Best Open-World Games That Focus On Building A Business, Ranked

There are many burgeoning entrepreneurs in the world, looking to build their brand and make a fortune in the process. Plenty of video games exist that simulate the business management world, focusing on growing a business in a specific field, beating competition to success and yielding large profits.

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Even some open-world games delve into the business sphere, allowing players to sell their product and manage the processes, while also having the freedom to freely explore a large map. Here are some of the best of the bunch, ranked based on a combination of the game’s overall quality and how much emphasis there is on the business side of things.

8

Mafia 3

Various Criminal Enterprises To Delegate And Grow

Released

October 7, 2016

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

During Lincoln Clay’s efforts to take down the Marcano crime family, he will take control of countless businesses in the many districts of New Bordeaux. Naturally, the businesses of Mafia 3 that players will build are criminal in nature, ranging from more legitimate enterprises like waste management and construction to rackets like smuggling and gambling.

Delegating these rackets to the three underbosses does eat into the daily earnings, but Lincoln can still bring in tens of thousands of dollars from each racket daily. The Faster Baby DLC introduces Herbalism as an option as well, which is by far the most profitable as Lincoln grows his weed business until it can provide $100,000 per day when fully upgraded.

7

Scarface: The World Is Yours

Taking Over Miami

Released

July 25, 2006

Developer(s)

Radical Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Vivendi Universal

Taking place one year after the classic 1983 film in an alternate timeline where Tony Montana survives, Scarface: The World Is Yours has generally been favorably compared with the Grand Theft Auto games of the time. Just like Mafia 3, the main focus is on building Tony’s empire as he gradually takes control of Miami from Alejandro Sosa.

Tony’s primary business concern is the drug trade, but he must purchase fronts to hide his criminal activities, such as a cigar shop, a nightclub, and a drive-in theater. Missions must be completed in the four regions of Miami before fronts can be purchased, and Tony has to upgrade them in order to protect his businesses from rival gangs.

6

Dredge

Survive The Horrors Of The Sea And Make Money In The Process

Released

March 31, 2023

Developer(s)

Black Salt Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

A business-building game for players who don’t mind a few frights, Dredge features a small fishing vessel freely exploring the dangerous waters around some remote islands. Starting with very little, the ship will gradually be upgraded as more fish are caught, especially the more rare specimens, leading to better hauls further down the line.

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Safety is a major concern, as the seas are harsh and prominent rocks lurk in shallow waters, and that’s without mentioning the horrific, Lovecraftian sea monsters looking for blood. Visiting the main settlement and the traveling merchant are crucial for repairs and upgrades to this burgeoning fishing business, plus the latter will offer advice about how to progress and where to find rare fish.

5

Elite Dangerous

Interstellar Trading

Systems

Released

December 16, 2014

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Set over 1000 years in the future in a realistic and open galaxy, Elite Dangerous is certainly an ambitious game. Starting with a small ship and a modest amount of money, players are free to explore and engage in any activities they like in either a single-player game or a multiplayer server.

Resources can be claimed through mining, performing errands, or through more unscrupulous methods, and they can then be traded at a space station or outpost, allowing players to upgrade their ships. Trader is just one of many recognized jobs in Elite Dangerous, and players who pay close attention to market prices and fluctuations in each location generally find the most success.

4

My Time At Sandrock

Building A Business In A Post-Apocalyptic Desert

Released

November 2, 2023

Developer(s)

Pathea Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Publisher(s)

Pathea Games

Set 300 years after its predecessor, My Time at Sandrock tasks the player with rebuilding their town in a desert after an apocalyptic event. They are in charge of a workshop and will take various jobs from townspeople and other companies, all while uncovering an interesting story, rebuilding civilization, and possibly even finding love.

Contracts for crafting and construction given to the protagonist will gradually be more complicated and yield more rewards as the game progresses, and seeing the town’s transformation is very satisfying. The workshop must be upgraded to accommodate the more advanced jobs that need to be completed.

3

Kynseed

Three Shops To Own

Systems

Released

November 8, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Legacy is an important part of Kynseed. Producing offspring is necessary to carry on playing after the playable character passes away, so investing in one or more shops is a great way to ensure continued success throughout the generations.

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Each haven in Quill has three types of shops: apothecary, blacksmith, and general goods. If the player has enough brass, they can purchase these businesses and run them as they see fit, hiring employees, keeping shelves stocked, and potentially even specializing the store to only sell one type of product in it. Reputation is key, as is keeping personnel happy — and ensuring enough supplies for the demands of customers.

2

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Hot Properties And Shareholder Meetings

Released

November 10, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Owning businesses or working in regular jobs for some extra cash has been a feature of many Yakuza games, but the business management in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is hard to match. Starting out by investing in one property, Ichiban Confections, Ichiban Kasuga can own up to six different properties in total, and it’s best to diversify the types of business so the yen keeps rolling in (since they all have varying seasonal peaks).

Employee skills and morale are very important, especially when tackling the shareholder meeting minigame, which operates similarly to a turn-based battle. As individual properties grow and better businesses become available, it’s best to sell for huge profits and purchase those more fruitful endeavors.

1

The Sims 3

Own And Run A Business

Released

June 2, 2009

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Still the only open-world Sims game to date, The Sims 3 offers many choices when it comes to business opportunities, even if it’s not as in-depth as other games in the popular life simulation series. A Sim can set up and run a shop on their home lot or purchase a separate lot for their small sales venture.

There are even investment opportunities for entrepreneurial Sims to purchase an existing company, which can then be upgraded, and it’s possible to control who is hired and fired. The Ambitions expansion also offers a plethora of new career paths, but most importantly, the ability to make a Sim self-employed, turning their individual skills into monetizable enterprises.

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