Leading Company
Encyclopedia
is a construction-oriented strategy
video game that was released for both the Super Famicom
and the NEC PC-9801.
."
Both versions of this game were released to an exclusively Japan
ese market. However, the NEC PC-9801 version has sharper graphics
and the ability to use a mouse
. Instead of abstract colors (to depict control of each square of the board), buildings are used to depict a typical Japanese residential neighborhood. A theme park
is visibily shown on an island in the PC-9801 version to depict recreational opportunities.
The game challenges young people to create their own business empire by researching and marketing better VHS
machines for the Japanese consumers
. In both version of the game, the player is introduced to jazzy instrumental song being played in the background while neon
pictures of various people fly across the screen. As of 2011, there has been no attempt to produce an English language
version for this game either through official channels or through unofficial emulator translator groups. This game is considered to be in Japanese for the full duration of the game, making literacy skills in Japanese mandatory. Only the brand names themselves use the Latin alphabet
; all other words use the Japanese alphabet. There are only two time periods in the game and jazz music plays throughout the entire game.
The player can either start in the 1970s when VCRs
were beginning to be researched in Japan or in the 1980s
when VHS (and video cassette recorders) were beginning to come of age. Up to eight buildings can be constructed on the corporation's property to build and research new technology. However, three buildings are already established at the start of the game. Each product that he or she manufactures has a separate profit chart. When an older model goes down in profits, research and manufacture a newer one (don't forget to discontinue the older one first) and make more money from willing Japanese customers.
It is considered to be the job of the player to try to keep his chosen corporation profitable by creating new VHS machines while making sure that people still spend money on the ones being made. If they go down to zero or less, then his or her company goes bankrupt
. At this point, he or she loses the game. When a company goes bankrupt, a television news screen appears with the English word "DISSOLVED
" right on the picture caption.
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
video game that was released for both the Super Famicom
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and the NEC PC-9801.
Summary
The traditional definition of a leading company is a corporation that currently dominates the "corporate wars" against their competitors. Its employees are considered by most people to be winning the "rat raceRat Race
A rat race is a term used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape while running around a maze or in a wheel...
."
Both versions of this game were released to an exclusively Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese market. However, the NEC PC-9801 version has sharper graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
and the ability to use a mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
. Instead of abstract colors (to depict control of each square of the board), buildings are used to depict a typical Japanese residential neighborhood. A theme park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
is visibily shown on an island in the PC-9801 version to depict recreational opportunities.
The game challenges young people to create their own business empire by researching and marketing better VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
machines for the Japanese consumers
Demographics of Japan
The demographic features of the population of Japan include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
. In both version of the game, the player is introduced to jazzy instrumental song being played in the background while neon
Neon
Neon is the chemical element that has the symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. Although a very common element in the universe, it is rare on Earth. A colorless, inert noble gas under standard conditions, neon gives a distinct reddish-orange glow when used in either low-voltage neon glow lamps or...
pictures of various people fly across the screen. As of 2011, there has been no attempt to produce an English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version for this game either through official channels or through unofficial emulator translator groups. This game is considered to be in Japanese for the full duration of the game, making literacy skills in Japanese mandatory. Only the brand names themselves use the Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
; all other words use the Japanese alphabet. There are only two time periods in the game and jazz music plays throughout the entire game.
The player can either start in the 1970s when VCRs
Videocassette recorder
The videocassette recorder , is a type of electro-mechanical device that uses removable videocassettes that contain magnetic tape for recording analog audio and analog video from broadcast television so that the images and sound can be played back at a more convenient time...
were beginning to be researched in Japan or in the 1980s
1980s in Japan
In Japan during the 1980s, the economy was in a boom where buyers found themselves paying the highest prices for goods and commodities. As of March 2010, the unemployment rate in Japan is 4.9%; a very low number compared to the unemployment rate during the height of the 1990s...
when VHS (and video cassette recorders) were beginning to come of age. Up to eight buildings can be constructed on the corporation's property to build and research new technology. However, three buildings are already established at the start of the game. Each product that he or she manufactures has a separate profit chart. When an older model goes down in profits, research and manufacture a newer one (don't forget to discontinue the older one first) and make more money from willing Japanese customers.
It is considered to be the job of the player to try to keep his chosen corporation profitable by creating new VHS machines while making sure that people still spend money on the ones being made. If they go down to zero or less, then his or her company goes bankrupt
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. At this point, he or she loses the game. When a company goes bankrupt, a television news screen appears with the English word "DISSOLVED
Dissolution (law)
In law, dissolution has multiple meanings.Dissolution is the last stage of liquidation, the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed....
" right on the picture caption.