Turmoil (2016 video game)

Turmoil is a casual business simulation video game developed by Dutch studio Gamious and published by their publishing arm, Abstraction Games. The game was initially released on Steam for PC, Mac, and Linux in 2016, and later ported to iOS and Android mobile platforms. A Nintendo Switch version was released in 2018.

The game is set in a fictional 19th-century North American oil boomtown. Players act as prospectors, buying land auctions, drilling for oil, and selling it to the highest bidder in the town. The core gameplay loop involves strategically placing derricks, pipes, and silos to efficiently extract oil and then timing the market to maximize profit by selling at the optimal price.

Success in Turmoil depends on managing resources effectively, making smart investments in upgrades, and outmaneuvering rivals in the land auctions. Players must also deal with natural gas pockets, underground rocks, and other environmental challenges that can impact oil extraction.

The single-player campaign features a progression system where players unlock new towns and technologies as they become wealthier. Completing milestones unlocks new features and allows the player to become the mayor of the town.

The game features a lighthearted and cartoonish art style, intended to appeal to a broader audience.