That’s What She Said: Deliver Me from This Mobile Game
If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself entrapped by the mobile game inspired by a beloved sitcom, where characters and storylines you adore come to life. This game, known as Somehow We Manage, falls under the category of “idle games.” These games allow players to step away while still making progress. In this case, characters like Jim, Dwight, and Angela continue to earn their currency, be it Schrute Bucks or yogurt lids, even when you’re not actively playing. I haven’t seen any Stanley Nickels yet, but the Pretzel Day event was a highlight.
The aim of the game is straightforward: sell paper and collect customer leads that pop up with each sale to increase your revenue. It’s also classified as an “incremental game,” rewarding repetitive actions. In this instance, that means tapping on a pile of money, which adds to your total each time you do so. This process, known as “grinding” in gaming lingo, quickly becomes addictive.
How do I know so much about this game? Because I play it daily, both idly and actively, and can’t seem to break free. I meticulously plan strategies to improve Jim’s earnings and speed up Creed’s slow progress. I watch countless ads for cheesy bingo games and food just to add a few dollars to my in-game balance. I often postpone more pressing tasks to tend to these pixelated characters that remind me of a show I enjoy. When you put it that way, it seems a bit absurd.
Despite my criticisms of capitalism and its flaws, I find myself unable to stop playing. The “idle” earnings uncomfortably reflect how CEOs profit from the hard work of everyday people. In this game, after you toil through a level, the money you’ve earned vanishes, only to enrich someone else. Yet, you’re constantly pushed to keep playing, with every moment being an opportunity for more earnings. Your goal is to continually accumulate wealth, which mirrors the relentless grind of real life.
As a freelance writer and editor, I feel this pressure in my everyday life too. My mind insists I should accept every job offer, regardless of how uninteresting or poorly paid they are. It’s all about the money! This commitment to earning feels just as relentless as my gameplay in this digital world. It begs the question: why do I think that every billable hour must be spent chasing small sums? If my bills are covered, shouldn’t I dedicate that time to activities I truly enjoy? You know, truly living the life I’ve worked so hard to achieve?
Another question arises: am I ready to delete this frustrating game? Honestly, no. It serves as a distraction during my busy workdays. But am I prepared to stop taking on so many pointless tasks that necessitate a mental escape? Absolutely. I’d prefer to spend more time enjoying The Office rather than living it.

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