Cartel Tycoon
Released Jul 2022
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord.
75% positive · 3,810 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Where to buy
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
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Evaluation
Cartel Tycoon launched on July 26, 2022 and received a solid run of post-launch content updates. The developer shipped five major updates or DLC releases after launch: the Sacred Lamb Update (November 30, 2022), the Fight & Stash Update alongside the Lieutenants Pack – La Familia DLC (April 3, 2023), the Gangs of De Ojeda Update (June 29, 2023), the San Rafaela map expansion (September 22, 2023), and finally the Diva's Hotel Content Pack (March 14, 2024). That last release — a cosmetic DLC adding a new lieutenant, hotel skin, and emblems — is the most recent major content shipped, and it represents the seventh and final DLC in the store listing, all of which are now released.
Following the March 14, 2024 Diva's Hotel release, there have been no further major content updates, no new DLC announcements, no unreleased DLC entries in the store, and no developer communications indicating additional content is in the pipeline. The last developer news post in the dataset is from March 14, 2024. The most recent roadmap-style communication was a January 2023 devlog outlining plans for that year; all commitments mentioned in that post (new map, combat rework) were subsequently delivered. No equivalent forward-looking roadmap has been published since.
The historical cadence between major releases ran roughly every 3–6 months from launch through early 2024. The gap from March 14, 2024 to today (June 25, 2026) is over 27 months — well beyond any reasonable continuation of that pattern. With all DLC released, no outstanding commitments, no developer statements about future content, and a silence period far exceeding the established release cadence, the game's content development appears complete as of the Diva's Hotel release.
Evidence
All 7 DLC entries in the store listing are marked as released, with no unreleased items remaining.
Diva's Hotel Content Pack released — the most recent major content drop, adding a new lieutenant, hotel skin, and emblems. This is also the last developer news post in the dataset.
Content
7 of 7 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
tinyBuild
Achievements
19
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Set in the fictionalized '80s Latin America, Cartel Tycoon tells the story of a time when the cocaine took over first the US, and then the whole world. Ridiculously rich drug kingpins rule over glorious empires, creating thousands of jobs. But a maelstrom of violence threatens this criminal underworld from within.
Build an empire of drug production and smuggling chains while managing rogue lieutenants, state authorities, and public opinion.
Rival gangs, the DEA, army and even the CIA all threaten your growing business. Death is inevitable, but not the end. When you die (it never really ends well for drug lords), crown your successor, and build your empire from the ruins all over again.
In Cartel Tycoon, failure is inevitable and violence begets more violence — but for the cunning kingpin, unimaginable profits await.
Play a variety of modes
Story mode for those looking to dive into tens of hours of rich narrative within the game's world. Hardcore permadeath Survival mode for those looking for a challenge. And a highly customizable Sandbox mode for those looking to play by their own rules!
Key features
- Grow your empire. Develop your humble farming operation into a massive logistical system comprising plantations, laboratories, aerodromes, and more.
- Reign your way. Tycoon action on an epic scale with dozens of upgrade paths and endless strategic combinations.
- Death is inevitable. When your capo falls, promote one of your unique lieutenants to take control and continue growing your cartel.
- Everything - and everyone - has a price. Launder your hard-earned cash to develop your empire, maintain your lieutenants' allegiance, and bribe corrupt politicians.
- Defend what's yours. Evade the authorities and square off against rival cartels on the path to profit.
- Endless replayability. Explore a dynamic narrative system with dozens of unique characters combined with limitless sandbox gameplay.
- Play a variety of modes. Story mode for those looking to dive into tens of hours of rich narrative within the game's world. Hardcore permadeath Survival mode for those looking for a challenge. And a highly customizable Sandbox mode for those looking to play by their own rules!
Featuring an original soundtrack that captures the era with psychedelic and Latin American influences.
Last evaluated Jun 25, 2026
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