ZX Computing


Airline

Categories: Review: Software
Author: J. Whittaker
Publisher: Cases Computer Simulations
Machine: Spectrum 16K/48K

 
Published in ZX Computing #10

Airline

The main objective of this game is to increase your net assets of £3 million to £30 million. It may sound easy but is it not, because you only have seven years in which to do it.

The game begins with an urgent telex telling you that the Civil Aviation Authority has granted you a £1 million trans-atlantic licence to fly DC10s from Gatwick. Then you are given a bar chart estimating payloads for these DC10s. Then comes a line graph of charter rates for each quarter of the year. You must then decide on how many DC10s you wish to charter; this is done from the previous pieces of information. Then, another decision must be made on levels of crew and maintenance. You must then key in the amount of insurance cover you need. This is usually followed by a disaster, namely a hi-jack, a crash or sabotage, this is why it is usually best to have full insurance cover.

As well as these things happening, you can also decide on whether or not to sign a fuel contract with Saudi Arabians. But occasionally this is unwise. Sometimes the Americans prove unfriendly claiming that you are not paying sufficient taxes.

Airline

At the end of each year, you are shown a profit and loss account and then a balance sheet. The comes a Financial Times report which tells you how well you did or didn't. A way of getting a very good Financial Times report is an investment in the form of buying a DC10 but this is only achieved when your airline is doing well. If you get a really terrible report the receivers close in and liquidate L-Air.

This is an excellent game which really tests your business skills and initiative but if you buy this expecting very good graphics or an addictive game like 'Space Raiders', you will be very disappointed.

Airline retails at £6.95.

J. Whittaker

Other Reviews Of Airline For The Spectrum 16K/48K


Airline (Cases)
A review by Rosetta McLeod (Crash)

Other Spectrum 16K/48K Game Reviews By J. Whittaker


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