Strategy Simulations

Business Strategy Simulation Games

Empower your students to apply their business strategy skills inside a realistic simulation environment. They’ll take on executive roles, analyze competitive markets in real time, and create long-term strategies that drive success. Learn more and explore our full catalog of business strategy games and Microsimulations.

Competitor Analysis screen from Strategy and Business Policy business strategy game by Marketplace Simulations

Competitive Business Strategy Games

Our competitive business strategy simulations immerse students in strategy planning. Students play against classmates or the computer as they build and grow a bicycle company from the ground up. As they compete, they make integrated decisions across marketing, operations, finance, and human resources, seeing how strategy choices impact performance over time.

Introduction to Business and Strategy

Give students an accessible introduction to strategic decision-making through a realistic business strategy game. Acting as executive teams, students analyze market research, assess competitors, and make coordinated decisions across core business functions. The simulation shows how early strategy choices influence performance as markets evolve in real time.

This simulation is ideal for second to third year undergraduate students in first time courses designed around strategy and policy. 

6 decision rounds, 60 to 75 minutes of gameplay

Small to large classes of business majors

Play against classmates or computer

Strategy and Business Policy

This business strategy simulation emphasizes formal strategic planning and execution. The focus revolves around students practicing formal strategic planning based on the OST (objective–strategy–tactics plans) mental framework, implementing their plan in a competitive market, and revising their approach based on performance results. The game helps students connect strategic analysis to execution while managing tradeoffs across the organization.

This simulation is ideal for fourth year undergraduate students in strategy forward capstone classes. It is also viable for introductory courses at the master’s level.

6 decision rounds, 1.5 to 2 hours of gameplay

Small to medium classes of business majors

Play against classmates or computer

Advanced Strategic Corporate Management

Designed for advanced learners, this simulation challenges students with complex, enterprise-level decisions in a competitive global market.

Students practice formal strategic planning based on the OST (objective–strategy–tactics plans) mental framework. Students manage growth, evaluate strategic tradeoffs, and respond to competitor moves, gaining experience with the complexity of real-world corporate strategy.

This simulation is ideal for MBA, EMBA, and possibly advanced undergraduate students in strategy forward capstone classes.

8 decision rounds, 4 to 4.5 hours of gameplay

Small to medium classes of business majors

Play against classmates

Management Microsimulations

In just 10 to 25 minutes, you can help your students strengthen their strategy skills. Built on microlearning theory, our Microsimulations feature a mix of animated lectures and interactive challenges. Students play each Microsimulation individually and can repeat them as many times as needed.

The Microlearning for Business Strategy

10 to 25 minutes each

Customized for your class

Any class size

These strategy-oriented Microsimulations allow your students to have bite-sized learning across multiple functional areas. This includes strategic planning, product design, production scheduling, accounting, pricing, and profitability analysis. Use our premade bundles or create an original bundle to fit your class’s needs.

Male student sits at desk and works with laptop

Find the best business strategy game for your course.
Our team will guide you from beginning to end!

Join Professors Worldwide Who Use Marketplace Business Strategy Games

“I like [the Advanced Strategic Corporate Management Simulation] because it allows me to use the ‘learning by doing’ methodology in my courses. … [O]ffering practical courses, with environments that simulate the real world, is exciting for business students.”

—Marta Fabiano, Professor at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil

“Leading a team through a fast-paced market taught me how to make tough calls and keep everyone moving in the right direction. It is one thing to study strategy in a book, but it is another to actually live it.”

—Sandro P., student at Lincoln Memorial Univeristy

“This experience pushed me to think critically about sales optimization, customer engagement, and market dynamics. I’m … excited to carry these lessons forward and apply them to future challenges in sales and business strategy!

—Jeff W., student at University of Tennessee – Knoxville

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business strategy game?

A business strategy game, also referred to as a business strategy simulation, is a hands-on learning activity that allows students to run a virtual company and make long-term strategic decisions. In these strategy simulation games, students act as executive teams, analyzing markets, responding to competitors in real time, and allocating resources across the organization.

Unlike short exercises, a business strategy simulation shows how decisions compound over time, helping students learn by doing through repeated analysis, execution, and strategic adjustment.
How do strategy simulations benefit students?

