Weedcraft Inc explores the industry of producing, breeding and selling weed in America in a deeply detailed tycoon-style game where players choose how they want to approach and build their business. Players can run smaller, mom-and-pop style businesses, but as in real life, the big opportunities often involve going the corporate route and expanding your weed empire nationally. Or, as nationally as you can manage, considering that pot remains illegal in 40 states…

In Weedcraft Inc’s first scenario, players must build and manage all aspects of their brand: strains, staff, R&D, sales, shipping, customer service, marketing, politics and both state and federal governance. With state marijuana laws in constant flux, learning to navigate the ever-shifting laws is key to your success.

Weedcraft Inc’s scenarios test both the green thumb and business sense of cannabis entrepreneurs as they decide which strains of weed to cultivate, how tweak their growing environment and soil nutrients for optimal strain quality, and when to cater to the expansive needs of the booming market’s many demographics. Business owners are free to test the law’s rigidity as they grow, playing either or both sides of the legality fence, and also strategically choosing whether to play as a scrupulous or shady business person.

Weedcraft Inc’s scenarios are largely informed by Lead Writer Scott Alexander (Shadow Warrior 2, Superhot, Serious Sam 3: BFE), who has extensively researched the fascinatingly fluid landscape of U.S. legalization and prohibition politics and culture. Scott’s stories fold examples of the often ludicrous loopholes unique to specific regions, as well as the grim realities of prejudice, into the game’s narrative to help players better understand the true-to-life ramifications the legalization debate places onto people’s lives.

Players can forge relationships with politicians, lobbyists and Instagram influencers to help influence laws that will help their business interests, as well as dig up dirt to crush their competition — all is fair in love, war, and weed empires. Careful, though. If you venture too far into grey legal territory you could end up on the wrong side of the law and see your empire crash down around you.

Just like the challenges facing today’s real-world weedtrepreneurs, Weedcraft Inc presents a complex set of systems for players to master in a format that is easy to play and doesn’t shy away from pointing out cultural, business and government hypocrisy when it comes to who wins and loses when it comes to the devil’s weed.

Weedcraft Inc will be available for $19.99 on April 11, dealt exclusively on Steam.