Taipan!

About

You’re running a trading empire in 18th century East Asia. Buy silk in Shanghai, sell it in Macao, and outmaneuver rival merchants while managing ports, weathering storms, and avoiding corrupt officials. Each move is a calculated risk as you juggle cargo space, cash flow, and political favor. The goal isn’t just profit but survival in a region rife with shifting alliances and unpredictable markets. Released in 1979, Taipan! predates modern micro-managers by decades. Its minimalist text interface leans into luck and long-term planning, traits that still resonate with fans of old-school strategy. Average ratings hover around 4.2 out of 5 on preservation sites, with players praising its brisk pace and economic depth. Running it now means embracing the charm of retro computing on Apple II or TRS-80 emulators.