The Executive – Movie Industry Tycoon is an ambitious attempt to bring the chaos and creativity of Hollywood (or Chinawood) to the world of simulation games.
If you’ve ever played Game Dev Tycoon, you’ll feel right at home, except now, instead of developing hit video games, you’re producing blockbuster movies.
But while the concept is exciting and the gameplay loop can be addictive, there are a few issues that keep this from being a true box office smash.
Key Details
- Developer: Aniki Games
- Platform: PC via Steam
- Price: $14.99
- Review Code Provided: Yes
And… Cut!
One of the most frustrating aspects of The Executive is that the game abruptly ends in January 2021. That’s it. No option to continue your movie empire, no way to see how your legacy unfolds beyond that date.
The sudden stop is jarring, especially when you’re just getting into the groove of producing bigger films and expanding your studio.
The good news is the developers have acknowledged this issue and are working on an endless mode. But until that update drops, be prepared to reset your progress every playthrough, which can make the whole experience feel somewhat pointless.
If you’re a completionist who loves unlocking every feature, the imposed time limit will feel particularly frustrating.
Building a Studio… with Some Missing Pieces
One of the core gameplay mechanics involves upgrading your office and hiring staff to help develop better films.
Unfortunately, there are some inexplicable roadblocks. For example, the Large Office upgrade appears to be bugged, with no way to unlock it. This means that even after investing hours into your studio, you’re capped at a Medium Office, limiting your growth potential.
On top of that, star degradation is way too aggressive. Even with a fully upgraded executive team, keeping your studio’s star rating above 3 is a near-impossible task.
The fact that you can only develop one movie at a time exacerbates this issue, which makes it difficult to maintain momentum.
It feels like the game is actively punishing players for wanting to specialize in a particular genre or strategy. If this were the case, I’d be particularly scared for A24.
Genre Fatigue: The Curse of the Specialist
The game’s genre fatigue system is an interesting concept in theory. It forces you to diversify your projects instead of spamming the same type of film over and over.
However, in practice, it’s way too punishing. If you specialize in, say, horror movies, you’ll eventually be forced to switch genres – even if you have no clue how to make a good comedy or action flick.
There’s no real way to transition smoothly, meaning you’re essentially gambling on a completely new formula each time. This lack of flexibility makes the game feel restrictive rather than immersive.
It would be great if the game provided more tools to mitigate genre fatigue – perhaps by allowing players to make sub-genres or blend themes more effectively.
Right now, it feels like the game is discouraging specialization rather than rewarding strategic decision-making.
A Love Letter to Cinema… With Some Missing Pages
Despite its flaws, The Executive is still a fun and engaging experience for movie buffs.
The Gaspar Awards (a clear Oscars parody) add a nice touch of prestige to the game, and the parodied celebrity names provide some great comedic moments. If you’ve ever wanted to see “Thirley Semple” act in a sci-fi masterpiece, this is your chance.
That said, the game still feels like it’s missing some key industry elements. Where’s the option to make animated films? Why isn’t streaming a bigger factor in the later years?
It feels like some extra factors would’ve made runs pick up the pace in the later stages on the game.
Final Verdict: A Promising Pilot Episode
The Executive – Movie Industry Tycoon is a solid foundation for what could be an excellent simulation game.
It has an addictive gameplay loop, a charming presentation, and plenty of potential. However, the abrupt ending, frustrating mechanics (like star degradation and genre fatigue), and some missing features hold it back from greatness.
If you loved Game Dev Tycoon and want a similar experience in the movie industry, you’ll likely enjoy The Executive – just be prepared for some bumps along the way.
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