Turmoil

Turmoil is a single-player business simulation and resource management game. Set during the oil rush of the 19th century, players take on the role of a budding entrepreneur who arrives in a frontier town to seek fortune by leasing land, drilling for oil, and selling their findings for profit. The goal is to steadily expand wealth, outcompete rivals, and ultimately secure the mayor’s office of the town by becoming its most successful oil baron.

The main gameplay loop focuses on leasing land at auctions, then setting up oil drilling operations on plots. Players use dowsers, moles, or scanners to locate underground deposits, place rigs, and build pipelines to extract oil. Once tapped, oil can be stored in silos or sold directly to Left Inc. or Right Inc., two competing buyers whose prices fluctuate constantly. Choosing when and where to sell becomes critical, as mismanaging timing can lead to lost profits or wasted resources.

Progression is tied to efficiency and financial planning. Each level runs on a timer representing a drilling season, with profits earned during that time contributing to upgrades and future bids at the land auction. Players can reinvest in improvements such as faster drills, larger wagons, or better scanning equipment, gradually scaling up the complexity of their operations. Poor planning, such as pipeline leaks or overproduction without storage, leads to fines or wasted oil.

The town offers upgrades through the workshop, bank, factory, and saloon, allowing players to negotiate with competitors, purchase stock, or bribe officials. Competitors serve as ongoing rivals who lease their own lands, with their performance influencing stock values and long-term competition for the mayor’s seat.

Expansions and later versions, such as Turmoil: The Heat Is On, introduced new resources like natural gas and magma, which add further complexity to extraction and market manipulation. Gas can be used to raise oil prices temporarily or boost drilling efficiency, adding more strategic layers to selling and production.