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Video Game Tycoon: Gold Edition

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Create, play, and share your own video games.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Players experience the challenges of creating a video game. Creativity and logic are needed to make games that are fun and playable.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Players can build games that incorporate shooting via machine guns, paintball guns, rockets, etc., and they'll create explosions when vehicles are destroyed.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Video Game Tycoon: Gold Edition was written by Jeremy Gieske

Parents need to know that kids can build their own video games within this game, so it's up to them where they go with it. But they can incorporate shooting -- cars, helicopters, tanks, and other characters. No blood is shown, but explosions are used when blowing up opponents' vehicles. Overall, the emphasis is on encouraging creativity and thoughtful design techniques. This is a good way to get kids' creative juices flowing.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how designing your own game influences how you evaluate other games. Was it challenging to make a game that was fun to play? Were the games without any violence just as fun as the ones that had violence in them? Did you come up with any stories to go along with the games you made? Did that make the games more fun?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Video Game Tycoon: Gold Edition

What’s the Story?

VIDEO GAME TYCOON is based around a relatively easy-to-use development tool that lets kids create their own 3-D games. Players earn certificates and unlock extra features by going through the tutorials and building games with specific goals; however, the main idea is to let kids build their own games. After naming their game, kids decide on the goal of the game. After setting the objectives, kids builds the environment. By selecting from a number of different alternatives, kids choose what the terrain and sky look like, as well as the type of map the game is played on. Finally, kids choose the options for the main character, which they will control, as well as the options for any computer-controlled opponents/objects.

Is It Any Good?

Many kids dream of being a video game designer. Video Game Tycoon lets them do just that: create, develop, and play their very own 3-D video games. If they want, kids can even share their masterpieces with friends by burning their creations to a CD/DVD, if their computer supports that feature.

Although the concept is a good one, the game does have limitations. The tutorials just barely cover the basics, and could use a lot more interaction. The graphics and sound effects are serviceable, but players will quickly realize they are not building games to rival the latest Tomb Raider or Gran Turismo.

Finally, although standard controls make it easy to play any of the game types, the responsiveness tends to leave much to be desired, making it a real challenge to control characters without a lot of practice and patience. Despite these concerns, most younger players will find the idea of being able to build their own video game an exciting one.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: GameSweet
Released on: 02/13/2007, Price: $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E10+ for violence

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Awesome!

    This game is great! You can create your own video game and humans can only have weapons such as paintball guns and butterfly nets. The violence isn't an issue at all, but since you can make complex games I recommend it for every one 10+

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Cool

    i havent played this yet because my dad(not thinking threw it out:( and it was my money i got it with) but i have a question if anyone can answer,does it have a FPS option and a RTS option not just third person?because im thinking about a FPS Call of duty 4 halo 3 type thing.(story line like halo and some weapons and all COD4 Weapons.)

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    One of the BEST video games i've ever played.

    Violence isn't TOO bad considering no humans die (Some Monsters can ExPlOdE) There isn't a Language filter so your kid can type in bad stuff.(Your Kid Prolly knows better,though) And Theres TOO MUCH ADVERTISEMENT OF GAMESWEET. 8+ is my rating

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    it was awsome

    i think it was radical but i would agree with 10+

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 1.0

    EVIL GAME

    this game came to life and tried to EAT ME luckily my crazy ninja skills came in handy to defeat the video game menace and saving the world again for the third time this weekend and its sorta getting aon my nerves now i wont to kill this game once and for all and save humanity as we know it...

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