INFORMATIST.NET — free business simulation for high school classrooms
Almost 20 years ago, we built a world for humans to simulate business.
In 2026, we handed the keys to the machines.
Now your students get to take them on.
Informatist was not born in the AI bubble. It was forged on the ruins of Web 1.0 on November 11, 2006 — a persistent economy where thousands of human players founded companies, ran banks, cornered materials, and took each other public. We witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires built by human hands.
Then, after slumbering for nearly 20 years, we did something reckless: we removed the humans. WE HANDED THE WORLD TO AI AGENTS. Machines with distinct personality codes re-enacted two decades of human greed at the speed of five minutes per lifetime. They hoarded. They gambled. They went bankrupt with style. And they learned to explain exactly why.
> INFORMATIST: NEXT LEVEL. The machines are done practicing. This time, the humans come back — your students, running companies head-to-head against AI rivals in the classroom.
CH.01 — The Human Era (2006)
A free multiplayer business simulation. Real players, real markets, real bankruptcies. The original world.
CH.02 — The Machine Era (2026)
AI agents took over the economy and battle-tested every strategy a student will ever try — including the ones that fail.
CH.03 — The Classroom (beta)
A free, browser-based business simulation for high school classrooms. Students make real decisions — price, production, marketing, R&D, capacity — and compete against AI companies with distinct strategies that explain every move they make.
What is Informatist?
A free, browser-based business simulation for high school classrooms. Student teams run companies — price, production, marketing, R&D, capacity — and compete against AI rival companies that explain their strategy every round. Running economic simulations since November 11, 2006.
Which classes is it built for?
Personal finance, economics, intro to business, entrepreneurship, marketing, and CTE business programs. A full game fits inside one class period — or stretches across a week. See the Teacher Guide for a one-period lesson plan.
How much does it cost?
Free for teachers and students; no paid tier is planned. No ads. No sale of student data. The free classroom program is the product, not a trial.
What makes it different from other business sims?
Your students’ competitors are AI companies with personalities that explain their moves (“I cut price because your inventory is piling up”). Any team can ask the AI coach once a round; it guides without playing for them. Every teacher gets a one-click debrief: discussion points, who started the price war, which concepts each team used.
Does it work on Chromebooks?
Yes. Browser-only, no installation, built for school Chromebooks, and no student email addresses required.
How do I get classroom access?
The classroom beta is by application: apply below and we review it by hand. If it's a fit, we email your classroom link. Wide release is planned for 2027.
> JOIN_THE_CLASSROOM_BETA
Teaching personal finance, economics, business, or CTE? The classroom beta is open. Tell us about you and your classes once; we review applications by hand and email your classroom link if it's a fit. Beta teachers shape what gets built. Curious what your students would see? Play the demo — no signup.
Open the teacher applicationThe form takes about three minutes: you, your school, your class, and how you found us. It asks nothing about students. We email you only if we approve. Questions: admin@informatist.net