Choose DumbBots
Choose DumbBots if it's currently about 93% cheaper on the Steam Store. DumbBots launched in 2021.
DumbBots vs Automation
DumbBots and Automation both land in Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam. DumbBots (2021) is 1 year older than Automation (2022). DumbBots is currently ~93% cheaper on Steam than Automation (0.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Automation
Choose Automation if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Automation launched in 2022.
Both DumbBots and Automation sit in Strategy, Indie, and Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 DumbBots |  Automation | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Indie, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Unsupported |
| Price | 0.99 USD | 14.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 8 reviews | 75.7% positive (37 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Michael Hall | One Tree Hill Studios |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- DumbBots (2021) is 1 year older than Automation (2022).
- DumbBots is currently ~93% cheaper on Steam than Automation (0.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: DumbBots is Deck Playable, Automation is Deck Unsupported.
DumbBots vs Automation — FAQ
- Should I play DumbBots or Automation first?
- If you want chronology, DumbBots (2021) came out before Automation (2022). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are DumbBots and Automation similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.