Draft:Power Network Tycoon
{{AFC submission|d|nn|u=The D-mac|ns=118|decliner=DoubleGrazing|declinets=20241218101600|ts=20241218101113}}
{{Short description|Engineering based video game}}
{{Draft topics|internet-culture|video-games|technology}}
{{AfC topic|stem}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Power Network Tycoon
| image =
| caption = Official box art
| developer = David Made This
| publisher = David Made This
| released = Early access: {{start date|2024|02|13}}
| genre = Simulation
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
}}
Power Network Tycoon is a power grid management simulation video game developed and published by David Made This. It was released in Early Access on Steam on February 13, 2024, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429930/Power_Network_Tycoon/ |title=Power Network Tycoon on Steam |website=Steam |publisher=Valve Corporation |access-date=2024-02-14}} The game combines elements of city-building and power network management, featuring realistic electrical physics simulations based on industry standards.
Gameplay
Players manage an electrical grid on a growing island, tasked with building and maintaining power infrastructure while ensuring reliable electricity supply to residents and businesses. The game incorporates real electrical physics theory and uses CIGRE's conductor thermal modeling methods.
The player must balance economic constraints while maintaining safety standards and ensuring reliable power delivery to a growing community. Weather events such as storms and heatwaves present additional challenges that players must prepare for and
= Core mechanics =
- Power quality management including power factor optimization and phase load balancing
- Weather system affecting grid performance including storms and heatwaves
- Safety management including ground potential rise calculations and electromagnetic field monitoring
- Infrastructure development including power generators, transmission lines, and substations
- Physics-based calculations similar to industrial electrical design software
- Resource management, such as oil for power generators until renewables have been researched
Development
The game was developed by a power engineer and released into Steam Early Access in February 2024. It notably implements industry-standard simulation methods, having received permission from CIGRE to use their conductor thermal modeling methodology.
The game implements detailed technical simulations including electric and magnetic field (EMF) calculations and uses the finite element method for modeling earth potential rise scenarios.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiedb.com/games/power-network-tycoon/news/power-network-tycoon-coming-soon |title=Power Network Tycoon Coming Soon |website=IndieDB |access-date=2024-02-14}} These features allow players to assess safety risks and environmental impacts of their power infrastructure decisions, similar to how engineer do in real life.
Reception
The game received positive reviews on Steam during its Early Access phase. PCGamesN compared it to Cities: Skylines 2 and Factorio, noting its combination of city-building and technical simulation elements.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/power-network-tycoon/new-steam-building-game |title=Cities Skylines 2 meets Factorio in new Steam building game |website=PCGamesN |access-date=2024-02-14}}