Software INC

Have you ever dreamed of making your own tech startup, but then you realize that the costs involved would probably leave you living in the streets? Software Inc. is a game that lets you create and manage a software company from its humble origins all the way to being the leader of a tech monopoly.

Having a tech empire is no easy task, though, and players will have to deal with every aspect of building a successful company if they hope to make it in the big leagues.

Company management at its finest

Tycoon type games have always been a hit with PC gamers. Just like simulators, these games allow players to live out their fantasies of having their dream jobs, or simply for them to create the most efficient system possible. There’s something extremely cathartic about supervising a successful business, even if it’s just in a videogame.

Software Inc. plays like most management games out there: you create a company and oversee all of its needs to ensure its success in the competitive software market. To do so, you’ll have to design not just the software that your company will sell, but also your offices.

A good company in Software Inc. must include ease of access for every employee and parking for their cars. This aspect of the game makes it stand apart from other games in this category, like Game Dev Tycoon, where most of the layout of the office is done automatically by the game.

Customization is key

Developers Coredumping has made it clear that customization is an integral part of Software Inc. Players can mod which software they can develop, create their own furniture and other amenities, and share them online for other players to see.

This focus on customization ensures that Software Inc. remains as a game that’s constantly adding new content to its core experience, just like Cities Skylines did before. Additionally, players will be able to customize their avatar and name their software and franchises for an extra layer of personalization.

Not just software anymore

Recently, Software Inc. added something new to their name: hardware development. Now, you won’t have to focus just on the software side of things, as you’ll also have to develop the necessary hardware to run all of your products. Now you’ll be able to feel like a true Steve Jobs as you dominate both software and hardware markets.

Marketing also plays a pivotal role in the game. You can develop the most feature-rich software the world has ever seen, but that will be for nothing if you don’t explore the market to release it correctly.

All of these mechanics combined help the game feel more realistic, and in the end, players will surely feel like they understand a bit more of how the software market actually works. It’s a trial and error process, and many of your first companies might fail, but it’s all part of the game until you learn how to make a successful company.

As far as management games go, Software Inc. is pretty much the gold standard for how they should be. The game manages to be a realistic simulation of how the software market operates, but it never feels too daunting with its mechanics to scare off new players.

Pros:

• Addicting gameplay
• Freedom to customize almost every aspect of your company
• Tons of user-generated content

Cons:

• Trial and error – the first time playing the game might feel intimidating
• The game can be taxing on some CPUs.