There Is No Game

About This Game

There Is No Game, developed by Draw Me A Pixel (led by Pascal Cammisotto, aka KaMiZoTo), is a brilliantly unconventional point-and-click adventure that playfully insists it’s not a game. Originally created for the 2015 Deception Jam, this expanded version, There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension (released 2020), follows a mischievous narrator, “Game,” who tries to stop you from playing. You’ll break the fourth wall, solve creative puzzles, and navigate absurd scenarios across six chapters, from a 2D point-and-click world to a Sherlock Holmes-inspired adventure and a glitchy RPG. With its retro pixel art, hilarious voice acting by Cammisotto himself, and clever meta-humor, it’s a love letter to gaming culture. Rated for ages 12 and up due to mild cartoon violence and language, it’s perfect for puzzle fans, comedy lovers, and players who enjoy games like The Stanley Parable. Expect a 4-6 hour adventure that keeps you guessing and laughing.

How to Play

Playing There Is No Game is a delightful mix of exploration and rule-breaking. Here’s how it works:

• Interact with Everything: Click or tap on objects, text, or UI elements to trigger events. The narrator, Game, insists there’s nothing to play, so you’ll need to “misbehave” by clicking unexpected items, like the title screen’s letters or a mute button.
• Solve Creative Puzzles: Each chapter features unique puzzles, such as dragging a goat to break a machine, assembling a nut in a squirrel game, or solving a Sherlock Holmes mystery with logic clues. Puzzles blend point-and-click, logic, and mini-games.
• Navigate Chapters: Progress through six chapters, each parodying a game genre (e.g., point-and-click, RPG, free-to-play). Use inventory items, combine objects, or manipulate the environment to advance.
• Listen to the Narrator: Game’s sarcastic commentary provides hints (and humor). Pay attention to his complaints, as they often point to the next action, like clicking a forbidden button.
• Use Hints: If stuck, the premium version includes a hint system to nudge you without spoiling solutions. Free versions on Poki may offer hints via ads. There’s no time limit, and the linear story lets you focus on clever problem-solving. Some puzzles, like the Sherlock chapter’s number code, can be tricky, but trial and error is encouraged. Checkpoints ensure you don’t lose progress.

Platforms

There Is No Game is accessible across multiple devices:

• Mobile: iOS and Android devices, including phones and tablets
• Tablet: iPad, Android tablets, and similar devices
• PC/Computer: Any web browser on Windows, macOS, or Linux (compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and more)
• Chrome Extension: Available via the Chrome Web Store for offline play
• Steam: Premium version (There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension) with full chapters and enhanced features The browser version on Skipthegame, Poki, or platforms like Newgrounds and itch.io requires no downloads or logins—just open and play. The free version on Poki includes the original 2015 jam game, while Wrong Dimension is premium on Steam, iOS, and Android. Mobile apps and the Chrome extension support offline play. The game uses HTML5, replacing its Flash origins, with gamepad support for Steam. Some players report minor lag on low-end mobile devices, addressed in the August 2020 Steam update.

Pop Groups

There Is No Game appeals to a wide audience, but these groups are especially drawn to it:

• Puzzle Enthusiasts: Fans of point-and-click games like The Room or Samorost will love the creative, genre-bending puzzles.
• Comedy Lovers: Players who enjoy meta-humor and fourth-wall-breaking games like The Stanley Parable or Deadpool will laugh at the narrator’s antics.
• Story-Driven Gamers: Those who like narrative-driven adventures, such as Firewatch, will enjoy the quirky storytelling and lore.
• Teens and Adults: Rated for ages 12 and up due to mild cartoon violence and language (e.g., “damn”), it’s ideal for older kids and adults.
• Retro Game Fans: The pixel art and references to classic games appeal to players nostalgic for 90s gaming culture.

More Games Like This

If you’re hooked on There Is No Game, try these similar games for more puzzle or comedic fun:

• Forgotten Hill: Surgery (Skipthegames): An FM Studio horror point-and-click with eerie puzzles, offering a darker puzzle-solving vibe.
• The Stanley Parable (Steam): A meta adventure with a sarcastic narrator and branching choices, perfect for fans of There Is No Game’s humor.
• Samorost 3 (Poki): An Amanita Design point-and-click adventure with whimsical puzzles and stunning visuals.
• Little Alchemy 2 (Poki): A creative puzzle game where you combine elements, ideal for fans of experimental gameplay.
• Inscryption (Steam): A genre-bending game with meta-narrative and puzzles, blending card-based mechanics with a quirky story.

