I love a good first-person shooter as much as the next person, but sometimes you just want to sit down in front of your computer and mindlessly build, manage and maintain a successful business while making millions. Is that too much to ask? Of course notthe possibilities are virtually endless.
Tycoon games are unique in that they are part of a genre that acts as a great unifier among gamers with diverse interests on the surface but the same burning desire to be on top and in control on the inside. There's truly something out there for everyone.
These Tycoon Games Are Perfect For Satisfying Your Inner CEO
With so many different simulators to choose from, it can be hard to cut through the noisewhat you might notice when looking is that a lot of the best ones are coming from debuting or otherwise unknown indie developers. While that's actually pretty cool, it can also be a bit confusing.
Lucky for you, I've done the legwork and pulled up some of the great Tycoon games for you myself!
'Game Dev Tycoon'
Released: December 10, 2012
Developer: Greenheart Games
Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux
As a game lover and amateur game designer, I really enjoyed the opportunity to dabble in a bit of both with Game Dev Tycoon. GDT's strength is that it's a relatively straightforward business management simulator with a strong gaming focus and some adorable graphics to boot. It's also got polish, cheeky writing and pretty decent replay value which is becoming less and less common these days.
So, if you want to start a game developing palace of your own without any coding knowledge or a team of your own... try your hand at Game Dev Tycoon.
'Software Inc.'
Released: May 1, 2015
Developer: Coredumping
Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux
While you can also develop games in this one, Software Inc. is more about the bigger picture of software production. There's a bit more complexity in the way of company structureyou have to organize your teams according to stages in the production process and everything from employee vacation days to specific roles in the company is left up to you. All together it makes for a challenging but rewarding experience.
Software Inc. is still an early access game on #Steam and the updates tend to be slower because there's only one man behind it all. But after having poured around 200 hours into it myself, I'd say those updates are more than sufficient.
'Planet Coaster'
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Released: November 17, 2016
Developer: Frontier Developments
Available on: Windows
Fans of the old school RollerCoaster Tycoon games who've been waiting on a much needed update will be quite pleased with Planet Coaster. It's a well-tested, frequently updated manifestation of the best of RCT's past and the park building future.
The real icing on the cake, however, lies behind the scenes. The developers behind this one were behind the very first RollerCoaster Tycoon gamesso, they really know what they're doing. Trust me, it's worth it. I BootCamp-ed my Mac for this one.
The game can be bought on the Steam store.
'Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic'
Released: December 22, 2016
Developer: Origin8
Available on: Android, iOS
On the topic of old school park builders, we've got the very new RollerCoaster Tycoon Classica mobile hybrid of #RollerCoasterTycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2. Unlike its free-to-play cousin, RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile, Classic has been relatively well received among fans of the series and newbies alike.
It even has a few of our favorite expansions (Wacky Worlds and Time Twister) available as in-app purchases for the game. Hopefully we'll see some more porting like this in the future!
'Youtubers Life'
Released: May 18, 2016
Developer: U-Play Online
Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS
Youtubers Life is part-tycoon/part-#TheSims and it's a great big bundle of meta fun. Everyday you get to choose between a regular job, school or some social event (depending on how old you are) that will make you enough money to sustain your career as a YouTuber.
When you get time, you'll record yourself doing whatever you're interested in, edit the video and then send it out to the YouTubing public. Views get you money, just like they do in real life... but not muchalso like real lifeso you'll have to make a lot of videos. You'd better get started!
This game can be purchased on Steam.
'Prison Architect'
Released: October 6, 2015
Developer: Introversion Software
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac, Linux
For a long time, Prison Tycoon was the "king of the castle" on the prison building scene, but I'm happy to say that a long awaited successor has taken the thrown. Say hello to Prison Architect!
Don't let the cartoon-y prisoners and violence fool you. This is one tycoon game that will scratch your itch for prison economy dominance while pushing you to think long and hard about the real world prison industrial complex.
This game can be purchased on Steam.
'Restaurant Empire II'
Released: June 9, 2009
Developer: Enlight Software
Available on: Windows
For the aspiring chefs out there, we've got Restaurant Empire II. It's actually not terribly different from the first Restaurant Empire game but it's got a bit more polish and some extra gameplay perks that make it the better of the two games.
In this game you get to set up your menu and build your restaurant from the ground up. Throughout the game you'll monitor staff, talk to your customers and fulfill a number of standard tycoon goals (top revenue, top occupancy, etc) to become the best restauranteur in your city of choice! I always find myself coming back to this rather niche entry in the genre.
This game can be purchased on Steam or GOG.
'Empire TV Tycoon'
Released: October 20, 2015
Developer: Dreamsite Games
Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux
Empire TV Tycoon is one of the funnier ones in the bunch. You become the owner of a TV station that is in charge of scheduling the programming and even generating your own content for your channel.
You can get things done by hiring writers, actors and marketers to do your bidding while you head down to the basement and purchase the latest releases to screen while your productions are developing. The graphics are great and the gameplay, while straightforward, can get quite challenging as your station grows. Will you be the next HBO?
This game can be purchased on Steam.
'The Movies'
Released: November 8, 2005
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Available on: Windows, Mac
The Movies is another tycoon game that appears to be heavily influenced by The Sims in the best way possible. While you have to manage most aspects of your movie studio, your level of involvement in the making of the films is up to you. You can choose the scenes yourself or let the filming run on autopilot which makes the game more accessible for those of us who are more into the management aspect.
This game also has a pretty large modding community that has lead to the existence of a network of amateur filmmakers that use the game's scene maker to recreate famous scenes from actual movies and television shows. So, if that's your thing, you can do that too!
You can get your hands on The Movies through Amazon or the Mac App Store.
'Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!'
Released: July 13, 2015
Developer: Daylight Studios
Available on: Windows, Mac
In Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!, you'll manage ayou guessed itweapon shop in what I can only assume is an alternate universe where all of the people have been replaced by potatoes. You'll use your potato minions to forge weapons for heroes ahead of their various quests in what's meant to be a cross between Game Dev Story and An Item Shop's Tale.
This tycoon-type also takes it a bit further by letting you explore the surrounding world for materials and relics to enhance your business. Randomized elements like inclement weather are there to keep things interesting. But the colorful visuals and soundtrack will most likely suck you in from the start!
This game can be purchased on Steam.
As technology improves and fiction gets a bit weirder, I anticipate the appearance of some even wackier tycoons in the near future. These, however, should do for now.
Knowing what's out there, what kind of tycoon will you be?