Chocolatier (video game)

Chocolatier
Developer(s)	Big Splash Games LLC
Publisher(s)	PlayFirst
Series	Chocolatier
Engine	Playground SDK
Platform(s)	Windows, Mac OS X, Nintendo DS
Release	May 1, 2007[1]
Genre(s)	Business simulation, action
Mode(s)	Single-player

Chocolatier is a casual strategy video game with action game elements, developed by American studio Big Splash Games and published by PlayFirst. The game was released for download on May 1, 2007, and was followed by a CD-ROM release on September 27. Players assume the role of a young chocolatier, who must navigate 14 cities around the globe while buying ingredients, manufacturing chocolate confections, and selling them to chocolate shops. Two modes of play are available: in story mode the player must rebuild an almost-bankrupt chocolate empire and acquire 64 chocolate recipes from around the world; in free mode players start out with scant resources and must become successful chocolatiers.

Chocolatier was the first game developed by Big Splash Games, founded by a trio of video game designers who developed a prototype game in their spare time while still employed by an unknown publisher. This prototype was rejected by publishers, but after coming up with the premise of Chocolatier, the team was signed up by PlayFirst and completed the title. The game received a mostly positive reception: reviewers enjoyed the action minigame which is played when chocolates are manufactured, as well as the game's graphics, sound, and Victorian-era presentation.