Simulators

Well, if a ZX81 can run a Nuclear Power Station (and indeed did - right up until April 25th 1986) then a Spectrum 48k can sure as hell simulate a lot more. This category is broadly divided into two genres, those being Proper Simulators and Bloody Lawn Mower Simulators. Lets have a look at some of the staggeringly realistic products that the CSSCGC has - quite literally - thrown up.

And remember: "If it's got "Lawn Mower" in the title, it ain't bloody winning."

Build That Tower - By Ian Collier

From the esteemed keyboard of Ian Collier comes a realistic simulation of what it's like to work in one of those dead tall cranes that you always see in Manchester city center (trust me, I can see one out the window at this very moment. Y'know, it's always puzzled me how they erect (oo-er) those things. Do they use an even larger one to swing it into place? And if so, how was that larger one put up? Is there some kind of Super-Crane somewhere in the world with a reach so fantastic that it can plop them down anywhere on the surface of the planet without being spotted? 'Coz you never see the buggers getting built, do you? One day there's just a load of rubble and the next some sodding huge metal construct is there! And those concrete ballast weights on the other end, eh? What'd happen if one slipped off? Do they even considering the safety risks?!).

Anyway, the game's dead good.

Dark Room Simulator - By Iain Scrimgeour

At last you can relive the exciting experience of returning home one night and then flicking on the hall light only for it to expire with an audible "plink". This deeply detailed simulation reaches far to include all of the possible permutations of situations that can occur in a dark room, including knocking your legs against furniture and fatal spine injuries.

Coin Toss Simulator - By Derek Jolly

Thanks to Derek Jolly's entry you longer do you need to scrabble about your pockets to locate a coin when settling a disagreement or deciding who gets to ask out the attractive woman and who gets stuck with her ugly sister. With just a tape, a Spectrum and a portable TV you can eliminate all chances of foul play from the equation and get the only true unbiased randomly selected 50:50 result. Hurrah!