Tropico (video game)
A satirical simulation of ruling a Caribbean banana republic.
Tropico is a construction and management simulation game that first appeared in April 2001, created by PopTop Software and published by Gathering of Developers. Feral Interactive later handled development and publishing for several entries in the series on Mac OS X. Players assume the role of "El Presidente," the ruler of a fictional Caribbean island nation called Tropico, set during the Cold War and beyond.
The game takes a humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach to the concept of semi-democratic banana republics, poking fun at totalitarianism, rigged elections, and interference from powerful corporations (with the United Fruit Company implied) and the two Cold War superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. This style echoes the earlier 8-bit game *Dictator* by DK'Tronics, though in that game success was measured solely by how much money the player stashed in a Swiss bank account.
The soundtrack features Latin-style Caribbean music, mostly performed by Daniel Indart. At the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Tropico won the award for "Original Musical Composition."
Several expansions and re-releases followed: *Tropico: Paradise Island*, a combined edition called *Tropico: Mucho Macho Edition* (released June 27, 2002), and a three-game pack titled *Tropico Reloaded* that bundled the original, *Paradise Island*, and the sequel *Tropico 2: Pirate Cove*. The sequel *Tropico 2: Pirate Cove* launched on April 8, 2003. Later main entries include *Tropico 3* (autumn 2009), *Tropico 4* (August 26, 2011), *Tropico 5* (May 23, 2014), and *Tropico 6* (March 29, 2019). *Tropico Reloaded* is available digitally on Steam and GOG.com, as well as on disc.
**Gameplay**
The primary objective in any Tropico game is to remain in power. If the populace disapproves of the player's actions, they can vote the leader out. Various factions and external powers can also end El Presidente's rule: rebels may defeat the army and storm the palace, while a dissatisfied army can stage a coup d'état.
Maintaining positive relations with both the Soviet Union and the United States brings foreign aid money. If either superpower becomes unhappy, it may launch an invasion to overthrow the regime.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Tropico
- Developer
- PopTop Software / Feral Interactive (Mac)
- Publisher
- Gathering of Developers (Windows) / MacSoft (Mac) / Feral Interactive (Mac)
- Producer
- Joshua Galloway
- Designer
- Phil Steinmeyer · Franz Felsl
- Programmer
- Brent Smith · Phil Steinmeyer
- Artist
- David Deen · Todd Bergantz · Franz Felsl · Brian Feldges · Steve Mohesky
- Writer
- Fanz Felsl
- Composer
- Daniel Indart
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac OS X
- Released
- WindowsCAN · April 21, 2001 · USA · April 24, 2001 · UK · April 27, 2001Mac OS XNA · July 17, 2001 · EU · 2001
- Genre
- Construction and management simulation
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Tropico sees the player taking the role of 'El Presidente', who rules a fictional Caribbean island country named Tropico during the Cold War era and beyond. The game features Latin-styled Caribbean music largely performed by Daniel Indart. It has several expansion packs and new editions, including Tropico: Paradise Island and a combined copy titled Tropico: Mucho Macho Edition released on June 27, 2002. A sequel, Tropico 2: Pirate Cove, was released on April 8, 2003, followed by Tropico 3 in autumn 2009, Tropico 4 on August 26, 2011, Tropico 5 on May 23, 2014, and Tropico 6 on March 29, 2019. The game was re-released in the three-game pack Tropico Reloaded, packing the original game, the expansion, and the sequel into one release, available digitally on Steam and GOG.com, and on disc.
Reader's Guide
The main goal of any Tropico game is to stay in power. If the populace disapproves, they may vote the leader out; rebels can defeat the army and storm the palace; a dissatisfied army can stage a coup; and unhappy superpowers may launch an invasion. The game can be played in scenario or custom game modes, with customizable maps, difficulty, and victory conditions. Players can issue governmental edicts, design or select an 'El Presidente' character from real-life figures such as Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Augusto Pinochet, or fictional rulers. The game calculates a final score based on citizen happiness, economy health, Swiss bank account savings, and difficulty level. Politics involve factions including Communists, Capitalists, Religious, Intellectuals, Militarists, and Environmentalists, each with specific concerns that affect gameplay. The game's significance lies in its satirical treatment of Cold War-era politics and its blend of humor with serious themes, influencing later entries in the series.
Did You Know?
- The game won the 'Original Musical Composition' award at the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.
- The game includes a tutorial level that teaches the player the game mechanics and controls.
More in Simulation Games of the 2000s 1-20
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