Rise of Industry 2 makes economic simulation more approachable

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Originally published on September 3, 2024.

1980s United States: You’re a budding entrepreneur with dreams of wealth and success fueled by unrestrained capitalism, and that’s the enticing backdrop for “Rise of Industry 2“, the upcoming business magnate game from SomaSim and Kasedo Games.

In strategy games like Rise of Industry 2, developers often struggle to balance complexity for seasoned players and accessibility for beginners. At Gamescom 2024, they demonstrated their approach to this problem, showcasing how the game offers depth for veterans while remaining easy to grasp for newcomers.

In games similar to these, keeping track of the larger scheme can often become challenging due to constructing mines in one location, smelters in another, auto part factories near a town and steel beam factories across a river. The logistical challenges that follow are quite daunting. Rather than spreading out resources extensively, Rise of Industry 2 suggests building facilities closely together – almost on top of each other. This is where Complexes become useful.

A Complex refers to an area where multiple types of buildings are integrated, enabling the entire manufacturing process to be centered within this space. For instance, you could have an iron mine, smelter, steel furnace, storage facility, loading docks, and the essential power plant all in one location. This setup allows for the production of carbon steel, with only coal needing external delivery – all other stages of production can be managed within the same area. This reduces a significant amount of logistics that would otherwise be required.

Simplifying space usage is advantageous when it comes to real estate, as purchasing more property can be costly. Therefore, making the best use of the land you currently possess demonstrates sound judgment.

The developers shared with me that the new version is significantly easier to get into compared to the initial Rise of Industry. They’ve put a great deal of effort into simplifying the tutorials, which they felt were complex in the original game, and the early campaign missions, which not only serve as the main game but also help new players learn the ropes.

In Rise of Industry 2, logistics enthusiasts won’t escape the thrill of management they cherish: You’ll still be responsible for ensuring that resources are delivered to and from your Complexes promptly and in appropriate amounts to meet your contracts or for exporting. Therefore, arranging delivery schedules will remain a key part of your duties.

The developers note that much of the intricacy lies in establishing the [logistics] systems, however, when established, they operate independently without requiring much further intervention – similar to a Complex, which once properly set up, requires minimal attention unless there are plans for future expansion.

In Rise of Industry 2, scenarios can be quite diverse: Sometimes you’ll start a business from the ground up, while other times you might take on the challenge of reviving a struggling company. Adapting to these different tasks is made easier by the customization system in Rise of Industry 2. Before embarking on a map, you can pick the focus for your business, giving it an edge in specific areas and preparing it for what’s ahead. Another crucial decision is choosing your initial investor at the start of the game. They will offer some funding, but always with conditions. For instance, an investor might require you to produce specific goods or resources, so it’s wise to examine your starting situation before agreeing to any terms.

In Rise of Industry 2, maps can become quite expansive and they will include resource sites, cities, and pre-existing facilities such as harbors and airports. Unlike other games where you sculpt an area according to your plans, this game focuses more on adapting to the given conditions and making the best out of what’s already there.

This doesn’t mean you can’t adjust situations to benefit yourself: For instance, investing in neighboring cities aids their development, which subsequently offers more living spaces for your team members.

An alternative way to gauge accessibility is by observing that new levels and guides become accessible after achieving initial objectives within the ongoing campaign – the game doesn’t overextend its duration, preventing you from being compelled to play until you’re immersed in the endgame, which might be challenging or dull for a novice gamer.

Building connections is crucial in business, and Rise of Industry 2 reflects this through simulating interactions with other companies. You might find yourself receiving messages from CEOs of different firms, who may ask for a conversation or a favor. Granting their requests could lead to significant discounts when you need to purchase resources from that company in the future. Overall, engaging with other businesses will help strengthen your relationship with them.

One appealing aspect of this genre lies in starting with a blank canvas (a sandbox map), discovering your initial resources, and then choosing your own path as you go along. For instance, you could construct an empire that’s as impressive as a Lego set using oil wells, or join the military-industrial sector by crafting jet engines after mining some modest iron deposits – or even do both!

In the game, there are numerous resources and items to manage, making the simulation intricate. For instance, an oil well doesn’t merely yield dinosaur juice, it also produces natural gas as a byproduct, enabling you to establish a gas power plant concurrently. While opening your own nuclear power plant using uranium might initially seem appealing, resolving your electricity problems, you must devise a strategy for handling the radioactive waste that it generates.

Rise of Industry 2 is coming to PC on June 3, 2025.

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2025-05-02 16:17