While the game follows a calendar like most sim titles, this comes in the form of a school timetable, with each course’s classes planned out for the year. As in real life, each course takes place over a number of terms, and this includes different subjects that are studied over the course of their time there. It’s not as simple as laying out some rooms and sitting back to watch the money build, however. Players have to ensure their campus thrives by bringing in a steady stream of students every year, using their tuition fees to expand over subsequent school years, adding more courses and buying nearby plots to build expansion buildings. While each campus has its own individual theme, the general gameplay loop remains the same. This stage also adds further non-educational elements for players to take into consideration, including loan management and the need to take care of the environment around the campus. Naturally, all things wand-based are the main theme here, with separate Wizardry and Dark Arts courses available for students. This stage also introduces new mechanics like medical issues, disasters and rival schools (where other students turn up for a fight and must be dispatched by a janitor who has combat training).įinally, the fourth stage in the preview build we played was Spiffinmoore, which is clearly inspired by all things Harry Potter. Stage three is set at a mediaeval-themed campus called Noblestead – here students take part in Knight School, where they learn swordplay and jousting.
Although the previous two courses can be added later to build up student numbers, the main course on offer here is a Gastronomy degree, in which students learn how to make various dishes (usually comically oversized ones, like enormous pizzas or cakes). The second stage, Piazza Lanatra, focuses more on culinary education. Once the first year is complete players can then add a Virtual Normality course to the campus, which is based in a VR lab. In the first year students can sign up for Scientography, where they make use of an enormous contraption with giant flasks and oversized hammers to learn about all things science. This initial campus has two courses available. The first, Freshleigh Meadows, is a tutorial level and teaches players the basics on how to build rooms, hire staff, place amenities and tend to the needs of students. The preview build we recently went hands-on with contained four separate stages, each set in a different themed campus. The game still has countless jokes, visual set pieces and humorous one-liners liberally sprinkled throughout, from the absurd courses players can set up to the returning receptionist, whose regular tannoy announcements are a constant source of mirth. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to VGC on YouTube