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Build or Invest in the Next Unicorn
Two Game Modes: Play as a VC Investor or as a Startup Founder • v4.9.6
📈 What is Unicorn?
Unicorn is a text-based startup simulation game with two distinct modes:
💼 VC Mode: Start as a venture capitalist with $500K-$1M fund and invest in 20 different startups over 5 years (60 turns). Diversify your portfolio, manage risk, and try to find the next unicorn! Will you become a Legendary Investor?
🚀 Founder Mode (NEW!): Build your own startup from the ground up! Choose from 10 templates (SaaS, DeepTech, GovTech), hire your team, raise funding rounds, manage churn, and navigate strategic decisions over 60 months (5 years). Can you reach an IPO or get acquired?
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🚀 Install with Homebrew
The fastest way to get started on macOS or Linux:
brew install james-see/tap/unicorn
Then just run unicorn to start playing!
Or Download a Binary
Or build from source: go get github.com/jamesacampbell/unicorn
🏆 Global Leaderboards
Compete with players worldwide! Top scores updated in real-time.
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💎 Player Progression System
🌟 50 Levels
Progress from "Novice Investor" to "Titan of Industry" with exponential XP requirements
📊 Experience Points
Earn XP after every game: +100 base, +50 for ROI, +200 per exit, difficulty bonuses, achievement XP
🔓 Level Unlocks
Unlock Hard (L5), Expert (L10), Nightmare Mode (L15), and special features as you progress
🎉 Visual Celebrations
Level-up screens with XP breakdowns, progress bars, and unlock previews after every game
📈 Achievement Chains
Connected achievements with prerequisites, progressive tracking, and hidden challenges
📊 Analytics Dashboard
Trend analysis, difficulty breakdowns, AI insights, and global performance comparisons
✨ VC Mode Features
💰 Portfolio Management
Invest in 30 startups across 12+ sectors: FinTech, BioTech, CleanTech, Gaming, and more
🏆 Difficulty Levels
Choose from Easy, Medium, Hard, or Expert mode. Unlock higher difficulties by leveling up
📊 Global Leaderboards
Compete worldwide! Track top 10 scores by net worth or ROI with difficulty filters
🎯 45+ Achievements
Unlock achievements across 6 categories from Common to Legendary rarity. Progress tracking!
🎮 Upgrades & Perks
Spend achievement points on permanent upgrades: better terms, more intel, special abilities
🎲 60+ Random Events
Dynamic market cycles, economic events, IPOs, acquisitions, and more over 60 turns
🚀 Founder Mode Features
👥 Team Building
Hire engineers, sales, CS, marketing, and C-suite. Manage equity, vesting, cliffs, and performance
💵 Fundraising
Raise Seed, Series A, B, C rounds. Review term sheets, manage dilution, and track your cap table
📊 SaaS Metrics Dashboard
Real-time LTV:CAC, CAC Payback, Rule of 40, Burn Multiple, Magic Number with color-coded health
🗺️ Product Roadmap
Build 18 features (10 core + 8 advanced). Allocate engineers, track progress, and reallocate resources
👔 Board & Advisors
Hire advisors (sales, product, fundraising, ops, strategy), set chairman with 2x impact, manage board equity
🎯 Customer Segmentation
Select ICP focus (SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise, Strategic) for targeted growth with deal size and CAC benefits
💲 Pricing Strategy
Switch between 5 pricing models: freemium, trial, annual upfront, usage-based, and tiered pricing
🤝 Strategic Decisions
Launch partnerships, affiliate programs, expand to global markets, competitive intel, and pivot strategies
🏛️ Acquisition Offers
Receive acquisition offers with cap table payout breakdowns. Board may force exit if you lose majority control
🎯 Exit Options
Go public via IPO, get acquired by strategic buyers, or take a secondary sale
📈 Customer Tracking
Individual customer records, deal sizes, contract terms, churn tracking, and health scores
🔧 Technical Debt
Manage tech debt accumulation, schedule refactors, and balance velocity vs quality
🌐 Platform Strategy
Launch marketplace, social, data, or infrastructure platforms with network effects once at scale
🏆 Results Ceremony
End-game ceremony with XP awards, level-ups, achievements, and global leaderboard submission
🏢 10 Startup Templates
Choose from SaaS, DeepTech, GovTech templates with 4 difficulty levels (Easy to Expert)
🎯 How to Play
Choose your path: VC Investor or Startup Founder!
💼 VC Mode
1. Choose your difficulty level (Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert)
2. Review 20 startup options with risk and growth indicators
3. Make strategic investments across different sectors
4. Watch your portfolio grow (or shrink!) over 60 turns (5 years)
5. Unlock achievements and climb the global leaderboards
6. Aim for 1000%+ ROI to earn the "Unicorn Hunter" title!
🚀 Founder Mode
1. Choose your startup template (SaaS, DeepTech, GovTech) and difficulty level
2. Build your founding team and manage equity allocation
3. Acquire customers through marketing, partnerships, affiliates, and sales
4. Build your product roadmap — 10 core features + 8 advanced features to develop
5. Hire advisors, set a chairman, and manage board dynamics
6. Raise funding rounds, manage dilution, and watch your cap table
7. Track SaaS metrics: MRR, churn, LTV:CAC, Rule of 40, burn multiple
8. Navigate competitors, acquisition offers, and strategic opportunities
9. Press N to advance months quickly, or dive into the action menu
10. Exit via IPO, acquisition, or secondary sale — earn XP and unlock achievements!