Pump And Dump is an indie casual simulation game for PC that places players in the role of an aspiring stock trader in 1987. The experience centers on climbing the corporate ladder at a trading firm through a mix of legitimate trades and calculated market interference, all while avoiding detection by regulators.
Gameplay
The core loop begins in the mailroom with a strict eight-week deadline to reach a cash target or face dismissal. Nine stocks fluctuate in real time on the terminal, ranging from stable options like Grandma's Cookies to volatile ones such as YOLO Technologies and DogeCoin Classic. Players buy, sell, and eventually short positions once they reach broker status. Scheme cards provide direct control over prices through actions like PUMP IT, DUMP IT, SHORT SQUEEZE, and TO THE MOON, along with seventeen additional variants. These cards can be upgraded to stronger "+" versions that deliver greater impact while drawing less scrutiny. The game pauses during card targeting to allow precise selection.
Heat from schemes builds over time and attracts attention from Agent Griggs of the SEC. Subpoenas arrive as heat rises, and a full raid at maximum heat results in the loss of a significant cash portion. Phone calls interrupt the day with offers from buyers like Dr. Feldman, stock tips from callers whose track records are visible, and warnings from Carol. From week three onward, some calls represent SEC stings that require careful handling. Each night after the bell, players select one of three options: a new scheme card, a "+" upgrade for an existing card, or one of eighteen Edges that alter rules for the remainder of the run. Examples include WIRETAP KIT for verifying tip accuracy and FALL GUY for shifting raid blame to a hire.
Weekend visits to the Back Room allow hiring from thirteen crew members who each modify rules. Donnie improves pump sales at peak prices, Rita filters calls for law enforcement, and the Professor reveals true stock trends. Cold callers can be added to handle sales automatically. Cards can also be taken to Gus's print shop for upgrades. Every run features a different sequence of weekly twists announced on Monday, such as MARGIN CALL limiting positions, PHONES DOWN disabling the switchboard, BULL RUN boosting all stocks, or THE SEC AUDIT prohibiting new shorts. Marv may occasionally adjust the books after a near-miss target.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of repeated runs that build toward retirement. Daily Challenge provides a shared market for all players with a single attempt. After retirement, an endless epilogue unlocks eight Audit Levels that increase difficulty while multiplying scores. Seeded runs enable direct competition with friends on identical markets. The Roguelike structure ensures no two runs match due to varying week orders and twist combinations.
Progression and Customization
Every run awards CLOUT regardless of outcome. This currency unlocks permanent changes through THE ROLODEX, a skill tree of thirteen contacts. Aunt Fran provides starting cash, Judge Halloran can dismiss the first raid, and the Senator reduces Friday targets. Seven starting traders become available, each with unique decks and rules. A Rap Sheet tracks twenty-four feats across runs. The visual style features a full CRT monitor effect with curvature and scanlines, alongside options for a plain screen, colorblind price palette, and reduced flashing.
Is It Worth Playing?
Pump And Dump suits players who enjoy simulation games with strategic depth, roguelike replayability, and light narrative elements around corporate ambition and risk. The blend of trading decisions, card-based manipulation, crew management, and escalating regulatory pressure creates a focused single-player loop that rewards planning and adaptability. Those interested in casual simulation titles with short, repeatable sessions and rule-changing progression will find the mechanics engaging. The game requires no prior finance knowledge and emphasizes reading headlines alongside button inputs to execute trades and schemes. Availability on PC makes it accessible for those seeking an original take on market simulation without real-world financial stakes.