Solo Developer Builds AI-Powered Business Simulator

The landscape of digital business education has long been dominated by one format: the video lecture. While scalable, this passive consumption model often fails to bridge the gap between theory and application. A new project, Core MBA, aims to shatter this default by treating business strategy not as a subject to be memorized, but as a system to be compiled and executed.

Developed by a solo engineer frustrated with the status quo, Core MBA functions as a "compiler for business logic." It offers a hostile environment where users can test strategies immediately after learning them. If the logic is flawed, the system throws a runtime error—usually in the form of bankruptcy.

At the heart of Core MBA lies a strict separation between deterministic logic and generative intelligence. The developer explicitly avoided building a "hallucinating chatbot" for the economy. Instead, the Market Engine runs a discrete-event simulation, solving a system of equations every cycle to ensure mathematical rigor.

To simulate real-world friction, the engine incorporates specific formulas such as the Ad Fatigue equation: 1 / (1 + (power - 1) * fatigueFactor). This forces diminishing returns on marketing spend. Furthermore, the system hardcodes the Theory of Constraints into state management. For example, a single employee is capped at 7 operations per day; scaling demand beyond this capacity without hiring burns cash on lost orders.

While the economy provides the "hostile environment," the educational component relies on Gemini Flash to ensure relevance. Moving away from static quizzes, the platform pipes lesson text directly into the model to generate unique "Combat Cases" on the fly. This ensures that no two playthroughs are identical.

The AI's role is strictly validation. It assesses user strategies against the specific principles of the lesson—such as LTV/CAC ratios—rather than offering generic advice. This creates a feedback loop where the AI acts as a rigorous instructor, checking for understanding before the user is allowed to risk virtual capital.

The two engines are connected by a mechanic the developer calls the Liquidity Loop. This is a strict gatekeeper: users cannot access the Market Engine without first passing the AI validation layer. Successfully navigating the Combat Cases earns the user $500 in virtual capital, which serves as the sole fuel for the simulation.

This design enforces the philosophy that capital is a reward for intellectual comprehension. If a user goes bankrupt despite having funds, a heuristic Advisor analyzes the crash data. It compares lostRevenue against lostCapacity and links the user back to the exact lesson they ignored, closing the educational loop.

The creator of Core MBA is currently inviting users to test the full loop, from reading a brief to surviving the market simulation. The project is specifically looking for feedback on three critical dimensions to refine the experience.

The developer is asking the community to evaluate:

• Content Density: Are the lessons too dry for effective learning?
• AI Accuracy: Does the simulation validate logic based on the specific lesson?
• Economic Balance: Is the math fair, or is the Ad Fatigue formula too punishing?

Core MBA represents a shift from passive consumption to active simulation in business education. By combining a mathematically rigorous engine with generative AI validation, it attempts to replicate the pressure of real-world decision-making.

Key aspects to watch include the Liquidity Loop, which ties economic survival to theoretical understanding, and the Advisor system, which provides data-driven remediation. As the developer refines the balance of the simulation, this project serves as a compelling prototype for the future of interactive learning.