Fit check
Is The Developer worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Management-game players who want to build a studio from a solo operation
- Simulation fans interested in developing games across a long console-history timeline
- Strategy players who want to allocate staff time and manage company growth
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players who want hands-on control of individual game levels rather than managing development priorities
- Players who prefer a short, fixed campaign may not enjoy the company-building timeline and recurring game-production cycle
- Players looking for a puzzle game rather than a studio-management simulation
Our take on The Developer
The likely sticking point is the production-planning loop: workers' time must be divided among development areas, and each game calls for choices about genre, topic, and features. Players expecting direct control of the games being made may hit that boundary early, since the focus is on running the company.
What is The Developer?
Start a game company by programming alone, then grow it by hiring and training workers and researching technology.
Set how much time workers spend on different aspects of development, choose from 8 genres and up to 100 topics, and add features suited to each game's genre and topic. The simulated industry follows roughly 60 years of console history, from 8-bit systems to augmented reality. As the company grows, move from a basement to upgraded offices, build custom engines using researched technology, make sequels, or try creating a console.
Four modes are available: Standard, No PC, Creative, where each topic can be used once, and hard mode, which includes market crashes, the Y2K bug, and a global recession. The game also includes loans and competition against rival companies.
How The Developer plays
- 01Game production choices
- Allocate worker time across development areas and choose features suited to each game's genre and topic.
- 02Historical console progression
- The simulated timeline spans roughly 60 years, from 8-bit consoles through augmented reality.
- 03Four game modes
- Creative mode limits each topic to one use, while hard mode includes market crashes, the Y2K bug, and a global recession.
- 04Custom game engines
- Build engines using technologies researched by the company.
- 05Rival company competition
- Compete against rival companies in Development Champions.
The Developer compared to similar games
Mad Games Tycoon also centers on building a game studio, training staff, researching technology, and upgrading offices. The Developer specifies a roughly 60-year console-history progression, four game modes, custom engines, and the option to create a console; Mad Games Tycoon's description says its studio starts in the early 1980s and highlights developing game concepts with a team.
The Developer: platforms & release
Is The Developer worth it?
It is worth it if: management-game players who want to build a studio from a solo operation. Skip it if: players who want hands-on control of individual game levels rather than managing development priorities.
Where can I download The Developer?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens The Developer's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is The Developer on?
Windows only.
