Published by
Released

Platforms
MobyRank MobyScore
Amiga
...
3.2
Apple IIgs
...
...
DOS
...
3.4

Description

The objective is the same as the original game, Balance of Power: use your military, covert, and industrial forces to make your country the most prestigious in the world while avoiding nuclear war. However, it is now 1989, and the Communist Block is crumbling...

Chris Crawford, who rarely ever made a sequel to a computer game, was besieged by mail asking him to update his classic from a few years before to reflect the new state of the world. Russia was falling, the Iron Curtain was shattering, and smaller countries were beginning to assert their own regional power with more freedom from the bipolar world of the Cold War.

The result was the 1990 Edition. This game featured an updated database, but the most significant new features were:



  1. The multipolar level, where small countries could go to war with their neighbors on their own. Of course, you could help them out (or encourage them!) by sending in military aid.

  2. 18 more countries, bringing the total to 80.

  3. A "Crisis Advisory Board" of four people, who would give you advice during international crises. The nice thing about being a Superpower is that the little countries do whatever you tell them. ;) But you still have to watch out for your main rival (USSR or the US)!


Part of the Following Groups


Merchant Title      
amazon.com
Balance of Power: The 1990 Edition    
ebay.com
Balance of Power: The 1990 Edition    
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User Reviews

A Cold-War Diplomatic Simulator DOS Jim Newland (53)
The ultimate simulation of the Cold War DOS Mr Creosote (139)
the only game of foreign policy DOS lucian (37)

The Press Says

The Good Old Days DOS Feb 26, 2000 6 out of 6 100
ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) Amiga Apr, 1989 960 out of 1000 96
CU Amiga Amiga May, 1989 93 out of 100 93
Zzap! Amiga Jul, 1989 90 out of 100 90
Amiga Computing Amiga Aug, 1989 88 out of 100 88
Abandonia DOS Dec 01, 2008 4 out of 5 80

Forums

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Trivia

This game came on an unprecedented *12* floppy disks!

For both BOP and BOP: 1990, Chris Crawford wrote this in the Acknowledgements section:

"I conceived, designed, programmed, developed, and tested this game. Yet, no such project is truly single-handed; every designer owes a debt of gratitude to a large number of people who lent him their advice, their assistance, and their sympathy."

He credits his wife, Kathy, for consulting him about all "big decisions" (he mentions helping with the images and posing for the pic of an anti-nuke protester).


This entry was contributed by EboMike Bronze Star Contributing Member (2592), Raphael (1175), Terok Nor (10544) and Belboz Bronze Star Contributing Member (6609)
 

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