Game Dev Tycoon

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1191 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 835 out of 1191
  2. Mixed: 278 out of 1191
  3. Negative: 78 out of 1191

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  1. Blackshine
    Nov 17, 2022
    10
    Моя любимая Инди игра в жанре экономического менеджмента, да и стратегии в принципе.
  2. Chabron
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    Exelente juego, perfecto para largas horas de vicio, esta muy bien hecho y es desafiante de completar
    10/10
  3. Jahene
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    an excellent game, a great game, I'm looking forward to the beautiful 2 with everything
  4. los_majklos
    Sep 15, 2013
    9
    This Indie piece surprised me a lot! There's nothing complicated, yet the decision making is complex and challenging.
    The theme itself and number of references to real life game industry are just brilliant. Authors have shown some really deep understanding of the topic.
    I don't agree, that playthrough is repetitive, it's a great fun for me to play it for the 4th time.
  5. gegebel
    May 7, 2013
    9
    While you need some time to get around the system, the game is addicting from start. This game is for people who like to manage money like in classic tycoons and those who are interested in game development in general, or just like to be somewhat creative.
    This game isn't perfect for sure, how can you sell 36 million games for a system which sold only 7? This doesn't stop you from going    While you need some time to get around the system, the game is addicting from start. This game is for people who like to manage money like in classic tycoons and those who are interested in game development in general, or just like to be somewhat creative.
    This game isn't perfect for sure, how can you sell 36 million games for a system which sold only 7? This doesn't stop you from going on for hours though and try to create the perfect game. The game might seem too repetitive, especially at the beginning, but the limited time (25,30 or 35 years) and limited resources always make you go back to the game and try to make it even better.
    Achievements are a nice touch to an already great game. Let's hope the game will get a few improvements and a sequel with more features.    … Expand
  6. sabrewingz
    May 7, 2013
    9
    Game Development and Simulation are a great combination!
    But seriously, i could (and have) play this game for hours on end. It is fun to watch your company grow from one guy in their garage to having a whole team.
  7. keefbaker
    Nov 13, 2013
    9
    Dead simple little casual game, but you know what? I love the hell out of it, there's something massively addictive about building your company up and becoming one of the great game developers.
  8. Jessrond
    Jan 22, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is a very enjoyable game. Yes, it can get repetitive, and the strategies can seem mundane... but if you let your imagination work along with the game, you can really get lost in it.

    The best part about the Steam Update was that they randomized which game topics you start with. In the earlier versions of the game, you started with the same basic standard 80s-game lineup: Military, Space, Medieval, Sports... and then I think Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Racing were the ones you could learn next.

    So back then, you'd just hammer out Medieval/Adventure and Medieval/RPG, learn Sci-Fi/Fantasy, make more Adventure/RPG... get Racing, learn casual games, etc.

    But with this new random starting setup, you could have a tough break if you get a game like Surgery that only has one "Great Combination" or you could luck out and get Fantasy that works very well with anything.

    The game is addictive and at some level it may seem like a free game you'd play on Kongregate, but it's much more than that.

    One minor issue: In the third office when you have Hardware lab and Design lab, switching between the three causes some lag.    … Expand
  9. Laeris
    Sep 7, 2013
    9
    It's a nice, fun game for folks interested in software development processes. It also has a nice chunk of elder gaming history thrown in. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because of its limited replay value. As casual games often go, they're great until you wear yourself out. So, in my opinion... it's a 10 until that happens... and when it does I may not play it again for aIt's a nice, fun game for folks interested in software development processes. It also has a nice chunk of elder gaming history thrown in. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because of its limited replay value. As casual games often go, they're great until you wear yourself out. So, in my opinion... it's a 10 until that happens... and when it does I may not play it again for a year. Until then though, it's a delightful game and more than worth its price.… Expand
  10. Pezofdoom
    Feb 9, 2014
    9
    Gameplay is solid. I played with in conjunction with two other people, all of us on voice chat. One went bankrupt not understanding why he was doing bad, one was okay, and I was pretty damn successful. If you enjoy simulation games where it encourages trying to figure out cause and effect, you'd enjoy this game.

