Interactive business simulation · 2025–Present
Stream Tycoon: Streaming Service Simulator
A browser-based simulation that turns streaming-service strategy and relational data into playable decisions.
- 8
- related database tables
- 9
- production budget categories
- 100%
- browser-based runtime
- Role
- Designer and developer
- Tools
- JavaScript · SQL.js · SQLite · WebAssembly
The challenge
What needed to change
I wanted to demonstrate relational database design through something more memorable than a static schema. The challenge was to make SQL relationships, operational tradeoffs, and performance metrics understandable through play.
My contribution
Responsibilities
- Designed the streaming-service concept, progression model, and decision loops.
- Structured an eight-table SQLite schema for content, licenses, genres, achievements, unlocks, KPIs, campaigns, and game state.
- Connected licensing, production, marketing, subscriber, churn, and revenue systems.
- Used Claude Code by Anthropic as a coding assistant while directing the product concept, rules, testing, and iteration.
The system
Approach and decisions
- Used SQL.js so a complete SQLite database could run inside an ordinary browser.
- Made business decisions change daily KPI records rather than displaying disconnected demo data.
- Created genre-specific production weights across nine budget categories.
- Stored progress locally so visitors can leave and continue without an account or server.
The result
Outcome
The finished simulation turns an eight-table relational model into a playable operating system for a fictional streaming company. It demonstrates joins, aggregations, prepared statements, trend tracking, and business-rule design without collecting user accounts or sending game saves to a backend.
Attribution: Alyssa designed the product and directed the build. Claude Code by Anthropic assisted with code generation and iteration.
Game progress is stored only in the visitor’s browser. The SQL.js and Chart.js runtime files are bundled with the project, so gameplay does not depend on those third-party content delivery networks.
Evidence