DinoPark Tycoon
© 1993 MECC (The Learning Company)
In this cleverly designed simulation program, children manage a dinosaur amusement park. Starting with a loan of $5000, children go to a realtor to purchase a swamp, desert, or grassland. Next they select their fences. Kids can buy the inexpensive lower quality wood fences or the stronger, more expensive cement walls. The next job is to hire a staff. There are six positions like manager and tour guide, each drawing a salary. Finally, dinosaur eggs are purchased and hatched, ranging in price from $1,250 to $9,750. Children will also need to buy meat or plants for their animals, depending on the type of dinosaur purchased. Once these elements are in place the park can open. A top view of the park is shown, along with a calendar. As months pass, random events occur– dinosaurs may overeat, run away, or get hungry. Only a quick response to these events along with the appropriate investment in concessions, parking, and advertising can keep the park open. The program is quite challenging at the start. Children may go bankrupt after six months on the first couple of tries. Once they figure it out, they'll find lots of fun in a challenging context, and will learn about dinosaurs as well as running a business.
$59.95, DOS, Mac, 3DO
Teaches: dinosaur facts, business skills