1.8.6 Guide: Game Dev Tycoon

Mastering the Industry: The Ultimate Guide to Game Dev Tycoon (v1.8.6)

Game Dev Tycoon remains the gold standard for business simulation games, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia, strategy, and number-crunching. While the game has been around for years, version 1.8.6 is widely considered the definitive modern balance patch. It introduced subtle but crucial changes to training costs, genre/topic combinations, and the late-game economy.

Whether you are booting up in a garage for the first time or trying to optimize a multi-million dollar MMO empire, this guide covers the essential strategies for version 1.8.6.

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6. Winning Strategy for 1.8.6

1. First 3 games – Action/Fantasy, low sliders, small audience → save money.
2. After $100k, make RPG/Fantasy (high Gameplay, medium Graphics, low Sound).
3. Always research before attempting a new genre.
4. Train staff as soon as Training Room is available.
5. Do not change engine mid-project unless bug count is huge.
6. Create your own console when you have $20M+ and Engine 4 – huge profits.

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Phase 4: R&D and The Hardware Lab

This is the mid-to-late game grind.

Part 5: Research Priority List (The 1.8.6 Tree)

Do not waste points on "Sound Design" until Year 10. Sound contributes only 5% to the final score in this patch. game dev tycoon 1.8.6 guide

Tier 1 (Must have before Year 6):

1. Staff Management (Unlocks training)
2. AI Logic (Boosts Gameplay score)
3. Marketing Level 1

Tier 2 (Year 7-10):

1. Procedural Generation (Best RP per hour stat)
2. Console Development (Make your own console)
3. Skip Motion Capture (Too expensive for the boost)

Tier 3 (Late Game):

• Virtual Reality (VR) – Unlocks a new Genre (VR Experience)
• Internet Features (Necessary for MMOs)

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Late Game (Established studio)

• Produce AAA titles with large teams and extended dev cycles (12+ months) using advanced engines.
• Diversify: release DLCs, ports, and remasters for steady revenue.
• Optimize staffing: specialized leads and middle managers (if mod adds) to boost throughput.
• Aggressive marketing and platform exclusives maximize launch sales.
• Maintain simultaneous projects (one big AAA + smaller titles) to keep cash flow.

Strategic Objectives (Early/Mid/Late Game)

4. Room / Facility Order

| Unlock stage | Build first | Purpose | |--------------|-------------|---------| | Garage | Desk + Server | Basic dev | | Small Office | Training Room (boost staff skills) | Critical | | Medium Office | Sound Studio (own sound engine) | Save research time | | Large Office | Hardware Lab (build own console late game) | Optional, but fun | | Publisher HQ | Marketing Room | Boost hype |

Tip: Training Room level 2 + Research & Dev desk → staff gain skill faster.

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Phase 2: The Office (Years 5-9)

Goal: Hire staff, unlock R&D, and generate steady cash flow. Mastering the Industry: The Ultimate Guide to Game

Once you move into the first office, the game changes. You are no longer a solo dev; you are a manager.

1. Hiring and Staffing Hire two employees immediately. Train them to roughly level 2-3.

• The "Grind" Method: Have your staff research Contract Work in the lab. Use contract work to fund your game development. Never let your bank account drop below $20k.

2. Researching the Medium Game You must research Medium Games in R&D as soon as possible. First 3 games – Action/Fantasy, low sliders, small

• The Slider Meta: In 1.8.6, Medium games require a more balanced approach. You should roughly split your dev time: 60% Dev Phase, 40% Production Phase.
• The First Medium Hit: Try Action + Adventure using the "C2 Engine." Ensure you research and apply the Sequel feature to reuse successful IPs.

3. Unlocking Research Areas Focus R&D on:

1. Custom Engine (Allows you to build better tech without paying licensing fees).
2. Training (Unlocks higher level caps for staff).
3. Marketing (Crucial for the next phase).

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