Before we break into the amazing three-decade journey that has been online Tycoon games, we should probably answer the question, “What the heck is a Tycoon anyway?” Picture the most successful person you know, and then multiply that by ten! A tycoon is someone who builds an empire from the ground up, working hard and conquering all the competition to build huge businesses, attractions, and other monumental developments that change the world (usually for the better). Almost every type of business in the world is dominated by a tycoon, and as gamers, we get to relive their paths to success with cutthroat, creative, and extremely satisfying games. Before we get into the specifics of the gameplay, however, we simply have to pay respects to the many business simulators that came before this category.
Tycoon games have been rocking the gaming world since 1990, and if you count off-brand simulators like The Biz (1984), Oil Barons (1983), and even Lemonade Stand (1973), the history extends even farther back. Ever since the world experienced Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon, however, the first game from the official Tycoon games franchise, everything changed. Here was an opportunity for gamers to take huge risks in business without ever leaving their computer chairs. You could invest millions of dollars on a business idea, build mega-facilities, hire hundreds of employees, and build a massively successful business in just a few hours. Mind you, it’s not all fun and games, because running a business of that size is really hard work, but that’s why tycoons get paid the really, really, really big bucks!
Alright, now onto more of the online Tycoon games specifics. Whether you’re playing on pc or another device, the best tycoon games out there all have a few themes in common. First and foremost is rapid wealth accumulation. It takes years to grow a real business, but in free tycoon games, time is sped up and profits are maximized so you can make critical business decisions (like expanding your operation) after just minutes of gameplay. You also have a lot to manage in terms of your assets, meaning you can build facilities, hire staff, upgrade your products and services, expand into new markets, and all kinds of other important operations. As a business tycoon games master, you don’t just kick your heels up and watch the money rake in. Even successful businesses are like a house of cards – if you aren’t careful, one false move could mean you’re out of business! Speaking of, let’s cover some of the areas you can go into as a tycoon games player.
The list is nearly endless here. There are airport tycoon games, food tycoon games, all kinds of building tycoon games, and so many more. Basically, anything that’s listed on the New York Stock Exchange can be made into a tycoon game. You can build a mega-farm, a mall, an entire business district, and so much more. If it can be used to generate profit, then these games are going to put you in charge of it, for better or worse. Oil and railroads were a great start, but as the times changed, so have tycoon games. Now, you can even be a digital tycoon with hacked tycoon games! Take out your competition online and build an impenetrable digital presence. Like we said, the possibilities really are endless.
The awesome thing about city-building simulations is that you can flex more than just your business expertise. Cities aren’t just about pure profit, after all. For example, you have to make sure that your people have schools, parks, and other not-for-profit things to keep them happy and healthy. It requires a sense of “civic engineering,” if you will, but profitability is of course important as well. As a city tycoon, you can decide what you want to put where, what you want each building to do, and how big you want to get. We recommend thinking each building decision through, because it’s hard to squeeze a wrecking ball through tightly packed streets!
Last but not least, who says it has to be all about cutthroat business? Yeah, you want to be successful and make a ton of money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build your empire on something people of all walks of life can enjoy. For example, Roller Coaster Tycoon, released in 1999, was an absolutely massive hit that changed the way gamers saw business. You got to build awesome coasters AND monetize your park, even testing your rides when you were ready. Even though tycoon games such as these may be really exaggerated in terms of how much money you can make, they are actually a handy way to teach young people how to manage money responsibly. Roller Coaster Tycoon and the many tycoon games we offer are great at this.
Well, let’s phrase it this way. In gaming, business, and in life, doing what makes you happy should always come first. If you don’t love what you do, then every workday feels like Monday. After you have found something that you truly love, like a war tycoon game, a food tycoon game, or whatever it is, then it’s time to focus on your resources. That’s our number one tip. We have plenty of awesome clicker games that force you to make tough decisions in terms of shelling out money to upgrade your production potential. Before every decision, ask yourself, “Is this investment going to pay for itself, or will it affect my bottom line?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve just learned how to grow a business. If the answer is no, then you may find yourself filing for bankruptcy. So, what will it be, tycoon games master or another failed entrepreneur?