Games Computing
1st September 1984Stockmarket (Argus Press)
This is a straight forward, no frills game for up to six players. As a member of the stockmarket, you are given 1,000 to invest in mining companies trading in four commodities - gold, tin, zinc and lead.
Each player then buys and sells according to the prices of the commodities and the amount of money in his or her bank. Like, presumably, the real stockmarket, prices constantly fluctuate and are subject to sudden, dramatic falls which can lead to equally sudden bankruptcy for anyone who invests too heavily in a single stock.
The aim of the game is quite simply to make more money than your opponents until you reach the magic figure of a million pounds and are declared the winner. Although you can play by yourself, it's much more fun when somebody else gets landed with an unexpected bill for capital tax gains or suffers some similar penalty. In fact, it is this element of competition which, for me gave the game its interest. I mean, what's the point of making all that money if you can't flaunt it at somebody?
The displays are adequate,if unspectacular, and the instructions are easy to follow. Also there is a 'degree of difficulty' scale of one to four - which determines how many tax investigators and the like are on your tail.
If you're the sort of person who has always dreamt of making a million (and who hasn't?) then you will probably enjoy this game. If you aren't, then you won't.
Scores
Dragon 32 VersionOverall | 39% |
Scores
BBC Model B VersionOverall | 39% |
Scores
Spectrum 48K VersionOverall | 39% |