    Some things will not make sense because some choices are subjective to    Gameplay is solid. I played with in conjunction with two other people, all of us on voice chat. One went bankrupt not understanding why he was doing bad, one was okay, and I was pretty damn successful. If you enjoy simulation games where it encourages trying to figure out cause and effect, you'd enjoy this game.

    Some things will not make sense because some choices are subjective to what the developers thought was the right choice tree, but overall there wasn't any real "wtf" moments for me.

    Decent reply value, one play through will take several hours. I would say this is a good one to play with multiple people because you all will start with different starting genre's. Worth the $10 price point, if you can get it for less than that, it's a no brainer buy.    … Expand
  11. GTFOmyEGGS
    May 13, 2013
    9
    I don't know what caused me to buy this game but, I am glad I did. I spent over 12 hours ramming my gaming company to the ground and I had a blast. Creating the perfect mix of games is fun. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your game receive tens across the board. This game makes me appreciate game developers even more now.
  12. RendCycle
    Dec 4, 2015
    9
    This is a very addicting simulation game especially if you are interested in the theme. It is funny at times and quite absorbing even only if it uses simple graphics and user interface. Time flies by without me noticing it when I play. Nice work Greenheart Games! Can't wait to see what you'll come up next.
  13. Duskspark
    Nov 3, 2013
    9
    As someone who usually doesn't enjoy Tycoon games and a mild lover of the occasional strategy game, I must say "Game Dev Tycoon" is simple to handle, fun to understand and highly addictive to play. Start your own little gaming industry from scratch and make your way to the top of the video games food chain, along with a series of fun refferences and a rich gaming history.
  14. joevsyou
    May 7, 2013
    9
    Great game, fun. played around 7-10 hours. you have game development, research lab and hardware lab. MANY options in the game department to mess around with. frame rate kinda goes down when you get all the departments running at max at the same time. would love to have option to combine two topics like the type of game.

    Looking forward to game dev tycoon 2 with more content!
  15. IJBarny
    May 12, 2013
    9
    I have played the game through twice on 35 year length and the continued for another 20years (ish). This is because in the main time you are given you can't really use the RnD lab fully. The Game is well worth $7.99 as it gives you a lot of gameplay. Can't wait to see this game arrive on steam and see future updates.
  16. AloneBit
    May 9, 2013
    9
    Good game!
  17. Estus
    Nov 2, 2013
    9
    I love it! Its awesome! We have a lot of options to develop our own games, make upgrades, etc. Its one of the best indie games ever, and I dont care if its similar to Game Dev Story, because both are great games and very different (visual, algorithms, mechanics).
  18. xlegend0415
    May 8, 2013
    9
    Probably the best thing I have ever spent 8 dollars on. It kept me coming back. Some of the most fun I have had gaming for a while. It kept me coming back.
  19. Riotraizer
    May 7, 2013
    9
    This is a fantastic indie game and well worth buying. It may not be free like most games of it's type but it doesn't pester you about paying RL money for coins or something similar. I would give it a 10 but this is payback for all the bad reviews I get in-game. >:-D
  20. Cudex
    May 7, 2013
    9
    At first I was a little weary about trying such an odd game, but after the first few minutes I was hooked. Every day I find myself playing Game Dev Tycoon making more and more money, still discovering more little things about the game.

    Although, the game isn't quite perfect. Only being able to develop a game for one platform only bugs me a little, and the UI is a little glitchy every    At first I was a little weary about trying such an odd game, but after the first few minutes I was hooked. Every day I find myself playing Game Dev Tycoon making more and more money, still discovering more little things about the game.

    Although, the game isn't quite perfect. Only being able to develop a game for one platform only bugs me a little, and the UI is a little glitchy every now and then.

    All in all, a very good effort on Greenheart's behalf    … Expand
  21. karlsanada13
    Sep 29, 2013
    9
    Game Dev Tycoon is a gem of its genre. I literally played countless of hours just for this game. Especially the new update they've made on the game. Some may find it boring but I find this game really entertaining. Especially when you see the game you've made got a high freaking score. That's just so satisfying to see.

