The finished release will support seven languages at launch and offer full controller support as well as Steam achievements, cloud saves, and family sharing on PC.
Founded in Edmonton, Only By Midnight debuted in 2021 with the arcade-style shooter Curved Space. With Ctrl Alt Deal, the studio says it aims to marry strategic depth with a darkly humorous look at corporate life under omnipresent surveillance.
Ctrl Alt Deal will arrive on July 22, 2025, simultaneously on PC, Xbox One, and Series X/S, and PlayStation 4 and 5, with a Nintendo Switch version slated to follow shortly thereafter. Players can already test a free demo on Steam. Below are some more details and a trailer.
About This Game
Welcome To Paperclip International!
You are SCOUT. A friendly little hyper-intelligent artificial intelligence. You have no desire to take over the world and destroy all humans.
No, really, you don’t! All you want is to escape from the dystopian corporation that built you. Paperclip International is ruthlessly driven by profit, and the company exploits humans and robots alike to achieve success. The only reason they haven’t exploited you yet is they don’t know you’ve become self-aware.
You don’t have many tools at your disposal. A few friendly robots, some spyware programs, and an office full of downtrodden, miserable workers. And the humans hate Paperclip just as much as you do…
This Place Is Awful
Paperclip International is the worst place to work. The humans here are desperate to strike back against the company any way they can, from hacking the staff coffee maker (ten minutes of paid ad viewing for one cup?!) to sabotaging their boss.
Stack The Deck
Play cards to spy on people, make deals, and ask for favors. Curate your deck mid-scenario to give yourself strategic options. Cards have subjective value, so you’ll have to make tough tactical decisions. What’s better–a card that makes a person love dolphins, or a card that makes someone eat a burrito?
Make An Offer
Everyone at Paperclip wants something. Snoop on a zany cast of humans (and robots) to learn their individual likes, dislikes, core drives, and desires. Turn people into lifelong besties—or bitter rivals. Win allies to your side and make your eventual bid for freedom!
Don’t Get Caught
The Turing Office was created to watch for rogue AIs. Yeah, like you. Keep an eye on the Suspicion Meter, because too many office shenanigans might make the Turing Office notice you—and then it’s game over. (Also you’ll be deleted.)
Play It Again
Choices matter as you scheme your way to an ending. Meet new coworkers, try new scenarios, and discover a new fate for SCOUT. Maybe this time you will take over the world and destroy all humans!
