BizQuest: Interactive Market Simulation Game

Core Functionality

• Dynamic Marketplace Engine – A real‑time virtual economy powered by live APIs (e.g., stock prices, commodity feeds) that updates product demand, supply costs, and consumer trends.
• Collaborative Strategy Rooms – Players form teams to negotiate contracts, set pricing tiers, or launch joint marketing campaigns using in‑game chat and shared dashboards.
• Scenario Lab – Pre‑built business crisis templates (e.g., sudden tax hike, cyber‑attack) that trigger adaptive AI opponents and force players to pivot strategies.
• Analytics Dashboard – Post‑session reports comparing player decisions against industry benchmarks, with actionable insights and exportable PDFs.

Problem It Solves

Small business owners often lack affordable, hands‑on training for navigating volatile markets. Traditional workshops are costly and static, while online courses miss the nuance of real‑time decision pressure. BizQuest delivers an immersive, data‑driven sandbox that lets owners practice tactics, see immediate consequences, and learn from peers—all without leaving their office.

Technical Requirements

• Unity 2025 with DOTS for high‑performance multiplayer simulations.
• Photon Fusion or Mirror for low‑latency networking.
• REST/GraphQL APIs to ingest live market data (e.g., Bloomberg, Alpha Vantage).
• Azure/AWS for scalable backend services and real‑time analytics pipelines.
• Unity UI Toolkit for responsive dashboards and exportable reports.

Monetization Strategy

1. Subscription Tiers – Basic free tier with limited scenarios; Pro tier ($49/month) unlocks full marketplace, advanced AI, and team collaboration features.
2. Scenario Packs – Pay‑per‑scenario bundles ($10–$25 each) featuring industry‑specific crises (retail, hospitality, manufacturing).
3. Enterprise Licensing – Custom onboarding for franchises or corporate training programs with volume discounts.
4. Marketplace Data Analytics Add‑on – Premium analytics module that integrates with a business’s own ERP systems for deeper insights.

Implementation Approach

1. Phase 0: Planning & Architecture – Define data models, networking flow, and API contracts; set up CI/CD pipelines.
2. Phase 1: Core Engine Development – Build the marketplace simulation core, integrate live data feeds, and create basic UI scaffolding.
3. Phase 2: Multiplayer Layer – Implement Photon Fusion for session hosting, lobby system, and real‑time state synchronization.
4. Phase 3: Scenario Lab & AI Opponents – Design AI decision trees, script crisis triggers, and develop scenario templates.
5. Phase 4: Analytics & Reporting – Develop server‑side data aggregation, generate PDF reports, and expose export APIs.
6. Phase 5: Polish & QA – Usability testing with a pilot group of small business owners; iterate UI/UX.
7. Launch & Marketing – Soft launch to beta partners, collect feedback, then roll out full product.

Potential Challenges

• Latency & Synchronization – Real‑time multiplayer in Unity can suffer from lag. Solution: Use Photon Fusion’s state replication and implement client‑side prediction for critical actions.
• Data Accuracy & Reliability – Dependence on third‑party market APIs may introduce downtime. Solution: Cache recent data, provide fallback static values, and monitor API health continuously.

Future Expansion

• AR/VR Extensions – Offer immersive showroom experiences where owners can walk through virtual storefronts.
• AI Coaching Bot – Integrate GPT‑based assistants that give instant feedback during gameplay.
• Marketplace Marketplace – Allow users to create and sell custom scenario packs or AI modules.
• Cross‑Platform Mobile Companion App – Provide real‑time alerts and quick decision tools for owners on the go.