Computer Tycoon

Edit: I have set this review to positive after playing on the test/beta branch which is two years ahead, and chatting with the developer a bit. Love how open to feedback they are, and there is serious progress being made. Original review: I want to like this game but I always either get bored or frustrated. The gameplay systems aren't enough fun for me, the UX is pretty bad and most of the time you will just be waiting while checking if number still go up. Really appreciate what the developer tried to do here, but it is not for me. I was hoping it would be closer to the classic Business Tycoon with just more depth - but it is lacking (for me) what made that game feel special.

There really needs to be a steam rating between positive and negative. The concept of a business simulator that's also kind of a map game is attractive but the economic simulation just isn't there. The real game is the first ten years where you're actually fighting it out with your competitors. Research is everything, so once you have enough money to invest in research to pass everyone else, it's smooth sailing until the end of the game. The rest is just about spreading to every country and reaching the end of the tech tree so you can produce the OP final computers that are too cheap for anyone else to compete with. The first two easy difficulties are too easy and every other difficulty is virtually impossible for that first ten years. Your first computer will pay the bills and then nothing else will get you out of the red. It doesn't feel like it's possible to really occupy a niche better than other players. This is the budget computer, this is the business computer, this is the fancy high budget computer - the mechanics of the game make you feel like this would be an option but if it is I couldn't figure out how. It's never clear if you're falling behind because other players are making better computers, because you haven't spread to the right markets, or because the game just decided to make your line go down instead of up. The developer hasn't updated the game since last July and the current version of the game remains on the beta branch. I can't blame them, it's been eight years and this game isn't exactly doing numbers. Still, I don't think it's making it out of early access. Anyways, I got almost twenty hours out of painting the map here so it can't be all bad. The developer made a change on the beta branch to try to smooth out sales curves. Instead of your sales collapsing immediately when it's no longer competitive, it drifts down to its resting point. This has inadvertently opened up an exploit. Therefore, you can complete the game on the highest difficulty by following these steps: [olist] [*] Make one manager start with 80/100 in research. [*] Make the cheapest computer possible. [*] Set its price close to $1. I do $15 because it's easier to cut-and-paste back and forth because... [*] Once the sales spike from the dirt cheap price, set the price to $15,000. You will now be selling the same number of units you were selling at 15, but now at the price of $15,000 ($5,000 for handhelds). This seems to be the threshold - any higher and it will immediately stop selling. [*] The sales will slowly tick down as people don't actually want to pay $15,000 for your product. Once you're in the red again, switch the price back to $15 and repeat. [*] Put as much money into research as possible. Open up factory sites in as many countries as you have money for and put level 5 research labs in all of them. Assign your research manager to one of these sites. [*] Once you stop getting the returns from the back and forth in prices, make a new product with all your new research, all unlocked features, and all sliders maxed out. Do the same with the other three categories when you unlock them. [*] Repeat with your new product. If you continue this while also staying on top of logistics to spread to every market, you will put all your competitors out of business and be miles ahead in research. [*] Once you reach the end of the tech tree, make new products in each category with the end-game tech and minimum sliders and features (the end-game tech provides more in every category than any sliders or additional features will add). Make them as cheap as possible to bankrupt all remaining competitors. [/olist]

Breathtakingly boring.

If you like a tycoon games that game does scratch that ich. That game is a product of love, made by one developer and went a long way since I played it last time, quite a few years ago, as game seems on last streatch to v1 i decideded to give it another go, and I stayed for about 25h. You should give it a try!

it seems crude and unpolished. good idea medium execution

Every time I come back to this over the last six years, it has been improved - and is still improving. It is now an extremely solid sim, and the learning curve is good, especially for those savvy with the genre. This developer is also extremely active with their community - they have driven much of the development of what was going to be a one to two year project now heading toward seven. I promised a review six years ago - life happened in volumes. Here I am.

I really enjoy this game and games of this genre. I hope the author can release the official version and the Chinese version as soon as possible. I am extremely looking forward to the day when this game is officially released. Wish the author good health and all the best in everything.

Great tycoon game that does a very good job at scratching that one hardware development itch that other games like Mad Games Tycoon 2 or Game Dev Tycoon just can't.

Das Spiel ist super. Es gibt echt ausgeklügelte Mechaniken und das Setting ist sehr spannend. Die Lernkurve ist hier und da aber durchaus holprig - aber man lernt. Es macht riesigen Spaß immer wieder neue Methoden zum Gewinnen zu finden :) Durch die verschiedenen Spielmodi hat man auch die Möglichkeit entweder HARDCORE zu spielen (also wie die Computergeschichte halt so war mit allen Ländern) oder EASY für Casual Gaming mit größeren Ländern und einfacherer Verwaltung insgesamt. Kann ich nur empfehlen, echt genial!

