In Depth: The Masters of Strategy (D+H Games)

In Depth: The Masters of Strategy

People either love them or despise them but the good old text-only football management sim is one of the most successful types of computer program. That bearded monster Mr. Kevin Toms started it all on the ZX81 with Football Manager. Cross Software gave us an improvement with Superleague but it wasn't until '86 that better games started to appear. D+H Games set the standard with Football Director, a more realistic and difficult management sim.

Written in 1986 by T. Huggard and J. De Sallis, it has been followed by several slight variations on the same theme. ON THE BENCH is our current favourite (and currently struggling near the foot of the third division if you really must know). But other sports have been given the D+H number crunching treatment, including Golf, Snooker, Motor racing, Boxing, Horse racing, Motorcycling, Rugby, Cricket and even Greyhounds!

One of our favourites from D+H's weird stable is Software House, a sim which gives you the chance to be head of Ocean or Ultimate or anyone really. There have also been some puzzle type games and a couple of Text Adventures. On the down side, D+H Games and their budget label Cult, have been guilty of some of the naffest cassette covers ever seen in the western world, altogether lowering the tone to these most addictive of games. Not even footballers in the Conference have moustaches. Write to Dept Z, 19 Melne Rd, Stevenage, Herts SG2 8LL, England. TEL: (0438)728042.