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To say that '''Little Computer People''' was ahead of its time is an understatement. As the forerunner to life simulators such as [[Tamagotchi]] and [[The Sims]], ''Little Computer People'' was developed in [[1985]] by famous game designer David Crane (responsible for such hits as [[Pitfall!]] and [[Ghostbusters]]). In an age when the console market had yet to be resurrected by Nintendo's [[NES]] in North America and Europe, and computers were the new kings of video games, David Crane developed a game that was not a | To say that '''Little Computer People''' was ahead of its time is an understatement. As the forerunner to life simulators such as [[Tamagotchi]] and [[The Sims]], ''Little Computer People'' was developed in [[1985]] by famous game designer David Crane (responsible for such hits as [[Pitfall!]] and [[Ghostbusters]]). In an age when the console market had yet to be resurrected by Nintendo's [[NES]] in North America and Europe, and computers were the new kings of video games, David Crane developed a game that was not a game… and it was a short-lived hit. | ||
The game has no winning conditions, and only one setting: a sideways view of the inside of a three-story house. After a short time, an animated character (always male) will move in and occupy the house. He then goes about a daily routine, doing everyday things like cooking, watching television or reading the newspaper. Players are able to interact with this person in various ways, including supplying food, entering simple commands for the character to perform, playing a cards and word games with him, and offering presents. On occasion, the character initiates contact on his own, inviting the player to a game or writing a letter explaining his feelings and needs. | The game has no winning conditions, and only one setting: a sideways view of the inside of a three-story house. After a short time, an animated character (always male) will move in and occupy the house. He then goes about a daily routine, doing everyday things like cooking, watching television or reading the newspaper. Players are able to interact with this person in various ways, including supplying food, entering simple commands for the character to perform, playing a cards and word games with him, and offering presents. On occasion, the character initiates contact on his own, inviting the player to a game or writing a letter explaining his feelings and needs. | ||
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== Your person == | == Your person == | ||
[[File: | [[File:LCP_C64_UK_box.jpg|thumb|Alternate box art]] | ||
While the little computer person who lives in the house on the disk will perform most of his activities without any cue from you, there are ways for you to interact with him, some of which are vital to his comfort. For one thing, he will run out of food and water unless you actively provide him with some throughout the game. Without food and water, he will get sick and miserable and stay in bed all day. Likewise, you should help him pay attention to his dog's bowl. Other ways of interacting are purely to make him feel better, such as giving him a call, or dropping off a present such as a record or a book. And nothing makes your person happier than nice pat on the head. The happier he is, the more likely he is to listen to you when you have a request for him. But no matter what mood he is in, don't forget to be polite and say "please," or he will be less inclined to listen. In addition to these forms of interaction, your little computer person will even play games with you, including card games like War, or Poker, and word games like Anagrams. If you get bored watching him after a while, try challenging him to one of these games. | While the little computer person who lives in the house on the disk will perform most of his activities without any cue from you, there are ways for you to interact with him, some of which are vital to his comfort. For one thing, he will run out of food and water unless you actively provide him with some throughout the game. Without food and water, he will get sick and miserable and stay in bed all day. Likewise, you should help him pay attention to his dog's bowl. Other ways of interacting are purely to make him feel better, such as giving him a call, or dropping off a present such as a record or a book. And nothing makes your person happier than nice pat on the head. The happier he is, the more likely he is to listen to you when you have a request for him. But no matter what mood he is in, don't forget to be polite and say "please," or he will be less inclined to listen. In addition to these forms of interaction, your little computer person will even play games with you, including card games like War, or Poker, and word games like Anagrams. If you get bored watching him after a while, try challenging him to one of these games. | ||
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! width="50%" | Den || Study | ! width="50%" | Den || Study | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Den.png|left]]{{-}}The Den is where your little computer person will relax and entertain himself. There's quite a lot here for him to enjoy, including watching the television from a comfy sofa chair, dance to a record on the phonograph, or playing some of his own music on the piano.<br/>'''Commands:'''{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|R}} - This will leave a new record outside your person's front door for him to collect and listen to.<br/>'''Requests''': ''Please play the piano; Please play a record; Please dance.'' | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Study.png|right]]{{-}}There are two important things located in your little computer person's study; a cabinet, and a typewriter. The cabinet is where he stores all the games that the two of you will play together (although he prefers to play at the kitchen table). And he will use the typewriter to send letters to you to let you know how he's feeling and what's been on his mind lately.<br/>''''Requests''': ''Please write a letter; Please play a game; Please play cards.'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Bedroom || Bathroom & Office | ! Bedroom || Bathroom & Office | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Bedroom.png|left]]{{-}}The bedroom is, quite obviously, where your little computer person likes to sleep. Late at night, he will get changed in the closet, and slip into bed to doze off for a while until his alarm goes off. If he's in a good mood, he also likes to do some calisthenics on the little rug in front of the dresser.<br/>'''Commands:'''{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|A}} - Pressing this will set off the alarm next to your person's bed. Be sure to let him get enough sleep before you activate it or he will be grumpy. | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Bathroom_Office.png|right]]{{-}}These two smaller rooms are used by your little computer person from time to time. In the bathroom, he may brush his teeth, or step behind the wash closet door to use the toilet. In the office, he keeps a bookshelf, and he likes to play with his computer. Sometimes he write papers, sometimes he works with a bar graph program, and other times he just doodles or plays games. The clock on the wall displays accurate time according to what you entered when you loaded the game.<br/>'''Commands:'''{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|B}} - This will leave a new book outside your person's front door for him to collect and read.<br/>'''Requests''': ''Please brush your teeth; Please play with the computer.'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Kitchen || Living Room | ! Kitchen || Living Room | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Kitchen.png|left]]{{-}}The kitchen is certainly an important room not only for your little computer person, but also for his dog. The kitchen is where he'll find food to eat and water to drink, and it is also where the dog's bowl can be found. Make sure that neither one of them goes hungry. If your person would like to play games with you, he'll set up at the kitchen table before challenging you.<br/>'''Commands:'''{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|F}} - Pressing this will deliver a package of food to the front door for your person to collect and store in the cupboard.<br/>{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|W}} - Pressing this will refill your person's water cooler. Each time you press it restores one cup's worth of water.<br/>{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|D}} - Pressing this will deliver a can of dog food to the front door for your person to collect and fill the dog bowl with.<br/>'''Requests''': ''Please drink water; Please feed the dog.'' | ||
| [[File: | | [[File:LCP_Room_Living.png|right]]{{-}}The living room is a quiet place for relaxation and contemplation for your little computer person. He likes to sit in the chair and read the newspaper. It's also where the entrance to the house can be found, and where you can have the most direct interaction with him besides playing games with him.<br/>'''Commands:'''{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|C}} - This will cause the phone to ring. Your person will pick up the phone and have a chat with you.<br/>{{kbd|Ctrl}}{{plus}}{{kbd|P}} - This is, by far, your person's favorite form of interaction: It gives him a little pat on the head. He will even come down to the Living Room from wherever he is just to receive it.<br/>'''Requests''': ''Please light a fire.'' | ||
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File:LCP C64 screen.png|Commodore 64 | File:LCP C64 screen.png|Commodore 64 | ||
File:LCP CPC screen.png|Amstrad CPC | File:LCP CPC screen.png|Amstrad CPC | ||
File:LCP ZXS screen. | File:LCP ZXS screen.gif|Sinclair ZX Spctrum | ||
File:LCP AP2 screen. | File:LCP AP2 screen.gif|Apple II | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||