They Stole a Million

They Stole a Million ( TSAM ) is a computer strategy game that was developed by 39 Steps and published in 1986 by Ariolasoft for C64, Amstrad CPC and Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Game play is about the planning and simulation of thefts. The title inspired, for example, the development of The Clou! - Series and is considered as a video game classic.

Game Description

The player assumes the role of the character of "The Boss". The background story describes the protagonist as a " little rascals with big plans " ( " small time crook with big ideas" ). This was about the fictional magazine What a crime Crime software, called SWAG ( "Software for Aspiring Gangsters " ) was acquired. The gameplay is divided into two phases. In the first part, the player uses the illustrated SWAG database; he chooses a burglary target, buy maps and information about the object, compiles a criminal group and selects a fence. The game includes five increasing the difficulty missions, 18 selectable team members and five different concealers.

In the second section the player is planning the burglary and eventually considers the organization. The planning is done at the blueprints acquired in the game by the team members different tasks are allocated. These include, for example, lock picking, disabling an alarm system or bypassing of security personnel and cameras. The plan is similar to one shown Screenplay: It contains the exact second, all actions of the various characters. In carrying out the player can either watch the intruder or intervene with the help of the protagonist in the course. After a decline in the prey is distributed among the members and the sale proceeds can be used for the next mission. The mission sequence is arranged linearly, as only a specific goal with the given financial resources can be effectively achieved.

The game music consists of a title, which was composed by Ben Daglish. The music is played only during the implementation phase and the program does not sound effects.

Criticism

The trade press rated the game overwhelmingly positive. Was praised above all the innovative gameplay. Criticisms were graphics and music. The Happy Computer Games Special 3/1986 Heinrich Lenhardt wrote that " graphics and sound [ ... ] not spectacular " are, the gameplay " but the more convincing " could. Gregor Neumann held " They Stole a Million for one of the software highlights of the past few months. " It showed that " there is nothing like a good game idea. "

The British magazine CRASH rated TSAM with 85 percentage points and wrote that the " game idea very original and interesting " ( "The whole idea of the game is very original, and extremely interesting to play" ) is. The graphics, however, was described as lacking in detail and behave. In ASM magazine editor Bernd Zimmermann qualifies the " Top Hit " and looked unlike other critics in addition to the " amusing original idea [ ... ] very good graphics and an overall excellent presentation. "

Less benevolent criticism of Sinclair fell from users: "Highly original idea spoiled. Monotony at the planning stage turns into tedium at the denoument [sic ]. A pity ". (such as: . Very original idea messed monotony in the planning phase is a shame at the end to boredom. ) The evaluations of Your Sinclair, ZZAP 64 and Commodore users fell by nine out of ten points, 90%, and seven out of ten points from! .