Understanding and effectively managing your team is crucial to success in game development, especially within the framework of Kairosoft’s simulation. Employees serve as the backbone of your studio, handling diverse tasks from programming to sound design. Their skills, careers, and training influence the quality and timeliness of your projects. Developing a strategic approach to hiring, leveling, and optimizing your workforce can significantly impact your game’s success. For those interested in expanding their knowledge, resources like the 2026 Unity mobile game development guide provide valuable insights into creating mobile titles. Additionally, exploring the best tools for game development on Android and iOS can streamline your workflow.
Employee Statistics and Skills
Employees are evaluated based on four core attributes that determine their effectiveness in various roles:
- Programming: This general skill primarily influences how quickly an employee can generate fun points during development, impacting overall productivity.
- Scenario: Reflects an employee’s ability to craft compelling game proposals and infuse creativity points into projects.
- Graphics: Measures proficiency in creating visual assets and contributing graphics points, essential for visually intensive games.
- Sound: Indicates talent in composing music and sound effects, vital for immersive audio experiences.
Each employee’s specialization tends to favor certain stats, aligning with their designated job roles to maximize efficiency.
Career Paths and Progression
Employees can pursue eight distinct careers, each with unique advantages and challenges. Some careers require specific unlock conditions, but all start with basic roles such as coder, writer, or designer. Progressing in a career involves gaining experience and leveling up through research data accumulation. For instance, advancing to a hardware engineer unlocks opportunities for console development, essential for expanding your game portfolio. To facilitate career changes and skill development, the manual for career switching offers detailed guidance. Typically, employees need to reach level 5 in key roles like Director and Producer before unlocking advanced careers.
Leveling Up and Skill Enhancement
Enhancing employee skills requires investing research data, which increases their stats and salary. Using items such as the Career Change Manual (available from traveling salesmen), you can switch an employee’s career and nurture their skills accordingly. Leveling up not only improves performance but also unlocks new game genres and project types. Salaries escalate at a rate of 20% per level, making training a costly but strategic investment. The primary motivation for leveling employees is to access new development options or switch to more suitable roles for your current project needs.
Hiring Strategies and Methods
Hiring new employees involves various methods, each with associated costs and benefits:
| Method | Cost | Availability | Description |
|———|——-|————–|————-|
| Word of Mouth | $50K | Initially available | Ask current staff for recommendations. |
| Magazine Ad | $120K | Initially available | Advertise in gaming magazines to attract applicants. |
| Online Ad | $550K | Initially available | Search for candidates across different experience levels online. |
| Vocational School | $800K | Unlocks at Office 2 | Scout promising young talent from educational institutions. |
| Open House | $1,800K | Unlocks at Office 2 | A costly but effective way to attract skilled candidates. |
| Hollywood Agent | $3,500K | Unlocks at Office 3 | Conduct a worldwide talent search through an agency. |
Choosing the right hiring method depends on your studio’s current needs and budget constraints.
Employee Development and Training
Training methods evolve as your studio grows, allowing employees to improve their skills. These sessions deplete their energy bars and become less effective over time. Effective training enhances specific stats and prepares employees for advanced roles or new project types. For more detailed techniques, refer to the training guide.
Firing and Rehiring Employees
Firing employees can free up salary budgets and create opportunities to bring in fresh talent. Fired employees retain their trained stats and levels, making rehiring or replacing them a strategic choice. This is particularly useful when transitioning between project phases, such as moving from hardware to software development. Managing layoffs carefully ensures optimal team composition without sacrificing experience. For a comprehensive approach, consider consulting resources on employment management strategies in game development.
Employee Roster Overview
The game features 44 hireable and 18 outsourced employees, each with distinct skills, salaries, and career levels. Initial roles often determine their starting stats, and some employees are notable references from popular culture, adding flavor to their profiles. Outlined below are examples of employees, showcasing their diverse talents and costs:
“`markdown
| Name | Gender | Initial Salary | Max Power | Initial Stats | Career Levels | Special Notes |
|——-|———|——————|————-|—————–|—————-|————–|
| John Gameson | Male | $20K | 8 | Programming: 24, Scenario: 3, Graphics: 6, Sound: 36 | Level 1 | Available from start |
| Holly Cow | Female | $40K | 53 | Skills vary | Level 5 | Famous “Holy Cow” reference |
| Steve Jobs | Male | $600K | 518 | Top-tier talent | Level 1 | Iconic figure, high salary |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
“`
These employees can be trained, leveled, and reassigned to suit your project requirements.
Outsourcing Development Tasks
Outsourcing allows your studio to delegate specific development tasks to external specialists for a fee. This approach is beneficial if you lack certain expertise or want to accelerate production without overburdening your staff. Contractors are marked with “Out” and offer varying skills and costs. For example, hiring a writer for $10K might be suitable early on, while a high-cost designer can bring advanced visuals. Outsourcing also helps manage budget constraints, enabling you to focus on core team development. To explore outsourcing options and improve your workflow, check out the top external development services.
Managing your employees effectively—whether through hiring, training, or outsourcing—is vital for creating successful games. By understanding their skills, career progression, and how to optimize their contributions, you can build a powerhouse team capable of producing top-tier titles.