Our “Games of 2025” series continues with Aquapark Tycoon, a refreshing take on the tycoon genre from German indie developer Boxelware. We first saw the game during Gamescom, where they offered a first-hand look at their latest project – an in-depth simulation game that lets players design and manage their own water parks. With features like a dynamic weather system, customizable water slides, and a focus on guest satisfaction, Aquapark Tycoon promises to bring a unique twist to the simulation space. Curious to learn more about the game’s inspirations and development process, we sat down with Boxelware recently to talk about what fans can expect from this splash-filled adventure.
What inspired you to create a waterpark simulation game? Are there any real-world waterparks that served as inspiration for Aquapark Tycoon, either in terms of design or management challenges?
There are countless tycoon games that take players to all sorts of exciting locations, yet water parks have been largely overlooked in this genre. And that’s surprising, because this theme has incredible potential for a creative and strategic game. We’ve often wondered why there isn’t a game where you can design your own water park, because that’s exactly the kind of game we’ve always wanted to play ourselves. It didn’t take us long to realize that a water park tycoon game was going to be our next big project.
For the development, we drew inspiration from real-life spas and water parks, taking full advantage of the research process to explore and enjoy some incredible locations. In Aquapark Tycoon, we want to give players the chance to recreate the swimming baths of their childhood or design their very own dream aqua parks.
The slide-building mechanic sounds like a lot of fun! How did you design it to be accessible for casual players while still allowing more advanced users to create intricate designs?
Our focus was on making slide-building simple and accessible for new players, while also giving advanced players the freedom to create unique and complex designs. To achieve this, we developed a grid-based system where components like straight sections or curves can be easily connected. This intuitive approach ensures a quick and smooth start for everyone.
For more experienced players, we’ve included a variety of customization options that allow for even more creative and exciting designs. With these tools, players can let their imagination run wild and create slides that keep their guests coming back for more.
The game features both outdoor and indoor areas. How do weather and seasonal changes affect gameplay, and how can players adapt their parks to different conditions?
Weather and seasons are an integral part of Aquapark Tycoon – after all, the sun doesn’t shine every day. On warm summer days, visitors flock to the outdoor areas, looking for a refreshing escape and the thrill of exciting water slides. But as the temperatures drop and autumn or winter rolls in, attractions like saunas and heated pools take center stage.
The changing seasons present new challenges for players: What was a major crowd-puller in the summer needs to be replaced with winter-friendly highlights to keep guests coming back during the colder months. Visitors arrive with different needs and expectations, gravitating toward the cozy indoor areas. This seasonal shift brings both variety and new challenges, requiring players to plan strategically and adapt to changing conditions.
Managing guests’ needs is a core part of the gameplay loop. How detailed is the AI for guest behavior, and what kind of feedback can players expect to receive from their park visitors?
In Aquapark Tycoon, every guest is a completely unique individual with their own preferences and expectations. Visitors will only be truly satisfied if they find exactly what they’re looking for, making it crucial to design the park to accommodate a wide range of needs.
Players can dive into detailed stats for each guest, including their name, age, swimming ability, favorite attractions, as well as their current thoughts and levels of fun, energy, hunger, thirst, and more. Animations and icons provide instant feedback on how visitors are feeling, helping players identify areas for improvement and fine-tune their park management.
You showcased the game at Gamescom – what was the reception like from players and the press? Did any specific feedback from attendees surprise you?
Gamescom was an incredible experience for us, especially the chance to watch players try out the game live. It was the first time so many people played Aquapark Tycoon in such a short amount of time, and the positive feedback was truly inspiring. What stood out most was seeing how much players of all ages enjoyed the game.
While there weren’t any big surprises, we did receive plenty of valuable feedback, particularly regarding accessibility. These insights are very helpful for the further development process.
With tycoon games having a dedicated fanbase, how do you plan to engage the community long-term after launch?
With Aquapark Tycoon, we want to create a game that keeps players excited and offers plenty of variety in the long run – even after release. We plan to continue supporting the game post-launch, but we’re not ready to share specific details just yet.
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