Scale the Depths FAQ
The questions players actually ask about Scale the Depths, with straight, verified answers — how much it costs, whether it is free, if there is multiplayer, whether cheat codes exist, the truth about the mobile “versions,” how long it is, and what it runs on. Every answer is checked against the official Steam page, the developers' own statements, and HowLongToBeat.
◇ The short answers
Scale the Depths started life as a free browser game-jam project and blew up — over 100,000 copies sold in its first two weeks after the full launch on May 28, 2026. That viral run left a lot of people with the same handful of questions, and a lot of confusion sown by copycat mobile apps. This page clears it up.
In one breath: it is a relaxing, single-player pixel-art fishing game; you can play a version free in your browser right here; the full four-world game is a one-time $9.99 purchase on Steam or GOG; there is no multiplayer, no official mobile app, and no cheat codes; a full run is roughly 8 hours; and it runs on Windows, macOS, and Steam Deck with partial controller support. The rest of this page goes deeper on each, grouped by topic.
Price & is it free
What it costs to play, and which versions are genuinely free.
Is Scale the Depths free?
Partly. There is a free browser version you can play instantly on this site, and Glass Gecko Games ships a free demo on both itch.io and Steam. The full game — all four worlds and the complete story — is a one-time $9.99 purchase on Steam or GOG. Nothing in any version is gated behind ads, microtransactions, or DLC paywalls.
How much does Scale the Depths cost on Steam?
$9.99 USD — a single one-time purchase. That price unlocks all four worlds (Loch Ness, Huatulco, Outer Banks, Point Nemo), every fish and customer, and the full story. There are no in-game purchases of any kind. It is also $9.99 on GOG, where it is DRM-free. (Prices verified on the official Steam store page, 2026.)
Is there a free demo?
Yes — two of them. The original browser demo on itch.io is free and is the version that went viral, and there is a separate free "Scale the Depths Demo" listing on Steam. Both cover the opening (Loch Ness) content so you can try the catch-scale-serve loop before buying the $9.99 full game.
Are there any in-app purchases or ads?
No. The full game is a single $9.99 purchase with no microtransactions, no season passes, and no ads inside the game. Any "free" mobile app that shows ads and claims to be Scale the Depths is an unauthorized clone, not the real game (see the mobile question below).
Where & how to play
The legitimate ways to play, on desktop and in the browser.
Where can I play Scale the Depths online for free?
Right here — the browser version runs on this site with no download and no account. It is the fastest way to try the game. If you want the full four-world experience, the $9.99 Steam or GOG release is the complete version.
Is there a video walkthrough?
Yes — several creators have posted full playthroughs and overview videos on YouTube, and the developer runs an official channel. Our own 100% Walkthrough embeds timestamped videos alongside written steps for each of the four worlds, so you can follow along without hunting through clips.
What are the controls?
In the browser build you move with A/D, interact with E, and use the mouse to scale fish. The Steam release adds partial controller support (see the controller question). If a specific action is not responding in the browser, click the game window first so it has keyboard focus.
Multiplayer & co-op
The short version: it is a solo game.
Is Scale the Depths multiplayer?
No. Scale the Depths is single-player only. The official Steam page lists it under the Single-player feature and the Singleplayer tag, with no co-op or online modes. It is designed as a relaxing solo fishing loop.
Is there co-op or a way to play with friends?
No. There is no local or online co-op, no shared saves, and no versus mode. If you have seen a "co-op fishing game" that looks similar, it is a different title — Scale the Depths itself has no multiplayer of any kind.
Cheats & codes
There are no built-in cheats — here is the honest answer.
Are there cheat codes or a cheat menu?
No. Scale the Depths has no official cheat codes, console commands, or built-in cheat menu. Progress comes from catching fish, serving customers, and buying upgrades. If you want to move faster, spend your first coins on fishing-line length — it is the upgrade that compounds, unlocking deeper fish and hidden areas.
Can I get unlimited money or unlock everything instantly?
Not through any legitimate feature — there is no money cheat in the game. The intended "fast track" is prioritising line length and scaling fish to Perfect quality for the payout multiplier. Third-party trainers or save editors exist for the Steam version as they do for most single-player PC games, but they are unofficial, unsupported, and can corrupt your save or break achievements.
Mobile & fake apps
How to tell the real game from the clones flooding app stores.
Is Scale the Depths on mobile (iOS / Android)?
No. There is no official iOS or Android version. HowLongToBeat and the Steam page list it only for Browser and PC. To play on a phone, open the free browser version on this site instead of downloading an app.
