New Automation Game on Steam Feels Like Satisfactory Built an Oil Empire Inside Red Dead Redemption 2

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While Satisfactory and Red Dead Redemption offer very different experiences, a new game on Steam called Black Gold surprisingly combines the best aspects of both. Like all good automation games, Black Gold is most enjoyable when you move beyond doing everything by hand and start building automated systems. At the same time, it captures the immersive, detailed world-building that makes Red Dead Redemption 2 so captivating.

The new Steam game, Black Gold: Oil Drilling Simulator, is a first-person management game focused on building a successful oil empire and making money. Players start from scratch and are responsible for every aspect of their business, from choosing the right location and developing land, to managing oil wells and expanding operations. The game is set in a historical world inspired by the early oil booms in California and Texas around the turn of the 20th century, putting players in charge of their own fortune.

I’ve been really impressed with how much the setting in Black Gold feels authentic, kind of like Red Dead 2 – it clearly draws inspiration from real history. The game also has this building and automation aspect that reminds me of Satisfactory, so if you’re into either of those games, Black Gold is definitely one to watch!

Black Gold Features at a Glance

Join the early 20th-century oil boom!

  • BUILD your own oil field
  • EXTRACT crude oil
  • MINE ore
  • COMPLETE contracts
  • TAKE loans
  • HIRE works
  • FIGHT for your place in a capitalistic society
  • EARN your fortune

Black Gold’s Satisfactory-like Gameplay Loop Explained

In Black Gold, players build and operate oil wells, but first they need to prepare the land. The initial gameplay is similar to Satisfactory: you’ll start by clearing trees and processing wood to build derricks and establish your oil field. From there, you’ll create production lines and expand your base. As you increase production, you’ll discover a growing need for various resources and infrastructure.

Initially, you’ll be handling all the work yourself in Black Gold – there’s no cooperative multiplayer like in Satisfactory. Later on, you’ll be able to hire NPC workers to help run things and keep the machines going. Everything – pumps, gears, valves – will eventually wear out and need replacing, so you’ll need to maintain your equipment to prevent it from falling into disrepair. As you earn money by completing contracts, you can expand and improve your base with new features that make all parts of the game easier and more efficient.

Manage Working Conditions

Unlike games like Satisfactory and Red Dead 2, Black Gold lets you directly impact how well your workers are treated. You can invest in improving their conditions to boost efficiency, or choose to let things slide and create a tougher work environment – it’s up to you!

Strike It Rich!

While the saying goes that money is the root of all evil, having a lot of it is appealing in many video games. In these games, players gather resources like crude oil, use the profits to improve their finances, and then reinvest that money into better technology and machines. This cycle of building and upgrading is common in automation and factory-building games, but this particular game offers a unique atmosphere and feel.

Black Gold’s Vibe Contributes to Gameplay

It’s often difficult to describe a game’s overall feeling, but Black Gold makes it easy. Imagine the satisfying gameplay of Satisfactory combined with the historical setting of Red Dead Redemption 2. Instead of futuristic technology, Black Gold focuses on the realities of oil drilling and the challenges of that era. Just like Red Dead 2 immerses you in its world, Black Gold appears to do the same, even down to the details of its interface. With its proven gameplay and strong setting, Black Gold seems to have everything you could ask for in an automation game.

CreativeForge Games is planning to release Black Gold on Steam in early 2026. It’s a game to watch, and an official release date will be announced soon.

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2026-01-30 17:04