Probably Stolen is attracting strong interest on Steam, offering a science-fiction take on the shop simulation genre. Published by tinyBuild, the game puts players behind the counter in a world with unusual customers and a more cyberpunk tone than an optimistic vision of the future.
The basic task is to keep the shop afloat by paying rent and selling suitable goods to customers who make requests. As the game progresses, players can combine items to increase their value, inspect goods to judge their worth and develop relationships with local factions.
The business can also take a riskier turn. Players may accept illegal shipments and try to make a profit before the authorities inspect the shop. Steam reviews highlighted the potential for chaotic outcomes, including one player who hid valuable stock in a trash can during an inspection and forgot to retrieve it before collection.
The source article reports a peak of 174,000 concurrent players on Steam and says the game costs less than $20. The combination of shop management, illicit trade and a distinctive sci-fi setting appears to have helped Probably Stolen stand out among recent shop sims.
Sources: PCGamesN.