No one was trying to be tricky when they came up with the title Baron: The Real Estate Simulation for this game of…real estate simulation. This text-based game is quite antiquated, having been released in the late eighties, but it is still a realistic reflection of the fluctuations and intricacies of the real estate industry. It is still quite popular in modern times for several reason, the first being that it is quite accurate and well done. The second reason is that that the real estate market has not drawn the interest of many video game developers, and Baron: The Real Estate Simulation is one of very few games that center around that subject.
The scope of the game is very narrow, which can be a positive or negative point depending on the gamer’s preferences. Many managerial games of this nature try to take on too much. In Baron: The Real Estate Simulation, the user does not have to worry about developing large expanses of unused land in order to make some swanky housing developments. He does not act as a landlord and make money by renting out his ventures, nor is he any type of commerce guru attempting to attract people to a city. He is a pure speculator and simply buys properties of differing values and uses, and (if he is lucky or good) sells them at a profit by monitoring the market.
Now, many gamers
may find the narrow scope of the game a detriment, but it actually works as a great advantage to the user, giving him the opportunity to concentrate on real estate speculation instead of all the micromanagerial aspects that could have been included in the game. The game offers a very clear cut goal: making money. The gamer will have to start, literally, from the ground up, as his property portfolio is completely empty when the game begins. He has a minimal bank account containing about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which is quite small given the scope of the game. With that cash and his wits, he will have to become a multimillionaire.
At the beginning of the game, the user will receive a list of properties that are available for purchase. Some will look like they have great potential, and others will appear to be junk, but both types of properties can fool you. The gamer will have to pay close attention to the property description, which will include the property’s usage, asking price, and location. Other financial information, such as taxes and upkeep fees will be included, and must be considered in order to make the most of a profit. The gamer will have to keep a close watch on mortgage rates and trends within the market in order to make the most profit on each venture.
Overall, this is a good game with simple goals that are not so simple to attain. It is a great tool for actual realtors and a fun business simulation.