    I hope they add more content for this game.
  22. rwebler
    May 7, 2013
    9
    Utterly fun game, and a highly replayable one, since we can always strive to R&D a bit more, or to pursue different tracks of console/game genres. I wish the timeline popups would be replaced by a ticker on the side. It interferes with my clicking routines. 8)
  23. Tricksterzzzz
    May 7, 2013
    9
    This game is surprising addictive. I have played it for days and days on end. It can be very hard to get the hang of and there is many different combos you can do, some good, some bad. Only thing is missing is Online multiplayer then it would be complete.
  24. D3F1L3R
    May 7, 2013
    9
    I gave the game a solid 9 out of 10. When I buy an indie based game I am looking for an absolute time takers. I want addictive gameplay that keeps me coming back for more. Game Dev Tycoon provided such an experience. The game has a few annoying aspects but I can not recall any other game taking 20+ hours of my life in two days. I originally bought the game because of an article I readI gave the game a solid 9 out of 10. When I buy an indie based game I am looking for an absolute time takers. I want addictive gameplay that keeps me coming back for more. Game Dev Tycoon provided such an experience. The game has a few annoying aspects but I can not recall any other game taking 20+ hours of my life in two days. I originally bought the game because of an article I read talking about the devs sort of trolling the pirate community. What they did was a masterpiece marketing aspect. I will always support indie titles over major ones however, these guys earned my $8.… Expand
  25. Joesmiled
    May 7, 2013
    9
    Game Dec Tycoon is a good game that has a long lifespan and won't bore the player quickly. The one 'Con' to this game is how repeated the help text can get. The game play is brilliant and I have no other faults to point out.
  26. Ellmaru
    May 8, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My first impressions were good and it stayed that way. The difficulty was a nice mix because it wasn't to easy or painstakingly hard. If you haven't tried this game you should, here is a quick summary; You start off in a small garage but after you have released a bunch of hit games, you move up. The main game spans 30 years but you can play for longer despite not having new consoles released. On that point, the game keeps up with real history only changing names. It may also be surprising to find out that this is Greenheart Game's first game. We can only imagine what they will make next. The only thing that would improve this game is a sequel. Hopefully the sequel wont be a follow-on but a remake since the developers resources have improved, maybe it will start earlier on at the very birth of videogames and maybe have a few more offices to move into. Maybe a more personal character creation will benefit it as well. It will be exciting to see Greenheart exploring new topics and genres. Another thing that improves the game is its good price ($8.00,£5.49) and the free demo. It is quite humorous how the developers make most of those who pirate the game get pirated.… Expand
  27. Appfilm
    May 8, 2013
    9
    Ever wanted to be a game developer but didn’t know how to make games or didn’t think you had the creativity to come up with an innovate idea? Well that can now be done, but within another game. And making games has never been so much fun till now.

    Game Dev Tycoon is a game made by an indie developing company known as Greenheart Games. This is their first game and what a way to make an    Ever wanted to be a game developer but didn’t know how to make games or didn’t think you had the creativity to come up with an innovate idea? Well that can now be done, but within another game. And making games has never been so much fun till now.

    Game Dev Tycoon is a game made by an indie developing company known as Greenheart Games. This is their first game and what a way to make an entrance into the cramped space that is the gaming industry. Game Dev Tycoon is simulator that allows you to develop games and release them to the world of Game Dev Tycoon. You will work your way up from being a tech genius sat in their mum’s basement to possibly working in a top end corporate building. When you start playing this highly addictive game, you will start to understand and appreciate all the hard work that goes into making games that we take for granted.

    The game works on a year cycle and every year or two years, a new console is released to spice things up. You have to keep up with the trends and age popularity and even genre trends. Due to copyright issues the console and company names have been slightly edited; for example there are companies called ‘Ninvento’ and ‘Vonny’. Quick hint, the ‘mBox’ is a great console is a great console to release your games on. The game has a 35 year limit so you won’t be seeing any 4D games consoles with built-in gaming chairs. There are 51 topics to unlock, five genres to choose from as well as numerous platforms and engines to choose from. This allows for many combinations to develop a game within, and all are capable of succeeding. When you’re not creating games, you will be able to research things that would go toward you creating a new game engine. Also there are contracts available which you can earn a quick buck by completing.

