There are plenty of reasons you would want to play a certain video game. To feel like a hero saving the world from alien invaders or to unwind with a casual racing game. Sometimes though, the best way to forget about the workday is to pretend to work another job entirely.
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If that’s the kind of mood you’re in, then why not dive deep into the genre and play a game that you even get to own your own business? Entrepreneurship can be scary, but it definitely takes some of the stress off when it’s all virtual. Whether you want to begin a new life as a rollercoaster engineer or have always wondered what it would be like to be a space bounty hunter, these are some games to check out.
10Rollercoaster Tycoon
The Tycoon series has brought job-based joy to countless players for decades now, and it all began withRollercoaster Tycoon.
The amount of detail and creativity you can have with even the base version of this game is absurd. Who hasn’t wanted to own their own theme park, watch the families run around and have fun, and maybe trap a few unruly guests in an infinite loop?
Whether you love capitalist business strategy or just want to try your hand at being a rollercoaster engineer, this is a game to sink hours in.
9Two Point Hospital
Healthcare is a serious and often complex industry. What better way to try your hand at it that building a hospital from the ground up inTwo Point Hospital?
It literally is from the ground up too. Floor-by-floor, you get to make your hospital do whatever you deem important. Plenty of patients are waiting for care, and other emergencies will need your attention. It’s a fun but hectic approach to a business simulation game that you won’t soon forget about.
8Game Dev Tycoon
What about playing a game… about making a game? If that isn’t too meta for you, then Game Dev Tycoon is worth checking out.
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It’s a rather bright and cheery game about starting your very own game development company. It is a lot of fun making choices about your game and taking it to different development stages. The deadlines can be stressful, though, and it may even leave you with a better respect for current and past developers of games you love playing.
7Rise Of Industry
Sometimes when you want a game about owning your own business, you want to think bigger than just a gas station or hospital. Rise Of Industry is the game for those moments.
You start your own profitable series of business routes from scratch. Supply lines, crops, manufacturing, money; it’s all here for you to figure out. There’s something so satisfying about seeing your business grow from a small start to a practical empire. If you want to feel like a powerhouse entrepreneur, this is your best bet.
6Stardew Valley
Owning a farm can be a messy job, but it’s a little bit easier when all the dirt is virtual.Stardew Valleyis the perfect game for those who wanta farm management gamethat’s also quite wholesome.
The passing of your grandfather was sudden, but it meant a new opportunity. Plant crops, rebuild and improve the family farm, and even chat with the local villagers. It’s a less stressful version of owning your own business, for sure.
5Prison Architect
It’s not the game for those with negative thoughts on the prison industrial complex, but Prison Architect is a weirdly fun game to dive into.
It’s an odd concept, building and managing your dream prison, but one that doesn’t get old fast at all. It’s rendered in a humorously cartoonish way, but the needs of your prisoners and guards will often feel all too serious as you see your graphs start to dip down. It’s a fun and weird twist on management games, but one that is easy to hop into.
4Industry Giant 2
Sometimes you just want to go big. If you’ve dreamt of being the next Rockefeller, then Industry Giant 2 can show you what that dream would be like.
You don’t deal with the nitty-gritty of business in this game. Instead, you’re always looking at the bigger picture. Watch the stock market, outdo your competitors, and become an all-encompassing economic powerhouse in this game. Be careful, though; there are plenty of complexities and issues that can get in your way.
3Eve Online
Maybe it’s not marketed as a business game, but managing one of many space-faring trades inEve Onlineis something you can easily spend hours doing.
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MMOs are great for diving into a roleplay character of your choosing. Bounty hunter, ship sales agent, informant, or guide; there’s a plethora of options available for you to play in this game. The best part: as long as you’re serious about it, the other players will probably be more than happy to accept you into whatever role you choose.
2Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Sometimes average modern-day jobs get a little boring. Sometimes you daydream about the jobs of the future.Hardspace: Shipbreakerhas just the answer to those questions.
Think of working in a junkyard, in space. That’s the base of the game, but it’s far more fun than that sounds. Cut apart high-tech spaceships to gain valuable resources and use them for even more impressive tools. It may not be the action-packed foray into science fiction you’re used to, but it’s still a lot of fun.
1SnowRunner
Blue-collar jobs deserve their representation too. Why not get cozy at your desk or couch and pretend to be a salvage driver in the rough wilderness?
SnowRunneris a great sim-like game where you balance materials and different vehicle types to tame the snowy trails you find yourself in. It can get surprisingly in-depth for a simple game that makes you really consider physics andwhat certain vehicles can dothat others can’t. If you want a rough alternative to racing games, look no further.
