Software Products
The Digital Age DLC adds 20 types of software product, grouped into 7 product classes. Each type has to be unlocked by research before your company can produce it, and each one draws on its own set of technologies.
The seven software product classes
- Operating System — 1 type
- Office Software — 4 types
- Computer Security — 3 types
- Graphic Design Software — 5 types
- Video Software — 2 types
- Utility Software — 3 types
- Audio Software — 2 types
You can view the details of each software product type from the Software Guide, which is accessible from the Information Center.
Technologies and tech levels
Each software product requires a set list of technologies. Computer OS, for example, requires all three of these:
- Computer OS Core
- Computer OS Display
- Computer OS Input
Required technology level
As the screenshot above shows, every prerequisite technology carries a required technology level. All of them must reach that level before the software product type is unlocked — one lagging technology is enough to hold the whole product back.
Tech importance weight
Each technology contributes differently to the software product’s overall tech level. The Computer OS Core technology, for instance, affects the product’s overall tech level more than Computer OS Input does.
The importance of each technology is shown by the weight bar. Hover your mouse over a weight bar to see a popup with the exact weight value.
Because the weights differ, two companies with the same average tech level can still make products of different quality. Research the heavily weighted technologies first.
The classes in the game
The screenshots below show each software product class and the types within it. The Operating System class is the one pictured further up: it holds a single type, Computer OS.
Office Software
Four types: Word Processor, Spreadsheet Software, Presentation Software and Database Software. The staples of business computing. Word processors and spreadsheets are the most widely bought of the four; database software is the dearest and the most specialized.
Audio Software
Two types: Music Composer and Sound Editor. A specialist class — fewer buyers than office software, but the products sell at a higher price.
Computer Security Software
Three types: Antivirus, Internet Security and Encryption Software. Antivirus is among the most widely bought software in the game, which makes this class a good high-volume market.
Graphic Design Software
The largest class, with five types: Photo Editor, Illustration Software, 3D Modeling Software, Animation Software and CAD Software. These are professional tools and the most expensive software in the game — the priciest class of the seven — bought by comparatively few customers.
Utility Software
Three types: File Compressor, Backup Software and Diagnostic Software. Low-priced tools. File Compressor is one of the most widely bought products in the whole software line-up; backup and diagnostic tools sell in smaller numbers.
Video Software
Two types: Video Player and Video Editor. The player is a cheap, mass-market product; the editor is a professional one at several times the price.
