The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon

Simulation· Strategy· Management· Economy

Released Feb 2025

Shape the history of the Hollywood movie industry in this sandbox business simulation game. Create the movies you've always wanted to see, hire the best team, research cutting-edge technologies, and dominate the Box Office. Can you rise from a small studio to a Hollywood giant?

80% positive · 1,117 reviews

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

Low confidence

Active Development

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

Low confidence

Active Development

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $14.99 IndieGala Steam key Updated 12 Oct 2026 $14.99

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Evaluation

The Executive launched on February 11, 2025 and has received five major content updates since then: - **February 14, 2025 (v1.0.3):** Endless Mode, allowing players to continue past the main story. - **March 13, 2025 (v1.1.0):** IP Marketplace with 700+ licensable IPs. - **March 21, 2025 (v1.1.2):** Five new themes, new production incidents, and 69 additional IPs. - **May 14, 2025 (v1.2.1):** Steam Workshop integration and Sandbox Mode. - **June 15, 2025 (v1.3.0):** Metasave system, IP selling, and Box Office Rankings. Following the June 15, 2025 major update, the team shipped two bug-fix patches (June 16 and July 25, 2025). The July 25, 2025 patch noted it was going out "before our summer break," indicating a planned pause rather than any wind-down of development. The last developer communication was the July 25, 2025 patch. As of today, October 1, 2026, that is over 14 months of silence — well beyond the historical cadence of major updates (which were arriving roughly every 2–6 weeks during the active post-launch period). The gap now exceeds the 6-month silence threshold. However, the developer has never announced that development is complete or that no further content is planned. The March 2025 roadmap posts signaled intent to keep improving the game, and all roadmap items that were listed were eventually delivered. There are no unreleased DLC listings, and no distress signals (funding loss, studio closure) have been communicated. The silence is notable but unaccompanied by any closure statement. Given the strong prior cadence, the absence of any completion statement, and the fact that the "summer break" note suggested a temporary pause, this sits in ambiguous territory. The sustained pattern of major updates is real, but the silence since July 25, 2025 is now long enough that confidence in ongoing development has diminished. The game is assessed as still in active post-launch development, but the extended silence warrants noting.

Evidence

Patch 1.3.0 shipped three community-requested features: Metasave, IP selling, and Box Office Rankings — described as the most-requested features from the Discord community.

news post · Jun 15, 2025 source content shipped

high

Patch 1.2.1 delivered Steam Workshop integration and Sandbox Mode, completing the modding support item that had been listed as 'in progress' on the March 2025 roadmap.

news post · May 14, 2025 source content shipped

high

Media

Details

Developer

Aniki Games

Publisher

Goblinz Publishing

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Management Simulation Economy Strategy Capitalism 2D Sandbox Isometric Replay Value Indie Building Moddable Cinematic Casual Funny

About this game

The Executive is a sandbox business simulation game that lets you rewrite the history of Hollywood from the 1970s to today. As the founder of a scrappy production company, you’ll produce the movies you’ve always dreamed of, manage ambitious franchises, and build a studio that rivals the industry’s greatest. Navigate the challenges of the movie business, outmaneuver your competition, and decide whether to chase critical acclaim or box office domination.

PRODUCE YOUR DREAM MOVIES

Bring your cinematic visions to life. Choose themes, genres, and target ratings to shape your creations. Dive deep into screenplay development, cast the hottest stars (or discover hidden talent), and allocate your budget wisely to make each film shine. Every decision impacts your movie’s critical acclaim and box office potential, so craft your masterpieces with care.

BUILD AND MANAGE FRANCHISES

Turn your biggest hits into long-lasting franchises! Create sequels, prequels, reboots, and even spinoffs to capitalize on audience demand. But beware: too many installments can lead to franchise fatigue. Strike the perfect balance to keep your fans invested without burning them out.

MASTER THE ART OF DISTRIBUTION

Your movie’s journey doesn’t end at the final cut. Decide how to distribute your creation: self-publish, partner with a distributor. Each route comes with unique risks and rewards. Timing is everything—analyze the market, outmaneuver the competition, and secure the perfect release date for your blockbuster.

MONETIZE YOUR BACK CATALOG

Don’t let your past successes collect dust. Manage your studio’s library and maximize ancillary revenue with strategic home entertainment deals. Partner with distributors who are the best fit for your catalog, and invest in add-ons to boost sales. Your back catalog is a goldmine—make it work for you.

TACKLE MOVIE PRODUCTION INCIDENTS

Making movies isn’t all glamour and glory. Sometimes, production doesn’t go as planned, and you’ll have to face the unexpected. From budget overruns to on-set accidents, adapt to unforeseen challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities.

BUILD YOUR EMPIRE

Turn your small studio into a Hollywood powerhouse. Use your profits to upgrade your offices, hire and train top-tier talent, and research cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Attract A-list actors, expand your capabilities, and solidify your reputation as a major player in the industry.

FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH

In The Executive, the road to success is yours to decide. Will you become a champion of the art world, winning critical acclaim and prestigious awards? Or will you build a blockbuster machine, raking in billions at the box office? The choice is yours in this ultimate Hollywood simulation.