2025 Spring Challenge Shifts Gear to CapsimCore and Capstone 2.0

Capsim migrated the Spring 2025 Business Simulation Challenge onto its new, even more interactive simulation platforms, attracting a fresh cohort of students aiming to prove their strategic supremacy over their peers around the world.

In universities from the USA to Europe, and from Africa to Asia, more instructors are adopting CapsimCore and Capstone 2.0. The Capsim Challenge has evolved with them, ensuring students have the most intuitive and engaging experience possible.

A competitive, biannual tradition in global universities for more than 20 years, the Capsim Challenge – now based on Capstone 2.0 and CapsimCore – offers the same strategic depth and decision-making framework with the benefits of a more intuitive interface.

To “learn, unlearn and relearn” – critical skills for dynamic markets

Professor R Subramanian, from Bharathidasan Institute of Management in India – with winners in both Spring Challenges – said, “by using these simulation games, students continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn, which is important in today’s dynamic world order.” Professor Subramanian is in the process of adopting the new simulation platforms in his courses.

Venkatesh S, the Bharathidasan IM student who won the Capstone 2.0 Spring Challenge 2025, said: “Capstone 2.0 was more realistic. Reports were more interactive and fast-paced than the classroom version. It demanded quicker analysis and deeper market understanding, making the experience more immersive and challenging.”

“Richer data visualization” and enhanced “student engagement”

Professor Krit Pattamaroj of Thammasat University in Thailand – whose student placed runner up in the Capstone 2.0 competition – said Capstone 2.0 had “brought refreshing improvements” to the simulation experience in the classroom.

“A more intuitive interface, richer data visualization, and a smoother user experience that enhances student engagement,” Professor Pattamaroj said. “One of the most valuable additions is the Sustainability Module, which introduces students to the Triple Bottom Line approach – people, planet, and profit.

“Through this, students experience the complexity of real-world trade-offs involving waste management, carbon emissions, and renewable energy, reinforcing their ability to balance profitability with environmental and social responsibility.”

Student winners see benefits for managing in uncertainty

According to the winner of the CapsimCore Spring Challenge, Prasana Subramaniam TR, “The most rewarding part was competing in a dynamic environment where every decision directly impacted performance. It was exciting to adjust strategies based on market feedback and see our efforts reflected in real-time results.

“Managing uncertainty and maintaining a consistent long-term strategy under tight deadlines was the biggest challenge. Quick decision-making, teamwork, and being composed were crucial to staying competitive through all eight rounds.”

Finalist in the Capstone 2.0 Competition, Gytis Česnuitis from Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania, agreed: “Capstone 2.0 has more convenient and visual control menus. It is especially more convenient to check when setting different product parameters.”

Finalist in the CapsimCore competition, Alixander Hilger from Bowling Green State University, USA, said “I felt more confident in my decision making since I had a better grasp on the different aspects of the business. This gave me a lot more time to stop and think about what the others were going to do. This gave me more time to plan and strategize and I found myself a lot less surprised using CapsimCore.”

Professors nurturing “confident, capable, and creative professionals.”

Professor Irene Shaker from American University in Cairo, Egypt, is proud of her students competing in the CapsimCore Challenge. “Watching them grow into confident, capable, and creative professionals has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. They are real champions—both in and beyond the simulation,” Professor Shaker said.

“Their advancement to the finals is a testament not only to their sharp analytical skills and business acumen, but also to their ability to collaborate strategically under pressure—skills that are core to the learning experience."

Professor Gintaras Černius of Mykolas Romeris University said students, “get to see firsthand how decisions in one area affect all the others. Additionally, simulations are excellent for team building and learning how to perform under stress.

“The skills they gain equip them to aim for higher positions within their companies or even transition to new companies. These experiences are invaluable for their future careers.”

Final results for Capsim's Spring 2025 Capstone 2.0 Challenge:  

Final results for Capsim's Spring 2025 CapsimCore Challenge: 

About the Capsim Challenge

The Capsim Challenge attracts students from around the globe who have completed a Capsim simulation in the previous 12 months. Countries represented include Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Türkiye and USA. All winners past and present are listed in the Capsim Hall of Fame at http://www.capsim.com/events/challenge.