Having started this game and finding it seemingly "complex" I am wondering how realistic of a business simulation is this? Are there parts of the simulation that are more or less accurate? If one wanted to learn about business practices would this game really help? At what level of business does it function--basic, medium or advanced?

Not easy to answer ....

Cap is or was used for educational reasons.

I think you can get a good feeling for business while playing this game. But reality is much more complicated. I´m in charge in a little supermarket and for example price calculation in real life is much harder then it is in Cap.

If you really want to learn something I would suggest reading some books (and playing Cap hehe)

http://capforum.enlight.com/

Thanks. I think it's fine if reality is more complicated as long as the game is at least a reasonably true representation. I am thinking about using it to help some young people to become more business-minded. It would be nice if there was some correspondence to real-life.

I'd say what is in the game is pretty realistic (or at least much more so than in any other game), but many concepts are left out for the sake of not making the game so complicated that it's not a game anymore.

Yes, there is no game out (exept perhaps some online hardcore games), which comes close to Cap in terms of reality. So there isn´t much to compare.

Btw, the upcoming CapLab will be a little bit deeper in some aspects.

I can´t wait playing it.

Thanks, that helps me put it in perspective to Real Life.