Second Chance at a Billion is a Roguelike That Turns Insider Trading into a Time-Traveling Game

A new indie title, Second Chance at a Billion, is set to arrive on Steam this May, offering players a distinctive blend of roguelike progression and historical market manipulation. Developed by a solo creator, the game challenges players to leverage future knowledge to build a financial empire, all while evading the watchful eye of the SEC.

In this roguelike trading simulation, players select a starting year between 2000 and 2023, then dive into real historical stock markets. The core loop revolves around using genuine price data from significant financial events like the 2008 crash, the COVID-19 dip, and the dot-com bubble. The ultimate goal is to reach a net worth of one billion dollars before the player's suspiciously perfect trades attract too much attention from regulatory bodies.

The game incorporates an “SEC attention system” where successful trades increase scrutiny, pushing players to diversify their illicit activities. As players progress, they unlock increasingly illegal methods of wealth generation, from insider trading to outright Ponzi schemes. The roguelike elements come into play with a progression system allowing players to earn points, unlock upgrades, and restart after each attempt, aiming to hit eight quarterly financial targets ranging from $15,000 to $1 billion. Missing any target results in a game over.

Second Chance at a Billion represents a solo developer's first foray into game creation, offering a fresh perspective on economic simulation. Players interested in testing their financial acumen—and their ability to outsmart the system—can look forward to its release on Steam in May.