Bookshop Simulator

 
Bookshop Simulator is a cozy, first-person management game developed by Blep Games. Released into Early Access on September 16, 2025, it invites players to build and run their dream bookstore from the ground up. Far from high-stakes action, this indie simulation focuses on the quiet satisfaction of ordering novels, organizing shelves, and creating a welcoming space where customers can lose themselves in stories. With a charming atmosphere and relaxing gameplay loop, it offers a peaceful escape for bibliophiles.
Core Gameplay and Features

Build Your Inventory: Order books across various genres, from bestsellers to niche topics like “Bluebirds and Spam.” Managing stock levels and finding rare editions adds a layer of strategy to the relaxation.
Design Your Space: Customize every inch of your shop. Place shelves, arrange reading nooks with cozy chairs, and decorate walls to create a unique atmosphere. A well-designed store encourages customers to browse longer and spend more.
Hands-On Management: Unpack boxes, physically place books on shelves, and price them yourself. You also run the checkout counter, ringing up sales and chatting with customers to ensure they leave happy.
Grow Your Business: Use your profits to expand your floor space, unlock new furniture, and eventually hire staff to help with the daily grind. Progression unlocks new tools and customization options.
Cozy Atmosphere: The game prioritizes “vibes” over stress. Soft lighting, the ability to adopt a shop cat, and a focus on aesthetics make it a calming experience compared to more frantic tycoon games.

Key Details

Release Date: September 16, 2025 (Early Access)
Developer/Publisher: Blep Games
Engine: Unity
Genre: Simulation, Management, Cozy, Indie
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Price: ~$15.99

Bookshop Simulator vs Tiny Bookshop

Vs. Tiny Bookshop: While Tiny Bookshop is an isometric, narrative-heavy game about running a mobile book wagon, Bookshop Simulator is a first-person, interior-focused experience. It offers more freedom in layout design and “hands-on” shelf stocking rather than story choices.
Vs. Supermarket Simulator: It shares the same DNA of ordering, stocking, and selling, but swaps the industrial fluorescent lights for warm lamps and wooden shelves, offering a much slower and more relaxing pace.

Why It Matters
Bookshop Simulator captures the romantic ideal of owning a bookstore without the financial risk. It stands out in the simulator genre by leaning fully into “cozy” vibes—letting you pet a cat, arrange books by color, and build a quiet corner of the internet where the only stress is deciding where to put the next bookshelf.