About the Game

Computer Tycoon differs from other building/tycoon games because it has a "grand strategy game" aspect. You will control your "computer empire" by viewing a world map and managing resources. You won't build a park or railways, and you won't arrange furniture in offices, instead of these you will analyze the market and find ways to be profitable, reinvest in research, and push out your opponents from the business.
Unlike other games, here you will see your opponents' products and their pricing, which will compete with yours on a real, simulated market. Computer Tycoon is more complex than most modern Tycoon games today. This means that the game has a steeper learning curve, but on the Beginner difficulty level (especially by turning off opponents) you can have a Sandbox-like experience as well.
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Start your adventure in the 70s as a small business somewhere in the world. Learn more about hardware and software inventions that were the first steps to our current modern world, and get a taste of what is waiting for us in the future. Find the classic video games and help a new culture to be born.
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In Computer Tycoon the decisions you make during development really matter. Take advantage of the technology, upgrade and design combinations! Does your product need more computing capacity or should you focus more on features, low price, or prestige? Maybe change to portable computers or develop more easy-to-use Operating Systems? These decisions will have a major impact on the success of your company.
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Smartly expand your corporation into multiple countries, and build more offices, factories, laboratories, and other required facilities. Poor countries have cheaper labor, but richer countries will give you more educated engineers.
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Having the best product isn't enough. Finding the right partner and managers is as important as a good product. Balance your budget well between development, production, marketing, and expansion.
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You can win the game by becoming a monopoly or reaching the technological singularity if you are fast enough - but living through 60 years of computer history is let alone a victory!
The game is in an EA alpha state. You might find bugs and missing/simplified features. Everything is subject to change. Please read the EA details! Also here is a brief list of what is and isn't included (yet):
Features implemented
Start a computer manufacturer company in the 70s
Design and create hardware, home computers, personal computers, portable computers, and handheld computers
Rule the market of the world on a grand strategy level
Research and study technology from the earliest models to near-future computers
Expand your industrial sites across the globe
3 Map Modes: Historical, Randomized, and Vanilla
Hire and lead a team of managers, advertise, train, or steal if you must
Features not implemented yet
Tech trading and "diplomacy" with the opponents (something like in Master Of Orion II or CIV)
Random events
Achievements/Steam Integration
Localizations for
a. Hungarian
b. German
c. Chinese
d. French
e. Spanish
f. Turkish
g. Italian
h. Russian
i. Portuguese
Screenshots
16 images
Version Information
Steam Patch Notes
Official update history
VERSION 0.9.9.13 is out in the "Open Beta Branch"! It contains a few smaller changes and bug fixes.
In my last news post, I mentioned that I had to update my engine - which is a big ordeal. Unfortunately, thanks to it there was a serious issue with the historical map - but I've fixed it now.
Changes
- From now on, the game no longer displays the total population of your current market territory in the top left corner. Instead, it shows your percentage coverage of the worldwide market. This change was necessary because many players had incorrect assumptions about how much they should sell per day, as they were not able to contextualize that number.
- I have improved on the tutorial and fixed a few smaller issues with the text and process. For example, the green tutorial arrows now emit some light effects to make them easier to see.
Bugs Fixed
- This version fixes a serious issue with the historical map when the changing borders didn't work. (Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, etc.)
- There were still smaller issues with the new LP system used by the AI.
- I've fixed a few tech issues related to storage devices
Remember that all that is relevant to the Open Beta Branch - not the normal Steam version. Please check out the previous normal update news post to learn more!
How to play the Open Beta Branch:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686680/view/524207137294910328
Thank you for all the support! <3
Andris aka Progorion
I realized that my default branch didn't get an update for a long period, so I wanted to add something small. Can you find it in the game's folder?
Also, just a reminder to all of you! There is an "Open Beta Branch" for the game where I have a more up-to-date version of the game. I'd like to push out a major update with the game's final graduation day from Early Access into Full Release. Partly this is the reason why I keep that branch separated for now - but also, in general, it is good practice because of the more frequent balance changes going on there.
