Pocket Academy is a simulation game developed by Kairosoft for mobile devices. The game allows players to take on the role of a principal and build and manage their academy. The game is played from a top-down perspective and the player's task is to develop their academy, attract students, and create a successful academic institution. At the beginning of the game, players choose a location for their academy. The location can be chosen from several options, such as urban, suburban, or rural areas. Once a location is chosen, players are given a small starting budget and a few buildings to start working with. Buildings available at the start of the game include classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, and dormitories. As the game progresses, players can build additional buildings such as sports facilities, science labs, and art studios to provide a broader range of academic and extracurricular activities. a key aspect of Pocket Academy is managing the students. Students are the lifeblood of the Academy, and it is the player's job to attract and retain them. To do this, players must create a welcoming and engaging environment that offers a variety of academic and social activities.

Each student in the game has his or her own set of characteristics, such as academic ability, athletic ability, and social skills. Players must be mindful of these characteristics and provide activities that cater to each student's interests and strengths. For example, a student who excels in math might enjoy taking advanced math classes, while a student who enjoys sports might benefit from joining the school's basketball team. As players attract more students to the college, they will need to hire more teachers to meet the increased demand for classes. The teachers in the game have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the player must balance the needs of the students with the skills of the teachers. There is also a financial aspect to the game. Players must manage the academy's finances by setting tuition fees, managing expenses, and raising money through events such as charity sales and sports tournaments. Players must also keep an eye on the reputation of the academy, which can be affected by factors such as student achievement, quality of facilities, and student and faculty happiness. In addition to managing the academy, players can participate in various competitions and events. For example, players can have their sports teams compete in tournaments, participate in academic competitions, and host cultural events such as concerts and festivals.