In late 1992, two trading simulations were competing for the (German / European) market: Der Patrizier (also know as The Patrician abroad) and 1869. The latter came a little later (wow...) and it was generally considered the loser in this direct duel by the press. Only by a small margin, though - a very good second place.
Shortly thereafter, the game sailed into my home. It needed 1MB RAM which my Amiga wasn't equipped with at that time, but just a few more days later, I was finally able try myself at making a fortune in the historic period of imperialism. Ok, first steps: buy a used ship, hire a crew, buy some cheap goods, sail to another port of the world and sell the stuff there for (hopefully) more money. Sounds easy enough. Half an hour later, I was broke and the game was over.
Seas of Blood… this is going to be a tough discussion for me, because I have to admit this was the gamebook which I read/played more often than any other when I was a kid. Whether this was due to thematic preference, due to gameplay-related strengths or other aspects, we will probably find out. However, I cannot guarantee that I can stay objective at all times. Please excuse the occasional drift into nostalgia.
Captain Verdeterre's Plunder is a humorous, very short game. The player takes over the role of the first mate on a sinking pirate ship. It is his task to save the most valuable treasures which are spread all over the ship.
And all that happens under the watchful eye and the sharp tongue of the titular captain who (surprisingly at first) is actually a rat. As it looks like, quite a greedy one at that, for (almost) nothing seems to be more important to him than getting the right sum out of it.
