While the genre has seen titles like Industry Giant thrive in the simulation game market, in recent years, this gaming category has become increasingly dynamic and competitive.
From prominent names like Satisfactory and Factorio to the more simplistic yet addictive experiences like Shapez 2, all are currently vying for direct competition with each other. And now, after three years since its Early Access launch, Captain of Industry is making a strong comeback with significant updates marking a major milestone in the game’s development journey.
Unlike many Early Access titles that typically aim for a 1.0 version release within 6 to 18 months, Captain of Industry has chosen a more gradual approach that ensures the uniqueness of this particular game.
Developed by MaFi Games, the game was released in May 2022 with a rich content load right from the start. Instead of rushing smaller updates, the developer has rolled out major updates on an annual cycle. The third update – Update 3 – was just released a few days ago, bringing a host of new features to the forefront. A key highlight is the railway system, allowing players to transport goods and resources across vast areas, surpassing traditional conveyor belt networks. The simultaneous operation of multiple trains in a single map brings a lively, immersive, and expansive feel to the gameplay. Each train can be customized by adding cars to suit various cargo types.
However, the railway system is not the final frontier. The core gameplay experience is the next destination in Captain of Industry. With this latest update, players can now build warehouses, stations, and establish external supply chains outside the main factory. From creating trains to collecting resources and exploiting them from the environment, the game has indeed elevated the production simulation experience to unprecedented heights. Notably, all base maps in the game have been redesigned to accommodate the new scale of the railway system. The user interface (UI) has also been significantly improved to enhance the control and management experience. Numerous adjustments to game balance and quality of experience have been integrated into this “non-linear” version.
The result? Captain of Industry has set a new milestone for player engagement on Steam – surpassing 11,000 concurrent players just last weekend. This is an impressive number for an Early Access title, particularly when competing against many well-known competitors in the same genre. Currently, Captain of Industry holds a 94% positive rating on Steam, showcasing its solid quality and long-term potential in the gaming landscape. If you are a fan of simulation games focusing on management and industrial development, this is the perfect time to embark on your journey with Captain of Industry, especially as the game is currently discounted by 30% on Steam.
