Lemonade Tycoon

Lemonade Tycoon, previously released as Lemonade Inc., is a Shockwave-based game first released by Hexacto on September 13, 2003. A free, limited version is available for online play at many sites. The full game with no time restrictions can be purchased online. The goal of Lemonade Tycoon is to sell lemonade and profit. With selling, players must manage many aspects of their business. Players establish a recipe, set prices, and sell lemonade in a variety of locations. The game includes changing weather and news, which the player must compensate for. To overcome some factors, such as long lines and stock, players can buy upgrades. The packaged version included versions for PC, Mobile Phones, PocketPC, and Palm devices. Lemonade Tycoon employs an innovative "Game-On" concept which allows users to transfer game saves from a Windows PC to a Palm handheld or Pocket PC and back again to continue.

While Lemonade Tycoon is compatible with multiple platforms, the game differs slightly on each. The Windows version allows more details and info because of a larger screen. Locations had a much bigger view and. Other versions had to deal with smaller screen. They did not include as much information as the PC. Areas would be cut down so only a portion could be seen. Each platform, however, is not limited in usability and functionality.

The sequel, Lemonade Tycoon 2, is set in multiple locations in New York City and allows more than one stand. It, of course, has multiple improvements over the original.

Game Modes
Lemonade Tycoon includes two game modes; Career and Challenge. Career mode lets the player have a stand for as long as they want. Challenge mode had a 30-day limit to see how fast your stand can grow within the period of time.

Selling and Advertising
One can advertise in Lemonade Tycoon. Everyday one can pay an advertising fee of one's choice. Advertising increases the number of potential customers.

Stocks/Supplies
In order to make lemonade, players have to buy supplies or stocks. Players can buy lemons, sugar, ice, and cups. In order to start the day, players must have enough supplies to make one pitcher of lemonade. Lemons and Sugar both spoil over time. Ice always melts at the end of each day without refrigeration.

Upgrades
Lemonade Tycoon features many upgrades that are available at different prices. Some reduce wait times, since customers can get impatient and leave. Stand upgrades allow more storage and customer capacity.

Locations
There are five different locations where one can move your stand. Some places are more popular than others. Each location has a different rent. One can start out in your neighborhood (called "The Suburbs") for free, but a day of selling at the mall costs $50.00. Each location has satisfaction and popularity. Popularity changes as the player's stand gets more popular. Good satifaction and advertising bring more customers. Satisfaction ensures that customers will come back to the stand. If there are short lines, there are good prices, the player serves all customers rather than them leaving, and the player has a good recipe, the player's customer satisfaction will go up. With the increase of satisfaction, customers will come back to a player's stand. Satisfaction and popularity are location based. They do not travel with you as you move from location to location.

News Headlines
Suburb: "Suburb Citizens Celebrate "Stay at Home" Day!" "Suburbs Empty as Citizens Line Up for Bart Crook's Concert Tonight!" "Car Accident Blocks Bridge: Suburb Workers Get a Day Off!" "Election Campaign: Mayor Visits Suburbs Today!" "Crime Rate Alert: Mayor Advises Suburb Citizens to Stay Inside!"

Park: "Little Girl Takes Syringe Home: Found in Park!" "Town's Park Voted Most Beautiful in the Country!" "Park Hosts Little League Baseball Final Today!" "Mosquitoes Invade Park!" "Teen Gang Hassles Kids at the Park!" "Two Escaped Lions From Zoo Spotted Near Park Area!" "Free Outdoor Concert at the Park!"

Downtown: "Sewage Problems Make Downtown Stink!" "Chamber of Commerce Holds Convention Downtown!" "Sidewalk Sale Attracts Masses Downtown!" "Maintenance Repairs Downtown: Roads Blocked!" "Citizens Rush Towards Downtown Area to Watch Parade for Mayor's Birthday!" "Students on Strike: Access to Downtown Area Limited!"

Beach: "UV Alert: Authorities Warn Citizens to Stay Off Beach Area!" "Water Contamination Possibility: No Swimming at the Beach!" "Sharks Spotted Near Beach!" "Beach Ready for National Volleyball Competition!"

Mall: "Customers Rush to Mall to Win Contest!" "Maintenance Repairs: Mall Closes at 12:00 PM!" "Air-Conditioning Problems at the Mall!" "Citizens Boycott Mall for Selling Products Tested on Animals!" "Huge Sale at Mall!"

Money: "All Government Employees Get Salary Hike!" "National Tax Refund: More Money in Citizens' Pockets!" "Pickpockets Raid Leaves Citizens Penniless!" "Postal Strike Delays Delivery of Tax Refund Checks!" "Stock Market Collapses: Investors in Turmoil!"

Lemons: "Health Survey: Lemonade Is Good for You!" "Citizens Unite Against Genetically Modified Lemons!" "A Lemon a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!"

Stress: "Survey: 10 out of 10 Citizens Hate Lineups!" "Citizens Relax as Long Weekend Approaches!" "Doctors Say Waiting in Line Can Reduce Stress!" "Town Plans to Reduce Citizens' Stress by Offering Free Yoga Classes!" "Recurring Traffic Problems Make Citizens Impatient!"

Weather: "No Clouds Ahead!" "National Weather Service Announces Extreme Heat!" "Sudden Heat Wave Strikes Town!" "Big Chill Takes Town by Suprise!" "Beautiful Sunshine!" "Record Smog Covers Town under Dark Clouds!" "Temperature Rises to Record Heights!" "Our Word of Advice: Don't Leave Home Without a Warm Sweater!" "Town Under El Gringo's Effect!" "The Sun Shines on our Beautiful Town!" "Rain, Rain, Rain and More Rain!"

Other: "Lemonade Stand Owner Wants to Be a Millionaire!" "Lemonade Stand Competition Increases Around Town!" "Local Kid Sells Best Lemonade in Town!"

Weather
Weather affects how well lemonade is sold, too. Warm and hot days bring more customers to stand than on cold and rainy days. The weather changes each day and does not seem to follow any weather patterns.

Lemonade Stock Exchange (LSX)
The Lemonade Stock Exchange was an online feature that let one see how one's stand compared to others. It no longer exists.

Awards
Lemonade Tycoon earned the Best Pocket PC Strategy Game in Pocket PC Magazine's 2002 Best Products Awards

Staff
These are the people who worked on Lemonade Tycoon:
 * Lead Programmer: Laurent Vitalis
 * Programming: Dany Savard and Denis Simard
 * Framework Programming:Jean-Roch Roy, Michel Donais, Michel Glaude, and Dominic Marier
 * Game Design: Alexandre Parizeau and Laurent Vitalis
 * Graphic Design: Le Hoang Khanh
 * Graphics Production: Simon Nadeau, Laurent Vitalis, and Van Bolher
 * Sound Production: Laurent Vitalis
 * Executive Producer: Sylvain Croteau
 * Producers:Alexandre Taillefer, Alexandre Thabet, Patrick Minotti, and Derek Zakaib