Devlog: Under the Hood - The Physics of our Simulation Engine

Hey everyone,

Welcome back to a very special devlog for RPG Developer Tycoon! This time, we're taking you "under the hood" to showcase the core of what will make our tycoon experience unique: the strict and granular hardware simulation framework we're building.

While the user interface for this is still in development, the simulation engine itself is running, and we're too excited to wait. We want to give you an exclusive look at the C# logic that will determine your success or failure.

1. Inside the Simulation Engine: The Physics of Progress

At the heart of our game is a complex function that calculates component performance based on your technological choices. It's not just a case of "smaller nanometers = better." Every decision creates a cascade of realistic consequences, creating a fascinating balancing act for the player.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the core calculation that happens every time you design a new component:

What does this mean for gameplay?

This model creates a series of strategic challenges:

• Shrinking isn't free: As your lithography (Your_Lithography_nm) gets smaller, the Transistor Density skyrockets. This is good for performance! However...
• Heat is the enemy: That same density acts as a multiplier for Heat Generation. Pushing for a smaller process node without adequate cooling research will result in a component that generates massive amounts of heat.
• Thermal Throttling: If Heat Generation exceeds the thermal limits of your technology, the Heat_Throttling_Factor kicks in, crippling your component's performance. You could design the world's densest chip, only for it to run slower than an older model because it's constantly overheating.

But it goes deeper. The simulation also considers:

• Fabrication Method: Moving from HandCrafted to a CleanRoom provides a massive multiplier to density and production yield, but requires immense capital investment.
• Manufacturing Cost & Yield: Pushing the boundaries of technology is expensive. Your manufacturing cost is calculated based on how advanced your lithography is, and your production yield (% of working chips) will plummet if you're using a primitive fabrication method for a cutting-edge design.

Your goal isn't just to reach the smallest nanometer size; it's to build a balanced company that can manage the physics, economics, and manufacturing challenges that come with it.

2. The Human Element: RPG Skills & Emergent AI

A company is more than just its products; it's about its people. We're integrating two powerful systems to bring your employees and rivals to life:

• RPG-like Skills: Both your employees and your own CEO will have skill trees. An engineer might specialize in "Micro-architecture Optimization," while your CEO could unlock abilities like "Aggressive Market Forecasting." These skills will directly impact your company's success and allow for different strategic playstyles.
• Dynamic AI Personalities: We're developing an AI system driven by a combination of Traits (e.g., "Risk-Averse," "Innovator," "Aggressive") and personality weightings. This creates a weighted decision-making system where characters (employees, rival CEOs) will exhibit dynamic and emergent behavior. An "Innovator" CEO might pour money into risky, unproven technology, while a "Risk-Averse" one will stick to what's safe. This will make the world feel alive and unpredictable.

These systems work together to create a complex simulation where your success depends on mastering both the hardware and the "human-ware" of your company.

Join Our Team! We're Looking for an Artist!

As we build these complex systems, we also need to bring the world to life visually. We are officially looking for a talented artist to help us define the look and feel of the game's crucial "Garage Stage."

We're searching for someone who can create compelling scenes and graphic assets that capture that "startup" spirit. If you have a passion for creating cozy, detailed environments and a knack for UI/UX design, we'd love to see your work.

Interested? Please send your portfolio to our email: 

Thank you for reading and for your continued support. Let us know in the comments what you think about these deep simulation systems!

Cheers,
Relicta Games Development Team.