Autism Simulator

Autism Simulator is a deeply personal interactive fiction/simulation game that puts you in the shoes of an autistic software engineer trying to survive a normal workweek in an office environment. The game focuses not on action but on the psychological experience, fatigue, and masking – a mechanism that many autistic people must perform on a daily basis to fit in with the social norms around them.

Story & Themes

You are an autistic programmer working in a tech company. Every day, you must choose how to react to situations: communicating with colleagues, meeting with groups, being interrupted, being pressured by your boss, or trying to pretend to be normal.

There is no real victory in the game; the goal is to maintain energy, avoid burnout, and keep your job. The story explores the feelings of inner conflict, mental exhaustion, and loneliness that come with living in a world that is not designed for you.

Autism Simulator Mechanics

• The game is a simulation and a visual novel.
• Players choose their responses in conversations and social situations.
• Each choice affects their energy, stress, and masking levels.
• If the stress level exceeds a threshold, you can shut down (emotionally numb) or melt down (emotionally explode).
• There is no perfect happy ending – just surviving the workweek.

The Message of Autism Simulator

This work shares the experiences of a single autistic individual, in the author's own words: “This simulation is based on the experiences of a single autistic individual and is not representative of all autistic people.” It exposes the fatigue of masking oneself (masking fatigue), the fear of being stigmatized, and the feeling of having to play a role to survive.

Autism Simulator is a brief simulation experience that portrays the life of an autistic software engineer who attempts to mask their identity in order to survive in the workplace. Stay energized, deal with social expectations, and find ways to get through the workweek - without losing yourself. There are plenty of other horror story games out there, including The New Resident.