Plant Tycoon: Cut-throat botanical entrepreneurship?

3:42 PM on 07.09.2007   |   Leigh Alexander

48 comments

You might have checked out developer Last Day of Work's previous downloadables, Fish Tycoon and Virtual Villagers (for all you hoity-toity Mac folk). Or, you may have played some other dev's game with "tycoon" in the title -- Roller Coaster Tycoon, Transport Tycoon, Railroad Tycoon or Zoo Tycoon, perhaps. In any case, being a tycoon is a big deal. It conjures the image of fervent rising stars on the up-and-up, sporting smart new suits and gesturing passionately in meetings. When you're a tycoon, you're a man with a plan, a sharp arrow on the way to the bullseye of explosive success. You've got a ruthless drive ready to cut down any threats to your empire; you've got brass cojones, and possibly a waterslide flowing with petroleum and dollars. Maybe even yen.

For all you young ladder-climbers living the dream with a twinkle in your eye, Last Day of Work has a new tycoon game for you to enjoy. It's called Plant Tycoon -- that green you smell? It's not money. It's grass. Hit the jump to read more. 

Plant Tycoon promises to "let budding botanists grow a leafy empire," and features:

-Dozens of seed varieties, plant species and gardening tools to work with.

-A wide variety of collectible insects.

-New ways to organize your budding business.

-Gorgeous, all new artwork with detailed dynamically-generated plants.

-Numerous purchasable items allow players to customize their nursery with fountains, statuettes, and more.

-A well-stocked gardening lab offers new chemicals for fun experimentation.

-Introducing pruning to customize the look of your creations.

-Original soundtracks and ambient sound effects.

Introducing pruning! Seriously? ...sounds about as fun as watching grass grow (except for the part about experimenting with fun chemicals and "garden plants"). Honestly, when the market starts demanding gardening sims, it tells you it's probably time for some people to take the two or three steps into their backyard and get some occasional fresh air. 

But this isn't just any plant game -- it's Plant Tycoon, demonstrating that cut-throat entrepreneurship and high-stakes business-building isn't just for theme parks or transit systems. Let's be tycoons at whatever we do -- hey, Destructoid, we could make a game like that. I've already got some ideas that I think will be, as Donald Trump would say, hyuuuge.

Cleaning Tycoon: Cleaning Tycoon lets you tap into the thrill of owning an overpriced shoebox with no air conditioning in the middle of the ghetto! There are a wide variety of discount cleaning supplies, and dust that accumulates dynamically! New bathroom feature lets you scrub tubs and toilets! Will you be a success-- or end up in the ER with salmonella?

Kitchen Tycoon: Your rocket to riches starts here, with a wide array of pots, pans, and even spatulas! In Kitchen Tycoon, you manage a full sink of implements to be washed, while a new microwave feature lets you cook OR defrost! Organize your cookware and turn up the heat as you watch water boil in realtime. 

Filing Tycoon: As a clerical assistant, you're essential personnel. Experience a fast-paced environment in the complex world of office administration, as you alphabetize, photocopy and staple! Cutting edge AI interface lets your coworkers demean you in lifelike detail. Show them that you want to be the absolute best low-man you can be in Filing Tycoon!

Forum Tycoon: It's the Internet, and your word is law. Navigate the labyrinth of high-stakes message board chat and leap into the minefield of complex emotional war as you work your way from an ignored forum n00b to a true 371T15T, adored and feared by everyone! Featuring an evolving skill database, choose from abilities like pretending to be a hacker, posting pictures of jailbait breasts, or writing goth poetry! In Forum Tycoon, you can pwn them all!! 

So now it's your turn. Make up your own AWESOME (or not) tycoon game, and let's see who's the best. It's Tycoon Game Tycoon, and this is the open beta. GO! 

(Oh yeah, the screenshots for Plant Tycoon are here, too.)