Software Types

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Features and Dependencies

Each software can have three different types of features.

1. A time-locked feature, that is a feature that unlocks when a certain year arrives. E.g., the OS feature 8-bit audio isn't unlocked at the start of the game. Can also include base features which are available from the beginning and have no prerequisite.
2. A dependency-locked feature, which means a feature that depends on a certain feature from different software. For example, the feature 3D rendering in a game requires the 3D rendering feature in the selected Game Engine
3. A dependency-tree feature. Some features replace other features in software. For instance, the feature 8-bit audio from the OS is an evolution of the PC Speaker feature, and thus you can only select either PC speaker or 8-bit audio, and not both. This forms a dependency tree which allows certain features to evolve.

Additionally, there is a feature called QA that every software type has access to. This QA feature will improve stability and usability at the cost of development time and innovation.

Software Types

There are seven types of software which can be developed:

Operating System

The OS is the largest piece of software in Software Inc. Most software needs an Operating System to run on. When people stop buying a line of Operating Systems, they will also stop buying software for them.

Video Tool

This is for creating visual art, whether it be 3D animations or pixel art.

Audio Tool

An audio tool is needed for recording and mixing sound effects and music.

Game Engine

The game engine is what powers a game. It contains everything needed for a game, except for the creativity. All features are based solely on the OS.

Game

Interactive art. The game requires a Game Engine, Visual Tool, and Audio Tool.

Web-based Game

They are not bound to any operating system but suffer the consequences of not being able to fully utilize the underlying system. Essentially a watered-down game that doesn't need an OS.

Antivirus

Protecting computers from digital troublemakers since it became profitable to do so.

Software-Type	Features	Description
Operating System	Terminal	The terminal is the classic text-based interface between the Operating System and the user.
Operating System	GUI	The Graphical User Interface allows users to actually visualize what they are doing. No longer will they be bound to inputting one line at a time.
Operating System	3D rendering
Operating System	Input system	Allow the user to interact with the operating system.
Operating System	Plug 'n' Play	Allow the user to interact with the operating system in any number of ways.
Operating System	Touch	You can never have enough greasy fingerprints on a surface.
Operating System	Multithreading	Multithreading allows the Operating System to run multiple threads at the same time by continually switching between them intelligently, speeding up applications and confusing developers to no end.
Operating System	Multitasking	Let your users pretend they can multitask by having several applications open at any one time.
Operating System	Networking	How will anonymous people troll each other all over the world without this handy feature?
Operating System	Auto-update	Keep bugs and malware out, while annoying users with broken drivers and sudden restarts.
Operating System	64-bit	Doubles the size of bits per register, allowing for bigger numbers, more memory, larger files, the answer to life, etc.
Operating System	PC speaker	For all your beeping needs.
Operating System	8-bit audio
Operating System	HD audio	Like 8-bit audio, but with more bits.
2D Editor	Image rendering	Actually display an image on the screen.
2D Editor	Pixel manipulation
2D Editor	Advanced brushes
2D Editor	Image effects	Needs more swirl.
2D Editor	Cinematic filter	Instant professionalism.
2D Editor	Image Compression
2D Editor	Video editing
2D Editor	Video codec
2D Editor	Stock library
3D Editor	Vertex editing	Move points in space around on the screen.
3D Editor	Rendering	Process the points into a picture.
3D Editor	Animation	Make the points move themselves.
3D Editor	Sculpting	Pretend the points are clay.
3D Editor	Voxel sculpting	Everything is a point.
3D Editor	Physics	Make the points interact.
3D Editor	Realistic hair	Make lines between the points.
3D Editor	Particles	Spray points all over the place.
3D Editor	Liquid simulation	Spill points all over the place.
3D Editor	PBR	Physically Based Rendering simulates photons reacting with the points.
3D Editor	Distributed rendering	Process the points into a picture on many computers at once.
Audio Tool	Audio playback
Audio Tool	Recording
Audio Tool	Music editor
Audio Tool	Virtual instruments	Guitar? MIDI Keyboard. Violin? MIDI Keyboard. Drums? MIDI Keyboard. Saxophone? Yes.
Audio Tool	Sound library
Audio Tool	Instrument library
Audio Tool	Autotune	This is a thing.
Audio Tool	Audio compression
Game Engine	2D rendering	Requires GUI
Game Engine	Text-based	Default feature
Game Engine	3D rendering	Requires 3D rendering OS feature, and allows 3D rendered games
Game Engine	PC speaker	Requires PC speaker OS feature
Game Engine	8-bit audio	Requires 8-bit audio from OS
Game Engine	HD audio	Requires HD audio OS feature
Game Engine	Networking	Requires Networking OS feature
Game Engine	Scripting	Adds quality, large development time requirement
Game Engine	Joystick support	Requires Plug 'n' Play from OS
Game	Text-based	From text-based game engine feature
Game	2D graphics	Requires artists, 2D rendering feature from GM and image editing from visual tool
Game	3D graphics	Requires artists, 3D rendering feature from GM and image editing from visual tool
Game	Music	Requires PC speaker from OS
Game	Dialog	unknown
Game	Open world	Adds quality
Game	AI	Adds quality / unknown
Game	Multiplayer	Requires Networking
Game	MMO	Requires Networking
Game	Joystick support	From GM feature
Antivirus	File scan	Adds quality
Antivirus	Background scan	Adds quality / unknown
Antivirus	Firewall	Requires Networking
Antivirus	Mail scan	Requires Networking
Antivirus	Virus database	Requires Networking