Jones in the Fast Lane

Infobox VG
title = Jones in the Fast Lane


caption = Screen shot from video game
developer = Sierra
publisher = Sierra
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|NA=1991 [cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/data/581728.html| title = Release date | publisher = Game FAQs | date = | accessdate = 2008-08-20]
genre = Life simulation game
modes = Single-player, multiplayer
ratings = n/a (not rated)
platforms = MS-DOS personal computer
media = one (1) DVD-ROM or 1 floppy disk
requirements = DOS version 3 or above; 386 processor or above
input = keyboard

"Jones in the Fast Lane" is a life simulation game developed and published by Sierra Entertainment in 1991. The objective of the game is to attain as much money, happiness, status and education as necessary to win. These would be set up by the players before the game began. The game's name and goals are a play on the concept of keeping up with the Joneses.

As of 2007, the game was ported to Adobe Flash. [ [http://rambo3.googlepages.com/jones.html "Jones in the Fast Lane Flash Port] ]

Gameplay

The game world is represented by a board game-like ring of buildings in squares, resembling a cross between Monopoly and The Game of Life. The player, represented by a coloured marble on the board, is free to move around, only limited by the time remaining per turn. Time is used up by moving to a new location and performing actions like working, attending class, or resting. Each turn would represent a week of the player's life. The player would only get to decide what their character would do during the week. On the weekends, the character would experience an "Oh What a Weekend" event and spend a certain amount of money (usually less than $200). These events were usually based upon a purchase that the player had made during their previous "week", such as attending a show if the player purchased theater and/or concert tickets.

An event could also be random and described to the player in traditional Sierra humor, ie. "You went to Las Vegas in a $20,000 car and came back in a $200,000 Greyhound bus." Most buildings feature a live action clerk or store person who greets the player with a variety of humorous phrases, complete with lip syncing. All of these phrases, as well as every voiced line in the game, can be heard by putting the game's disc into a CD player and going to the 2nd track. The game can be played by up to four players, who take turns in 'living' their respective weeks. If only one player is present, there is the option to play against Jones, the titular character of the game.

Buildings

Several of the buildings in the game were parodies of real life companies or drawn from other Sierra games. In most buildings the player would be greeted by an employee who may say humorous things the first time they enter, as well as any time a transaction is made. Going clockwise from the "12 o'clock" position of the board, the buildings are:

;Low-Cost Housing: This is where the player initially lives. The inside of the home is graphically represented and resembles a run-down and bare studio apartment. If the player owns any home appliances or entertainment devices such as a colour TV or refrigerator, they, too, are graphically represented. The player then also becomes susceptible of having their belongings ripped off by the local burglar, Wild Willy (though it's unclear how he could steal a player's hot tub).;Pawn Shop: Here the player could sell their entertainment devices or appliances for badly needed cash. They could later buy back their merchandise at a heightened price just like a real pawn shop. The clerk greets you with phrases like "Down on your luck? Save the story for somebody who hasn't heard it.";Z-Mart: This place is most likely a parody of Kmart. Here the player could purchase merchandise at lower prices than those available at "QT Clothing" or "Socket City". However, the items available for purchase at Z-Mart may not be the same every time. There were also goods unique to Z-mart such as: the atlas, the dictionary, and the encyclopedia, each of which would raise the character's education rating slightly; concert and theatre tickets, which would raise the character's happiness rating; and items such as dog food or the Works of Capote which lower the character's happiness rating.;Monolith Burger:This location is a parody of McDonalds and a direct cross-over from the Space Quest series. Here the player can buy fast food (each player must eat at least once a week or they will lose time on their next turn). A variety of fast food items are on offer, though a weekly dose of fries is adequate. The clerk would say humorous sayings when serving the player such as, "Would you like thousand-isla... I mean secret sauce, with that?" or "You could save forty minutes by flushing that right now" This location is also home to the job that anyone can get regardless of education, work history or experience.;QT Clothing: Here the player could buy clothing necessary to work at certain higher paying jobs.;Socket City: This place is most likely a parody of Circuit City. This location sells entertainment devices and appliances at top end prices. Unlike "Z-Mart" though, the inventory doesn't change. The computer available here randomly generates income for the player. Phrases from the clerk include "Have you seen our vacuum cleaners? They really suck" ;Hi-Tech U: Here the player could take courses to satisfy the education requirements for the various jobs and for the game's education goal requirement. Each course would take 10 of the game's time units. Having a computer from Socket City reduces the time required by one. Owning an encyclopedia, dictionary and atlas together (buyable from Z-Mart) reduces the time by an extra time unit.;Employment Office: Here the player can apply for the various jobs in the game or apply for a raise (economic conditions permitting). The player may or may not land the position for a variety of reasons such as: no openings, not enough experience, not enough education, or poor work history. ;Factory: The only purpose of this building is to work. The highest paying job in the game, General Manager, is at this location. One thing the greeter would say is (paraphrasing), "Welcome to the factory. We pay top dollar for blue collar.";Bank: Like a normal bank, this place takes deposits. Though a random event, "Savings Lost - S&L fails" would wipe out the player's bank account. If the player makes enough money, he or she can apply for a loan. Furthermore, the player can buy or sell securities by consulting a broker about a list of investments: T-Bills, Gold, Silver, Pork Bellies, Blue Chip stocks and Penny Stocks. Unlike real life, each of these randomly fluctuates between game-determined fixed values. Also at this location the player will be at high risk of being mugged by Wild Willy. He steals the player's wallet, which wipes out the player's cash balance.;Black's Market: This location sells food that must be stored in a refrigerator (maximum 6 weeks worth, with freezer 12 weeks), lottery tickets (costing $10 each and ranging from $200 to $5000 in prize value) and a weekly newspaper, which can be very amusing. The clerk offers humor as well saying things such as, "Don't dent the cans and expect a discount." Also, like the bank, the player is at heightened risk of being mugged at this location.;Le Securité: This is the alternative to Low-Cost Housing. If the player buys a TV, Stereo, VCR or Encyclopedia, they can be seen on the shelves in the apartment. Here the player is at no risk of having their merchandise stolen. Also, the happiness rating is increased slightly.;Rent Office: The player must come here on every week divisible by 4 to pay their rent. Another option is to beg for more time. The player can also switch from "Low-Cost Housing" to "Le Securité" and vice versa. If the player doesn't pay their rent, the rent office garnishes their salary until the rent is paid. One humorous line elicited when switching from "Low-Cost Housing" to "Le Securité" is (paraphrasing), "A wise choice. Our other building has just been condemned.." A player may also pay any number of months rent ahead of time so that the player doesn't need to waste in game time returning to this office every 4 weeks. Amusing responses occur upon repeated clicking of "Ask for more time" after the initial request has been denied due to previous bad payment history. Sometimes, it is possible that the player's rent for "Low-Cost Housing" is higher than the current rent for "Le Securité". Thus, it would be advantageous to switch to the high-security "Le Securité" at this time, to secure the lower rent.

External links

References