Lets call a spade, a spade: This game is ugly as sin and unintuitive as hell BUT it is ALSO the deepest and most satisfying Hollywood management sim ever. The changes from 3 to 4 are smart and welcome additions. Once the community has had a chance to put together talent files for the database and talent pictures... this game is gonna be really good. If you can force yourself past the learning curve there is nothing more fun than release day for your pictures and watching the numbers as they roll. It creates a really fun moment like you're watching a slot machine pay out and you keep saying to yourself "more more more!" I recommend if you enjoy any kind of text-based simulators. If you don't already like that type of game, I don't think this is the one that will convince you. But for a certain type of player (me) this game is still a joy.

This game will really take off once the IRL talent databases are made.

An incredible build upon one of the greatest simulators I've ever played. I began playing this game when I was a kid, early 90's, and have put so many joyful hours into this game, and will continue to do so.

The beauty of Hollywood Mogul is not so much to be a make mad cash kind of game, even though you can, but to allow you to feel like you're making movies using a simple simulator powered by your imagination. You can flesh the characters out in ways you could not in prior versions, really allowing you to form your ideas or model them after your favorite characters, which in itself is a powerful addition worth the purchase.

The game IS overwhelming at first, a fact the game's developer does not shy away from, but once you get it down it becomes an infinitely replayable game and you will find yourself making some really wild and zany movies. It's so much fun!

And when he says there will be an IRL talent file, he means it. Once you are playing this game with real life talent files you WILL feel like a major executive, especially when putting together franchises, IPs and blockbusters. The community will have it up fast. Trust me on that.

Also the addition of limited series and direct-to-streaming models brings this game into the modern world of movie financials.

For the prior HM version players, another really great touch is being able to directly control where your advertising budget is spent between domestic and foreign markets, and what specific revenue streams you select from promotions, such as actions figures, toys and games, etc, and having an easier way to decide how many theaters your movie is in. This use to be a lot harder to set. HM4 streamlines this entire process. The Dev really hit this one out of the park.

Also, the game's dev is extremely responsive, and always working on the title. He's been making games for a long time and his experience shows.

See you at the box office!

I truly love this game series.
Over 20 years ago, during my mandatory military service, this game helped me get through some tough times.

This game isn’t about making more money or creating flashy videos.
It’s a game for every “Hollywood kid” around the world who dreams of their own “Cinema Paradiso” — a place to bring their creative ideas to life.
There are no fancy visuals here. No spectacular sound design.

All this game has is a dream.
The dream of making your own movie, of turning your ideas into moving pictures.

And that dream lives inside this game.
That’s why I love it.