Then what are the Scale the Depths apps and ads I keep seeing?
They are unauthorized clones. Glass Gecko Games has publicly addressed this on their own Steam page — "in case you've seen 'similar' mobile ads floating around… this is the original." Any App Store or Play Store listing using the name or art is not made by the developers, may contain intrusive ads, and does not give you the real game.
Length & content
How long the game is and what the full version adds.
How long is Scale the Depths?
According to HowLongToBeat, the main story runs about 4–4.5 hours, a main-plus-extras run about 6–7 hours, and a full completionist run roughly 9.5 hours. Across all play styles the median is about 8 hours. The free demo covers the opening world and takes an hour or two.
What is the difference between the demo and the full game?
The free demo (browser / itch.io / Steam demo) covers the first world, Loch Ness, and the core loop. The $9.99 full game adds Huatulco, Outer Banks, and Point Nemo, dozens more fish and customers, cosmetics and boat upgrades, artifacts, messages in bottles, and the full story — several extra hours of content.
Are there achievements?
Yes. The Steam release includes 25 Steam Achievements, including some missable and 100%-completion ones. A few have been reported as finicky or buggy in the community forums; if one does not unlock, the developer's pinned "Bug Reports & Technical Issues" thread on Steam is the place to check.
Will there be DLC?
As of 2026 there is no announced DLC — the $9.99 game is complete on its own. Players do ask about it in the Steam forums, but nothing has been confirmed. Any future updates would be announced on the official Steam page and the developer's Discord.
Platforms, Mac & controller
What you can play it on, and how well it runs.
Is Scale the Depths on Mac?
Yes. The Steam release supports macOS — the store page lists macOS 11 Big Sur as the minimum, with Apple M1 or newer recommended. The free browser version also works on a Mac in any modern browser.
Does it work on Steam Deck?
Yes. Valve rates Scale the Depths as "Playable" on Steam Deck. As a relaxed, low-intensity fishing game it runs comfortably on the Deck's hardware.
Is there controller support?
Partially. The Steam page lists Partial Controller Support for both Xbox and PlayStation controllers, so most of the game is playable with a pad, though some actions may still expect mouse or keyboard. The browser version is keyboard-and-mouse only (A/D to move, E to interact, mouse to scale).
Is it on Nintendo Switch or PlayStation / Xbox consoles?
No. There is no console release announced as of 2026. The game is available on PC (Windows and macOS) via Steam and GOG, in the browser, and as a free itch.io demo.
What languages does Scale the Depths support?
The Steam release supports eight languages for interface and subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Polish, Russian, and Simplified Chinese. There is no full voice audio — the game uses text.
About the game
The basics — what it is and who made it.
What kind of game is Scale the Depths?
It is a casual, single-player pixel-art fishing game built around one loop: catch fish, scale them, serve them to hungry (often mythical) customers, then spend your earnings on better gear and go deeper. Tags on Steam include Fishing, Casual, Relaxing, Economy, and Exploration.
Who made Scale the Depths?
Glass Gecko Games, a small indie team from Canada. It began as a browser game-jam project (credited on itch.io to Serpexnessie) that went viral, then grew into a full release on May 28, 2026, published by Pretty Soon and Phoenix Games. It has held a Very Positive rating on Steam and sold over 100,000 copies in its first two weeks.
How do I restart or delete my save and start a new game?
This comes up a lot because the game has no obvious in-menu "new game" button. The short version: the game auto-saves and syncs through Steam Cloud, so to truly start over you generally need to remove the local save and manage the cloud copy. It is a common enough question that we cover the full step-by-step separately — see our save management guide.
◇ Go deeper
Answered your question? These pages cover the game in far more detail — from where to buy it to a full 100% route and searchable databases of every fish and customer.
⌬ Sources
- Scale the Depths on Steam — official $9.99 price, single-player / Steam Deck / partial controller / macOS support, 25 achievements, 8 supported languages, and the developers' statement on mobile clones.
- HowLongToBeat — Scale the Depths — main-story, main-plus-extras, and completionist play-time figures; Browser / PC platform listing.
- Steam Community discussions — real player questions (starting a new game, Perfect Bonus, buggy achievements, DLC) and the pinned Bug Reports thread.
- itch.io — Scale the Depths (free demo) — the original free browser demo and jam origins.
- Glass Gecko Games — official site — developer and studio details.
Facts verified August 2026. Prices and platform support can change — check the official Steam page for the latest.