    The game is very cheap, right now Game Dev Tycoon isn’t on Steam but Greenheart Games promises that when it does become available to Steam, it will give all customers who have purchased the game, a free Steam key. On their site, they are offering the game for a small investment of £5.69 excluding VAT. The game is also being offered to those who own Windows 8 or have a windows 8 tablet, as it can be purchased in the Windows Store. Mac and Linux people can also purchase the game. An interesting thing that Greenheart Games has done is that they released a cracked version of their game on Torrent sites but with a catch, the game made people pirate the games that you created within the virtual world of Game Dev Tycoon. The irony of seeing people on forums complaining that they couldn’t make any profit because people were pirating their games. The irony. This clever trick was used as a little joke and an experiment to see how people would feel about people pirating their games despite doing the same to other peoples games.

    A problem with the game is that time seems to move too fast. It seem like new systems were being developed at an devastating speed. It became difficult to keep up your current game engine up to balance it with the latest technology available. In order to have the latest game engine you need the money and research available. The only way to do this is to sell those games. However the only way to sell successful games is to have up to date technology. So you can only sell so many racing simulators in a row. Even the game recognizes if you create the same game twice, even if you received all tens for it.

    Despite its minor problem, we love this game and have been playing it for days on end. We highly recommend you get your hands on this game as you will not regret a second of playing this perfect combination of addiction and pleasure.    … Expand
  28. IndigoJones
    May 30, 2013
    9
    Verdict: fans of business simulators like my self will love it and it is fantastic value for money.

    Great value for money, still has me playing the game for hours. Very simple, intuitive and easy to use interface. Replayability is okay but could be better. Could have done more to make the game less repetitive in the latter stages of the game such as add some HR and business to    Verdict: fans of business simulators like my self will love it and it is fantastic value for money.

    Great value for money, still has me playing the game for hours. Very simple, intuitive and easy to use interface. Replayability is okay but could be better. Could have done more to make the game less repetitive in the latter stages of the game such as add some HR and business to business interactions.    … Expand
  29. RBxTaco
    Jun 8, 2013
    9
    In short, this game is amazing. There haven't been any proper tycoon games in quite a while, and this game definitely fulfills the many great tycoon games of the past (RCT etc.). Of course this is Greenheart games first game and there are many things that can be improved. First off this game definitely needs some way to properly mod it. Mods could make this game a lot better. Also the gameIn short, this game is amazing. There haven't been any proper tycoon games in quite a while, and this game definitely fulfills the many great tycoon games of the past (RCT etc.). Of course this is Greenheart games first game and there are many things that can be improved. First off this game definitely needs some way to properly mod it. Mods could make this game a lot better. Also the game doesn't quite last that long. It's quite easy, and isn't very hard to master. After you beat it, you might not quite have a reason to play it again. Another reason this game needs modding. This game does, obviously, have many positives. The game pretty accurately depicts the history of gaming. It offers pretty unique gameplay. It let's you go from a singular developer to a huge company. You can even develop MMO's and create your own consoles. Creating consoles is pretty limited, however. Overall I'd give it a 9/10.… Expand
  30. Matiben
    Jun 28, 2013
    9
    This game is brilliant! I've always wanted to make my own games, or play a simulation like that, and this is it! You can make different games from simulation to strategy, adventure, action and more. Hire your own employees and build your way from bottom to the best game developer, by making your own company. Totally awesome! I also love the "storyline" of this game, as i have personallyThis game is brilliant! I've always wanted to make my own games, or play a simulation like that, and this is it! You can make different games from simulation to strategy, adventure, action and more. Hire your own employees and build your way from bottom to the best game developer, by making your own company. Totally awesome! I also love the "storyline" of this game, as i have personally lived it. The only "bad" thing about this, is that the algorithms of this game are sometimes strange and nonsensical. I definitely recommend this game to everyone!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
46
#46 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. SpazioGames
    Sep 16, 2014
    65
    Taking into account the quite low price and the almost non-existent technical requirements, Game Dev Tycoon is a good and above all original game, albeit without great pretensions.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    May 12, 2014
    30
    However, I don't really think Tycoon really wants to be more than ‘a glimpse' at video game production, and any attempt to comment on the industry from this dull, monotonous experience fails to hit its mark.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 24, 2013
    80
    What is it like to start with a few thousand dollars and end up in an office full of people producing multi-million gaming hits? This game lets you find out and makes it worth your while. [Nov 2013]
See all critic reviews »