Steam is filled with quirky and innovative self-published titles that get lost amidst a sea of indie games. The Hidden and Unknown, which popped up on the Steam store on January 23, is drawing a level of attention contrary to its namesake due to its unique price tag: $2000. This makes it the most expensive game available in the Steam library by a wide margin, made all the more baffling by its mere 2 hour runtime. Is this just a marketing stunt, or does the game which advertises a goal to “widen the perception of its audience in the areas of psychology and philosophy” truly offer something worth what it is asking?
The Hidden and Unknown is developed and self-published by ProX, and is a non-interactive visual novel starring an average boy named Brian who becomes connected with Super Artificial Intelligence 2123, a version of himself from the future sent back to save humanity from extinction. The lack of player involvement within the game calls into question whether this is even a game to begin with, a question further enhanced by the game’s Star Wars-esque opening eight minute title scroll and story told entirely through text, without any visual characters.
Scrutiny caused due to the game’s price tag has also uncovered some of its controversial themes and topics. The Hidden and Unknown offers lamentations over the fact that “most western men today are feminine, while most of the western women today are masculine” and disparages men of today as “pathetic and weak,” ideas commonly expressed in far-right ideologies such as men’s rights activism.
Creator of The Hidden and Unknown, who identifies himself as ThePro, defended himself from such criticism in an interview with Kotaku:
“I have been accused of being ‘transphobic’ and ‘misogynistic’ and more, however, I would like to let everyone know that I have no problem with men, women, trans people, or any other group, as long as they are able to respect me as well… It’s sad to see we have to live in a world where everyone grows aggressive straight away, however, I would like to have a positive belief that if we start working together instead of against each other, we will find a way to escape the dangers of extinction which are very possible during the current climate.”
ThePro claimed that the game is based roughly on his own life experiences, and in an interview with PCGamesN said the price point was set because he “doesn’t want to sell [his] life for $20.” However, he also admitted he does not expect anyone to purchase the game, and discouraged someone who could not afford the game from buying it. Yet ThePro also mixed his warning with a satisfaction over his work and the idea that others may find value from his creation:
“Obviously, it’s like ‘who would do this? I spent a few months on it [and] even if just two people buy it, I believe I made the most rational decision.”