Do Not Feed the Monkeys is an adventure‑puzzle‑strategy title that debuted on 22 October 2018. As a digital voyeur simulator, the game places you inside the secretive Primate Observation Club, where you monitor strangers through hacked cameras, social media, and chat logs. Your job is to gather information without ever interfering—though the temptation to help, sabotage, or expose the subjects will test your resolve.

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, the game blends simulation with strategic resource management. Players must:

  • Browse a variety of online platforms—social networks, wikis, newspapers, and e‑stores—to collect clues about the people in your view.
  • Operate a range of surveillance tools, from standard cameras to hacked webcams, and keep track of real‑time events.
  • Document observations in a journal, connecting words and actions to uncover hidden narratives.
  • Make critical decisions: whether to stay silent, intervene, or expose a subject’s secrets.
  • Manage personal resources such as rent, food, and sleep, all of which affect your stamina and ability to keep spying.
  • Earn or purchase new “cages” (monitoring devices) to expand your reach while balancing the risk of over‑exposure.
  • Replay the game to experience different climactic endings based on the choices you made.

Story & Setting

The narrative unfolds in a bleak, apartment‑sized world where you, a bored newcomer to the club, are thrust into the role of a silent observer. The club’s motto—“do not feed the monkeys”—serves both as a literal rule and a metaphor for the ethical dilemmas you face. As you progress, you uncover the club’s true nature: a front for a shadowy organization that thrives on watching others. Your actions (or inaction) can alter the lives of the subjects, from helping them escape a dire situation to causing unintended harm.

Platform Availability

Do Not Feed the Monkeys is available on multiple platforms, making it accessible to a wide audience:

  • PC (Steam)
  • Xbox One
  • PlayStation 4
  • Nintendo Switch
  • iOS

Notable Features

  • Real‑time Observation: Events unfold live, requiring quick note‑taking and analysis.
  • Deep Narrative Layers: Each subject’s story can branch, leading to different outcomes.
  • Resource Management: Balance rent, food, and sleep against your spying ambitions.
  • Peeper Mode: An optional mode that removes the time and money pressure for players who prefer pure observation.
  • Replayability: Multiple endings encourage revisiting the game to test different moral choices.
  • Metacritic Score: The game holds a 77.00 rating, reflecting solid reception from both critics and players.

Who It Appeals To

Players who enjoy:

  • Ethical decision‑making and narrative branching.
  • Simulation and management mechanics that challenge resource allocation.
  • Unconventional storytelling within an indie framework.
  • Strategic planning, as you decide when and how to intervene.
  • Immersive, atmospheric gameplay that rewards careful observation.