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M.U.L.E.: Difference between revisions
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'''''M.U.L.E.''''' is a classic turn-based multi-player computer game created by Dan (later Danielle) Bunten and published in 1983 by Electronic Arts. Or rather, it's a simulation of basic economics, ''disguised'' as a game: each player controls a settler (chosen from a variety of races) attempting to get rich developing the newly colonized planet of Irata. This is done by choosing plots of lands off a grid, stocking said plots with robotic '''M'''ulti-'''U'''se '''L'''abor '''E'''lements, which can be equipped to mine, farm, or gather energy, and then swapping the results with the other players at auction. Assuming you can do all of this before your allotted time runs out. Players quickly learn about supply and demand, economies of scale, the organization of cartels, and the effect of monopoly control of resources. (But not about casinos -- every time a player ends his turn by gambling, he earns money.)
The game was revolutionary in several ways, most notably in the fact that up to four people could play at once, all from a single computer. Again driving home an economic point, it was quite possible for ''everyone'' to lose; the colony as a whole must reach certain benchmarks to be considered successful. Any players controlled by the computer were actually worthy opponents, and while it was better with human opponents, the game could be enjoyed solo.
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Will Wright, creator of ''[[The Sims]]'', has credited the game as a major influence.
{{tropelist}}
* [[Adam Smith Hates Your Guts]]: Completely averted. Except for the sale of one off-world luxury, the price of materials depends entirely on how much is available, and who is willing to sell. If people don't do enough mining, no more M.U.L.E.s get built. Less food means less time to work. No energy, and your M.U.L.E.s stop producing.
* [[An Entrepreneur Is You]]: One of the earliest games of the type.
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* [[Shout-Out]]: [[Sdrawkcab Name|Spell the planet's name backwards]]. Players can make a little quick cash by hunting Wampus, which is almost certainly a reference to the even-earlier computer game ''Hunt the Wumpus''.
* [[Space Pirates]]: One of many random events that can befall an individual player or the entire colony.
* [[Turn
* [[You Require More Vespene Gas]]: The whole game revolves around each player jockeying to gather or trade four commodities, three of which the players need to actually keep playing.
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Turn-Based Strategy
[[Category:Edutainment Game]]
[[Category:Commodore 64]]
[[Category:Atari 8 Bit Computers]]
[[Category:MULE]]
[[Category:Video Game]]
[[Category:IBM PC Jr]]
[[Category:MSX]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System]]
[[Category:PC-88]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts]]
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