A Game About Digging a Hole
| A Game About Digging a Hole | |
|---|---|
 Steam storefront header | |
| Developer(s) | Cyberwave |
| Publisher(s) | Yalpakor Bou·tique |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | February 7, 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Simulation video game |
| Mode(s) | |
A Game About Digging a Hole (AGADAH) is a 2025 simulation video game developed by Cyberwave and published by Yalpakor Bou-tique. In the game, the player is tasked with digging as big of a hole as they can. As the player digs, they can find ores to sell to a barn that allows them to purchase new or upgraded equipment, such as explosives or a jetpack. The game was designed in about 14 days and released on Steam on February 7, 2025. It received positive responses from critics and players, and sold 250,000 copies within a week of its release.
Gameplay
[edit]A Game About Digging a Hole is a simulation video game where the player is tasked with digging as big of a hole as possible in their backyard.[1] As the player digs, they encounter several randomly-generated ores that the player can collect and sell to a barn. The money earned from selling ores can then be used to upgrade the player’s shovel, a power generator, more inventory space to carry ores,[1] or buy explosives[2] and a jetpack.[1] As the player digs deeper, they will also encounter three moles that try to prevent the player from digging any further and acquiring any treasure.[3] The game also supports achievements.[1]
Development and release
[edit]A Game About Digging a Hole was developed by German[4] studio Cyberwave and published by Yalpakor Bou-tique.[1] The game was created while Cyberwave was on a holiday break, using his free time to create the game in about 14 days[5] using Unreal Engine 5.[6] It was originally built around the voxel terrain mechanics from one of the studio's other games, Solarpunk, although this was quickly discarded and replaced it with technology based on another video game, Motherload. The developer then added digging mechanics to it as well as randomly spawning ores, and had a fully functional video game.[5]
The game was announced in December 2024, and was subsequently wish-listed by over 100,000 people on Steam.[5] A Game About Digging a Hole was released on February 7, 2025.[7] Within a week of its release, the game sold over 250,000 copies.[8]
Reception
[edit]A Game About Digging a Hole received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9] The game was positively received by critics[10][1][2] and players.[5] Giovanni Colantonio of Digital Trends stated that the game "taps into a simple joy", and takes a "mundane premise and [turns] it into something hypnotic". He also wrote that Cyberwave found "surprising depth in minimalism" with creating the game.[2] Similarly, Gamereactor UK wrote that it was "surprising" how Cyberwave "managed to strike such an exquisite balance" between player progression and getting to the end of the game's story. He also praised the game for giving "[delivering] what it promises", and gave the game an eight out of ten score.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Garrido, Alberto (February 7, 2025). "A Game About Digging a Hole - Review". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c "This $5 Steam game about digging a hole has consumed my life". Digital Trends. February 23, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ Vaynshteyn, Paula (February 11, 2025). "A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what you think, and it's weirdly brilliant". Destructoid. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ Kleffmann, Marcel (February 13, 2025). "The Unlikely Smash Hit of 'A Game About Digging a Hole' by Cyberwave & Rokaplay". Gamesmarket. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Lane, Rick (February 12, 2025). "Designed in just a few weeks, this $5 indie game about digging a hole has journeyed to the centre of Steam's top sellers chart". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Bolding, Jonathan (December 29, 2024). "If you ever wanted a game about digging a hole, A Game About Digging a Hole is a game about digging a hole". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "A Game About Digging a Hole on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Garrido, Alberto (February 13, 2025). "Yes, there was buried treasure: A Game About Digging a Hole surpasses 250,000 copies in one week". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "A Game About Digging A Hole PC Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Colp, Tyler (February 7, 2025). "For fans of holes, here's a game about digging them". Polygon. Retrieved February 14, 2025.