Get Into the Playtest Safely
The playtest is a limited Steam test, so getting legitimate access is the first hurdle. If you are already in, you can jump straight into the call-center chaos; if not, an invite from an approved tester is currently the practical route.
Signups were closed after a large number of requests, while access is being granted in limited waves. Players who received access can invite up to three Steam friends. Check Steam notifications and your library if you registered before signups closed.
| Access route | What to do | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| You signed up earlier | Watch your Steam notifications and library | Access may arrive in a limited wave |
| A friend has access | Ask them to send one of their three invites | This is the direct route while signups are closed |
| No signup or invite | Wishlist the game and follow its Discord and Steam news | Wait for more access or the Early Access launch |
| Someone offers a paid key | Decline it | Playtest access is not sold legitimately |
Use official Steam discussions or the game’s Discord to look for teammates or invite opportunities. Keep expectations realistic: invite-request threads can be crowded, and no one is obligated to share an invite.
Do not buy a supposed playtest key, code, Steam account, manifest, or “demo download.” Access is tied to Steam accounts, and the developers have not announced standalone codes. Never give another person your Steam login, password, authentication code, or payment information.
Set Up Your First Shift
Once the playtest appears in your Steam library, install it through Steam and launch it with a stable broadband connection. The game supports solo play and online co-op, but its best moments usually come from a group improvising together.
You run a fictional call center where the people on the other end are AI-driven characters. The premise is deliberately dark comedy: your team uses absurd scam scripts to persuade fictional callers, earns progress toward a daily quota, and tries to avoid the consequences of making the workday too chaotic.
Before starting a session, agree on simple team roles. You do not need to follow these rigidly, but dividing attention prevents everyone from talking over the same caller.
- Caller: Leads the live conversation and responds to the AI character.
- Researcher: Watches available customer details, scam options, and computer information.
- Computer operator: Handles remote-access tasks when the scenario allows it.
- Spotter: Calls out suspicious behavior, scambaiters, viruses, or time pressure.
- Host or coordinator: Keeps the team focused on the quota and knows when to end a risky call.
| Setup choice | Why it matters | Good starting approach |
|---|---|---|
| Solo or co-op | Co-op adds more ideas but can create confusion | Start with a small group and clear roles |
| Voice communication | Conversations move in real time | Use headsets and avoid everyone speaking at once |
| Scam scenario | Different pitches fit different callers | Choose a simple premise until you learn the flow |
| Daily target | Progress depends on meeting quota | Track results after each call, not only at day’s end |
The game uses live AI conversations, so the caller may react to your wording, inconsistencies, and tone. Treat each interaction as improv rather than a dialogue tree with one correct answer.
Work the Calls and Read the Caller
At a phone station, begin a call, identify the fictional caller’s mood, and establish a believable angle. Your objective is to move the conversation toward the scenario’s goal without losing the caller’s trust or triggering resistance.
A confident opening helps, but do not overload the caller with details. Explain who you supposedly are, give them a reason to stay on the call, and listen for useful information. Some callers are gullible, some are skeptical, and some may be actively trying to waste your time.
| Caller signal | Likely meaning | Useful response |
|---|---|---|
| They ask direct questions | They need a clearer story | Give a concise answer that matches your earlier claim |
| They share a personal concern | They may be engaged | Connect the scenario to that concern without changing your story |
| They mock or challenge you | They may be skeptical or a scambaiter | Stay calm, simplify the pitch, or move on |
| They mention security or police | Risk is rising | Avoid escalating blindly; reassess the call |
| They follow instructions | The conversation is progressing | Give one clear next step and confirm it |
Use the information on your workstation to support the conversation. Some scenarios involve remotely accessing a caller’s computer, where you may encounter useful details as well as hazards. Work with your teammates: one person can keep the caller engaged while another checks the computer or prepares the next instruction.
Consistency is usually more valuable than theatricality. If you say you represent a technical support company, do not suddenly switch to a cryptocurrency pitch unless the situation gives you a convincing reason. AI callers can notice contradictions, and an absurd lie works best when everyone on the team commits to it.
The game’s calls are fictional, but it is still smart to keep the distinction clear. Do not use real people’s information, imitate an actual company outside the game, or carry the game’s scripts into real life.
Meet Quota Without Losing the Day
Calls are only one part of a shift. You need to contribute toward the daily quota while handling an increasingly disorderly office and preparing for the boss’s performance review at the end of the day.
A failed call is not automatically a failed shift. Cut your losses when a caller is clearly hostile, resistant, or baiting the team. Spending too long arguing can cost more than moving to a fresh lead.
Try this shift rhythm:
- Open with a straightforward scenario and learn how each teammate communicates.
- Keep early calls short enough to test whether the caller is receptive.
- Assign one player to watch the quota and flag when the team is falling behind.
- Use remote-computer opportunities carefully, especially when warnings or suspicious activity appear.
- After a bad call, briefly identify the mistake, then reset instead of replaying the argument.
- Before the review, make sure the group understands what helped or hurt the day’s result.
Office disruptions and performance reviews are part of the intended pressure. They turn a successful call into only one piece of a larger workday. Expect rough edges, balance changes, and new content during the test, since player feedback is helping shape the co-op experience and progression.
The playtest includes free AI credits. An optional Unlimited AI purchase removes the credit limit for the active playtest, but it does not grant playtest access or include a game key. It is linked to an account that has already played, and one purchase covers the lobby, so a group generally needs no more than one host to buy it. The full release is intended to include unlimited AI without that playtest-only limit.
FAQ
How to play scam with your friends playtest if signups are closed?
Ask a Steam friend who already has playtest access for an invite. Each approved player can invite up to three friends. Otherwise, wishlist the game and monitor official Steam and Discord announcements for future access.
Is the playtest free?
Yes. Access is free and includes an allowance of AI credits. The optional Unlimited AI playtest upgrade costs extra, but it is not required to try the game.
Does Unlimited AI give me access to the playtest?
No. It only removes the AI-credit limit for an account that already has playtest access and has launched the game.
Can I play alone?
Yes. The game supports single-player as well as online co-op. Co-op is useful because teammates can handle talking, workstation tasks, and quota tracking at the same time.
What should I do if a caller seems suspicious?
Stay alert for scambaiters, contradictions, and computer hazards. Do not waste an entire shift trying to force one unproductive call; end it, share what you learned with the team, and try another scenario.