Games Like Game Dev Tycoon

Start your own game development studio in 1976. Build your own offices, production facilities and server rooms. Develop the games of your dreams and produce the next next-gen console. Rise from a small garage company to a huge corporation.

Why similar: Management 50.8%, Economy 19.8%, Simulation 16.6%, Strategy 7.1%, Sandbox 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the same fantasy of building a game studio, researching technology, picking genres and platforms, and growing across gaming eras, but with even deeper management systems.

Form your own game studio set in the early 1980s in a small garage. Develop your own game ideas, create a team and develop megahit video games. Research new technologies, train your staff and upgrade your office space, going from a lowly garage to a huge building. Expand your business and dominate the world market for video games!

Why similar: Management 43.8%, GameMaker 14.8% ★, Simulation 13.9%, Economy 13.2%, Strategy 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its core loop of designing games, unlocking tech, hiring talent, and riding industry history closely mirrors Game Dev Tycoon.

Welcome to your own Game Dev Studio! How will you run your own offices and ascend to greatness in the gaming industry?

Why similar: Management 30.6%, Simulation 20.2%, Economy 9.5%, Strategy 8.2%, GameMaker 7.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: It offers a very similar indie-studio management experience built around choosing projects, balancing teams, and chasing commercial success.

Construct and design buildings for optimal working conditions. Hire people to design and release software, so you can defeat the simulated competition and take over their businesses. Manage and educate your employees to make sure they are skilled and satisfied with their job.

Why similar: Management 40.9%, Economy 17.6%, Simulation 15.6%, Moddable 12% ★, Strategy 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: Although it focuses on software more broadly, it nails the same satisfying cycle of hiring, researching, developing products, and scaling a tech company.

Manage your Game Studio, earn big bucks, impress the critics, beat rival studios and clean up at the awards!

Why similar: Management 53.7%, Simulation 16.3%, Economy 15.6%, Strategy 3.8%, Indie 3%

Why You'll Like It: This pixel-art studio sim captures the same accessible charm of managing developers, picking projects, and responding to market demand.

In GamersGoMakers, you found a little company creating the first video games in history. Create your first game with only basic sound and simple graphics available in the year 1980. You´re one of the pioneers entering the rising global market for computer games.

Why similar: Management 45.7%, Simulation 28.9%, Strategy 9.9%, Economy 6.2%, Indie 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: It follows the same game-industry progression with platform shifts, publishing decisions, employee management, and project planning.

Startup Company is a business simulation sandbox game where you’re the CEO of a new company. Your job is to build your very own website and compete against the largest tech giants on the planet!

Why similar: Management 51.1%, Simulation 17.9%, Economy 15.1%, Strategy 5.9%, Moddable 3.1% ★

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same small-business-to-industry-player progression through product development, office growth, and staff optimization.

Work hard and you may reach the top of the video game industry!

Why similar: Management 60.9%, Simulation 17.7%, Strategy 10.2%, Casual 4.6%, 2D 3%

Why You'll Like It: Kairosoft’s lighter take on the formula still scratches the exact itch of training staff, making games, and growing a beloved studio.

Tech Corp. is a game where you try to become the biggest tech company in the world . Your goal is to become the next big shot in the tech industry. The game also takes place through history. Starting in the early 90's and going to present time.

Why similar: Management 40.5%, Simulation 23.5%, Economy 13.2%, Strategy 11.3%, Indie 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: Managing a tech company through research, product planning, and market competition makes it feel like a broader cousin to Game Dev Tycoon.

In Game Builder Tycoon, begin as an indie game developer. Personalize your character, craft hit games, manage marketing, research stuff and manage a skilled team. Overcome competition to guide your game development studio to global recognition and dominate the gaming industry.

Why similar: Management 41.3%, Economy 19.2%, Simulation 19.1%, Strategy 7.4%, Sandbox 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: This newer studio-management game leans into the same loop of budgeting, staffing, and shipping games that connect with the market.

