Why Do I Keep Going Bankrupt in Game Dev Tycoon?

Answers to the most common questions about Game Dev Tycoon. Find quick solutions to your game problems.

How to Get a 10/10 Review in Game Dev Tycoon

Understand the same combo penalty explained, learn about bugs effect on review score, and get sequel rules and timing right. Find out if Game Dev Tycoon has multiplayer, how long a playthrough takes, and the difference between score and review score. Get essential tips for beginners to avoid going broke.

Basics
Sliders
Staff
Research
Platforms
Strategy
Advanced
Basics
3 questions

There is no universally best combination - each topic-genre combination has a fit value from -3 to +3. Use our Recommender to find the best combinations. Generally: Action fits well with Military, Sci-Fi and Fantasy. RPG works great with Fantasy and Medieval. Simulation harmonizes with Transport, City and Business.
More on this:Topic Recommender

Your game gets points based on: 1) Topic-Genre Fit (how well the topic matches the genre), 2) Slider settings (each genre has optimal values), 3) Platform-Genre Fit, 4) Audience-Platform Fit, 5) Technology Level, and 6) Team Skills. The sliders are particularly important - use our presets!
More on this:Slider Presets

Move when you: 1) Have enough money (at least $1M for the first office), 2) Consistently produce good games (8+ reviews), 3) Have built a stable fanbase (at least 100k fans). Moving too early is risky - the higher costs can ruin you!
More on this:Timeline
Sliders
2 questions

The sliders distribute your development time across different areas: Engine, Gameplay, Story/Quests, Dialogues, Level Design, AI, World Design, Graphics and Sound. Each genre has optimal settings. An action game needs more Engine and Graphics, while an RPG needs more Story and Dialogues.
More on this:Slider Presets

It depends on the genre! Generally: Action games need high Engine and Gameplay. RPGs need high Story and Dialogues. Strategy games need high AI and Gameplay. Simulations need high World Design and Gameplay. Use our genre-specific presets for optimal results.
More on this:Slider PresetsSlider Guide
Staff
2 questions

Hire staff when: 1) You're in your first office, 2) You have at least $500k, 3) You have stable income. Start with 1-2 employees and train them well. Quality is more important than quantity - one well-trained employee is better than three untrained ones.
More on this:Staff Guide

Focus on skills that match your game strategy. For action games: Technology and Design. For RPGs: Story and Design. Generally you need at least one tech specialist and one design specialist. Train regularly - even if it's expensive.
More on this:Game Manual
Research
2 questions

Priority 1: Audiences (Young, Everyone, Mature) - massively expands your options. Priority 2: 2D Graphics V2 and better Sound. Priority 3: New genre features like Dialogues. Never research something you can't afford - always keep reserves!
More on this:Research Order Guide

3D Graphics is worth it from around Year 15-16 (when 3D-capable consoles appear). Before that, 2D Graphics V3/V4 is completely sufficient. Wait with the upgrade until you: 1) Have a stable team, 2) Have collected enough research points, 3) The right platforms are available.
More on this:Research Guide
Platforms
2 questions

Develop on platforms that: 1) Match your genre, 2) Are active (not about to retire), 3) Match your target audience. PC is almost always a safe choice. Consoles have higher license costs but also more fans. Mobile is worth it later in the game.
More on this:Platform Recommender

Multi-platform is worth it when: 1) You have a larger team (4+ people), 2) The game is big enough (medium or large), 3) The platforms fit the same genre category. Never develop multi-platform in the garage - the effort is too high!
More on this:Timeline
Strategy
3 questions

Get better reviews through: 1) Perfect topic-genre combination, 2) Optimal slider settings (use our presets!), 3) Good technology matching the game size, 4) Not the same combination twice in a row, 5) Enough time between sequels.
More on this:Topic Recommender

Avoid bankruptcy by: 1) Always keeping at least $50k reserve, 2) Not expanding too quickly, 3) Making small games when money is tight, 4) Taking contract work in emergencies, 5) Never investing in expensive research if you can't afford it.
More on this:Game Planner

Make sequels of successful games (9+ reviews), but wait at least 1-2 years between parts. Sequels sell better with established fans. Use the time in between for other projects or contract work.
More on this:Timeline
Advanced
2 questions

You unlock the R&D Lab with the third office. There you can: 1) Develop your own engines, 2) Research new technologies, 3) Develop specialized hardware (with Hardware Lab). Your own engine is the key to top games!
More on this:Research Guide

Develop the best engine by: 1) High tech skills in the team, 2) Including all available features, 3) Investing enough time and money, 4) Regular updates. A good engine can be used for multiple games and saves time in the long run.
More on this:Game Planner