Rags to Riches is a simulation game that was known in some countries as Wall Street Manager. In the middle eighties, Melody Hall Publishing Corporation released Rags to Riches, which was originally intended to be a single player simulation for the Commodore 64. The title is gleaned from the fact that the user starts his life (and this game) as a homeless bum who will gradually work his way up to becoming a millionaire tycoon.
Accumulating money is the main goal of the game.
Homeless in a nameless modern city, the main character is trying to survive on scraps when the game begins. In order to advance in the game, he is going to have to develop some form of income. The first type of income comes from scavenging loose change that he finds on the streets. This beginning activity also serves as a means of exploring the city. He can also sell bottles. When he changes to a more upscale neighborhood, he will find more upscale trash that will sell better than the stuff he finds in the slums. In this first portion of the game, the obstacles involve all of the stereotypical problems a bum may have on the street. The police will be hounding him
for vagrancy, thieves will try to steal his collection of “merchandise,” and the bum will have to suppress a rampant and consuming desire to spend all of his earnings on alcohol.
As soon as the vagrant earns enough money to get a haircut and buy some clothing that will make him appear respectable, he may be able to land a job and develop a more steady cash supply. At first, the jobs will be odd jobs, but they will be enough to allow him to finish his education. He will start first by completing high school, but can then attend college and earn a degree in a business that will make him more wealth. After the college degree, the bum will be well on his way to becoming a millionaire, which is the overall goal of the game. Obstacles in this later term are more likely to be the IRS than any of the challenges the bum faced when he was on the streets.
The bum will travel using a subway system, for which he will have to purchase tickets. He can sleep in hotels in order to keep a more respectable appearance. Instead of simply selling bottles at the various shops around the city, the more respectable bum will actually be able to make purchases at these establishments in order to advance. Overall, Rags to Riches features a nice progression with a happy ending. It is a challenge to get there, but that is the fun of the game.