Welcome to the Game Industry!The year is 1982. Three young entrepreneurs discover the computer and potential to strike it rich in the Games Industry! Their love for computer games is a common bond that they all share but they are also in fierce competition with one another in a race to build a successful Games Development House…They...

Why similar: Simulation 44.9%, Management 35.7%, Strategy 12.7%, Economy 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: This classic game-company sim is all about developing successful titles through changing tech generations and market conditions.

«Smartphone Tycoon» — unique business simulator. Create your own company for the production of smartphones! Your main goal will be to achieve worldwide recognition and take the company to the temple of fame of the global market.

Why similar: Management 49.9%, Simulation 29.4%, Strategy 13.2%, Indie 6.2%, Singleplayer 1.2%

Why You'll Like It: It swaps games for phones, but the appeal is very similar: study trends, invest in tech, launch products, and outgrow rivals.

Computer Tycoon is a fairly complex Business Grand Strategy game about Computer Evolution. Start in the 70s, invent until 2034, create the best computer systems, upgrade your infrastructure, lead a team, and alter computer history! It is time to "Think Different"

Why similar: Management 44.1%, Economy 21.1%, Simulation 13.3%, Strategy 9.5%, Sandbox 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its emphasis on R&D, product strategy, and long-term company growth makes it a strong fit for players who enjoy the business side of Game Dev Tycoon.

Empire TV Tycoon is a game in which you manage a TV channel and fight for audiences taking decisions that will project your channel to fame and fortune.You will decide the content of your channel, select advertisers, hire workers, make your own productions, hire actors, and engage in much more activities!

Why similar: Management 49.7%, Economy 18.3%, Simulation 13%, Strategy 7.3%, Funny 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: This media-management sim scratches a similar itch through audience targeting, production choices, and steady company expansion.

Become the most successful youtuber on the planet! Create videos, get subscribers, attend events, interact with your fans… and grow your channel. Live a youtuber’s life!

Why similar: Management 54.1%, Simulation 20.8%, Casual 5.2%, Strategy 5.2%, Indie 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more life-sim flavored, it still centers on turning creative output and smart management into a growing entertainment business.

MMORPG Tycoon 2 is a single-player world-builder game about creating the greatest MMORPG of all time – yours.

Why similar: Management 46.9%, Economy 20.1%, Simulation 18%, Sandbox 6.3%, Indie 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: It is more focused on one game than a whole studio, but designing systems and watching player response taps into the same game-creator appeal.

Quit your job and build an exciting startup! Survive the tech bubble, compete with rival CEOs and expand your office from bedroom programmer up to the heights of global corporate sabotage! As long as you don't get hacked... or kidnapped...

Why similar: Management 34.6%, GameMaker 17.9% ★, Economy 15.6%, Simulation 14.4%, Strategy 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its approachable startup-management structure captures the same fun of building products, hiring talent, and surviving in a competitive market.

The only game of its kind where you can feel like a real internet celebrity! Record videos, interact with your subscribers, buy better equipment and gain fame!

Why similar: Management 44.5%, Simulation 27.8%, Strategy 13.1%, Casual 6.5%, Indie 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its rise-from-nothing creator-business loop echoes the same addictive formula of trend chasing, reinvesting, and scaling up.

Ever dreamed of making your own movies? Build up your own movie studio, scout for upcoming stars, and produce cutting-edge films and TV shows. Try to stay ahead of your competition throughout the history of cinematography.

Why similar: Management 39.1%, Simulation 18.4%, Economy 16.6%, Moddable 14.8% ★, Sandbox 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: It translates the creative-studio formula to filmmaking, with staff, project, budget, and audience management that feels very familiar.

Develop your newspaper and become New York’s new media mogul! In this tycoon, build and manage your newspaper from printer to toilet. Create your editorial line and lead your journalists through unique 1930's stories and dig out the latest scoops!

Why similar: Management 49%, Simulation 16.7%, Economy 14.1%, Strategy 7.7%, Sandbox 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: Running a media company through staff, layout, production, and audience demand gives it a similarly compelling tycoon progression.

