A Turn-Based Strategy Game for CPU Enthusiasts
A turn-based strategy game that would've let players run their own CPU company is one of the most intriguing industry-adjacent game concepts ever conceived. Unfortunately, this game never progressed beyond its pre-alpha stage, leaving us to wonder what could've been. However, a demo of the game has recently surfaced on YouTube, allowing anyone to get a taste of what it's like to be at the helm of a massive semiconductor company like Intel, AMD, or Nvidia.
The Unveiling of the Demo
Little information is available about the game itself, as it was being developed in the late 2000s. A gameplay video was published on YouTube in 2011, and now the demo, featuring a CPU-building sandbox and a business management section, has been released by its original uploader. This suggests that the game never made it out of its pre-alpha stage.
A Simple Yet Intriguing Demo
The demo offers players the opportunity to build their own CPUs and manage their own companies. It begins with choosing the name of your semiconductor company and selecting a CEO from a list that includes well-known figures like Lisa Su, Jensen Huang, and Gordon Moore. From there, you embark on the CPU-building phase.
In this phase, the gameplay becomes truly captivating. You have access to a controller, decoder, and bus, which can be added and connected to design your own CPUs. The performance of your chip depends on the number of components you add and how you wire them together.
Additionally, you can benchmark your chips, mass produce them, and even leak details to the press. There's also a points-based leveling system, allowing you to allocate points across nine different categories, such as logical optimization and teamwork. This section adds a hint of RPG gameplay, as you level up your CPU company as a whole.
The CPU-building section is particularly interesting, as it is based on the Von Neumann architecture and encourages the addition of ALUs and the development of higher timings for your FPUs, enabling the creation of more complex and powerful CPUs.
A Glimpse into the Potential
While this demo only scratches the surface of what the game could offer, it reveals the potential for a much more expansive experience. The showcased mechanics could have been taken further, including full-blown company management and competition with other corporations.
It's difficult not to draw comparisons to well-known business-management games like the Tycoon series or even Factorio. However, this game would have offered a unique experience, combining simplicity and complexity in its CPU building aspect, which sets it apart from any other game out there.
Embark on a CPU Manufacturing Adventure
Though this game may never see the light of day as a complete project, it provides a glimpse into the exciting world of CPU manufacturing and business management. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be in charge of a massive semiconductor company like Intel, AMD, or Nvidia, then this demo is a must-try for you.
Alternatively, if you're interested in exploring other captivating PC games, check out some of our favorites.
