Cash Cleaner Simulator, developed by Mind Control and published by Forklift/Digital Pajamas/GamerSky, sold over 100,000 copies within the first week of its release on Steam. Launched on May 8, 2025, the $15 title quickly became one of the top-performing new games of the month, ranking second in new releases by units sold, according to GameDiscoverCo data. The game achieved this result despite launching with only 42,000 wishlists, a number considered modest by industry standards for high-performing titles.

How Cash Cleaner Simulator Hit 100k Sales

100k Sales in 1 Week

The game's performance stands out not only for the volume of sales but also for its ability to generate a strong player response. Cash Cleaner Simulator currently holds a median playtime of over eight hours, which exceeds early projections and indicates a high level of player engagement. This level of sustained interaction is particularly notable within the simulator genre, where playtime is often a key indicator of a game’s quality and replayability.

A Distinctive Concept in the Simulator Genre

The core appeal of Cash Cleaner Simulator lies in its unusual premise. Rather than following a traditional simulator theme such as managing a gas station or running a small business, the game centers around the idea of laundering money for questionable clients. According to co-developer Tucker Dean, the team debated whether the concept would resonate with players. Ultimately, they concluded that the humor and novelty of the theme offered strong viral potential.

This decision paid off, as the game's premise became a central driver of social media engagement. Influencers and content creators responded positively to the game’s satirical tone, and while no individual video exceeded one million views, many clips reached hundreds of thousands of organic views on platforms like TikTok. This exposure played a significant role in building early awareness and generating word-of-mouth interest around the title.

Strategic Pre-Launch Marketing and Demos

The team behind Cash Cleaner Simulator adopted a deliberate and structured approach to its pre-launch marketing efforts. Over six months, developers Andrei Podoprigora and Tucker Dean worked through a series of planned marketing activities aimed at increasing wishlist numbers and building awareness. A notable early success came in December 2024 with the release of a limited-time Christmas-themed demo titled Santa’s Stash. The demo, developed from an early build of the game, helped drive a meaningful spike in organic wishlist growth at a time when visibility on Steam can be difficult to achieve.

The momentum from the holiday demo continued into February 2025 with a revised demo for Steam Next Fest, supported by a trailer and release date announcement during IGN Fan Fest. Although acquiring wishlists remained a challenge, these efforts created a foundation that supported a strong launch. The developer team acknowledged that even modest wishlist numbers can translate into strong performance when backed by a high-concept idea and well-timed exposure.

Playtesting and Data-Driven Development

A significant component of the development strategy for Cash Cleaner Simulator was active playtesting. The Forklift team used feedback and data collected during early playtests to refine the game's design and content. According to Dean, metrics such as playtime, Steam review score predictions, and user feedback played an important role in shaping both the gameplay experience and the launch plan.

Early Steam Playtest results indicated that a large number of players were spending significantly more time in the game than expected, even during early demo phases. These results suggested that the game had strong potential to retain players, which further justified the team’s decision to proceed with a full launch instead of opting for an Early Access model.

How Cash Cleaner Simulator Hit 100k Sales

Pricing and Release Strategy

In planning the release, the team made deliberate decisions around pricing and product positioning. The game launched at a price point of $15, with a 10% discount during its launch window. The intention was to encourage impulse purchases and maintain visibility within Steam’s “New and Trending” section. This pricing strategy aligns with current trends in the simulator space, where games tend to range between $10 and $20, depending on content depth and production value.

The team also decided to bypass Early Access in favor of a full 1.0 release. The reasoning behind this move was to ensure that the game could benefit from the visibility and momentum typically associated with complete titles. The developers believed that the game’s content and polish were sufficient to support a full release, and that waiting longer could risk losing attention in a competitive marketplace.

Long-Term Prospects and Industry Impact

While selling 100,000 units at launch may not place Cash Cleaner Simulator in the highest revenue bracket within the industry, it represents a significant milestone for a project developed by a small team of around five people. GameDiscoverCo estimates the game has already generated around $1 million in net revenue on Steam, with the potential to reach upwards of $5 million over time through continued sales, updates, and possible expansion to other platforms.

The title’s performance highlights how a well-executed concept, even without extensive pre-launch visibility, can break through in a crowded market. Its reception also reinforces the importance of combining unique themes with solid game mechanics and community engagement. In a genre that often suffers from repetitive or underdeveloped releases, Cash Cleaner Simulator has demonstrated that originality and quality can yield strong commercial results.

How Cash Cleaner Simulator Hit 100k Sales

Conclusion

Cash Cleaner Simulator’s early success on Steam is the result of a cohesive strategy that combined a distinctive concept, targeted marketing, and responsive development. The game’s ability to engage players through humor and replayability has positioned it as one of the notable indie titles of 2025. As it continues to grow its player base, the title serves as a case study in how smaller teams can achieve meaningful commercial outcomes through thoughtful planning and execution.