Celebrating the Weird and Wonderful Genre of Tycoon Games

You don't hear the word 'tycoon' that frequently any more, with the term 'billionaire' much better at effectively describing a person's wealth acquired through the development or inheritance of a business. With that said, you're about to read the word 'tycoon' a lot in a short space of time, as we pay tribute to one of the more unlikely hit genres in the world of gaming.

The word 'tycoon' is derived from the Japanese term 'taikun', which translates as 'great lord or prince'. It's a grand word, and it's probably not a term that was intended to describe someone sitting at their computer screen, frantically dragging and dropping restrooms into their virtual theme park because their guests are vomiting copiously.

The tycoon genre enjoyed a boom in the 1990s and 2000s, as developers began to push the boundaries of what could be achieved in computer simulation games. There aren't many new tycoon games taking the world by storm, but the modern remastering of popular titles like Zoo Tycoon and Rollercoaster Tycoon reveals the nostalgia held for this form of gaming.

At their essence, tycoon games are about one thing: being a successful businessperson. Players who aren't cowardly hiding in the sandbox mode are expected to run a profitable business, changing their strategy in response to changing circumstances in the in-game universe. However, tycoon games aren't just a bland homage to capitalism. Players were arguably more thrilled by the architectural challenges and the often-quirky humor of tycoon games, rather than simply investing in the battle to turn a profit.

Notable tycoon games

Zoo Tycoon

Despite what some might have you believe, the main objective of Zoo Tycoon is not to open your zoo to visitors then "accidentally" delete part of the fence in the lion exhibit. The first Zoo Tycoon arrived in 2001, with subsequent iterations expanding the range of adoptable animals and providing more customization options for your zoo. In 2017, the Ultimate Animal Collection brought the task of zoo building to Windows 10 and Xbox One, with its graphics making the little critters seem more lifelike than ever.

Railroad Tycoon

The legendary Sid Meier was behind this series' first installment, although Railroad Tycoon soon went off on its own track. The series probably peaked with 2003's Railroad Tycoon 3, a game with beautiful 3D graphics and almost 60 unlockable locomotives. The game's challenges span five continents and over 200 years, so you've got access to everything from classic steam engines to futuristic Eurostar-style trains. However, players are ultimately judged on the profitability of their railroads rather than their aesthetic value.

Transport Tycoon

Hey, ever play Railroad Tycoon and think to yourself, 'I wish that the trains looked more blocky, and that also I could transport things via road, sea, and air?' Well, that's where Transport Tycoon steps in. Chris Sawyer's 1994 game appealed to those interested in the logistical side of transport, with a 2013 release updating the action for Android and iOS. Players compete against computerized rival companies to come out on top in the clash of transport tycoons.

Texan Tycoon

Texan Tycoon brings the tycoon theme to the world of online slots, with its action centered on an oil drilling business in the Lone Star State. Free slots are among the most popular online casino games, with Punt Casino hosting Texan Tycoon as part of their top game selection. The symbols on the five reels of this feature-packed video slot include everything an oil tycoon needs to succeed, while players are tasked with selecting the right oil well in the hope of profitably expanding their business.

Rollercoaster Tycoon

The first Rollercoaster Tycoon launched on Microsoft Windows in 1999, with players able to construct their dream theme parks. You could even create your own physics-defying rollercoasters, in the hope of wowing your guests. The series has since thrived on computer, consoles, and mobile devices, with newer features allowing you to ride your rollercoaster in a first-person mode. That way, you can see for yourself just why all of your guests have been throwing up.



Hospital Tycoon

DR Studios' Hospital Tycoon doesn't sound like it should work, and it actually doesn't. Bullfrog's Theme Hospital proved you can have a successful hospital tycoon game, but that one doesn't have 'tycoon' in its title and would therefore ruin our theme. In Hospital Tycoon, players are tasked with ensuring that their staff is well-equipped and that the patients are as happy as possible. There's not really a moment to rest, so Hospital Tycoon presents a tough challenge from an economic standpoint.

Zoo Tycoon and Rollercoaster Tycoon are the genre's two heavyweights, but there are tycoon games to suit everyone's interests. Other notable tycoon games include Fish Tycoon, Plant Tycoon, Coffee Tycoon, and, most heartwarmingly of all, Prison Tycoon. It doesn't matter what the industry is; if you can combine tough business decisions with fun design choices, you've got yourself a tycoon game. Who knows what we might be treated to if tycoon games enjoy a resurgence in the 2020s?