Science Horizons Survival

Science Horizons Survival is a ZX Spectrum computer game developed by Five Ways Software. It was published by Sinclair Research in association with Macmillan Education in 1984.[1] It is an educational game in which the player takes on the role of one of a series of animals, and had to find food to survive while avoiding predators.

Survival
Gameplay screenshot
Developer(s)Five Ways Software
Publisher(s)Macmillan Software
Sinclair Research
Platform(s)ZX Spectrum
Release1984
Genre(s)Life simulation, educational
Mode(s)Single-player

Development

Survival was developed as part of a series of educational software aimed at children aged between 5 and 12. This "Science Horizons" series was instigated by Sir Clive Sinclair and ex-Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.[2]

Gameplay

The aim was to teach users about food chains; as an insect life is short, with the constant danger of being eaten by a bird - but as an eagle the player is at the top of the food chain with mankind or starvation as the only dangers.

The simulation allows the player to be one of six animals: a hawk, a robin, a lion, a mouse, a fly or a butterfly. The world appears in scrolling grid form, with ice caps to the north and south. The player moves one square at a time, with visibility depending on the chosen animal, avoiding predators and find food and water. The game ends when the animal dies, either through starvation, dehydration, being killed by a predator, or old age.

Reception

CRASH magazine described Survival as an interesting and enjoyable program which can be used to reinforce learning, or on a self-discovery basis. One criticism was difficulty in remembering the control keys.[3]

References
  1. Survival at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
  2. "Sinclair News". ZX Computing (8402): 83. March 1984.
  3. "A Little Learning for the Festive Season?". CRASH (24): 137. December 1985.


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