Evaluation of Multiplayer Mode Experience in Mikesbikes Business Simulation Game

This report evaluates the multiplayer mode experience in Mikesbikes business simulation game. It covers the author's experience in different rollovers, key points learned, and gameplay summary. The report highlights the importance of maintaining a balance in production capacity, efficiency level, brand awareness, and distribution plan for success in the game.

Title of the assignment
Student Name
Student ID

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................2
Evaluation of Multiplayer Mode Experience.............................................................................3
1st Rollover..............................................................................................................................3
2nd Rollover.............................................................................................................................3
3rd Rollover.............................................................................................................................4
4th Rollover.............................................................................................................................5
5th Rollover.............................................................................................................................6
6th Rollover.............................................................................................................................7
7th Rollover.............................................................................................................................8
8th Rollover.............................................................................................................................9
Gameplay Summary.................................................................................................................11
Key Points.................................................................................................................................13
Conclusion................................................................................................................................14

Introduction
In order to learn and understand about real business world experience, business simulation
games are a great way to learn for students. It assists the students in analysing the
appropriate theories relating to the real business world. The students also conduct
accounting calculations while playing these games. Mikesbikes is a good example; it is real
world business simulation game which lets it users understand different business theories
and perform accounting calculations. There are different features in this game such as
different segments, allocation of advertisement, control of equity, different business
segments and many others. There are two options available in the Mikesbikes game which
includes single player and multiplayer mode. The multiplayer mode assists the students in
learning about business strategies and understanding the real world business environment.
Smartsims develop the game, and it is a great tool for students to learn about the business
strategies.

Evaluation of Multiplayer Mode Experience
1st Rollover
Our first objective in the game was to select and a name and we decided to name it ‘Bikes’.
While playing the game, I collected information about the market and the necessary
knowledge which would assist me while making business decisions. In the game, we decided
to select a moderate pricing strategy for the products and advertisement of the product in a
magazine. We also decided to manufacture the products in large quantities in order to avoid
the loss of sale. After taking these decisions, our next step was to raise the price of our
product up to $700 while changing the budget of advertisement and PR strategy. The result
for the year was not good because it resulted in reducing the shareholder value by $11.
2nd Rollover
After taking business decision in the first rollover, I started to understand the basic idea
regarding the simulation in the second rollover. As compared to the first year, I was making
better decisions in the game in the past few years. In the second year, I learnt about the
importance of advertisement and PR strategy after evaluating the case with my respected
tutor. During the same year, I reduced the price of the project from $710 to $705 in order to
make branding and distribution strategy consistent. After evaluation of the market reports, I

started focusing on the high awareness and production in order to expand the production of
the business to meet the forecast sales. After the market research, it raised the awareness
budget from 250,000 to 700,000. Another decision was taken to support the distributor
channels by focusing on 60 sports stores which were providing a margin of 25 on the sales
of the product. Following result was given in the game in the rollover.
The result of the simulation was promising which made me realise that the increase in
investment in the advertisement and PR strategy is positively benefiting the business.
During the same year, the prices of shares raised and no sales were lost. I failed to reach the
number of distributors which I desired. However, effective controlling of the capacity level
benefited the company by reducing the storage expenses.
3rd Rollover
In 2021, my decisions were complying with the instructions of the game, and I decided to
increase the price of the product. I also decided to increase the investment in the

advertisement and PR strategy. The branding budget of the business was proper, and I did
not plan to change the same. I realised that there is a reduction in forecasts of the quality
level of the product. Therefore, in order to address the issue, I increased the quality level by
80%, and I also increased the production to ensure that sales and market share are
continued to grow as per the previous reports. I also decided to provide more support to
sports stores by giving them discount options. Following was the result for the year for the
simulation.
4th Rollover
In the multiplayer mode, a new product was launched in the fourth year. Following are the
clear instructions which were given while developing the strategies and making the business
decision.
1. The cost for the new product was $1 million
2. The expenses occurred in the improvement of the specification was $1 million
3. In order to reduce the expenses, approximately $1 million required

