Steam offers a vast range of games, from AAA titles like Monster Hunter Wilds to bizarre adult releases. But every now and then, an oddball game breaks into the mainstream, becoming a viral sensation that dominates discussions for days.
One such game is about digging holes. And yes, that’s exactly what it’s called: A Game About Digging A Hole.
What could a game about digging holes possibly accomplish? Apparently, quite a lot. It has sent players into a frenzy, sparking endless questions about its strange and cryptic lore surrounding, well…digging holes. Before we go any further, be warned — spoilers ahead. If you want to experience it fresh, play it first.
To set the stage, the game is exactly what it sounds like. You, the player, purchase a house for ten thousand dollars based on rumors of a long-buried treasure hidden beneath it. The first few minutes are straightforward: digging up common resources to sell, occasionally uncovering odd items that don’t seem to belong. On a lucky dig, you might even stumble upon a hidden stash of cash.
But as the game progresses, things take a much stranger turn. Yes, you’re still digging, but one particular moment in the game takes an unexpected twist — one we won’t spoil here. Hidden throughout its seemingly endless map is a deeper, underlying lore, and subreddits like r/GameTheorists are hard at work unpacking its mysteries.
For those who appreciate literary influences, A Game About Digging A Hole seems to take inspiration from Mark Z. Danielewski’s bestselling novel House of Leaves, which tells the eerie tale of a family who moves into a house that mysteriously spawns new doors and bottomless pits, leading into a dark, infinite labyrinth. It’s a surreal and unsettling read — one I highly recommend if you’re in the mood for some weird horror.
Surprisingly, the game is quite affordable for a roughly two-hour experience. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can dive in and start digging. Just don’t expect intricate RPG mechanics or flashy trick shots. This is a game that’s easily worth four bucks — something you’d play to pass the time. Unless, of course, you’re the type to obsess over hidden secrets.
Developer Cyberwave has been making games for a while, primarily puzzle-focused titles like Hourglass (2021), with upcoming releases such as Solarpunk and Sloth Simulator. According to the game’s Steam page, A Game About Digging A Hole was created by a developer named Ben in his spare time.
Currently, A Game About Digging A Hole holds a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, with over 7,000 players praising it. The reviews are equally entertaining—some call it a ‘religious experience,’ while others spiral into philosophical musings about the meaning of life. Of course, most of this is in good fun. But who knows? Maybe if you play it, you’ll achieve enlightenment. It’s just a game about digging holes, after all.