Topologika's Yes Chancellor
Wondering what the Chancellor's up to?
The Company
Topologika Software was founded by teachers Brian and Maddy Kerslake in 1987 in Stilton, Cambridgeshire. Five years earlier, the couple had started another educational software company: Chalksoft. However, Chalksoft hadn’t been able to find many customers. (This was partial due to problems in the British software industry.) That didn’t stop the Kerslakes from trying again.
Shortly after founding Topologika, Brian Kerslake received a phone call from Peter Killworth. Killworth was an early pioneer of text based adventures. The phone call lead to a partnership between the two: Killworth would create games and Kerslake would publish them. Their first product was Giant Killer, a game based on the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, to teach math. It was popular and used in schools in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Topologika went on to publish other games, including:
Acheton
Avon
Giant Killer
Hezarin
Kingdom of Hamil
Monsters of Murdac
Philosopher's Quest
Return to Doom
Sellardore Tales
Stig of the Dump
The Last Days of Doom
The company continued to be very successful. It finally closed its doors in 2013.
For an in-depth look at the company, check out The Digital Antiquarian’s article on it.
The Game
I couldn’t find a review of Yes Chancellor. (I did get a lot of search results for the similarly named Yes Minister BBC comedy show.) However, I did find a few things. Below is the copy from the ad above. You will also find a video of gameplay from an Amstrad PCW and a clip from Yes Minister. Enjoy!
Wondering what the Chancellor's up to? High interest rates are worrying us all - but they're the instrument with which he's fighting inflation.
Along with other changes expected in his 1989 Budget, interest rates will have a profound effect on us all. If you don't really understand whazt he's up to. YES CHANCELLOR! can help you find out. It's a serious simulation of the economy, in which you - as Chancellor - have to set bank rates, raise money, control government spending, fight unemployment, inflation, taxes, foreign exchange etc. Feedback on your performance comes as news comments, opinion polls and elections.
Written by Tom Tuite, former senior official of the Inland Revenue, "Yes Chancellor!" follows general economic laws and can help you understand the very complex issues behind Budget moves. Can you steer your party to power for three elections - and win a Life Peerage?
What computer ads would you like to see in the future? Please comment below. If you enjoyed, please share with your friends and relatives. Thank you.
