Atari's Energy Czar is a very realistic, educational simulation of the energy situation in the United States. Your task is to try and solve the problems of increasing demands, decreasing supplies, and the rising costs of energy. To combat these energy problems, you have been given the power to promote or restrict supplies of the energy resources. Your options of power include the rationing of supplies, the raising or lowering of taxes, price regulating, and the authority to tighten or loosen the environmental controls (don't let the power go to your head). However, just as in the real world, if you fail to make the people happy by not meeting the energy demands, then out you go!
In order to make the program more realistic and challenging, before you're in office, you must choose between three possible energy biases:,. Pro Fossil, Pro Nuclear, or Pro Solar. The bias selections tell the computer which set of numbers to use in determining prices, supplies, and safety factors for each of the energy resources. The bias selected will also determine the length of time it will take the player to become a "National Hero".
The program begins by selecting the bias. You are the prompted with the menu for 1980, (you always begin your term of office in 1980). The main menu lists the six charts available, PRICES, TAXES, DEATHS, SUPPLY, USAGE, and an OVERALL VIEW. These charts are used to review your policy options before enacting legislation. Once you are satisfied with your policies, and reviewed the overall chart, you then return to the main menu and enact legislation and hope for the best. While you are waiting for the computer to evaluate your decisions, the screen displays "PROCESSING PLEASE STAND BY" and begins a countdown.The PUBLIC OPINION POLL rates your overall performance and the effects your policies have had on growth of the economy, inflation, and deaths from accidents and pollution. If at least 30% of the people think your doing a good job then you'll stay in office for another term. If you receive 75% or more then you'll become a "National Hero" and should consider entering politics. However, if you get less than a 30% rating then you'll be ousted from office.
I'm almost tempted to call Energy Czar a game, but the expression "entertaining simulation" seems more appropriate. At first glance, Energy Czar seemed as though it was going to be a statistical bore. However, every time I found myself being kicked out of office, I became more determined to try again. In the beginning, Energy Czar can be frustrating. A newcomer to the program may often lose without understanding why. I recommend reading the manual thoroughly before attempting to play. You'll be surprised at the amount of interesting and useful information Atari included in the manual.
Atari's Energy Czar is a colorful and entertaining way of introducing users to the problems of the U.S. energy economy. It offers first hand experience in formulating energy policies, exploring energy policy bias, and will help users to discover the difficult trade-offs that must be made between energy needs. If you're into strategy or thinking programs, don't deprive yourself of Energy Czar any longer. List price $14.95 (16K) Cassette.
