Indie studio Embers has seen an unexpected surge for Paper Shredder, with the odd office simulation game passing 100,000 Steam wishlists just 48 hours after its initial reveal. The viral office sim casts players in a low-level job with a straightforward objective: shred huge stacks of company files, sweep up paper scraps, and work toward a $1,000,000 payout.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Embers
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Platforms: PC (Linux via Windows/Proton and Steam Deck support planned)
- Milestone: Surpassed 100,000 Steam wishlists in 48 hours
Gameplay Loop and Office Secrets
The office sim starts players off shredding single sheets before scaling up to massive paper stacks. Basic equipment upgrades to heavy-duty machinery using company merit points earned on the job. Beneath the speed-focused gameplay lies a satirical tone featuring a Happiness Manager who dispenses constant, toxic cheer to keep employee morale high.
Players can also dig for clues hidden underneath the paper mess to uncover branching story paths left behind by former workers who tried to shred their way out of the office.
Linux, Proton, and Steam Deck Support Plans
Built using Unreal Engine 5, Paper Shredder is slated for PC with specific support paths for Linux and handheld hardware. Rather than building a native Linux version, the studio plans to run the Windows build via Proton while targeting Steam Deck and Steam Machine verification.
Embers has not yet shared Steam Deck Verified status, test results, or frame rate data. Before the full launch, the developer plans to release a playable Steam demo alongside public playtests, giving players a chance to test performance and check how the title runs on Valve's hardware.