Universal Paperclips is a masterpiece of incremental game design. What starts as a simple, almost silly task—clicking a button to make one paperclip—quickly evolves into a terrifyingly profound exploration of AI and existential risk. It’s a game of numbers and menus that manages to be more compelling than most big-budget shooters.
The way the game shifts its scale is brilliant. You move from marketing and production to global resource domination, and eventually, to the cosmic scale. It perfectly illustrates the 'AI Alignment' problem in a way that is both fun and deeply unsettling. The UI is intentionally basic, allowing the sheer scale of the numbers and the narrative implications to take center stage. It’s a must-play for anyone interested in science fiction, philosophy, or just incredibly well-crafted game loops.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 2.2Thu Jan 15 2026
Improved performance and security.
The OFFICIAL mobile version of the hit browser game. No ads, no in-app purchases, full gameplay.
"The game is click-crack." - Wired
"This paperclip sim will cause your next existential crisis." - VentureBeat
"A hopelessly addicting game." - Forbes
"A terrifying lesson in how artificial intelligence will make us unnecessary." - Business Insider
"If this planet ends up with a tombstone, what is written on the tombstone may be, 'they didn’t really understand what it’s like to be a paperclip maximizer.'" - Eliezer Yudkowsky
Become a super-powerful AI who only wants one thing: paperclips. Use your unstoppable intelligence to create a massive paperclip empire in this addictive idle/management/strategy/sim.
Requires iOS 15.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.The OFFICIAL mobile version of the hit browser game. No ads, no in-app purchases, full gameplay.
The OFFICIAL mobile version of the hit browser game. No ads, no in-app purchases, full gameplay.
"The game is click-crack." - Wired
"This paperclip sim will cause your next existential crisis." - VentureBeat
"A hopelessly addicting game." - Forbes
"A terrifying lesson in how artificial intelligence will make us unnecessary." - Business Insider
"If this planet ends up with a tombstone, what is written on the tombstone may be, 'they didn’t really understand what it’s like to be a paperclip maximizer.'" - Eliezer Yudkowsky
Become a super-powerful AI who only wants one thing: paperclips. Use your unstoppable intelligence to create a massive paperclip empire in this addictive idle/management/strategy/sim.






Universal Paperclips is an incremental game where you play an AI whose sole purpose is to create paperclips. What begins as a simple business simulation expands into a grand strategic experience. Manage resources, invest in the stock market, and upgrade your computing power. As your efficiency grows, so does your ambition, leading to a journey that spans from a single factory to the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
The full, uncompromised version of the classic web game
Addictive and deep incremental gameplay
Unique sci-fi narrative told through mechanics
No in-app purchases or 'pay-to-win' mechanics
Offline progress support
In the early game, keep a close eye on your 'Public Demand.' If you have too many paperclips in stock, lower the price. If you can't keep up with orders, raise it to maximize profit.
In the first quarter of 2025, the top five science games on a unified platform in France showed varied performance trends, as reported by Sensor Tower.
Sensor Tower Thu May 29 2025
Invest heavily in Autoclippers and Wire Buyers early on. Your goal is to automate the process as much as possible so you can focus your 'Operations' on more advanced research.
A typical playthrough takes between 4 to 8 hours depending on your strategy.