Game Dev Story

Title: Game Dev Story
Platform Played On:
Release Date: October 9, 2010
Date Played: October-November 2010
Time Played: 6 hours
Completed (Y/N): Yes
Score: 4/5

Opinion:
As I have mentioned in several posts already, I am a fan of simulation-esque games. Game Dev Story is one of these simultion games. In it you run a video game studio.

Game Dev Story is by no means a simulator. It simply takes the basic ideas of owning a video game studio and throws them together on an extremely basic level, while at the same time creating a very addictive experience.

As with any business, the income loop is essential, and is the center of the game. This basic loop is, make game, sell game, get money to make new game, make new game, sell game... and so on and so forth. That is the entire goal of the game. The game in the actual sense of the word "game" becomes ensuring that a successful product is made, and that the company does not run out of money.

It all starts with picking the genre and console for your game. Then hiring a staff to develop the said game. There is a wide range of employees you can hire, more expensive employees with higher skill levels, specialists that will focus on one of the four main categories or managers to improve the mood and performance of the team. You can name the game and even influence certain aspects of it. And when it is complete you will be graded in four categories. Programming, Scenario, Graphics and Sound. Basically reflecting the basics of real life game critics.

As you develop the game you encounter the cliches of video game development, such as bugs, and crunching. Over time the gaming eras advance and so does your company. Eventually you move in to a bigger and better office, where you can hire more staff and develop even more ambitious games for newer and better consoles.

Game Dev story is full of little puns at the gaming industry. A yearly trade show where your game gets shown to the public is a clear nod to E3, and the consoles that you develop for are clear nods to the actual real life consoles. Game companies such as Intendro with their GameKid and Sonny with their Play Status are just a few of them.

All in all Game Dev Story is a great little simulator. It is in no way serious, which is what makes it great for a quick bathroom buddy on your iPhone. This was one of the first "Story" games. I cant speak to the other ones, but Game Dev Story is a must play.