World domination through cola: That's the focus of The Corporate Machine, a real-time strategy game from Stardock Entertainment that expands upon themes first presented in the company's cult hit from 1997, Entrepreneur. Like the earlier effort, the sequel turns economic competition into a form of warfare that looks and plays a lot like Risk. Imagine swapping traveling sales reps for infantry units and marketing campaigns for cannons, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what lies in store for you in The Corporate Machine.

The Corporate Machine is filled with black humor...

Another noteworthy aspect that The Corporate Machine shares with the classic board game is in how addictive it is. Anyone who fondly remembers spending untold summer evenings battling the other kids on the block for control of Kamchatka will be right at home here. Playing The Corporate Machine is a spectacularly compelling experience that can practically take over your life. Easy-to-learn basic elements draw you in, and cunning computer opponents and constantly shifting economic terrain keep you returning for more. Mastery always seems just out of your grasp, so you continually learn from your mistakes and adopt new tactics in an eternal attempt to "get it right." Of course, in a game such as this, the beauty of the design is that there is no such thing as getting it exactly right--meaning that you will be playing for a very long time.

The beginnings are rather humble. You start your climb up the corporate ladder by choosing a name for your fledgling enterprise, a product to represent, and a business specialty (laboring skill, marketing, or engineering). From a small head office located in a randomly chosen territory, you're expected to build a global empire and amass enough sales to become the undisputed market leader in your field of expertise. Opposing you are up to seven computer-controlled businesses aiming for the same goals as you are, so don't expect the road to victory to be an easy one. Sales executives serve as shock troops that can be sent across continents to pitch wares to new regions. All of the elements that go into real-world corporate marketing can be found here. This includes the hiring and firing of employees, opening sales offices to boost the company's image in disparate areas, building training centers and recreational facilities to increase worker productivity, researching new and improved products, and even developing marketing campaigns to boost your wares or to undermine a rival's efforts.

...and it's also a lot of fun to play.

Cola, cars, aircraft, and computers make up the merchandise available. There are few differences to the way in which each is designed, marketed, and sold, however. Basic selling principles remain the same whether you're shilling for the latest in gas-guzzling SUVs or a hip soda laced with caffeine. Furthermore, the names of computer opponents remain identical no matter what they're trafficking in. So don't be too surprised to witness IDM take over the cola market or Mitrosoft dominate the automotive industry. Still, what you choose to sell does dramatically affect the character of each individual game. Researching and building a safer car might not be that different in the nuts and bolts of gameplay from developing more hygienic ways to produce a soft drink, but it does have a significant affect on how you approach everything. There are also some unique frills--such as the ability to design cool new bottles for your cola--that add character to each commodity.

Further distinction is added by a dark sense of humor that livens up the proceedings at every turn. Frequent random events are spiced with goofy stories that lend personality to what could have been a very dry experience. These wacky elements, which include such outlandish occurrences as rumors of mutant monkeys being hired as replacement workers causing mass strikes, are balanced by more realistic news items such as government grants and consumer protests so that The Corporate Machine never gets too silly or too serious.