Guess the failed artist is something I can sympathies with.
I like working around a games "limitations" that prevent you from continuing by using "bugs". Makes me feel smart. You have basically a nice premise for such a story. Just need some actual scraps of gameplay and a good plotline.
The beginners guide had really strong and witty writing as well as a gut punch of a twist. I haven't experienced such a betrayal ever since and I doubt something will come any where close to that.