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Tropico
09-05-00
[Ed. Note: This week, Franz reopens a very important ship's log from E3.]
Dear Diary,
The crew on board PopTop continues on its creative voyage bound for glory as we continue our hunt of the elusive game called... called... hmmm.
"An issue has come to my attention, boys," Captain Phil announced. "We've no name for our quarry, and that just won't do! I need a name for our prize before we hit the port of E3, or there'll be harsh language for you all!" He sneered. "I'll name her El Presidente 'til a name is found, because I don't want to say the word 'prize' in this context ever again."
We men of PopTop pondered this question, all the while designing the vision of El Presidente and the pretty graphics that were needed to entice the inhabitants at the port of E3 to follow our epic journey with interest.
Click to enlarge |
One week passed, then another. Suddenly another week passed, but it was hardly missed. Then we received a message from our homeport of G.O.D. (the Gathering of Developers). G.O.D. needed to know what we'd named this mythical prey so that they might announce our epic journey to the world. Captain Phil gathered us on the poop deck. "It's time, boys. Here is the list of names. What will it be?" Phil queried.
The pressure mounted, and as the good people of PopTop deliberated over the Captain's list of names, I went to the bathroom, but by the time I'd returned, we'd apparently decided to call the game TROPICO ™.
Captain's Log: Names for the game:
El Presidente
Shacks and Shackles
Paradiso Politico
Where's Paco?
Sim Macarena
Politico
Island Intrigue
TROPICO
Tyrant Tango
Cuba Libre!
Paradise Island
Paradise Lost
My Little Dictator
Pig Dog!
Swindler's List
Reigns of Power
Hope Floats
My PEOPLE!
Republica
My what a nice Jail!
Sure, it could be the name of a drink, a suntan oil, a crayon color, yogurt, or even a shampoo; but now it was the name of our game. A game of strategy and empire building set amongst an idyllic Caribbean backdrop and the ruthless power-grabbing of Latin American politics. Tropico's surface glimmers under the lighting of its fully deformable 3D surface and colored lighting. Tropico is really a multiunit organism simulation, and each unit possesses independent thoughts, will, and personal skills, all of which the controller of the sim may influence to maintain control and promote development of Tropico. While you may play as a dictator, you can be loved, hated, or feared, depending on your choices during play. This, coupled with the detailed natural environment, industry web, and edict system, immerses you in a custom-made tropical world of your own creation. A streamlined interface gives you direct command over all the basic controls and information needed to run the island nation, even if you are a novice. However, Tropico follows the path of "detail on demand," which gives you more detailed information for performing more intricate social, industrial, and political maneuvers.
Ready for the public
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