Start out as comic artist in small room and draw best comic you can and show off your work, replay the history of the comic industry., your decisions will make or break your studio. Create bestselling comics and become immortal with your stories.

Why similar: Simulation 29.1%, Management 23%, Strategy 14.7%, Addictive 7.7% ★, Indie 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Another creative-business sim, it focuses on staffing, product decisions, and selling to an audience in a way Game Dev Tycoon fans often enjoy.

Big Ambitions is a revolutionary role-playing business sim. Go from nothing to the biggest entrepreneur in New York by opening small businesses or slowly building huge corporations any way you like.

Why similar: Management 58.3%, Economy 20.8%, Simulation 15.8%, Sandbox 3.2%, Singleplayer 1.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its broader business sandbox captures the same satisfaction of starting small, expanding carefully, and optimizing for long-term success.

Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.

Why similar: Management 39.5%, Simulation 18.5%, Economy 11.3%, Moddable 8.8% ★, Strategy 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: Despite the different setting, its transparent systems, constant optimization, and satisfying management feedback make it a good adjacent pick.

Compete for stardom in this Esport management tycoon.

Why similar: Management 50%, Simulation 32.1%, Indie 6.3%, Strategy 6%, Casual 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: It shifts from development to esports, but keeps the approachable tycoon feel of building a business within the games industry.

Welcome to the big show! Ready the camera, unleash your creativity and and pile up the profits! Grow your operation with your razor-sharp business sense and usher in a new era for filmmakers worldwide.

Why similar: Management 29.9%, Simulation 24.9%, Economy 14.8%, Strategy 12%, Sandbox 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: Like Game Dev Tycoon, it is about growing a creative company by choosing the right projects, managing talent, and adapting to the market.

Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum combines the excitement of rollercoasters with the fun of a great strategy simulation. RCT3 Platinum combines the roller coaster theme park fun of the Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 with included expansion packs Soaked! and Wild! Now enjoy more options than ever.

Why similar: Management 51.7%, Simulation 23.7%, Economy 7.7%, Strategy 5.5%, Sandbox 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A classic management game with easy-to-read systems and an addictive build-tweak-profit loop that overlaps with Game Dev Tycoon’s appeal.

Make your dream cars a reality with Automation’s unparalleled car and engine design tools. Gain a competitive edge through smart engineering and business decisions to help you build an automotive empire. Will you become an industry leader, or just a footnote in automotive history?

Why similar: Management 48.7%, Simulation 20.5%, Economy 9.4%, Moddable 8.2% ★, Strategy 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: If you love the product-design and market-positioning side of Game Dev Tycoon, this offers a deeper version in the auto industry.

Design, build and manage a giant shopping center. Open shops, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and more. Hire and manage the best staff for the job and milk your customers for all they're worth!

Why similar: Management 51%, Simulation 18.4%, Economy 13.9%, Strategy 4.3%, Moddable 3.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: It is less thematic, but its clear systems, staffing, finances, and growth optimization hit a similar management groove.

Manage a game studio from the dawn of the gaming industry in 1976. Your journey starts with small indie titles and grows into a gaming empire. Develop, design, and conquer the industry. From humble beginnings to gaming legend – it’s your story, your studio, your legacy!

Why similar: Management 35.8%, Economy 15.9%, Simulation 14.2%, Moddable 12.3% ★, Strategy 6.8%

Shape the history of the Hollywood movie industry in this sandbox business simulation game. Create the movies you've always wanted to see, hire the best team, research cutting-edge technologies, and dominate the Box Office. Can you rise from a small studio to a Hollywood giant?

Why similar: Management 40%, Simulation 14.4%, Economy 14.3%, Moddable 9.1% ★, Strategy 6.3%

Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test in the first title in the ROI series as you create & optimise intricate production lines. As an early 20th-Century industrialist, grow your empire & adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with unexpected events that could lead to boom…or bust.

