Name of Video Game: Railroad Tycoon

Year Release: 1991

‘Railroad Tycoon’ is a simulation and strategy game developed and published by MicroProse Software, Inc. This was released for the Amiga platform in 1991. Moreover, the game was also released for other platforms, including DOS and Atari ST. Look out for a pull up banner stand featuring the 'tycoon' series of games at any gaming event.

The basic idea in this game is to create as well as to manage a railroad company through building stations and laying track, but it is not as simple as that when it comes down to it. As when the player starts to do so, three other companies come out and start laying their own rails throughout the map. Thus, this is where the battle begins, but not with guns, but with service. The better service the player provides the more cargo and passengers he gets. To improve his service, he may expand his stations or buy faster trains. He may also buy more trains, but to prevent traffic, he has to create more tracks.

‘Railroad Tycoon’ caries the trade-mark of a good strategy game, that the player can set his own goals. He may want to be the company with the most passengers, or with the most money, or even with the most rails. He may also buy those competitive companies, and obtain further profit.

The game still stands as one of the best game of its type. The thing that really keeps it alive is the time-limit. The player can only lead his company for 100 years, thus the game will not get boring like others, where the player just sometimes sit and watch money roll in.