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This program has already proved to be most successful, with many owners of Spectrums having already done battle across the oil fields with J. R. Euing (no, not a spelling error, but any similarity between this J.R. and any other is entirely intentional!). The basic storyline is also rather familiar, with your oil company trying to outwit and outdrill the other outfit.

The program beings with a superb implementation of the "Dallas" theme tune, before a map of the area is drawn onto a grid. The key to the graphics detail the physical features, but it is up to you where to make test surveys. The results of these may or may not help when the drilling concessions come up for auction. Your bid might be successful, although I found I had a talent for investing millions on sites which produced poor survey results. Still, even a couple of these would occasionally produce a strike, although others would not justify the cost of moving rigs and making test drillings.

Even a good strike could still bring disaster from tornadoes, blow-outs or even sabotage (Where was J.R. when my pipeline was blown up?). Dealing in millions of petro-dollars certainly stimulates the adrenalin, but I found it a little difficult to immerse myself totally in this game. Perhaps it was the thought of what those Euings were planning to do to me...?

Dave Reeder