These games offer a mix of puzzles, humor, and innovative storytelling to keep the fun going.

Developer

There Is No Game was developed by Draw Me A Pixel, a small French indie studio led by Pascal Cammisotto (KaMiZoTo). Originally a 2015 Deception Jam entry, the expanded Wrong Dimension was crowdfunded with €42,000 and released in 2020. The team, including Cammisotto’s voice acting and wife’s translations, creates charming, innovative games. Their portfolio is small but impactful, with There Is No Game earning praise for its humor and creativity, as seen in X posts calling it a “masterpiece” and “indie gem.” Support them at drawmeapixel.com or contact@drawmeapixel.com.

Features

There Is No Game is packed with features that make it a unique adventure:

• Six Genre-Bending Chapters: Explore parodies of point-and-click, RPG, and free-to-play games, each with unique puzzles and humor.
• Hilarious Narrator: Game’s sarcastic voice (by Cammisotto) guides and mocks you, breaking the fourth wall for laughs and hints.
• Retro Pixel Art: Charming 2D visuals with detailed animations, from glitchy interfaces to Sherlock-inspired settings.
• Catchy Soundtrack: Original music enhances the quirky vibe, with themes for each chapter.
• Multilingual Support: Available in 15 languages, including English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.
• Offline Play: Enjoy without Wi-Fi on mobile apps, the Chrome extension, or Steam.
• Free and Premium Options: The original jam game is free on Poki; Wrong Dimension is paid on Steam, iOS, and Android with no ads.
• Cross-Platform Support: Play on mobile, tablet, PC, or Steam with smooth performance.
• Hint System: Premium versions include hints; free versions may offer hints via ads. Some players note the free version’s shorter length (10-15 minutes) compared to the 4-6 hour premium game.

Controls

The controls are simple and intuitive across devices:

• Mouse (PC): Click to interact with objects, UI elements, or inventory items. Drag for specific actions, like moving a goat or breaking a title screen.
• Touchscreen (Mobile/Tablet): Tap to interact with objects or navigate menus. Tap and drag for puzzle actions, like combining items.
• Keyboard (Optional): Use arrow keys or WASD for some mini-games (e.g., RPG chapter). Enter to confirm, Esc to pause.
• Hint Button: Click or tap for hints (via ads in free versions or included in premium versions). Controls are responsive, though some mobile players reported tap precision issues, fixed in the August 2020 update for Wrong Dimension.

Release Date

The original There Is No Game launched on August 7, 2015, for the Deception Jam on Newgrounds. The expanded There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension released on August 6, 2020, on Steam, with mobile apps for iOS and Android following on December 17, 2020. The free jam version is available on Poki and itch.io, with a May 2021 release on Poki. Updates as recent as July 2024 fixed minor bugs, like inventory glitches, and added Japanese translations. The game’s popularity is evident in X posts praising its humor and creativity.

FAQ

Q: Is There Is No Game free to play?
A: The original 2015 version is free on Skipthegame, Poki, and itch.io with ads. Wrong Dimension is paid on Steam, iOS, and Android, offering 4-6 hours of content with no ads.

Q: Can I play offline?
A: Yes, mobile apps, the Chrome extension, and Steam versions support offline play, ideal for gaming anywhere.

Q: Is this game suitable for kids?
A: It’s rated for ages 12 and up due to mild cartoon violence and language (e.g., “damn”), suitable for teens with parental guidance but not young children.

Q: How long is the game?
A: The free version takes 10-15 minutes; Wrong Dimension takes 4-6 hours across six chapters. Speedrunners can finish in under an hour, but exploration is recommended.

Q: What if I get stuck on a puzzle?
A: Use the hint system (via ads in free versions or included in premium versions). Walkthroughs are available on drawmeapixel.com or YouTube, especially for tricky puzzles like the Sherlock number code.

Q: Are there ads in the game?
A: Free browser versions include ads, which can be intrusive for hints. Steam and mobile premium versions are ad-free.

Q: Can I play on multiple devices?
A: Yes, play on mobile, tablet, PC, or Steam via browser or apps. Progress doesn’t sync across devices.

Q: Is it really “not a game”?
A: It’s a playful deception! The game uses meta-humor to pretend it’s not a game, but it’s a full puzzle adventure with a cohesive story. X posts call it a “game about not being a game.”

Q: Are there similar games on Skipthegame?
A: Try Forgotten Hill: Surgery or Exhibit of Sorrows on Skipthegame for more point-and-click adventures with a darker tone.