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, on iOS and Android on October 9, 2010, for Windows Phone on July 6, 2015, for Nintendo Switch on October 11, 2018, on PlayStation 4 on February 11, 2021, on Steam on March 27, 2022, 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.
Game Dev Story
- Date
- 2010
- Publisher
- Kairosoft · SNK
- Language
- English · French
- Genre
- simulation video game
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q5519847 · wikipedia · Game Dev Story
In this article
The object
The object
The game was released to positive reviews, with many reviewers focusing on Game Dev Storys addictive aspects and its witty references to video game pop culture.
Key facts
Key facts
• Title — Game Dev Story • Developer — Kairosoft • Publisher — Kairosoft • Released — Microsoft WindowsApril 1997iOS, AndroidOctober 9, 2010Windows PhoneJuly 6, 2015Nintendo SwitchOctober 11, 2018PlayStation 4February 11, 2021SteamMarch 27, 2022Xbox One, Series X/SSeptember 15, 2023 • Genre — Business simulation game • Modes — Single player Multiplayer • Platforms — Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Gameplay
Gameplay
• Illustration — 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. 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. 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. 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
Development
The original Game Dev Story was released in Japan for Microsoft Windows in April 1997. It was ported in 2010 to both iOS and Android. 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.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- Japan
Named but not plotted · 1
Game Dev Story is associated with Japan.
Country
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. The A.V. Club praised the game's freedom for the player's choice in how they choose to develop their company. Eurogamer 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. Ron Gilbert, the original creator of the Monkey Island video game series, told Wired that he was a self-proclaimed addict to the game. 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. 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. Thunderbolt felt that the game would only appeal to those who understood the video game industry.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Game Dev Story”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5519847: Game Dev Story
General reference · Wikidata
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Game Dev Story, revision 1368692015 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.ゲーム発展途上国. Kairosoft. April 1997.
- 2.Ahearn, Nate. Game Dev Story iPhone Review. IGN. Ziff Davis. October 18, 2010.
- 3.Game Dev Story. store.playstation.com.
- 4.Plunkett, Luke. Hell Yes, Kairosoft's Classic Management Games Are Now On Steam. Kotaku. March 29, 2022.
- 5.Lada, Jenni. Important Importables: Kairosoft. TechnologyTell. Technology Tell. June 1, 2012.
- 6.Nicholson, Brad. 'Game Dev Story 2' Coming To iOS, But Not 'Soon'. Touch Arcade. November 30, 2010.
- 7.CBS Interactive. Game Dev Story for iPhone/iPad Reviews. Metacritic.
- 8.MacDonald, Keza. Game Dev Story Review. Eurogamer. November 2, 2010.
- 9.Davis, Ryan. Game Dev Story review. Giant Bomb. November 2, 2010.
- 10.Nelson, Jared. 'Game Dev Story' Review – Create Your Own Game Company. TouchArcade. October 12, 2010.
- 11.Heisler, Steve. Games: November 2010. The A.V. Club. November 1, 2010.
- 12.Schreier, Jason. What's Right (and Wrong) With Game Dev Story's Addictive Simulation. Wired. December 3, 2010.
- 13.Mundy, Jon. Game Dev Story review. Pocket Gamer. October 22, 2010.
- 14.Kemph, Calvin. Game Dev Story – iPhone review. Thunderbolt. March 1, 2011.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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