## Description
The original, non-graphical BASIC version of _The Oregon Trail_ was first
developed in 1971 by three Minnesotan teachers and meant to be played on a
Teletype. This first version was played exclusively by Don Rawitsch’s history
class, taught at Carleton College. A subsequent version was re-typed from
paper records into MECC computer systems in 1974, and made available to school
systems across the entire state. It would be revised in 1976 and again in 1978
based on new research. In 1979-1980, MECC released Elementary Volume 6 for the
Apple II microcomputer, a bundle of educational software including “Oregon”
with music, rudimentary, non-animated graphics, and action-based shooting
sequences. Subsequent versions for Atari, Commodore 64, and Radio Shack
computers followed.
Being designed for a Teletype, gameplay is comparatively simpler than in the
more widely played 1985 version. Players do not name or manage the members of
their party; only the leader counts, and the game is over if he/she dies.
Every day, the player may choose whether to hunt or not, and how well to eat.
To hunt, the player must type a word such as “BANG” as quickly as possible
when prompted, and is rewarded with food if typed correctly and fast enough. A
disaster may occur randomly each day, such as raiders attacking or poor
weather, and sometimes the player must choose from a menu which action to take
in response.
Oregon