Game Dev Story

Game Dev Story is a simulation video game developed and published by Kairosoft for Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. It was released for Windows in April 1997,[1] on iOS and Android on October 9, 2010,[2] for Windows Phone on July 6, 2015, for Nintendo Switch on October 11, 2018, on PlayStation 4 on February 11, 2021,[3] on Steam on March 27, 2022,[4] and on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on September 15, 2023. The game follows a player-controlled video game company and its attempts to expand into a sales powerhouse over time. As a simulation, the game and the direction of the company is controlled by the player, following a parallel timeline of the video game industry and its history. The game was released to positive reviews, with many reviewers focusing on Game Dev Story's addictive aspects and its witty references to video game pop culture.

Game Dev Story
Developer(s)Kairosoft
Publisher(s)
  • WW: Kairosoft
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • JP: April 1997
iOS, Android
  • WW: October 9, 2010
Windows Phone
  • WW: July 6, 2015
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: October 11, 2018
PlayStation 4
  • WW: February 11, 2021
Steam
  • WW: March 27, 2022
Xbox One, Series X/S
  • WW: September 15, 2023
Genre(s)Business simulation game
Mode(s)Single player
Multiplayer

Gameplay
The menu on the left-hand side of the screen allows the player to control the direction of their game studio, while the bottom menu row shows the sales of their currently released game.

The player takes control of a start-up video game developer, with the goal of making hit titles and consoles in order to make money.[2] The user controls a number of factors which can help or hinder the quality of the games released, including hiring staff, controlling the direction and speed of development, and using items which give boosts for workers or change their jobs. As the player progresses and earns more money, their building is improved upon and they are allowed to hire more staff, and thus create better games.[2]

Games are assigned review scores upon completion of a game ranging from 1–10 with a comment from the associated reviewer with his score. The scores generally affect the sales that go along with the game, and as they are in real life, sales are ranked with a number according to how they sold that week.[2]

When the player reaches the Hall of Fame level, they can make sequels to their game. To reach the Hall of Fame, the player needs to get the critics to give a score of at least 32.

Development

The original Game Dev Story was released in Japan for Microsoft Windows in April 1997.[5] It was ported in 2010 to both iOS and Android.[6]

A Windows Phone port was released in July 2015. It was also later released on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on October 11, 2018 and February 11, 2021 respectively.[3]

Reception

Game Dev Story received positive reviews, praising the addictiveness of its mechanics and its somewhat realistic treatment of video game development. It received an 86/100 on Metacritic.[7] The A.V. Club praised the game's freedom for the player's choice in how they choose to develop their company.[11] Eurogamer's Keza MacDonald described Game Dev Story as "the best thing I've ever played on the iPhone" and praised the game for its unpredictable and addictive simulation gameplay.[8] Ron Gilbert, the original creator of the Monkey Island video game series, told Wired that he was a self-proclaimed addict to the game.[12]

Criticism of the game mostly focused on the end-period of the game. Pocket Gamer felt that Game Dev Story slowed down towards the end of the game because it became too easy to churn out successful games at a quick pace.[13] Giant Bomb's Ryan Davis felt that although the game's menu system was clunky, Game Dev Story contained a large amount of charm and addictiveness that made it worth playing.[9] Thunderbolt felt that the game would only appeal to those who understood the video game industry.[14]

See also

References
  1. "ゲーム発展途上国". Kairosoft. April 1997. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. Ahearn, Nate (October 18, 2010). "Game Dev Story iPhone Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  3. "Game Dev Story". store.playstation.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  4. Plunkett, Luke (March 29, 2022). "Hell Yes, Kairosoft's Classic Management Games Are Now On Steam". Kotaku. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  5. Lada, Jenni (June 1, 2012). "Important Importables: Kairosoft". Technology Tell. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  6. Nicholson, Brad (November 30, 2010). "'Game Dev Story 2' Coming To iOS, But Not 'Soon'". Touch Arcade. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  7. "Game Dev Story for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  8. MacDonald, Keza (November 2, 2010). "Game Dev Story Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  9. Davis, Ryan (November 2, 2010). "Game Dev Story review". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  10. Nelson, Jared (October 12, 2010). "'Game Dev Story' Review – Create Your Own Game Company". TouchArcade. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  11. Heisler, Steve (November 1, 2010). "Games: November 2010". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  12. Schreier, Jason (December 3, 2010). "What's Right (and Wrong) With Game Dev Story's Addictive Simulation". Wired. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  13. Mundy, Jon (October 22, 2010). "Game Dev Story review". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  14. Kemph, Calvin (March 1, 2011). "Game Dev Story – iPhone review". Thunderbolt. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
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