Throughout the week, people work diligently in the News Tower. Then, on Sundays, the paper is published. — Photos: Twin Sails Interactive/dpa
BERLIN: What was the media business like in the 1930s? Simply put: everything revolved around the newspaper. News was printed on paper, sold at news stands or delivered by paperboys on city streets.
In the simulation game News Tower, players aim to turn a small Brooklyn newspaper into a media empire. The journey begins with an inherited, modest paper and a small building.
The starting budget is tight, but gradually, new floors are added to the future "news tower," and all the equipment needed to run a large-scale newspaper is moved in.
Getting the paper out on time
A telegraph station is set up to bring news into the building. Reporters swarm out. Editors work at desks, planning, writing and editing. And, of course, all the texts have to be typeset and finally printed.
The road to building your own media empire is not easy, but it is possible – at least in this game. The goal: to become New York's biggest newspaper with a modest budget and a house in Brooklyn.
Everything has to be done before the weekly newspaper is published on Sunday. The stories are worked on throughout the week.
In-depth research increases your circulation and ultimately also sales, something that applies to all departments, whether politics, miscellaneous or sport.
Becoming a newspaper tycoon is not easy
Money and influence points earned in the game can be reinvested in staff, additional newspaper pages, or innovations such as photo printing and graphics.
But aspiring media moguls also must navigate New York's mayor, the mafia, high society, and rival newspapers.
Early on, the game can be challenging. Players may even have to repurpose toilet paper for printing to meet circulation targets, postponing staff breaks until the paper is finished.
Complex mechanisms – explained step by step
"News Tower" is an all-round successful mix of construction and management simulation with an interesting historical setting.
The game mechanics are sometimes complicated, but fortunately they are not introduced all at once, but gradually. This gives new players time to learn and make the right decisions.
The game is available for PC and Mac for €25 (RM62) and is recommended for players aged 12 and up on the Steam platform. – dpa