Why similar: Management 47.3%, Economy 19.2%, Simulation 16.8%, Strategy 9%, Indie 3%

Why You'll Like It: This leans harder into economy and expansion, but it delivers the same pleasure of spotting opportunities and building a successful business around them.

Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator!

Why similar: Management 50.7%, Simulation 19.9%, Strategy 10.3%, Casual 4.9%, Funny 3.7%

Build and grow your very own computer repair enterprise as you learn to diagnose, fix and build PCs. With real-world licensed components and comprehensive hardware and software simulation, you can plan and bring your ultimate PC to life.

Why similar: Management 45.8%, Simulation 36.7%, Sandbox 5.7%, Casual 4%, Indie 3.2%

Start your life as a simple gamer in the year 2000. Find popular games to stream or compete in 8 different Esports. Who will you be? Play your career and story. Can you become the most famous broadcaster or the best progamer in the world?

Why similar: Management 34.3%, Simulation 27.9%, Economy 14%, Casual 7.2%, Indie 6.8%

Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Why similar: Simulation 40.3%, Addictive 18.2% ★, Indie 15.7%, Strategy 6.5%, Point & Click 4.8%

Game Builder Tycoon - Prologue is a free simulation game in which you begin your journey as an indie game developer. Personalize your character, craft hit games, manage marketing and research stuff. Create best game on the planet!

Why similar: Management 43.3%, Economy 18.4%, Simulation 15.8%, Strategy 7.5%, Sandbox 4.3%

In Startup Freak you take the role of a budding entrepreneur, and grow your very own software startup from humble beginnings to a multi-million dollar company. Along the way you will have to overcome countless challenges. But the ultimate question you must answer: are you a Startup Freak?

Why similar: Management 39.4%, Simulation 26.7%, Strategy 12.7%, Economy 11.2%, Indie 6.3%

Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.

Why similar: Management 39%, Simulation 22.6%, Economy 12.6%, Moddable 10.3% ★, Strategy 7.4%

Have you ever wanted to be president? or prime-minister? Convinced you could do a better job of running the country? Let's face it, you could hardly do a worse job than our current political leaders.

Why similar: Simulation 34.2%, Management 24.4%, Strategy 13.3%, Economy 12.5%, Moddable 5.2% ★

One of the best games from acclaimed Tycoon series, with well designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and really high re-playability value. There’s no limit to what you can create so design and build the most thrilling roller coaster the world has ever seen!

Why similar: Management 56.4%, Simulation 26.7%, Strategy 7.4%, Sandbox 5.1%, Singleplayer 1.8%

Tavern Master is all about managing your medieval tavern. You start with a very small room, couple of benches and tables and build your way up to a huge successful tavern with a kitchen, rooms for guests, group of loyal staff and much more!

Why similar: Management 65.9%, Simulation 23.1%, Strategy 6.8%, Indie 2.4%, Singleplayer 1.1%

Manage your computer company and develop your PC components, create your own laptop, monitor, develop an interactive operating system or build your PC. Research new technologies, improve your office and your factory, hire the best employees, buy other companies and build your computer empire!

Why similar: Management 43.2%, Economy 25.6%, Simulation 13.1%, Strategy 8.2%, Sandbox 6.8%

Production line is the new car factory management/simulation/tycoon game that pushes your organisational and entrepreneurship skills to the limit. Can you build the ultimate optimised, free-flowing car production line whilst beating the competition and still turn a profit?

Why similar: Management 46.7%, Simulation 15.3%, Economy 14.8%, Strategy 6.6%, Moddable 5.6% ★

What if you had it in your power to rid the world of disease, to improve the lives of millions, to ease suffering and cure the sick… and earn a tidy profit? As the head of your own Pharmaceutical Conglomerate you have this power resting in your hands. Will you use it for good?

Why similar: Management 45.5%, Simulation 16.1%, Economy 12.1%, Moddable 7.5% ★, Strategy 6.5%

In Game Tycoon 2 you find yourself in the middle of the big players. Get into the act and experience the fascination of the game development. Reach your goal and become the Game Tycoon!

