1869 (video game)
1869 - Close to the Wind, Subtitles: Living history Part I - released in the U.S. as 1869: History Experience Part I - is a turn-based strategy and economic simulation game from the Austrian manufacturer Max Design, which was published in 1992 for the Commodore Amiga and the PC appeared. The name is based on the year of opening of the Suez Canal.
Game item
Up to four human players compete in the period 1854-1879 against each other. Each of them has the task of building a trading empire by it runs around the seven seas as shipowners with ships and transports up to 20 items of trade on different types of vessels from small two-masted to 2000 tonner.
Game History
The length of the simulation period can be chosen to be variable in the range of 5 to 25 years. As the home ports are London, Liverpool, Le Havre, New York and Savannah available. At game start, each player receives $ 7000 starting capital. The first steps are usually included in the purchase of a used sailing ship in the local shipyard and the hiring of a team. Although a well-trained team costs more, but has the advantage that it can better survive in dangerous situations.
The ports differ with respect to their trade goods and prices. Apart from purely commercial transactions also lucrative passenger trips and, with a corresponding risk, arms shipments to conflict areas can be accomplished in individual situations.
At the crossings, the different seasons affect the duration of the transport, and possible storms and the inevitable mussel growth left their mark on the seaworthiness of vessels. As this matter is especially problematic during intense intercontinental trade, since not every port is also the possibility to overtake the ship upon arrival in a shipyard. Especially the colonial territories, such as Africa or the young United States, have this in the time of the game do not have the necessary infrastructure. In addition, sensitive products can rot on board, if the crossing is greatly extended by rough seas, for example.
If the capital should be scarce, the players is ( appropriate credit provided ) a bank. The tax is charged in the game according to the old English tax system, ie, the previous year's taxes are due on December 31 of the following year. They will also be calculated according to the size of the ship.
Preparation of historical events
Historical events were taken realistically into the game and actually affect the flow of the game from. For example, expand the American Civil War, the opening of the Suez Canal or the triumph of steam navigation, the capabilities of the players or limit it. The magazine PC Joker praised the historical accuracy as "impressive". In Handbook 103 pages describing the historical backgrounds are dedicated, with, inter alia, The world of the 19th century and seafaring are treated in the 20th century with their own chapters.
In the Press
- " [ ... ] A sparkling gem in the currently well-filled treasure chest of business simulations with historical appeal" ( magazine Power Play )
- Awarded the Amiga Games Award
Platforms
It appeared three versions: one for each Amiga 500, Amiga 1200 and PC. The two Amiga versions differ mainly by the quality of the graphics. The graphics of the PC version is high at the level of the Amiga 1200.