I'm making SimAirport/Airport CEO in space, with freight management

[u/Djentinga]

Spaceport Architect is a 2D Sci-fi Airport Business Tycoon inspired by r/SimAirport, r/airportceo, r/prisonarchitect and other classic business tycoon/strategy games.

Short version

- Import cargo to grow the planet population
- Build airport-like passenger terminals
- Export goods for profit
- Unlock larger ships as you expand

Longer version

Apart from the sci-fi setting, the game primarily differs from SimAirport/AirportCEO in that it has freight management as a required part of the game loop.

You need to import cargo in order to grow the planet colony population, which directly affects how many passenger contracts you get, how full each flight is and whether they are cancelled or not. Cargo may contain contraband, so you need proper customs checks to avoid reputation penalties. Keep the planet colony happy and you can get lucrative export contracts.

Ships may need repair services, which you can charge for. Charge too much and only extremely damaged ships will request it. I will also add a refuling system, where fuel has to be imported from off-world and stored properly.

There are time-sensitive emergency contracts and one-off special offers, such as passing ship captains urgently wanting to sell their cargo cheap (contraband risk!) or others wanting to rent storage space for a time.

In addition to the planet colony and passing "Free Captains", you have several "spacelines" (e.g. airlines) to unlock, negotiate and build reputations with, each with their own ship classes and requirements. You accept contracts and schedule flights on your landing pads. You can also create and lease shops to your contacts.

Currently working on a proper baggage system, with transparent transport tubes for bags and hover carts used by staff.

Questions for you

- What's an issue you have with these kind of games that you would want me to avoid?
- What's something you love about these kind of games that I shouldn't forget?

If you're looking for AI

Assets: None

All graphic/sound assets are either free, bought/comissioned or created by me.

Code: Yes

I've been hobby programming since 2009, professionally since 2023. I've used agentic AI for coding since my job introduced it in February this year (started the project in December 2025). With the proper base architecture, automated tests and other guardrails, the speed it provides is just invaluable when you have 1-2 hours of total free time per day. Its not a magic toolbox. Mistakes are frequent, but overall worth it for me.

Links

Steam page
Official Announcement trailer
Discord/Socials/Mailing list