Strategy simulation games help students develop critical thinking, competitive analysis skills, and strategic decision-making ability. As a game for business strategy, these simulations require students to align marketing, operations, finance, and HR decisions into a coherent plan.

Because the environment mirrors real business logic rather than simplified gameplay, students gain practical experience that supports business strategy education, especially in upper-level undergraduate and MBA courses.
What makes the best business strategy game?

The best business strategy games strike a balance between realism, clarity, and meaningful decision-making. The best business strategy game should:

  • Integrate strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and HR
  • Provide clear performance metrics and competitive feedback
  • Encourage long-term planning instead of one-time decisions
  • Support customization for different course levels
  • Mimic realistic, real-world economic conditions

Strong business strategy games give students both freedom and structure for experiential learning.

What functional areas do business strategy simulation games cover?

Most strategy simulation games integrate multiple functional areas to create a realistic, holistic business experience. Common areas include:

  • Strategy and competitive analysis
  • Marketing and sales
  • Operations and production
  • Finance and budgeting
  • Human resources
  • Product development or R&D

By design, a business strategy simulation shows how decisions in one area affect the entire company in real time.

What are effective business strategy activities for students?

Most simulations integrate several functional areas, creating a holistic management experience. Common areas include:

  • Marketing & sales
  • Operations & production
  • Finance & budgeting
  • Strategy & competitive analysis
  • Human resources
  • R&D or product development

Because these areas connect, students learn how decisions in one space influence the entire business, just like in real life.

What are good strategic management activities for students?

Effective business strategy education requires activities that emphasize analysis, competition, and long-term planning. Business strategy games are among the most effective tools because they require students to:

  • Analyze markets and competitors
  • Build and adjust sustainable strategies
  • Respond to real-time performance data
  • Manage limited resources
  • Evaluate outcomes and refine decisions

These activities help students move from theory to applied strategic thinking.

How do strategy simulation games compare to traditional business games?
Traditional business games often focus broadly on functional exposure. Strategy simulation games take a more focused approach, emphasizing competitive dynamics, long-term planning, and cross-functional alignment.
As a game for business strategy, they require students to think beyond isolated decisions and understand how strategy drives performance over time.
Are strategy simulation games suitable for all course levels?
Strategy Microsimulations focus on specific concepts and are suitable for all learner levels. These short business strategy games include guided instruction and targeted practice and typically take 10–25 minutes to complete.
Our competitive strategy simulation games are best suited for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses. Students should have a foundational understanding of business concepts before engaging in a full business strategy simulation.

Got questions? Need help structuring your class? Talk with our support team seven days a week!

Key Differences Between Business Strategy Simulations

Simulation
Introduction to Business and Strategy

Strategy and Business Policy

Advanced Strategic Corporate Management
DescriptionFocuses on the development and management of business strategy across all functional areas and over time. Establishes the need for strategic planning without a formal template. Instructor can add a mental model to guide student work.Builds on Introduction to Business and Strategy with a bit more functional complexity. The major focus is on formal strategic planning based on the OST (objective-strategy-tactic) mental framework. Templates are provided for strategic analysis, strategy specification, tactical execution, and real-time tactical control.Provides a deep understanding of the entire business enterprise in the global market. Students must deal with complex strategic and tactical issues across all functional areas. Success requires the use of a wide variety of business concepts and analytics. Includes formal strategic planning templates based on the OST (objective-strategy-tactic) mental framework.
Typical coursesFirst course in strategy and policyCapstone business course with a strong strategy focus
Educational levelSecond or third year undergraduate studentsFourth year undergraduate students. Introductory courses at the master’s level are also viableMBA, EMBA and possibly advanced undergraduate students
Decision rounds6 decision rounds of 60 to 75 minutes6 decision rounds of 2 to 3 hours8 decision rounds of 4 to 4.5 hours
Class sizeSmall to large classesSmall to medium classes
GameplayCompete against classmates or the computerCompete against classmates
LanguagesEnglish*, Portuguese, Spanish*, Polish, LithuanianEnglish*English

*Language available in Bike edition.