Blockbuster Inc.
A fresh system based game for simulation fans
In Blockbuster Inc. you will take total control of your very own movie studio. You will be able to construct all the facilities, hire and manage all sorts of employees and stars with the aim to produce the most prolific films and Tv. There are 3 pillars of the gameplay:
Freeform construction systemAn intuitive and deep construction system allows you to plan, build, decorate, clone and expand your studio with ease. Further link your road system, landscape the lot and create a smooth utility system to get the best out of your employees.
Play through the decadesEach passing decade affects the gameplay and visuals accordingly, from the way your employees and stars dress, the cars they drive, as well as their physical attributes. Random and historic events will spice things up for your studio.Manage unique employee typesNot every employee is similar, stars like Actors, Directors and Producers require more attention than your average construction worker. Managing employees is fun, thanks to the randomly generated character traits for each employee. Will your main actor be a diva or a smooth operator?
Interactive product processControl the different phases and parameters for your Films and TV shows, from choosing the sets, outfits, stunts and all sorts of options that tailor your products to your desires.Our mission?A one-of-a-kind experience. There has been no other game in the past decade to match the unique experience that Blockbuster Inc. is. That we promise.
Game Discussion
Steam User 25
As a longtime fan of "The Movies," I was thrilled to dive into this game. While it still needs a fair amount of polish, the potential here is undeniable. It’s an impressive start that captures the spirit of its inspiration, and I’m excited to see where it goes.
One area where the game could really shine with improvement is in the directing controls. For those of us who love to get our hands dirty with scene creation, more intuitive and detailed options would be a game-changer. The employee editor also needs a broader range of customization options, as does the selection of set furnishings.
That said, the developers seem committed to enhancing the game, with constant updates and fresh content being rolled out regularly. At $25, it’s a solid investment for fans of the movie tycoon genre. While it still has a way to go before it can fully rival the classic that clearly inspired it, I’m confident it will get there in time.
Steam User 17
I recommend but it has it's PROBLEMS!
Look. I'm not gonna sit here and say "too easy" like a lot of other reviewers. BUT I will say this game needs something else to it. I'm not saying I need more of a challenge, I love an easy game, but easy games get boring a lot easier UNLESS there's a layer of something really good that keeps us.
I would add a layer of Hollywood drama to it. Make it where your employees can marry and theres more scandals, especially in the old Hollywood time! Make it where you can hire publicists who have to cover up scandal. Just have fun with the ideas! Add more!
Steam User 14
Generally a good game worth the play, have to say The Movies is still the best ever game in this genre. If only they can match that....
Steam User 22
I'm not saying I bought it because The Spiffing Brit recommended it (His exploit doesn't work on it anymore anyway)
But I was always a fan of the old game "The Movies" and I do consider this the spiritual sequel. I went on to do a quick test and lost an hour, so I know I'll be spending far too long playing this game and I'm looking forward to it.
Steam User 15
As with many others who are drawn to the game, I was a fan of The Movies back in the day. As much as I enjoyed it, I didn't get to play it much as I never had a PC that was fully capable of running it and I would get frustrated more often than not because it just wouldn't work properly for me. Blockbuster Inc is healing those wounds. Its bringing back a childish joy and feeling of nostalgia.
I was hesitant because so many reviews spoke of it being too easy etc. Well, I'm 10 years in game time, just reached the 1930s and I'm yet to have a hit movie. Only awards I'm winning are because I decorated my studio. Only reason I'm making money is because I keep buying shares in the other studios. And I am having an absolute blast.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this game grow and develop, and I'm glad I bit the bullet and bought it. If you're on the fence like I was, take the leap, give it a try. You might just enjoy yourself.
Steam User 12
As someone who played The Movies off and on for the last 18 years, I was really intrigued by Blockbuster Inc, especially given that the developers (Super Sly Fox) claim that it's a spiritual successor to a game I have very much enjoyed.
For both positive and negative reasons, this game is such a spiritual successor. The level of customisation using a machinima-like system is one that hasn't been seen since the release of The Movies. The gameplay is easy to pick up, the flow of the game is certainly easier than other titles in a movie tycoon genre with their often overly punishing systems (more on that in moment), and the graphics, whilst not amazing, are certainly enjoyable for their cartoony style.
The biggest problem with this game, and the Devs themselves admit it, is that it is a lot more of an early access title than a full release game. I picked up the game at v1.8.1, and there are certainly a number of annoying bugs (such as films not being able to film despite all actors/production staff being on set) that diminish the enjoyment factor. Additionally, the game is unbalanced, in that it is far far far too easy - all you need to do is be prolific in making a lot of low quality films and then you're golden. Whilst this is semi realistic for early Hollywood, it does reduce the enjoyment of the game. I will say that the core mechanic of gameplay is enjoyable enough without being overly punishing (like in The Movies).
Additionally, the devs have made clear that they intend to rebalance the game. They are also in constant communication with their fanbase via Discord, and whilst they have not released their roadmap for future updates to the game, they are currently planning on doing so. For several early access-esque games, the Devs don't communicate or turn the game into a dead game, however, the evidence so far suggests that the team at Super Sly Fox won't fall into this trap.
So should you buy this game? If you're someone who, like me, loved The Movies at any point, then absolutely, it's an enjoyable play despite the flaws. If you play tycoon games normally and are wondering whether to pick this one up, I would say yes but not right now. Give it time to update, make sure the devs remain in constant contact, and hopefully you'll have a fantastic product.
Steam User 15
I'll summarise it up as a passable experience. Not much depth to it. The devs have abandoned this now due to lack of sales so this is as good as it's going to get. The Movies by Lionhead Studios is still by far the best experience for this kind of game. Sadly due to DRM issues and no other releases of The Movies you'll have to go sailing for it.