The Oregon Trail (MECC)

The Oregon Trail is a 1971 computer game developed by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger at the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC). The game is a simulation of a wagon train journey from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon.

Players must manage their resources, such as food, water, and ammunition, as they travel across the country. They must also deal with natural disasters, such as floods and storms, and with diseases, such as cholera and dysentery. The goal of the game is to reach Oregon City with as many members of the wagon train alive as possible.

The Oregon Trail was a critical and commercial success, selling over 6 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its educational value and its realistic gameplay. The game is considered to be a classic computer game and is often cited as one of the best educational games of all time.

The Oregon Trail has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Apple II, Commodore 64, and IBM PC. It has also been re-released on a number of compilations, such as the History Channel’s Greatest Video Games and the Computer Hall of Fame’s 50 Greatest Video Games.

The Oregon Trail is a classic computer game that is still fun to play today. It is a challenging game that is sure to test the skills of even the most experienced players. The game’s educational value and realistic gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.