Why similar: Management 46.9%, Simulation 20.5%, Economy 16.1%, Strategy 10%, Indie 5%

Plague Inc: Evolved is a unique mix of high strategy and terrifyingly realistic simulation. Your pathogen has just infected 'Patient Zero' - now you must bring about the end of human history by evolving a deadly, global Plague whilst adapting against everything humanity can do to defend itself.

Why similar: Simulation 43.5%, Strategy 27.4%, Addictive 11.6% ★, Indie 6.9%, Casual 3.7%

Drill for oil like it's 1899! Turmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America.

Why similar: Management 50.3%, Economy 17.3%, Simulation 14.9%, Strategy 9.9%, Indie 2.8%

Create, manage, and guide your very own band to success!

Why similar: Management 61.4%, Simulation 24.9%, Casual 7.5%, Indie 6.2%

Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.

Why similar: Management 45.1%, Simulation 23.5%, Economy 12.8%, Strategy 5.8%, Sandbox 5.6%

CoffeeBiz tycoon is a mix of entrepreneurship fun and complicated business simulation. Start your first coffee kiosk, brew, expand, hire, deal with competitors, build a well-known brand, risk, and do everything else needed to build prosperous and profitable business.

Why similar: Management 44.3%, Simulation 23%, Economy 13.3%, Strategy 10%, Indie 5%

An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam.

Why similar: Management 43%, Economy 18.7%, Simulation 12.5%, Strategy 6.8%, Indie 5.8%

Train hard, fight crocodiles and find love. Earn your place in the Punch Club ranks, and discover who brutally murdered your father, in this choose your own adventure boxing management tycoon.

Why similar: Management 69.7%, Simulation 23%, Funny 3.8%, 2D 3.4%

Open your own local game store. Stock shelves with the latest booster packs, or crack them and collect the cards for yourself. Set your own prices, hire staff, host events, and expand your card shop.

Why similar: Management 51%, Simulation 26.6%, Economy 18.7%, Singleplayer 1.8%, Casual 1.3%

Market Tycoon is a Tycoon game where you Grow your Market from a small Mini Market all the way up to a Hyper Market. Manage, create, and customize your market from wall paint to placing cashiers, shelves, and fridges.

Why similar: Management 49.3%, Simulation 24.9%, Strategy 10.8%, Indie 5.9%, Casual 5.3%

Have you got what it takes to become the manager of a high-performance motorsport team? Motorsport Manager is a highly detailed, best-in-class management game for fans of motorsport. You’ll hire the drivers, build the cars and embed yourself in the dynamic world of racing.

Why similar: Management 68.1%, Simulation 20.4%, Strategy 9%, Singleplayer 1%, Economy 1%

Design stunning hospitals, cure peculiar illnesses and manage troublesome staff as you spread your budding healthcare organisation across Two Point County.

Why similar: Management 57.2%, Simulation 27.3%, Strategy 4.7%, Sandbox 3%, Indie 2.1%

“Game Company Simulator：back to 2000” is a game development company to establish a management game. Employ employees, balance pressure and output, develop new game types, produce highly praised games, release and earn revenue, gain game fans, and continuously sell the game to the global market.

Why similar: Management 55.8%, Simulation 36.7%, 2D 3.2%, Indie 2.9%, Singleplayer 1.4%

From the creators of Game Dev Tycoon comes Tavern Keeper 🍻, a cosy-chaotic management sim, featuring a powerful decoration sandbox and a magical storybook RPG!

Why similar: Management 39%, Simulation 17.9%, Economy 15.4%, Strategy 8.5%, Sandbox 5.1%

«Smartphone Tycoon - Lite» — unique business simulator. Create your own company for the production of smartphones! Your main goal will be to achieve worldwide recognition and take the company to the temple of fame of the global market.

Why similar: Simulation 43.9%, Strategy 22%, Management 15.1%, Indie 11.3%, Addictive 7% ★