What is Automation?

Automation is a car company tycoon game in which you design and build cars from scratch.

It is you who designs everything from the very core that is the engine, over the chassis, to the suspension and the car's looks.

Several games have tried this before... but were able to merely scratch the surface.

Go ahead, build your dream-car company, or simply aim to dominate the world markets with your superior design skills!

The game is still in development, with the Engine Designer and Car Designer already available for you to try out. We release new milestone versions of the game as they are done, adding new features and content as the game moves closer to completion. Automation is aimed to be released on Steam Early Access in the next few months, and further development will continue until Automation is a complete Car Company Tycoon Game.

In Automation you will be placed in control of a newly founded car company starting in the post-war era of 1946. You will be responsible for designing your cars from scratch – from the chassis and the engine to its body styling. Your goal is to meet the needs of different markets and various types of buyers. You will need to research new technology to keep ahead of your competitors and expand your company.

While there have been numerous great racing games focused on the thrill of racing, there have been very few games about the cars themselves. This is where Automation is different.

Not only will you enjoy the freedom to design cars that look how you want, but you will also be responsible for the technical aspects such as creating your own engines. Benchmark your creations and watch their components in action while you are provided with realistic specifications and performance figures.

Easy to understand descriptions will help you optimise your car designs, even without prior car or engine knowledge.

Solid engine design is a big part of creating a successful car in Automation. The game gives you the opportunity to build your own engines from scratch; from the engine configuration, over the valvetrain design, to the fuel system and detailed turbocharging systems. Many design changes even affect the engine sound.

Compromises and challenges abound, do you need the smallest and cheapest engine possible for a budget mini-car or a no-expense-spared twin-turbo beast for your next supercar? There are literally quadrillions of possible engines to design. (We counted..)

Want to challenge your engine building skills? 50+ different engine scenarios put you in the shoes of an engineer to build motors for every possible application, while the Engine Design Multiplayer lets you test your skills against human opponents in a race against the clock.

Lots of video tutorials, part descriptions and an extensive manual help engineering novices learn how engines work and how they can apply these skills in-game.

All these features are already available right now in the current release, with lots more engine types coming soon.

Of course, engines need to be put into cars, which you do in the Car Designer. Choose between various chassis and materials, drive train layouts, suspension types and more. A huge range of car bodies, styling tools and cosmetic design items let you create unique and interesting car designs through the decades.

Test and tune your cars’ performance to optimize handling, aerodynamics, acceleration and comfort to squeeze the last bit out of your designs.

Lots of design options, parts and gadgets let you build anything from a cheap and nasty budget hatchback or van to a supercar or opulent luxury cruiser. Tailor your cars to a wide audience or pioneer niche markets.

A small taste of the cosmetic side of Automation’s Car Designer is already available, and work is well underway on the full mechanical design and performance testing aspects. These new features will become available as they are completed in the coming months.

The core experience of the game is the Grand Campaign. In this game mode, spanning from 1946 to 2020, you start your enterprise from scratch and try to become one of the most renowned car companies in the world. Many roads can potentially lead to success: catering to the masses with small, affordable cars, being an exclusive supercar manufacturer, or focussing on big luxurious flagship cars for the few.

Conquer niches with targeted marketing, or diversify while keeping an eye on brand awareness, brand reputation and prestige to build a loyal following. Compete in ever-shifting regional and global dynamic markets that come with various regulations, featuring many different market segments and buyer demographics.

Set up and manage your factories, expand your production capabilities and improve your cars by investing into research and development to get an edge over your competition. High quality cars and good quality assurance might cost a fortune, but may pay for themselves in the long term. Like in real life, in Automation car design and marketing is full of compromises.

To build and maintain a core team of leading engineers helping you shine in different areas of expertise is just as much part of running a successful business as to properly manage your finances. Keep track of commodity and stock markets and invest your hard-earned cash.

Multiplayer Campaign mode will be available, allowing you to cooperate or compete with other players.

The Tycoon aspect of Automation is not yet available, but will be the focus of development once the Car Designer is released.