But! If you are interested, it is a very good time to check out the new version! Opting into the Open Beta is free and simple, just follow this link for more information:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/686680/discussions/0/4031350783733793401/
Thank you so much for all your support!
Andris aka Progorion
VERSION 0.9.9.12 is out in the "Open Beta Branch"! It contains no gameplay changes - but fixes bugs and improves on performance.
I was forced to update my engine to the latest version which caused me a lot of trouble - but at least the game runs now a bit faster than before. We have gained some extra FPS and both the game itself and the World Map View load a bit faster.
Bugs Fixed
- The AI players could create some combinations of hardware that shouldn't exist. Such as HDD and SDD technology on the same Storage Device. There might be out there one or two that I haven't thought of and wasn't reported yet - so if you see something let me know, please!
- In the 6th office the computers in front of the person sitting on the left side of the screen facing us showed up as it was above the glass wall - Fixed.
- The "TV interview" repeated costed no money. Fixed
- The "Your market should be bigger . . . " bouncing 'warning' was displayed even while you were expanding. Fixed
- I've changed the "-" indicator on the Computer Designer to "N/A" - while your mouse is not hovering over a computer part.
- There was an error messing up tax and reseller cut in the cashflow window. Fixed
- When a CEO went bankrupt ALL payments were canceled. Fixed
- The color highlight on the bankruptcy notification ball was off. Fixed
- There was a bug when your manager reported that they failed to steal a technology - but you still got it and the notification window at the bottom also showed that you got it. Fixed
- Various typo fixes
- I noticed that the Tool Tip for Marketing while setting stats, doesn't show up. Fixed
Remember that all that is relevant to the Open Beta Branch - not the normal Steam version. Please check out the previous normal update news post to learn more!
I've deleted the Holiday Branch - please update to the Open Beta Branch if you were still using that one.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686680/view/524207137294910328
Thank you for all the support! <3
Andris aka Progorion
Here is the next iteration of the Open Beta Branch's version: 0.9.9.06
Changes
- I gave a Repeat button to all the Manager Tasks that ended with a Report - such as Looking for A Video Game, Training, etc.
- I've added a checkbox to the Accessory List that you can use to ignore items by the "All" button. So when an item is not profitable enough anymore to add - you can just tick its checkbox and when you create a new computer and click on the "All" button it won't be added automatically. You can of course manually add it still - or reverse your change on the item, too.
- I've color-coded the names of the computers on the Computer List by Design Type. This way you can differentiate between them instantly. Green is HC, Blue is PC, Red is Portable and Orangish is Handheld.
- There was in the game a "You cannot add this type of element" message when you tried to add a GPU or Removable Media to a Handheld Computer. That's ok, but it was too late sometimes. Now it appears right when you try to create such hardware with handheld compatibility and when you click on the given Element on the Computer Designer.
- I've introduced a new indicator on the site manager so that you will know the unit per price of your output. This way players will realize faster that investing in a factory is worth it.
- I've changed the Site Manager List in a way so that the next level's data appears only in a pop-up window - this way making the main (current level's) data easier to read.
- I've altered the CEO Suff Manager window in a way so that players always have to see the description of what they are buying before buying it - since in gameplay videos, I saw that lots of those funny descriptions are never seen otherwise.
- I'm testing a small modification that might forbid the world map and the research tree from becoming frozen on slower systems. Please let me know if you still experience the map freezing - until you use the zoom button or switch screens.
Bug Fixes
- The Factory department still said that it requires the recreation buildings.
