It has been said that British indie developer Chris Sawyer, the brain behind the Transport Tycoon and Rollecoaster Tycoon series and the TT follow-up, Chris Sawyer's Locomotion, was one of the reasons why the "tycoon" subgenre of management games really took off in the 90s. Prior to that, it was more of a niche theme in desktop computer gaming, with a rather small and insular fanbase.
So, let's say this young Glaswegian coder and game designer doesn't risk it in the early 90s and doesn't strike a deal with Microprose to publish his Interactive Transport Simulation (ITS) project, which in OTL became the much-loved Transport Tycoon (and its sequels and successors). He continues to collaborate with other development teams or even becomes a full-time member of one, but never manages to start his own little game company.
What would happen ? Would the subgenre remain more of a niche, underground matter ? Would it be dominated by the other succesful early tycoon franchise of Microprose, Railroad Tycoon ? And would said game be the trendsetter instead of Transport Tycoon ?
So, let's say this young Glaswegian coder and game designer doesn't risk it in the early 90s and doesn't strike a deal with Microprose to publish his Interactive Transport Simulation (ITS) project, which in OTL became the much-loved Transport Tycoon (and its sequels and successors). He continues to collaborate with other development teams or even becomes a full-time member of one, but never manages to start his own little game company.
What would happen ? Would the subgenre remain more of a niche, underground matter ? Would it be dominated by the other succesful early tycoon franchise of Microprose, Railroad Tycoon ? And would said game be the trendsetter instead of Transport Tycoon ?