note: it is presumed that the following is a description of the 1995 to present version, and not the 1963-1994 version known as "INTOP". As INTOPIA and INTOP are/were not available to the general public exact information is somewhat scarce.
Intopia is an imaginary world of four regions, with a maximum of four currencies. The world has multiple competing firms which may produce a maximum of two types of products of varying types. These products fall into two distinct categories of consumer durables – X's and Y's, although those X's and Y's may represent different products within each simulation.
Each company is required to make decisions regarding the current and future periods. A company's unilateral decision can range from introducing new products, performing R&D, stepping up production, initiating market research, setting prices and sales/promotions for its products. As well, there is a great amount of inter-company business, with each company able to purchase or sell to other companies.
As well as the production of X's and Y's, companies may choose to sell insurance, provide financial or analytical services, or license new products to gain revenue.
Each decision affects the bottom line of the company which is reflected at the end of the period, after the simulation has run.