How HeadChannel Built Property Magnate for Tycoon Gaming

Property Magnate puts more than 30 million virtual versions of real UK properties on the market, with prices and trends from Zoopla. HeadChannel built the mobile game for Tycoon Gaming, on iOS and Android.

HeadChannel for Tycoon Gaming

Tycoon Gaming

Client: Tycoon Gaming
Agency: HeadChannel, part of Cohaesus
Type of work: Software & apps
Sector: Sport & Entertainment

Property Magnate is a mobile game that gives players a lifelike experience of the UK property market. Using real-time data from Zoopla, players buy, sell and rent virtual properties as they build a property empire. HeadChannel built it for Tycoon Gaming.

The Challenge

Tycoon Gaming wanted a game that emulated property development in the UK, using actual property data and trends to make it immersive and realistic. The hard part was turning real-time property values, area trends and a constantly changing housing market into a game that was fun and easy to play.

The game had to keep players entertained for hours while carrying the depth of real property trading, and it needed a system that could handle player interactions and keep players engaged for the long term.

The Approach

Discovery and planning. HeadChannel's developers, designers and business analysts ran workshops with Tycoon Gaming to refine the core game mechanics, the data integration requirements and the interface designs.

Property data. Zoopla's property data, including house prices and area trends, feeds the game, so players buy, sell and manage real-world properties with up-to-date information.

Game mechanics. The team made buying, selling and managing properties simple to follow. A leaderboard and the Acquisition Agent add competition, while detailed property data keeps players immersed in the UK market.

iOS and Android. To reach a wide audience, HeadChannel built the game for both platforms. The back end runs on ASP.NET Zero and handles user transactions and game updates in real time.

HeadChannel have been instrumental in launching the game both on time and on budget. The service has been excellent and the game looks and feels just as I imagined.

David Harding, Managing Director, Tycoon Gaming

The Outcome

Players buy, sell and manage virtual properties based on actual values and trends in the UK market. The leaderboard, estate agents and long-term investment strategy keep them playing, and the iOS and Android versions reach property enthusiasts and casual gamers alike. Along the way, players learn about UK property values and trading, sharpening their strategic thinking and investment skills. The game earns its owner income from the credits players buy.