This Grand Life

This Grand Life is a personal finance simulator in which you create a character, manage their money and work toward life goals. Your starting circumstances can range from having a silver spoon to struggling to find work as a convicted felon. You cannot change your past, but your choices shape what comes next.

Life in weekly turns

Life is divided into weeks. Each week, you decide how to spend your time as economic conditions and special events create competing opportunities: you might go to work or enter a hot dog-eating competition at the park, or look for a better job instead of staying in your current one until conditions improve. You balance short-term needs such as hunger, fun, hygiene and health against longer-term goals including happiness, wealth and education.

Work and education

You can study for degrees, diplomas and PhDs, which are required for some higher-level occupations, or attend trade school or university. Career paths include Banking and Chef, while lower-level jobs include Janitor and Salesperson. Progressive taxation means that higher earnings place you in a higher tax bracket.

Money and property

Inflation, interest rates and economic growth affect investments and competition for jobs. You can borrow to pursue your goals or invest toward a future without work; loans have minimum repayments and interest rates calculated realistically. You can also buy and sell shares, keeping an eye on poor corporate management, or buy properties at auction to live in or rent to tenants.

Needs and possessions

Fridges, TVs and computers help meet short-term needs. You can sign up for services such as grocery delivery and cable TV, and collect stamps, coins and other rare items toward long-term goals. Traits and privilege shape your starting circumstances, from advantages such as rich parents to disadvantages such as alcoholism.

Events and businesses

Special events include home robberies, hot dog-eating competitions and Steam sales. You can also run a freelance or contractor business by hiring employees, advertising your brand, completing jobs and building your reputation.

Maps and modding

The stylised city maps are based on real major cities using satellite imagery from the European Space Agency. The game is designed to support mods, allowing you to create careers, courses, locations, possessions and other content. An interactive tutorial has your mother tell you to get a job.