# Todd:Howard - You can (not) play forever

> 2018 visual novel

**Wikidata**: [Q113931230](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113931230)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/todd-howard-you-can-not-play-forever

## Summary
**Todd:Howard - You can (not) play forever** is a 2018 freeware visual novel and dating sim developed by Phiriart. It is a single-player comedy and parody video game featuring the likeness of video game director Todd Howard. The game runs on Microsoft Windows and macOS and was built using the TyranoBuilder engine.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Todd:Howard - You can (not) play forever
- **Release Date:** 2018
- **Developer & Publisher:** Phiriart
- **Genres:** Visual novel, Dating sim, Comedy, Parody
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS
- **Game Modes:** Single-player
- **Engine:** TyranoBuilder
- **License:** Proprietary (Freeware)
- **Download Size:** Approx. 111 MB (Windows), 110 MB (macOS)
- **Input Methods:** Computer mouse, Computer keyboard

## FAQs

### Q: Is Todd:Howard - You can (not) play forever free to play?
A: Yes, the game is classified as freeware. It is available for digital download at no cost, though it remains under a proprietary copyright license.

### Q: What platforms can run the game?
A: The game is natively available for Microsoft Windows and macOS. It requires a computer mouse and keyboard for input.

### Q: Who developed the game and when was it released?
A: The game was developed and published by an independent creator named Phiriart. It was first published in 2018.

## Why It Matters
This title serves as a distinct example of niche internet culture intersecting with video game development. As a parody dating sim, it reflects the community's fascination with public figures in the gaming industry, specifically Todd Howard. The game is notable for its specific cultural references; its title is a direct homage to the *Rebuild of Evangelion* film series (*Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance* and *3.0 You Can (Not) Redo*), blending gaming celebrity culture with anime tropes.

Despite being a small-scale indie project, the game achieved a perfect 5/5 rating on the itch.io distribution platform (as of September 2022), indicating a strong positive reception within its niche audience. Its availability across multiple distribution channels (itch.io, Mod DB, Indie DB) and compatibility with both major desktop operating systems (Windows and macOS) highlight its accessibility and enduring presence in the catalogue of oddity and parody games.

## Notable For
- **Parody Content:** Uniquely centers around a caricature of game director Todd Howard as a dating sim protagonist.
- **Cultural References:** The game's official title is a direct reference to the *Evangelion* film series naming convention (*You Can (Not) Advance/Redo*).
- **Critical Reception:** Holds a 5/5 aggregate rating on itch.io based on user reviews.
- **Tech Stack:** Built using TyranoBuilder, a visual novel construction tool.
- **Cross-Platform Support:** Offers optimized downloads for both Windows and macOS with specific file sizes for each.

## Body

### Development and Design
Developed by **Phiriart**, *Todd:Howard - You can (not) play forever* was published in **2018**. It is built on the **TyranoBuilder** software engine, a tool commonly used for creating visual novels without extensive coding knowledge. The game is designed as a single-player experience, utilizing standard computer inputs (mouse and keyboard).

The project is a multi-genre work, classified technically as a **visual novel** and a **dating sim**, but thematically defined as a **comedy** and **parody video game**. It is named after **Todd Howard**, the executive producer at Bethesda Softworks, and references the *Evangelion* anime film series in its phrasing.

### Technical Specifications
The game is distributed as a digital download and is compatible with **Microsoft Windows** and **macOS**. The download size varies slightly by platform:
- **Windows:** 111 Megabytes (MB)
- **macOS:** 110 Megabytes (MB)

The software is copyrighted but distributed under a **freeware** license, meaning it is free to download and play.

### Distribution and Availability
The game is widely available on several indie game hosting platforms:
- **itch.io:** Hosted at `https://phiriaart.itch.io/todd-howard-dating-sim` (Numeric ID: 228264).
- **Mod DB** and **Indie DB:** Listed under the ID `toddhoward-you-can-not-play-forever`.
- **Lutris:** Compatible with the Lutris open gaming platform (ID: `todd-howard-you-can-not-play-forever`).
- **IGDB:** Indexed in the Internet Game Database (ID: `todd-howard-you-can-not-play-forever`).

### Reception
On itch.io, the game has received a perfect **5/5** rating. It has been featured in various online videos, including Let's Plays by streamers such as Vinesauce (Joel) and others, which documented gameplay in 2018 and subsequent years. The game is currently available in the **English** language.

## References

1. Mod DB
2. Indie DB
3. itch.io
4. Q124398839