There's something about setting up your own company and running it successfully that appeals to gamers. That's why games like Theme Park and Theme Hospital have been so enduring. German coders Software 2000, through Koch Media, reckon they've cooked up something with a difference for the genre.
Andy Smith

Cooked up?
Bella pasta! Youa catcha ona quick, eh?

Jesus wept...
Sorry. It's a pizza game, see. It's set in Italy to start with and you've got to develop and run your own pizza parlour chain.

I just ring out for one these days.
As do a lot of people, but this is no Domino's simulation. This is more your Pizza Hut or Pizza Express-type sim.

So what do I have to do?
Alrighty. With initially limited funds, you've got to pick a decent locale to open your first shop. This is no simple decision as you've got to look at the surrounding area - is it populated, for a start, and is it populated by the right kind of people? You're after big spenders who'll eat regularly, so poor, run-down neighbourhoods may not be the best place for a swish eatery. But then again, poor run-down neighbourhoods will appreciate somewhere cheap 'n' cheerful to nosh their basic Quatro Formaggios.

I suppose there are rival pizza companies to consider too?
Certainly are. Again, you don't want to be too close to a rival to start with. Once the location's decided upon you've got to hire your staff. Chefs, waiters, managers and even door security all have to be recruited. The quality of the staff on offer doesn't half vary too, so if there are only rubbish chefs around you'll have to train 'em up.