- On The Research Queue some category icons didn't have a hint or showed incorrect hints. Fixed
- Having 3-1/2” Bay selected didn't allow you to see 3-1/2” SuperDisc! even though it’s not obsolete. You had to first deselect 3-1/2” Bay to see the SuperDisc! as a possible addition. Fixed
- The B&W LCD tech didn't appear on computers as an option except for handhelds. It was because the game considered it to be inferior compared to Monochrome Displays. It was wrong. Fixed
- There was a similar kind of issue with Plazma Displays. Plazma on the tech tree seems to be positioned after Ega and Vga. (The tech tree loosely reflects real-life invention dates). Still, it didn't appear that you already had CGA. Stats-wise the Plazma Display Technology is close to CGA, but it is slightly better - so from now on it will show up - but even tho EGA seems to be an earlier tech - it has better stats, therefore it will obsolete Plazma still. I know that this is a bit confusing, but at the same time, I don't wanna separate them into different types of techs. The player always can manually select something else by clicking on "show all".
- When you reloaded a game, your LP balance was not updated immediately, only after a day. Fixed
- After you were sabotaged and your LPs were affected, the LP balance didn't update after the period of the sabotage automatically. Fixed
- The CEO Connections hint was incorrect.
- The sabotage notification message was too long, I made it shorter
- When you were a rival of an opponent the Negotiation Screen incorrectly showed the "Cancel Research Contract" button (it shouldn't be there since you couldn't even have a Research Contract with a rival). Fixed
- The sliders in Sites and on the Site Manager Screen didn't update the values in the right upper info bar syncronously. Fixed
- There was an inconsistency on the tech list with pen drives and interfaces - ATA appearing as an option. Fixed.
- When you created a new PC part and checked the pricing screen's ranking, then the part you were currently working on was not involved in the comparison - only after you finished it and came back to the same pricing screen.
- The new Price Input field on the Hardware List was not disappearing if your list became empty. Fixed
- There was a serious bug in the game since 0.9.9.04 that could result in players hiring the same managers - since the manager data was messed up after the first reload of a saved game. I thank O'Neil for finding this one, it was a critical one! Fixed.
- Opponents could add Removable Media and GPUs to their Handheld Computers. Fixed
- Lad1das reported that for some reason AI can't add newer technologies for Personal Computers, they only improve their CPU. Fixed
- Fan numbers could malfunction after huge fan penalties due to sentences. Fixed
- I've put a label on "New" on the tech items to explain that it just means "Never used before - not up-to-date".
- The "Add All" button on the hardware designer screen bugged out with Buses and Video Buses under certain circumstances.
- You couldn't move around the legal defense, the legal action, and list screens.
- The Legal Defense Screen's hints were incorrect. Instead of telling you that "this is what happens to you when you lose", it said that this is what happens when you win…
- The Legal Defense Screen shows the "fan loss" value with a negative percentage.
- When an opponent called you and you clicked on the notification ball then it didn't make the CEO Stuff Manager disappear. Fixed
- When you were sued and had to choose a strategy, then you could just click on the other notification ball that makes the Court Case List visible… and then click on the "sue somebody" button… that made it possible to not react to the case where you were starting from. So I made changes so that this window won't disappear this way anymore.
I hope you will like it!
Please support me with a review if you like the game and keep the feedback coming! :) Thank you so much!
Andris aka Progorion
Since the last update that I released into the Open Beta Test Branch - I've got some fantastic feedback - please keep it coming! So I've fixed the most important bugs and tweaked on the system.
Changes
- I've changed the sentences and winning probabilities of court cases about spreading lies - since it was OP.
- I've changed the costs and effects of the marketing department again since many felt like it takes way too long until those departments are useful.
Bug Fixes
- The Legal Action List didn't have a hint. Fixed
- The game saves what messages the AI has already sent to the player into a file. We had an issue that if you don't have enough space to save files - then this file could become corrupted and make CT fail to start a new game or load a game. I've improved the messages about this and how the game handles this file.
