🐳 Moby v2023.03.16 update

Alter Ego

Description official descriptions

Alter Ego is a game which tries to simulate life itself. The player creates a character with different personality statistics, either by assigning them randomly or by answering a few introductory questions. They then guide this character through seven life phases, from infancy to old age.

The gameplay consists of a series of situations where a decision has to be made. This is done by choosing one of multiple answer possibilities, sometimes accompanied with a mood. Then the player gets presented with the outcome and goes on to the next situation. Every decision has long-time consequences and influences the personality, health and which situations await further down the road. Some decisions may even result in an early death or instant game over.

Every life phase is represented by a life tree where the situations are lined up; the motive of the situation card shows the general theme of the situation. After reaching a certain age, additional life options can be undergone at any time. Here the player can change his lifestyle and manage his love and professional life.

The game exists in two variations which depict a male or female life.

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (DOS version)

17 People (8 developers, 9 thanks)

Designed and Written by
Producer
IBM version by
Macintosh and Commodore 64 versions by
Additional Programming
Macintosh graphics adapted by
Creative consultants
Documentation
Special Thanks To

Reviews

Discussion

Subject User Date
Graphics score? Cavalary (11432) 2014-07-09 14:47:42

Trivia

1001 Video Games

The Commodore 64 and Apple II versions of Alter Ego appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Explicit content

Because of the authenticity of the life experiences explored in the program, Alter Ego contains explicit material which may not be suitable for players under the age of 16. They have the option of skipping these experiences, however.

Female and male versions

The game came out in a distinct male and female version, where all the experiences are geared toward male or female players respectively.

Sales

The female version, due to the very small percentage of female gamers at the time, did not sell well and is fairly rare.

Awards

  • Commodore Format
    • January 1991 (Issue 4) - listed in the A to Z of Classic Games article (Great)* Happy Computer
    • 1986 - Best Game Idea of the Year
    • Issue 04/1987 - #11 Best Game in 1986 (Readers' Vote)* Zzap!
    • January 1990 (Issue 57) – 'The Best Games of the 80's Decade' (Phil King)

Related Games

Alter Ego
Released 2018 on Android, iPad, 2019 on iPhone
Alter Ego
Released 2010 on Windows
Alter Ego
Released 2011 on NES, Windows, Amiga...
Alter Ego: DreamWalker
Released 2013 on Windows, Linux, 2021 on Browser...
Neon Abyss: Alter Ego
Released 2021 on Xbox One, Windows Apps, Nintendo Switch...
Ego
Released 2004 on Windows
ID-EGO
Released 2019 on Windows
Ego Protocol
Released 2016 on Windows, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch
Alter Army
Released 2018 on Windows

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 2194

Contribute

Know about this game? Add your expertise to help preserve this entry in video game history!

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by the--dud.

Commodore 64 added by Quapil. iPad added by Sciere. iPhone, Android, Browser added by Pseudo_Intellectual. Apple II added by Terok Nor.

Additional contributors: Trixter, Indra was here, Sciere, General Error, Cantillon, Patrick Bregger, FatherJack, ZeTomes.

Last modified February 22nd, 2023.