Late Fee

Late Fee is a tycoon game about running the corner video store, starting in the mid-80s with two tapes and a lot of cobwebs. Customers wander in wanting something specific, and the whole game happens on the shop floor where you can watch it. You stock the shelves, learn from the walk-outs, and build toward the Friday night when the store is finally full.

The living store

Customers are little simulated people with wants. They walk in, browse the shelves, and either rent something or leave with a gray thought bubble you will take personally. The store is the interface, so you read the room instead of a chart.

Almost-familiar movies

You buy tapes from a parody library of movies you almost remember: numbered action sequels, vampire romances, one very confident shark picture. Every title needs a bet on how many copies to order. Order too few and Friday punishes you; order too many and the dust is visible.

Cobwebs to Friday night

Everything you earn shows up on the floor: new shelves, new sections, better carpet, a neon sign that finally works. The store grows from a dead room into the packed Friday-night rush, and then movie history starts happening to you.