- A smaller block of water was flashing on the site view. Fixed (but I will have to take a closer look to the rest of the scene)
- The hardware had an unnecessary field after the PP cost on the hardware list screen - making it hard to read. Fixed
- Sometimes the chance of winning a court case was higher than 100%. Both 100% and 108% mean that you will win, but 108% is not meaningful here. Fixed
- The CEO manager had issues with experience points after the start. Their "remaining points" could be negative. Fixed
- Since the last version heat is higher - and the AI players had an issue with designing CPUs. The result was that they couldn't make one and this way failed to update their computers - leading to not releasing new computers. Fixed.
I hope you will like it!
Please support me with a review if you like the game and keep the feedback coming! :) Thank you so much!
Andris aka Progorion
It is just a fast hotfix this time!
This version is fixing a bug connected to the "Market" and "Polish" buttons on the Computer Designer. Because of this bug, you couldn't have 2 computers being tested at the same time.
Have a very nice day! :)
From now on I will always have an "Open Test Branch" for new versions and I will wait a few days before upgrading the live branch. So this won't happen again!
Your friend,
Andris aka Progorion
- I've replaced the old sliders on the hardware designers for clarity and the ability to edit the values manually
- I've changed Billy Boy's skills as his loyalty problem could bankrupt companies where he was the partner.
- I've added validation and a block on computer prices so that the player cannot release a computer with a too high price - so high that nobody would buy it - to avoid confusion.
- I've improved the automatic hardware and computer copy naming to avoid very long names.
- Many text corrections
Please guys, if you enjoy the game, leave a review - it really helps a lot with visibility on the store, and would mean a lot to me!
It is a workaround hotfix, I'm not sure what caused the problem, but this might solve it for now.
I'm sorry about the inconvenience!
Changes
- Managers & Offices Update is added
- Interactive Tutorial is added
- PP Optimization is automated (you won't pay for unused PPs, and also you always use first PPs coming from the cheapest factories and use them for the computers that give you the most profits)
- Not only the Market, but the Testing button also checks if you already have 3 computers from the same design type.
- There is a new approval window before selling a sites
- From now on you can open hardware/computers/sites etc. in lists only by clicking on their name. Earlier it varied by list, which confused the players.
- There is a remove button on the research queue
- You could move some windows by grabbing them on their top and others on their body. From now on you can do that only by grabbing their top, and there is also a move icon indicating on the window that it is possible in the first place.
- The move and help icons are gray from now on (indicating that they are not clickable, they are there only to hover over with a mouse)
- You can see the actual game's difficulty level on the saving screen.
- There is an extra cashflow button on the budget statistics screen, so you can see the cash flow and its hints as well (you can see the same window by hovering over your cashflow money indicator in the top right corner, but there the window disappears as soon as you move your cursor, so you cannot check the hints)
- There is an extra Information button on the market list, so you can access here the Market Information window not only from the small round menu that appears when you click on a market)
- The Pricing window has hints now too
- I've renamed the "Upgrade" button on the site view to "Build"
- There is a new "Expand More" helper bubble
- ESC not only closes windows but opens the main menu and/or closes the main menu too
- I've increased the color saturation on the wealth map mode, so you can easier decide which market is average or rich
Fixes
- There was an issue with LP points and countries becoming communist
- There was an issue that applied LP to countries you've just opened under given circumstances
- There was a visibility issue for the name of the computer design type on the design chooser screen under given circumstances
- On the Release Tab of computers the last day profit and lifetime profit fields were switched up
- Some typo corrections
- With some resolutions and UI multipliers, the windows were slightly out of sync with the curser when moved around.
- Adding 2.5-inch FDD to the research queue didn't add the 3.5-inch bays to the queue automatically
- Adding the Co-Processors did automatically add the 8088 processor (while it shouldn't)
- SCSI made ATA obsolete, even tho SCSI is an inferior technology.
- The hints on DPP and PP were the same
- The sales graph was incorrectly showing how PC sales start increasing from 0 (with a straight line) - because the line started to rise from 1974 instead of starting from the last year when there were no PC (design) sales yet.
