Becker’s gamification experiment ends as Kesler CPA Review launches free DOOM-style study game
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Accounting for Empires Officially Shuts Down
Becker Professional Education appears to have permanently closed Accounting for Empires, its experimental city-building game designed to gamify CPA exam preparation. The game, which allowed candidates to construct virtual cities while answering accounting questions, is no longer accessible to new users on their website or the android/iOS app stores.
The shutdown marks the end of Becker’s foray into standalone gamified learning applications. While the company has not issued a formal statement regarding the closure, references to Accounting for Empires have been removed from Becker’s marketing materials.
Accounting for Empires represented one of the more ambitious attempts to address a persistent challenge in CPA exam preparation: candidate engagement and motivation. The game featured city-building mechanics tied to accounting question performance, with correct answers unlocking resources and progression.
The closure leaves a gap in the gamified CPA study space, though alternatives have emerged.
Kesler CPA Review Launches CPA Exam Survival: Free DOOM-Style Study Game
In a separate development, Kesler CPA Review has announced the launch of CPA Exam Survival, a free first-person shooter game designed specifically for CPA exam candidates. The game, accessible at CPAexamArcade.com, offers two distinct modes of play.
Story Mode provides a satirical narrative experience following a candidate through the CPA exam journey, from initial application through score release. This mode requires no account creation and is available immediately to all users.
Zombie Survival Mode integrates actual CPA exam multiple-choice questions into gameplay. Players navigate maps, locate question consoles, and answer MCQs drawn from Kesler’s test bank. Correct answers provide in-game health and ammunition, while incorrect answers leave players vulnerable to enemy attacks. This mode requires a free Kesler CPA account to track progress and statistics.
Bryan Kesler, founder of Kesler CPA Review, stated that the game was developed to address the problem of unproductive study breaks. According to Kesler, candidates who turn to social media during breaks often return to studying more mentally depleted than before.
The game is currently available for desktop browsers, with iOS and Android web browser and PWA app download available. Kesler has indicated that a multiplayer mode featuring real-time competition between candidates is under consideration based on user demand.
The reaction from Reddit about the CPA Exam Survival’s launch so far has been incredibly positive.
Jeff Elliot, CPA from Another71 said: “Super cool concept Bryan!”
User Mattdon12 said: “I came on trying to procrastinate my endless grind of mcqs and now you are telling me I can do both at the same time sign me up.”
User Live_Coffee_439 said: “Love you you little freakazoid. I will play.”
CPA Exam Survival is offered at no cost, though Zombie Survival Mode’s questions require a free trial so they can be sourced from Kesler CPA Review’s proprietary test bank, which is mapped to the 2025-2026 CPA exam blueprints.
Analysis: The State of Gamification in CPA Exam Preparation
The contrasting trajectories of these two products highlight an ongoing debate within the CPA preparation industry regarding the role of gamification in professional exam study.
Accounting for Empires represented a “gamification-first” approach, building an elaborate game experience around accounting content. CPA Exam Survival takes a different approach, positioning itself as a study break tool rather than a primary learning platform.
The distinction may prove significant. Candidates preparing for the CPA exam face time constraints that make extended gaming sessions impractical. A study break tool designed for short sessions may align more closely with candidate needs than a comprehensive city-building simulation.
However, it should be noted that Kesler CPA Review also incorporates gamification elements directly into its test bank, including experience points, achievement systems, and streak tracking. This suggests a multi-layered approach: gamification within the core study experience, supplemented by standalone entertainment for breaks.
The long-term viability of gamified CPA preparation remains to be determined. What is clear is that the industry continues to experiment with new approaches to candidate engagement as pass rates and candidate motivation remain persistent concerns.
CPA Exam Guide will continue to monitor developments in CPA exam preparation technology and provide updates as they become available.