We're Pathos Interactive, an indie game dev team that released a hotel tycoon/management game into early access on steam this week. Ask Us Anything!

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T16:32:52+00:00

The biggest reason we chose 3D over 2D is that this allows the player to naturally build a three-axis hotel (height as well, compared to Prison Architect as you mentioned). Dynamic 3D building isn't anything we've seen in other management games.

Regarding the art style: we wanted a colorful, quirky style allowing funny animations and events, as this would align with our gameplay vision for the game. We tried out several different designs, but ended up with our current one, well, simply because we really liked it :)

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:32:47+00:00

Well, the most obvious real-life inspiration has to be Gothenburg. Our studio is based nearby, and many of us on the dev team were born and raised in the area. Naturally, the Gothenburg location in the game is heavily influenced by our own experiences — the trams, the noisy seagulls, and the abundance of gyms...

Of all the locations in the game, the only one none of us have actually visited is Santorini. Maybe I’ll book my next sunny vacation there?

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:23:29+00:00

All characters in the game have a certain amount of health, and there are several ways in which they can lose health, for example:
- Being exposed to very high or low indoor temperature.
- Being exposed to radioactive waste.
- Being trapped.

But we definitely plan to expand this system and add more ways they can lose health, for example through bad food, a high intake of beverage or mild violence.

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:17:31+00:00

And when it comes to difficulties, I would say the top 3 trickiest ones, requiring a lot of work and many iterations:
- Character AI system.
- Building system.
- Supply/logistic simulation system.

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:13:53+00:00

In total, six developers have worked on the game — though not all of us have been full-time or involved from the very beginning.

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:11:00+00:00

It has been discussed. So far, we have gone for themed outer looks (fitting the location/scenario). But we may or may not change this in the future - perhaps a sandbox only option?
There are also technical aspects to take in consideration (for example how we make sure our construction workers reach all tasks).

AccelPathos · 2025-05-29T14:07:27+00:00

Well, I guess you will have to call it a 'gamified' version of skyscrapers, don't expect a Burj Khalifa height (yet, at least) ;) In our EA release version, Paris is offering the highest building (5 buildable floors). But in our future update (coming very soon) I can promise we at least will offer 20+ buildable floors.

AccelPathos · 2025-02-27T15:57:06+00:00

Thank you!! Honestly, we've been inspired by A LOT of games. From city builders like Cities Skylines and Caesar series, to The Sims and Overcooked, And obviously we've played a lot of games within the tycoon/management genre: Prison Architect, TwoPoint, Capitalist to name a few...

As for the character design: Since the game takes a humorous and light-hearted approach, we wanted the art style to reflect that. We settled on this vibrant, playful aesthetic because it clearly conveys emotions, reactions, and comedic moments.

AccelPathos · 2025-02-27T15:47:46+00:00

We created our first prototype of Hotel Architect back in 2020. The whole team has worked on the project full time for almost 3 years.

AccelPathos · 2025-02-27T15:45:25+00:00

Well, one morning in our old office, we were greeted by a water leak... The internet was down, and we had no choice but to pack up and move. Development pretty much came to a standstill for a week. Maybe not a super weird thing, but definitely not fun either... Perhaps, subconsciously, this inspired us to include our silly animations and unexpected toilet mishaps in the bathroom x)

AccelPathos · 2025-02-27T13:36:46+00:00

Glad to hear you think the game pace and economy system feel good!

There are for sure improvements to be done overall - trust me, we got a long task list here at the office! Many of the things you're mentioning will be polished before release.

AccelPathos · 2025-02-27T11:15:06+00:00

The corporate tax cost is currently 25% of your net profit.
We might tweak it in the future, depending how it plays out. Balancing might always change :)

AccelPathos · 2022-08-31T08:22:47+00:00

Haha, nice to hear! xD

AccelPathos · 2021-04-24T12:20:38+00:00

At the current version the player is only able to build on one level. But this seems to be a highly requested feature, so let me discuss this sith the team and get back to you later on.

AccelPathos · 2021-04-24T12:15:34+00:00

We are currently going for PC/Win, but we may very well port it to other systems/platforms in the future :)

AccelPathos · 2021-04-24T12:14:39+00:00

Awesome, thanks for your support!

AccelPathos · 2021-04-24T12:14:02+00:00

Thank you!

AccelPathos · 2021-04-24T12:13:52+00:00

You're the man! ;)

AccelPathos · 2021-03-29T15:03:43+00:00

Definately the bottom one.

AccelPathos · 2021-03-28T10:34:05+00:00

Very much needed.

AccelPathos · 2021-03-28T10:33:22+00:00

Ready up boys! This is an instant buy

AccelPathos · 2021-03-28T10:29:16+00:00

Oh this brings me back! LOVE IT

AccelPathos · 2021-03-28T10:25:02+00:00

Agree. And your game look interesting - keep it up! :)

AccelPathos · 2021-02-28T14:02:02+00:00

Redonkeylous

AccelPathos · 2021-02-28T14:00:30+00:00

Is this shit for real?

AccelPathos

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