- From the Dominance Statistics Window the bankrupted opponents were not removed automatically, only after reloading the game
- The market list's last column showing the market's state was inconsistently using "Unused and Site" depending on the actual filters.
- After starting a new game (but not restarting the game itself) the UI multipliers were reset.
- The research bar was not automatically and immediately refreshed if you've added a new tech to the queue from the queue (instead of the research three)
- When you changed the logistics points set to a market then the market list was not automatically refreshing the corresponding line in its list.
- Selling sites was not always working
- There was an error that made a warning message appear (about having 3 computers from the same design type) when it shouldn't have
- If you are running the game on a more exotic resolution then the default UI multipliers were sometimes not fitting the screen well
- Both the world map and office said “World map” when I hover over them
- There was an error with LPs setting on China
- You were able to add HDD capacity techs to SDD storages
- While the game was loading you could hear the site's ocean sound
- The technological singularity victory screen was potentially not updating your computer data on the victory screen properly.
- There was an error with product marketing costs connected to LPs set on the map. You could avoid paying under given circumstances.
- Small (population under 600k) markets generated no sales sometimes.
- The player bonuses were not consistent as the logistics bonus was reducing your LP need for markets instead of making LPs cheaper for you in the sites.
- You were able to open the market survey screen from the market list even when the button itself was non-interactive.
This version is a small update to solve two serious game-breaking bugs connected to exotic character sets. If you are from a country where you have your special alphabet (Turkey, Georgia, India, China, etc.) then it might have happened that you couldn't start/load games and that your research tree bugs with tech names.
I was finally able to track it down. Also, I have built a few graphics safety code pieces into the game as well.
I know that you are eagerly waiting for the next bigger update in which I will give you the managers and the offices plus a better tutorial. I also cannot wait to give it to you, but you will still have to wait for it a while.
Thank you for all your support, feedback, and patience guys, it means a lot! If you have reported any smaller bugs meanwhile, don't worry, I see them, and I put them on my to-do list/solve them, but now only in the bigger development version with the new features.
Have a very nice day friends,
Andris aka Progorion
I was able to hunt down another important bug, and I've also fixed a few other minor things. Here is the changelog:
- There was a bug connected to tech category changes. (for example, I've changed a few techs having the “bus” category to “video bus” - these are used in the code to decide if something is new or obsolete) – which unfortunately caused various bugs in saved games where the tech still used to have the earlier category. When it happened, the upper right part of the info bar became frozen, while the timer/days were still going forward. (reported by Niels)
- Two people reported during the past 2 months that the game started using a really small resolution in a window. When the game first starts it is Unity that handles resolution. I have no idea why it started the game with such low resolutions for them, but as a workaround now check the screen resolution from code, and if it is any smaller than 1024x768 then the game switches to that, so at least the window won't be as small that the player can't reach the settings menu to set it manually.
- On the Hardware Type selector window the black backgrounds had messi borders. Fixed.
- When you had “Remote Assistance” for your OS then the illustrations were not working correctly. Fixed
- I've moved the site menu a bit down so that it doesn't hide the notification balls (partially) in the top left corner.
- When the market share label hit 100% the label was still too small to show it in one line – so I've increased its size.
Thank you very much for the reports guys! Please when you send me something, always check the version number of your game and if there is an update on steam already or not because I get outdated reports and false-positive reports too often. It takes a lot of time to debug, so I should work from up-to-date information. I've got a couple of false positives connected to techs for example - concerning DIMM, RDRAM, or coolers, bearings (unfortunately I don't remember where and from whom I've got them to contact. I still have a few things to check/fix, but the game-breaking bugs had to be corrected asap.
Have a nice weekend guys! Have a lot of fun!
Your friend,
Andris aka Progorion
Current Release
Not available
System Requirements
How to Install
Computer Tycoon.exe to play
Troubleshooting tips
• Run Redist/_CommonRedist installers if game won't start
• Add folder to Windows Defender exclusions
• Run as administrator
Download
Direct link available
301 MB
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