Best Open-World Games That Focus On Making Money, Ranked

Summary

Video games provide an escape to live out fantasies of wealth and power, challenging real-life barriers to financial success.
Games like X4: Foundations offer opportunities for players to amass wealth through empire-building and strategic investments.
Grand Theft Auto 5 embodies real-world financial struggles and opportunities through strategic stock market investments and criminal activities.

As an avid gamer, I must admit that the world outside often seems like an uphill battle for those without wealth, luck, or a knack for making powerful connections in corporate or political spheres. But, fortunately, video games have become my escape, allowing me to indulge in dreams that might remain elusive in reality. From wielding superhuman strength and being part of something grand, to living the high life with a hefty bank account, these fantasies find their place within the digital realm.

In these open-world games, players are given vast territories brimming with possibilities for self-exploration, ranging from flexible towns to galaxies replicated at a 1:1 scale. These games are particularly intrigued by the sight of their players filling their pockets or cargo pockets with an abundance of trade items, such as interstellar credits and crisp paper money.

7. X4: Foundations

Star Sales, Cosmic Construction, And Interstellar Investments

In the expansive universe of X4: Foundations, I’ve managed to amass a substantial fortune without needing to pilot a single spaceship myself. Instead, I’ve invested my earnings into more hauling vessels and skilled pilots who ferry these ships across the cosmos, expanding my trading dominion into a lucrative money-making machine. Alternatively, I could use my wealth to build personal space stations and factories where scarce services and materials see high demand, further boosting my interstellar income.

Freelancing can certainly be an opportunity, and there’s always something valuable to discover – whether it’s in another ship or tucked away somewhere in unexplored territories, to keep the income steady. In the game X4, the entire universe operates on a simulated economy, which means the logistics gameplay is influenced by supply and demand. Mastering this balance is crucial for building a successful empire, and since the game has a rather complex user interface, those who enjoy working with spreadsheets and data should find it manageable.

6. Mafia 3

Rackets, Extortion, and Blood Money

In the game called Mafia 3, you assume the role of Lincoln Clay, a character dressed in sharp pinstripes, who is determined to bring down rival criminal organizations and build his own empire. To do this, players gain control over illegal businesses and assign them to underbosses, which provides continuous income and upgrades as long as they don’t forget to collect their cut of the profits.

In the game Mafia 3, the advancement system heavily revolves around economic development, underlining the significance of careful expansion. Unlike some other open-world games that offer more frivolous diversions, Mafia 3 is strictly focused on business matters. However, the concentration on generating income from illicit activities creates an engaging gameplay experience.

5. The Sims 3

Money-Making Strategies In Suburbia

In simpler terms, “The Sims 3,” which is the sole open-world simulation game, presents an unusual backdrop considering modern times. The world within the game appears to be a blend of the 2010s (the years it was released) and an idealized version of the 1950s, America’s most economically thriving era. Activities like working from home, holding a traditional job, gathering cosmic rocks, or even investing in local enterprises or real estate trading are primarily how players progress within the game by earning Simoleons.

In the game, just as in real life, Sims build substantial fortunes through two primary methods: inheriting wealth across generations and generating passive income from investments. This includes purchasing properties and stocks, which is similar to buying real estate and investing in businesses for many people today. Each Sim starts with a 15,000 Simoleon welfare check that can be used to buy a house â an aspiration that, for most contemporary individuals, represents a dream that remains financially unattainable in reality.

4. Grand Theft Auto 4

A Land Of Liberty, Opportunity, And Criminal Activity

The Grand Theft Auto series typically revolves around accumulating an ill-gotten fortune, much like a high score. However, Grand Theft Auto 4 shifts this mission’s perspective, following Niko Bellic, an immigrant with a violent history, who falls back into a life of violence after discovering that the American dream of fair payment for hard work is merely a tantalizing carrot dangled on a string.

Niko amasses substantial wealth by feeding into his illegal activities, eventually becoming deeply immersed in them. However, he embodies the common criminal, with each increase in his bank balance not stemming from insider trading or stock market manipulation, but rather from his work, albeit that work includes robberies, assassinations, kidnappings, and car theft.

3. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

From Street Thug Rags To Executive Afluence

In the spirit of sharing thoughts like all other characters in this intriguing series, I’d say there’s a lot more to the life of a Yakuza than simply accumulating wealth. But make no mistake, amassing wealth remains the primary objective in the captivating game, Yakuza: Like A Dragon. This incredible adventure follows our protagonist, Ichiban, as he transforms from poverty to prosperity throughout his unforgettable journey. Money doesn’t just rain down from fists and street brawls (though that’s certainly one method).

In Like a Dragon, there’s an engaging business management side activity where players assume control over different companies, starting with Ichiban Confections. Through shrewd acquisitions, effective staff management, and tactful shareholder discussions, players can ascend the corporate ranks, reap substantial profits, and boost their own and their company’s fortunes.

2. Elite Dangerous

Infinite Growth In An Infinite Void

In Elite Dangerous, players find themselves immersed in the immense, indifferent expanse of space. The most desirable alternative to the airless emptiness is earning credits. This game offers a precise replication of our Milky Way galaxy, granting players unlimited freedom to participate in mining, trading, smuggling, diplomacy, bounty hunting, or piracy, depending on their preference. To ensure continuous income, it’s crucial to select the optimal ship setup, capitalize on market trends, and plan strategically for the long term.

In this game, the economic system adjusts based on player actions, so every financial choice matters significantly. There is a challenging learning phase, and it might be helpful to have advanced equipment like a space-worthy joystick. If you can break free from the initial pull of being a novice, there’s a chance you could one day traverse the cosmos in opulent, extravagant spaceships that even today’s most power-hungry billionaires would envy.

1. Grand Theft Auto 5

Living The Moneymaking Dream

5, the latest installment of Grand Theft Auto, comes remarkably close to portraying a genuine representation of the United States, specifically California, within its open-world setting. This game features a satirical take on Southern California that boasts a fully operational economy, including an in-game stock market where players can make strategic investments and execute targeted killings for profit.

For Franklin, success is what truly matters, as he aspires to leave behind petty crimes and execute a heist that will secure his future. However, things rarely go as intended in the world of GTA, and before long, Franklin finds himself embroiled with the other main characters, Michael and Trevor. As chaos ensues, far beyond what Franklin can handle, making money becomes not just an aspiration but a crucial necessity for survival.

2025-04-20 01:39