Computer Tycoon is a detailed business simulation developed and published by Progorion that places players in control of a technology startup during the formative years of the computer industry. Beginning in the 1970s and extending well into the future, the game allows players to build a company from the ground up and guide it through decades of technological progress, market competition, and corporate expansion. Rather than focusing on a single aspect of business management, it attempts to simulate nearly every major component involved in running a successful technology enterprise, creating an experience that feels both ambitious and remarkably comprehensive. The core appeal lies in the freedom to shape the direction of an entire corporation. Players are not limited to manufacturing computers alone. They can design processors, create operating systems, develop software, invest in research, establish factories, and expand operations across multiple countries. Every decision contributes to the long-term identity of the company. Some players may focus on becoming hardware innovators, while others pursue software dominance or seek to create balanced technology ecosystems capable of controlling multiple markets simultaneously. One of the game's strongest features is its historical progression system. Starting in an era when computers were still emerging technologies gives every breakthrough a sense of significance. As years pass, new innovations become available, consumer expectations evolve, and entirely new markets emerge. This constant technological advancement keeps gameplay fresh and provides a strong feeling of growth. Watching a company evolve from a small startup into a multinational corporation spanning several decades is one of the most satisfying aspects of the experience. Research and development play a central role throughout the campaign. Success depends on staying ahead of competitors through innovation rather than simply producing products at lower costs. Players must decide which technologies deserve investment and which projects carry too much risk. Balancing short-term profitability with long-term innovation creates meaningful strategic choices that influence the future of the company. Every major technological breakthrough feels earned because it is the result of careful planning and sustained investment. Product design is handled with impressive depth. Developing new hardware requires players to consider specifications, production costs, market demand, and future trends. Creating a successful product involves much more than maximizing every statistic. Expensive cutting-edge technology may appeal to enthusiasts, while affordable systems can attract larger customer bases. Understanding how different market segments respond to products becomes essential for long-term success and adds significant strategic depth to the development process. Software development introduces another important layer of management. Operating systems and applications can become major sources of revenue while also strengthening the appeal of hardware products. Building a successful software ecosystem often proves just as important as designing powerful computers. The interaction between software and hardware systems creates opportunities for diverse strategies and mirrors many of the challenges faced by real-world technology companies. The global expansion mechanics contribute significantly to the game's scale. Players can establish operations in different regions around the world, taking advantage of varying economic conditions, labor costs, and market opportunities. Expanding internationally creates new possibilities but also introduces additional complexity. Choosing where to locate research centers, manufacturing facilities, and corporate offices becomes a critical part of maximizing efficiency and profitability. Competition remains a constant presence throughout the experience. Rival companies actively develop products, conduct research, and fight for market share. These competitors help create a dynamic industry where dominance is never guaranteed. A successful product launch can dramatically improve a company's position, while a poorly received release can allow rivals to gain ground. This competitive environment encourages continuous adaptation and prevents the game from becoming predictable. Financial management is equally important. Research projects, marketing campaigns, manufacturing facilities, and employee salaries all require significant investment. Players must carefully balance spending and income to maintain stability while pursuing growth. Aggressive expansion can lead to enormous rewards, but poor financial decisions may quickly place the company in a vulnerable position. This constant balancing act adds tension and ensures that every major decision carries consequences. The game's greatest strength is its depth. Nearly every aspect of operating a technology company is represented in some form, creating a rich and rewarding management experience. However, this complexity can also be intimidating. New players may find the amount of information overwhelming, and mastering all systems requires patience and dedication. The interface occasionally feels dense due to the sheer volume of data available, but those willing to learn its mechanics will discover an exceptionally detailed simulation. Replay value is another major advantage. Different strategies can produce dramatically different outcomes, allowing players to experiment with various business models and approaches. One campaign may focus on hardware innovation, while another emphasizes software ecosystems or global manufacturing dominance. The flexibility offered by the game's systems ensures that each playthrough can unfold in unique ways. Computer Tycoon succeeds because it captures both the excitement and challenges of technological entrepreneurship. It transforms the history of computing into an engaging strategic sandbox where innovation, competition, and long-term planning determine success. Although its complexity may not appeal to everyone, players who enjoy deep management simulations will find an impressive amount of content and strategic freedom. It stands as one of the most ambitious technology-business simulators available, offering a rewarding journey through decades of industry evolution. Rating: 8/10