Corporation (video game)

Corporation is a cyberpunk-themed business simulation game developed by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) and released in 1990. The game puts the player in the role of a CEO of a fledgling corporation aiming to dominate the global market through various means, including legal business practices, industrial espionage, and even outright violence.

The core gameplay revolves around managing the corporation's finances, research and development, production, marketing, and security. Players make strategic decisions regarding resource allocation, product development, market research, and competitive analysis. The game features a turn-based strategic layer where players issue commands and manage their corporation's overall direction, and real-time tactical combat sequences that occur during espionage and security operations.

Success in Corporation requires careful planning, effective management of resources, and a willingness to engage in morally questionable activities. The game features a complex economic model, simulating the interplay of supply and demand, market competition, and technological innovation. Players must balance short-term profits with long-term growth, while also managing the risks associated with corporate espionage and potential legal repercussions.

The game's cyberpunk setting is reflected in its themes and technologies, with concepts such as cybernetics, artificial intelligence, and global corporate power playing prominent roles. The user interface is command-line driven, presenting the player with a text-based environment to manage the corporation and its operations.

Corporation is known for its challenging gameplay, strategic depth, and dark, dystopian atmosphere. Its uncompromising approach to business simulation and morally ambiguous choices distinguish it from more conventional tycoon games. While it didn't achieve mainstream success, it has garnered a cult following among fans of cyberpunk and business simulation genres.