At first this wasn't a video game; it was a text based adventure. The game was loaded onto a mainframe, and anyone using a terminal connected to it could play it. This was only available to schools to help students learn about the time period. There was no video monitors (they were very, very expensive at that time) so players typed all of their instruction on a terminal, that also had a printer so that players could read what they had typed, along with what the computer sent back. The computer's responses would give the players assorted conditions, such as bad weather, lack of water, disease, or hostile Indians. The players would then type in their responses. Play would continue until they reach Oregon (or died).
This game was very popular in schools across the U.S. (in those schools that could afford a terminal to a mainframe), so when personal computers began selling in sufficient numbers it became one of the first educational video games on the market. Since then it has sold over 50 million copies.
This game was very popular in schools across the U.S. (in those schools that could afford a terminal to a mainframe), so when personal computers began selling in sufficient numbers it became one of the first educational video games on the market. Since then it has sold over 50 million copies.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content