A new simulation has arrived from Wolverine Studios. Another sports simulation you say? Not so fast, my friend! This time, the company decided to reach into the realm of the record industry and bring a business simulation to the market -- Music Wars: Rebirth.

There is a surprising amount of depth regarding options for the business owner. Various financial options are available in addition to the option to start a new company or take over an existing company. A sliding scale between prestige and money gives the choice of selecting the initial strengths and bankroll of the business.

The main source of income is signing and developing acts. Writing songs, practicing performances, recording albums, appearing in PR events, going on tours, and playing in music festivals are all part of creating a great act. These are also paramount for the business to be profitable. Some tasks, like producing new songs, take time to complete. If the company is struggling, there is no option to whip a new album into shape quickly without sacrificing quality. Ultimately the company may end up in a worse financial situation than before the rushed album was released. A fine line exists between profitability and financial disaster in regards to releasing an album.

Even on the easiest difficulty level, the game provides a good challenge to balance all these tasks. The only complaint in regards to simulation is the lack of a ‘Simulate to Date’ option. There are times when that would provide more flexibility than the ‘Simulate Day’ or ‘Simulate Week’ buttons.

The economic model is well designed. There are six regions (United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, and United Kingdom) where records can be released. The various record companies have a prestige rating in each of the regions. Some companies choose to specialize in one or two places, while other companies spread their resources across the globe in an attempt to make large profits in all countries.

The worldwide economy ebbs and flows. One region may see a downturn in sales while other regions see a sudden boom. Similarly, the popularity of music styles may change over time. While Pop may be popular one year, Gospel music may become the most profitable style of music in future years. The record companies need to adjust quickly to these trends and find the best way to capitalize on any economic changes.

Record sales charts are available in all regions in addition to a global sales chart to provide feedback on how well the albums are selling. In addition, sales records are kept to show the best of all time. Want to know which artist has the most number one hits? Which act has sold the most albums all-time? The all-time records provide a great incentive for companies to reach these benchmarks.