This Grand Life
Released Apr 2018
A life simulator that leans heavily into the personal finance aspect. Pay taxes, take out mortgages, trade stocks, buy real estate, start businesses, or grind your way to victory as an employee.
75% positive · 240 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $11.99 Green Man Gaming Steam key $11.99
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Evaluation
This Grand Life launched on April 17, 2018, after a period of active alpha development. Following launch, the developer shipped one notable post-launch update: Release 1.2 (May 17, 2018), which added Survival Mode and the Hospital, and Release 1.3 (July 19, 2022), which added Hyperinflation Mode. These represent the extent of post-launch major content additions.
The most significant recent communication from the developer is a June 7, 2023 announcement that a full sequel — This Grand Life 2 — is in development, with a target of "probably 2024." This announcement explicitly redirects the developer's focus to the new game rather than the original. There have been no updates to This Grand Life itself since July 19, 2022, and no announcements of any further content for the original game. The developer's last communication of any kind was the sequel announcement on June 7, 2023.
With the developer's attention shifted to a sequel, no unreleased DLC, no roadmap or outstanding commitments for the original game, and over three years of silence since the last content update (as of June 27, 2026), This Grand Life appears to be a complete, finished product. The July 19, 2022 Hyperinflation Mode update is the most recent content shipped, making it the most reasonable point at which the game's content was complete.
Evidence
Developer announced This Grand Life 2 is in development, targeting a 2024 release. No further content for the original game was mentioned.
Release 1.3 shipped with Hyperinflation Mode — the last content update for the game. No further updates have followed as of June 27, 2026.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Poking Water Games
Achievements
24
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
This Grand Life is a personal finance simulator where you create a character, manage their money and help them achieve their life goals. Cruise your way through life with a silver spoon, or struggle endlessly to find employment as a convicted felon. You cannot control your past, but you can change your future. What choices will you make?
Inspired by Sierra's 1990 game Jones In The Fast Lane, your life is divided into weeks. You try to accomplish as much as you can each week while economic conditions and special events create interesting choices to think about. Do I go to work this week, or take part in the Hot Dog Eating competition at the park? Should I spend time looking for a better job, or stick with my current job until economic conditions improve?
Inspired by Sierra's 1990 game Jones In The Fast Lane, your life is divided into weeks. You try to accomplish as much as you can each week while economic conditions and special events create interesting choices to think about. Do I go to work this week, or take part in the Hot Dog Eating competition at the park? Should I spend time looking for a better job, or stick with my current job until economic conditions improve?
Current Features:
- Balancing Needs - Core game loop of balancing short-term needs such as hunger, fun, hygiene and health with long-term goals like happiness, wealth and education.
- Stylised City Maps - The game map is based on a real major city, thanks to satellite imagery from the European Space Agency!
- Education System - Study for degrees, diplomas and PHDs, required for some higher level occupations. Go to trade school or university.
- Promising Careers and Dead End Jobs - Prestigious career paths like Banking and Chef, plus lower level occupations like Janitor and Salesperson.
- Progressive Taxation System - The more you earn, the higher your tax bracket.
- Possessions - Fridges, TVs and Computers which help with your short-term needs.
- Collectibles - Collect stamps, coins and other rare items to achieve your long-term goals.
- Subscription Services - Sign up for services that make life easier, like grocery delivery or cable TV.
- Special Events - Home Robbery, Hotdog Eating Competition, Steam Sales and more.
- Detailed Economic Simulation - Inflation, interest rates and economic growth influence your investments and job competition.
- Investment and Debt - Borrow money to achieve your goals or invest for a future where you won't have to work. Minimum repayments and interest rates calculated realistically.
- Real Estate - Buy properties through an auction system. Live in it yourself or rent out your properties to tenants.
- Stock Market - Buy and sell shares on the stock market. Watch out for poor corporate management.
- Traits/Privilege System - Begin life with advantages like rich parents, or disadvantages like alcoholism.
- Freelance/Contractor Business - Hire employees, advertise your brand, complete jobs and grow your reputation.
- Tutorial - An interactive tutorial where your mother tells you to get a job.
- Moddability - Create your own careers, courses, locations, possessions and more. All content designed to be highly moddable.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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