Mugsy (video game)
Mugsy is a business simulation video game for the 48K ZX Spectrum. It was well-received for its innovative graphic style and was followed two years later by Mugsy's Revenge.
Gameplay
The player takes the role of "Mugsy", an American gangster. The aim of the game is for Mugsy to become "the most powerful gang leader in the city". In each 'turn' of the game, which represents one year, decisions must be made about how much money should be spent on weapons and ammunition to fight other gangs, how many business from which he should attempt to extract protection money, and how much bribery of local law enforcement should take place.The game was marketed as an "interactive video comic strip"; it was highly visual, with graphics intended to be similar to comic book drawings. Information was presented to the player in the form of dialogue between on-screen characters, such as Mugsy himself, and an unnamed assistant. At each decision point, the player enters text into a 'speech bubble' dialogue box.
There is no real plot or narrative arc; each year's activities are essentially the same, with the same decisions to be made by the player. There is a small action element, which is triggered if one of Mugsy's rivals orders a contract killing on him. When this happens, the player controls Mugsy directly, and must shoot the assassins who are sent after him before Mugsy gets shot too many times himself.