4. For reduction in expenses while at the same time improvement in specifications,
approximately $2 million required
After conducting market research, I decided to launch “youth bike” product in the market by
considering the income level. I also increased the support to the discount shops during the
launch. An advertisement and PR strategy were developed for the product as well in which
the television was the primary channels. The results after these decisions were exceptional.
For the year of 2022, the value of shareholders increased, and its main credit goes to the
effective distribution strategy. As it was an under the project, the sales were lost on the
youth bikes, and I decided to maintain adequate production level for the next rollover.
5th Rollover
In the fifth rollover, I decided to buy back the shares of the company and distribution
dividend to the shareholders. I also decided to launch a bike for $2,100 with a production
capacity of 50,000. The decision for the projection capacity of this new bike aligns with
other products both of which were at 25,000 production capacity. During the same year, the
prices for mountain and youth bikes were increased. The decision for buyback of shares was

given along with issuing of a dividend of $0. After these decisions, the value of shareholder
increased substantially.
The result for this year was way better than compared to the result of previous years;
however, financial filed required more focus. It was seen in previous two years that
shareholders value was increasing continuously, but, the competitive target was still out of
reach. Even after becoming the market leader, I was lagging in terms of shareholder value.
6th Rollover
In this year, we made a decision for increasing the production capacity along with increasing
the investment in quality improvement and brand awareness. Since we bought most of the
equity in the previous year, we paid a high dividend rate to shareholders, and it also
increased their value. I also decided to improve the quality of the products for which I had
to spend approximately $4 million. After improving the quality of the products, the princes
of the bikes were increased, and the road bike becomes our most expensive product. Since
we spend a significant amount of money in the PR, we found out from the marker reports
that the road bike is titled as the king of quality and value in the market. During the same
year, we could have taken a decision to launch a new product as a slot was empty, however,

we figured that we already have products in each segment and our new product would be
competing with our older products. The result of the year shows that the decisions were
effective.
7th Rollover
During the seventh rollover, the results were average as compared to the rollover of the
sixth year. In this year, we stopped investing money in improving our products quality and
launching new products. After a critical evaluation of the financial reports, we decided that
we will continue our operations for the same budget for the advertisement and PR and keep
selling the same products. The buyback of shares was complete, and we bought 80,000
shares. It resulted in increasing the value of our shareholders, and we distributed the
dividend at a high rate. Following were the result of the seventh year rollover.

8th Rollover
In this year, we applied the same strategy which we used for the previous year, and we did
not invest in improving the quality of the products. During the same year, we decided to
reduce our sales prices in order to ensure that our sales remain the same. The rate of
dividend distributed this year was the highest that we could, and it also increases our
shareholder value. Although in the seventh year, we did not make any changes in our
strategy, however, in this year, we reduced our retail prices in order to keep our products’
sale stable. The production capacity was decreased as well in order to maintain the
efficiency of our products, and our quality index was around 90% to 95%. In this year, our
sales were better than compared to the last year.

Gameplay Summary

Key Points
While playing in the simulation I learned a number of things and following are certain points
which I though beneficial for a person who is playing in the multiplayer mode.
 A balance should be maintained in production capacity to maintain low idle time and
supply adequate quantity of products.
 Efficiency level is the key to success, and it assists in reducing the cost of production.
Thus, it should be maintained as per the suggestions.
 You should focus on increasing your brand awareness by investing in the
advertisement and PR strategy which would assist in meeting your target, thus,
understanding of the best media channel is necessary for achieving the best
outcomes.
 Based on the analysis of the previous year market research reports, a distribution
plan should be created, and it should be enough to cover the target market.
 We only increased our prices after capturing fifty percent of the market because due
to our advertisement and PR strategy people become aware of our brand. Thus, a
powerful branding and advertisement strategy is a must to become successful in the
market.

Conclusion
During my time with the simulation, I enjoyed the gameplay very must, and I also learned a
number of things while playing in the multiplayer mode. While playing the game, I had many
realistic experiences which encouraged me to think critically in order to find solutions to
problems which I was facing. I also assisted me in taking business decisions by considering
the interest of the customers and the shareholders. I think that real world simulation games
are a great way of learning and Mikesbikes is a good example. The game also taught me to
recognise my mistakes and learn from them in order to take better business decisions.