Incremental game

An incremental game (also known as an idle game, clicker game, or tap game) is a video game genre centered on minimal player interaction, where simple actions—such as clicking a button—generate in-game currency. Players use this currency to purchase upgrades that automate progress (i.e., idling), enabling exponential growth in resource accumulation.

These games often feature rapidly escalating costs and rewards, with numbers frequently displayed in scientific notation or shorthand (e.g., "1T" for trillion). Core mechanics include prestige systems, where players reset progress for permanent bonuses, and monetization through microtransactions (e.g., instant currency boosts) or advertisements offering minor rewards. Titles like Cookie Clicker and AdVenture Capitalist popularized the genre, blending open-ended gameplay with occasional closed endings, as seen in Candy Box!.

Originating in the early 2000s with satirical titles like Progress Quest and Cow Clicker, the genre evolved to incorporate idle mechanics such as offline progression and layered prestige systems. Critics note its appeal as a low-pressure, distraction-friendly experience, often likened to "glorified spreadsheets" with thematic depth. Despite debates over their status as "non-games," incremental games have influenced mainstream genres by introducing auto-play modes and progression loops. Auto clicker software is commonly used to automate manual tasks, reflecting the genre's emphasis on efficiency.