Aviator: Airline Empire Flies Into Steam Early Access Later This Year, Demo

A new tycoon game is taking to the skies in Aviator: Airline Empire, a management sim that explores and plays with the history of commercial aviation. It will be taking part in Steam Next Fest.

Developer Mood for Games is taking things slow, however. With a planned early access launch before the year ends, it’s first collecting feedback based on the beta demo that’s live right now via the game’s Steam page. It dropped on September 10 after it was teased it’d arrive in October.

“Build new routes, expand your fleet and make the decisions that turn a small regional carrier into a global airline empire. As aviation advances through the decades, new aircraft, destinations, opportunities and challenges will reshape the world around you.”

In Aviator: Airline Empire, the goal is to connect the world while making some money, but it’s a tycoon journey that’s told over the decades. This means the small beginnings and far more “primitive” planes lead into the commercial aviation we know and use nowadays. It’s a bigger scope many management sims lack, and an approach that could make Aviator special.

“You are not building your empire alone… Rival airlines are expanding their own networks, competing for attractive routes, passengers and prestige. Decide when to compete directly, when to find another opportunity and how aggressively you want your airline to grow.”

Whether offline or playing with up to four other players, competition is at the centre of Aviator. Building the strongest network of routes and fleet of planes is hard, but things can become even trickier when there are several opponents battling for dominance of the skies and airports.

The developers were inspired by SNES-era strategy classics “such as Aerobiz Supersonic”, which explains the mix of classic strategy and simulation with a modern flourish. Its deep, but also easy to pick up and play. And as always, expect an evolution defined by the community as it flies through its early access journey.

Aviator: Airline Empire is coming to PC via Steam Early Access on November 12. Release plans for other platforms haven’t been announced as of this writing.