after further research, i have discovered that this issue is caused by there being a comma in the folder path. specifically the comma in the "40,000" https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/game-ready-drivers/13/205743/cant-add-certain-game-exes-to-nvidia-3d-settings/

this comma makes it so the exe cannot be added to nvidia control panel. 

this limits a player's ability to modify and tweak their graphical settings for the game.

is it possible to modify the game's installation name so this comma is not used?

i removed the comma from the game's folder, and am now able to add the game in nvidia control panel. however, i can no longer launch the game from steam and instead have to launch from the exe directly. not exactly an ideal scenario.