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Tax Heaven 3000

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2023 video game
Tax Heaven 3000
Publisher(s)MSCHF
Platform(s)
ReleaseMarch 22, 2023
Genre(s)Dating sim

Tax Heaven 3000, abbreviated as TH3K, is a Japanese-styled dating simulator game released by American art collective MSCHF which helps the player prepare their federal income taxes. The game was released in March 2023 in preparation for the 2022 tax deadline by making the player go on dates with the protagonist in which they input personal information required to generate a tax return.

Background

MSCHF, an American art collective, previously released a videogame on Steam titled Chair Simulator in 2021.

Gameplay

Tax Heaven 3000 does not require internet connection. The "visual novel dating game" has various scenarios for the player, in which they interact with a character named "Iris". The player goes on dates with Iris and "get to know each other," in which the player is required to input their personal details including their legal name, address, along with checking for potential tax benefit eligibility, as well as the player's social security number and their banking details. Tax Heaven 3000 then created a PDF of the player's federal tax return for the IRS. In the game, Iris criticizes TurboTax and similar tax preparation software as "predatory, parasitic bottlenecks that deliberately complicate the tax filing process in order to make it unnavigable by ordinary people." The game features "Turbo", a character described as "an unsavory SaaS bro" whose 'likes' are characterized as "corporate lobbying, confusing forms, dark UX, and fleece vests".

Release

Tax Heaven 3000 was released by MSCHF on March 22, 2023. It was released on itch.io and, for only around half a day, Steam, before being removed from the Steam Store. According to Daniel Greenberg, the co-founder of MSCHF, the game was set to be released on April 4, 2023, after it later "went through Steam's standard verification process." It is available for Windows and macOS devices, and was released as a free-to-play game, although MSCHF also released a US$90 collector's edition as part of the project which contained physical merchandise. Because the game is offline, Greenberg stated that the game was "probably safer than most big box tax software" regarding the handling of personal information. The game was also released as a message in criticism of TurboTax. The gameplay itself was described by TechCrunch as "pretty PG-13, though there are a few innuendos." MSCHF also released an "X-rated patch" for the project, which links to a Wattpad post titled "The BOFA Encounter", a not safe for work story "about Iris' abduction from TurboTax". Tax Heaven 3000 was also described as being "suitable for single filers without dependents" by MSCHF.

Reception

The game received mixed reviews on itch.io. Kelly Phillips Erb of Forbes wrote that "the idea of handing my personal and financial information over in a game felt… weird," though acknowledged that the delivery is no different than tax software programs. Cecily Mauran of Mashable joked that "at least won't break your heart like the IRS." Wailin Wong and Brittany Cronin, of NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money podcast, complimented the game for what they remarked as having a 2000s style.

References

  1. McWhertor, Michael (March 22, 2023). "Anime dating sim that also does your taxes coming for tax season". Polygon. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Erb, Kelly Phillips (April 9, 2023). "Swipe Right On Your 1040EZ: Inside The 'Tax Heaven 3000' Dating Sim". Forbes. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  3. Cowen, Trace William (March 22, 2023). "MSCHF's Latest Project Is a Dating Game That Also Helps With Income Taxes". Complex. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Madsen, Hayes (February 20, 2024). "Despite Steam Ban, 'Tax Heaven 3000' Creator Says It's "Probably Safer" Than TurboTax". Inverse. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  5. Nguyen, Britney (March 23, 2023). "This dating-simulator game says it'll help prepare your taxes as you play — and criticizes TurboTax as 'predatory'". Business Insider. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Mauran, Cecily (March 27, 2023). "Finally, there's a girlfriend simulator that can also file your taxes". Mashable. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Peters, Jay (March 22, 2023). "MSCHF's free dating simulator that can prepare your taxes is no longer on Steam". The Verge. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Silberling, Amanda (March 30, 2023). "I played the anime dating sim that does your taxes for you". TechCrunch. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  9. Blazenhoff, Rusty (March 23, 2023). "Single with no kids? This dating sim can help do your taxes". Boing Boing. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  10. Colbert, Isaiah (March 22, 2023). "This Dating Sim Will Help You File Your Taxes [Update]". Kotaku. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  11. Wong, Wailin; Cronin, Brittany (April 18, 2023). "The dating game that does your taxes". The Indicator From Planet Money. NPR. Retrieved July 12, 2024.

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