Airline Tycoon

Infobox VG
title = Airline Tycoon


developer = Spellbound
publisher = Infogrames: Original
Monte Cristo: First Class, Evolution
Spellbound: Deluxe for Windows
RuneSoft: Deluxe for Linux, Mac OS X, ZETA
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = Original: August 1998
First Class: 22 Jan, 2001
Evolution: 17 Sep, 2002
Deluxe: 5 Oct, 2003
genre = Business simulation game
modes = Single Player, Multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E, ELSPA: 3+
platforms = Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, ZETA
media = 1 CD
requirements = Linux 2.2 (with glibc 2.1) or Mac OS X 10.2 or Windows 9x/ME/2000/XP or ZETA 1.2.1, 90 MHz Pentium or 350 MHz PowerPC G3, 16 MB RAM, 25-500 MB hard disk space, CD-ROM drive
input = Mouse, Keyboard

"Airline Tycoon" is a business simulation game, in which the player must successfully manage an airline. The original was developed by Spellbound, and published by Infogrames, however, the succeeding versions were published by a variety of publishers. The original "Airline Tycoon" was created for Windows, however, the later "Deluxe" version was also ported to Linux, Mac OS X and ZETA. In this game, like all Tycoon Computer Games, the objective is to become a tycoon, and in this case, an “Airline Tycoon.” This is achieved through the balance of income and expenditures.

Gameplay

A simulation computer game where the player acts as manager of an airline, competing against three other budding tycoons. The names of the four tycoons are: Tina Cortez (Sunshine Airways), Siggi Sorglos (Falcon Lines), Igor Tuppolevsky (Phoenix Travel) and Mario Zucchero (Honey Airlines). The player must keep their aircraft in good shape and equip them at such a level as to keep the customers satisfied, buy new planes (from the expensive Airplane Agency or from Mr Schlauberger at the museum who fixes them up and then sells them at a much lower cost) and take out bank loans if required.The player must also manage their personnel, plan flights, buy fuel, attend meetings in the airport manager's office and, if there is the time, slip into Rick's café for a quick cup of coffee. There is lots to explore and many decisions to make including what sabotages where and when. The graphics are bright and decidedly tongue in cheek: the tycoon Igor Tuppolevsky has a set of Russian dolls on his desk--and an open tin of caviar, while Tina Cortez has a picture of a matador and a bull's head.

With a network, up to four people can play at once and the game status can be saved (as it can in single-player mode) for long battles of wit.

History and expansion

Releases

* "Airline Tycoon", 1998
* "Airline Tycoon First Class", 2001
* "Airline Tycoon Evolution", 2002
* "Airline Tycoon Deluxe", 2003

Overview

The original game was released in August 1998 in Germany. It wasn't released in any English-speaking country, however there was an official English demo.
The first Airline Tycoon title to be released in USA and the UK was "Airline Tycoon First Class". It was published in 2001 by Monte Cristo, however the publisher decided to remove "First Class" subtitle from the game box and manuals, however it still existed in the game. Features added in First Class include 10 brand new missions, multiplayer mode with up to 4 players, new MIDI music, cargo transportation and more.
In 2002, "Airline Tycoon Evolution", second Airline Tycoon rerelease was published by Monte Cristo. The game introduced 10 new missions, possibility of buying self-designed aircraft (and possibility of sharing these planes via Internet), possibility of hiring aircraft security agents, 5 new sabotages and more.
In 2003, Spellbound released third Airline Tycoon addition, named "Airline Tycoon Deluxe". It included all of previous versions, the only new part of the game was 20 new airports and possibility of accepting cargo from remote estates. Originally it was released in limited edition of 5000 items. It was available only in Germany, though it wasn't translated into other languages. However, Linux, Mac OS X and ZETA versions released in Autumn 2005 and Winter 2006 by RuneSoft are available in English, German and French.

Future Sequel

On May 24, 2006 Spellbound announced it would be releasing a full sequel to Airline Tycoon, Airline Tycoon 2 due to be released in Germany sometime in the second half of 2007. The release date was, however, not met. Spellbound stated they could not find a publisher for the game and announced no new release date.

External links

* [http://www.spellbound.de/web/en/sb.php?m0=p_atd&r0=p_atdr&id=8&id2=1 Deluxe Version Homepage]
* [http://pc.ign.com/objects/013/013546.html IGN Airline Tycoon Page]
* [http://www.actiontrip.com/cheats/airlinetycoon.phtml Action Trip Airline Tycoon Page]