Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

There's a Steam review for the game Big Pharma that illustrates this paradox to a lesser extent:

> Came within 5% of the top-most goal for a level, and failed for lack of time. Went back several saves and looked at everything. Was my choice of drug wrong? Were my production lines a square or two inefficient, preventing me from utilizing another delivery portal? Was I spending too much on Bolivian Tree Frog Saliva? Did I not get the researchers working on new machines fast enough?

> And then it hit me: my best-selling drug, for erectile dysfunction, beautifully crafted to avoid side effects and have an A cure rating... was devastating the market... for itself. I simply couldn't pull enough profit out of the economy if I cured people.

> Tried again. Made sure to give the sufferers a side-effect free drug which worked... some of the time... enough to get their hopes up... but not enough to stop buying next month's installment.

> 10/10 would abandon business ethics again.

https://steamcommunity.com/id/patio11/recommended/344850/



That is a pretty well done game if it has emergent effects like that.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: