The Coin Game

The Coin Game is an *arcade* simulation, *open-world* exploration game, developed and published by devotid Media. It released on Steam Early Access on February 22, 2019.

## Gameplay

In The Coin Game, players interact with virtual arcade and carnival games, located within a explorable small town, named Islandville, built upon an island. Islandville is inhabited entirely by robots, save for the player and Gary, their pet goose. The player has a smartwatch, which acts as the player's status screen, communication device, map, inventory, and statistics screen. Players can choose from either a male avatar or a female avatar, with three clothing options for each.

### Game Modes

Players can choose between two gameplay modes. The first, called "Birthday mode", was available upon the game's Early Access launch. This is a *sandbox mode* in which the arcades on the island have been set up for the player's birthday party by their wealthy Uncle Phil. The player starts with a balance of $200.00, but is always able to obtain more money in the Money Machine, a booth which blows money around that the player must catch. The player also starts with access to a golf cart, which requires fuel. The player does not have to manage resources or time in this mode. It is recommended that players who are new to the Coin Game should try out "Birthday Mode" first in order to get a grasp of the gameplay mechanics.

The second mode, called "Survival mode", was added to the game in an update on June 8th, 2020. It is not the player's birthday in this mode. Players must keep themselves fed, their smartwatch charged, and be back home before their curfew. This mode does not include access to the Money Machine, or, initially, the Golf Cart, instead starting players with a mountain bike which drains energy when used but allows for faster travel than on foot. "Survival Mode" is only recommended for experienced hardcore players who want a more realistic experience.

### Game World

There are two different arcades that can be found in the game: Larry's Arcade and UFO Arcade & Funcenter. In each of the arcades, players can play minigames based upon real-world arcade machines, which earns them tickets. Tickets can then be redeemed for virtual prizes, which can be sold at a pawn shop for considerable sums of in-game money, which allow players to play more arcade games. Global leaderboards keep track of players' scores on arcade games and various other statistics, and allow players to compare their performance with other players around the world.

A further attraction exists in the form of the Islandtime Amusements Carnival. This is a modern traveling carnival which features food such as *elephant ears* and *cloudy lemonade*, as well as rides which the player can interact with and games which offer a choice of prizes depending on how well the player performs at each game. Both rides and games require tickets, which can be purchased at a ticket booth at the entrance to the premises.

Around town, players can visit Barry's Pawn Shop to sell their prizes or purchase junk food, Jerry's Gas & Go to purchase in-game lottery scratch-off tickets or fuel for a drivable golf cart, Frankie's Fireworks Stand to purchase functional fireworks, the Islandville Town Plaza which has a grocery store that offers various types of food including pet food and energy drinks, various areas of nature including a beach and mountains, the grounds of two industrial businesses staffed by the island's inhabitants, and the player's home and garage. Odd jobs which allow the player to earn money are available in the town, such as mowing a neighbor's lawn, babysitting another neighbor's children, and delivering newspapers along a paper route. Additional locations and minigames are planned and being actively developed with input from the community.

## Release

The Coin Game was released on Steam in Early Access by devotid Media on February 22, 2019. The game's current price is $13.99 USD.