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A big part of releasing a successful game in Game Dev Tycoon is to combine certain gaming topics and genres together to create engaging titles that are a blast to play through. However, finding these perfect combinations can prove to be quite a chore, so this list will elaborate on some of the safest and most profitable combinations that players can make in the game to boost their sales from the get-go.
Updated December 23, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: Game Dev Tycoon is a brilliant title that lets players fulfill their dreams of being a game developer and release one-of-a-kind titles that make huge waves in the industry.
The game has a steady and engaging learning curve that will gradually help players learn the ropes before they develop their groundbreaking AAA titles. Nailing game combinations is a huge part of developing a successful title, with the best ones of the bunch being mentioned below.
15 Rhythm Action Games
Rhythm games can be a tough sell, which is why pairing them off with a fun genre can increase their marketability quite a bit. As a result, it’s easy to see why rhythm action games can prove to be major sellers in the market.
As is the case with any Game Dev Tycoon title, the game needs to be developed immaculately and be free from any bugs to sell well. With this genre combo, fans can guarantee that their title will amass its fair share of fans.
14 Post-Apocalyptic RPGs
The post-apocalyptic setting has become one of the most popular backgrounds for everything from movies to video games. This is quite accurate in Game Dev Tycoon as well, with this setting being great for selling games from the get-go.
Combining this setting with the tried-and-tested RPG format is a surefire way to boost the sales of any video game. It’s easy to see why so many people go down this route while developing a title in Game Dev Tycoon.
13 Time Travel Adventure Games
The idea of time travel is an enticing one that has seen its fair share of interpretations across many entertainment mediums. Video games need a great genre to accompany this setting, with the adventure genre being a great pick for the same.
Developing an adventure game that deals with time travel is a great idea for any Game Dev Tycoon player. It’s a safe and great option that is sure to be a hit with fans…as long as the game is developed properly.
12 Racing Simulations
Racing simulations are some of the easiest and best titles that players can make in Game Dev Tycoon. However, players shouldn’t take the development of these titles lightly at all.
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The developers on these games need to have a ton of talent and the game itself should be optimized to a T. Ensuring this will lead to a smashing racing hit that players can churn multiple sequels out for with ease!
11 Horror Action Titles
The horror genre is one of the most misunderstood genres in gaming. Most horror games might be cheap jumpscare fests, but there are several other titles in the genre that boast great atmospheres and compelling plots!
Combining this genre with action gameplay is a great way to make a successful game in Game Dev Tycoon. Players will be rolling in the dough as long as this game is developed with panache.
10 Fantasy Action RPGs
Perhaps the most obvious inclusion on this list is that of fantasy-action RPGs. One need only look at the gaming market and its most popular titles to see how popular high fantasy really is, especially when combined with the elements of an action game with RPG elements.
These games are incredibly popular in Game Dev Tycoon, but keep in mind that a focus on action would require the game to run smoothly as butter and look pretty good too. So, players should ideally start out small before venturing into this challenging yet highly-successful combination.
9 Strategic Action Games With Dungeon Crawling
Dungeon crawling is a huge part of most action games, with these enclosed areas providing ample opportunities for enemy variety and level design. Combining a bit of strategy into the proceedings would make things even more engaging.
So, it’s only a given that this combination rakes in a ton of cheddar for a player’s company. While this can be attempted early on too, players should still try out a different avenue that’s less resource-intensive and takes the strengths of the company’s workforce into account.
8 Sci-Fi Action-Adventure Titles
Science fiction has lent itself to some of the most memorable and engaging worlds ever made. The vast and unexplored expanses of space mean that the possibilities for stories set in different galaxies are quite immense indeed.
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Using this setting for an action-adventure title is bound to make for a great time. A player’s company will definitely get a ton of fans once they decide upon this hit combination!
7 Spy Adventure RPGs
Covert ops are something that interests players quite a bit. While there’s nothing wrong in combining this with an action-heavy mindset, players who want to hammer in the idea of stealth in this game should do the same by using a smart combination of genres.
Firstly, the adventure tag gives the feel of a grand spy story that spans multiple areas and exotic locations. With the added integration of RPG elements, the title can be gamified to a greater extent!
6 Space Simulation Games With An Emphasis On Action
Space is a hot topic for many gamers who love to explore what this setting has to offer. Combining this setting with the idea of simulations is bound to make for a great time, with players absolutely loving this combination as is.
For extra points, a healthy dose of action can be injected into the development process. The end result is a smash hit that will propel the allure of these games to the stratosphere.
5 Casual Fashion RPGs
Sometimes, players might not want to go for the same old combination over and over again. After all, a big part of Game Dev Tycoon is letting players do what they want and create whatever they wish, so sticking with the same-old genre combinations might get tiring after a point.
So, players who want to try out something a little different can do the same by using the backdrop of fashion to create something remarkable. Keeping a casual focus on this title and heaping in a few RPG elements can go a long way in making this title marketable.
4 Adventurous Life Simulators
Life simulators are easily some of the most popular games around. Players need only look at titles like The Sims to see just how much of a massive audience these games really have.
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Combining this marketable combination with a bit of adventure can make this game quite appealing to a ton of fans indeed. It’s a great and easy way to spice up the proceedings if players have been sticking to one set of genre combinations for a while.
3 Strategic Action Games In A Medieval Setting
The medieval setting is a historic and intriguing backdrop for most games to revel in. It goes without saying that action games benefit the most here, but a smart combination can enhance sales even more.
This is where a strategic angle comes into the picture. Many games have already used the medieval backdrop to create riveting strategy titles, and players can do the same in Game Dev Tycoon!
2 Fantasy Action-Adventure Titles
Fantasy is a golden genre that has many hit combinations. The action-RPG link-up has already been mentioned in this contest, and the genre of action can also help a fantasy game’s adventurous side come out.
This leads to the creation of a game that is bound to be an instant hit with almost all ages. Again, it’s important to ensure that this game is made with experts at the helm since it might not be all that successful otherwise.
1 Casual Airplane Simulators
The success of Microsoft Flight Simulator should make it clear that a game in the same vein is going to be an incredible success. Game Dev Tycoon channels the same and rewards players for making this tried-and-tested combination.
A casual airplane simulator has the potential to attract many fans indeed, provided that work on the game goes smoothly. It’s a great avenue for companies to split their attention after focusing on certain genre combinations for too long.
Game Dev Tycoon is available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems, Linux, and Classic Mac OS.
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