You Have Died of Dysentery

“For whatever reason, it is only ‘dysentery' that has become an internet meme, even though the program gives it an equal probability to the other five afflictions.”

I didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up, but I have to say I was delighted with what I found. The author was the team leader for the team that built what we know today as The Oregon Trail, and he includes an astounding amount of development detail in this book. From start to finish, this is very much about the game, the home market environment it was developed for, and all the coding and math going on behind the scenes to make that wagon roll across the screen. Copious amounts of screenshots, pictures of handwritten notes, and other visual media are included as well to supplement the development process. Appendices are also included with closing thoughts the author had about what he might have done differently, and several bits of Oregon Trail meme-ology that made me giggle.

The detail was (to me) fascinating to read, but for someone less technically inclined it might be a bit slow going. There's lots of detailed sections on math, but just as many detailed sections on creative development ideas and how the author went from an idea to a reality (or a scrapped module in some cases). I loved the little factoids thrown in that I wouldn't have known otherwise, like for instance, originally you could choose between two different starting years, and experienced a few different period-specific events depending on which you selected. Interesting stuff.

You also learn the exact equation used to determine if your wagon will tip over when you caulk it and float it across a river. So, y'know, don't meet your heroes if you don't want the childhood magic of holding your breath during every river crossing ruined.