"Earth Orbit Stations" is a 1987 strategy game by Karl Buiter and published by Electronic Arts. It requires a 64K Apple ][+ or later.

Initial release date: 1987

Released on: Apple II, Commodore 64

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Genre: Simulation, Strategy/Tactics

Gameplay: Managerial/Business Sim

Setting: sci-fi / futuristic

 

Announcements, Listings, and Advertisements:

 

Listed with computer specifications in Apple II Software Information Guide (1990)

 

Apple II release announced in The Games Machine Magazine Issue #09 (1988)

 

Previewed in Call-A.P.P.L.E. Magazine (1987); Commodore Magazine Issue #10 (1987)

 

Advertised twice in “Farther, the Electronic Arts Magazine” (1987), first for the Commodore 64 and second for the Apple II; The Everything Book for Commodore Computers (1988); Compute Commodore Buyers Guide (1989); Commodore Magazine Issue #24 (1988); New Computer Express Issue #023 (1989); Family Computing Magazine Issue #058 (1988); Ahoy! Magazine Issue #45 (1987); Info Magazine Issue #16 (1987); Washington Apple Pi Journal (1987); Compute! Magazine Issue #97 (1988); Your Commodore Issue #38 (1987); Tilt Issue #045 (1987) (French); Videogame & Computer World (1990) (Italian); Compute Commodore Buyers Guide (1988); advertisement collected in broad collection here; original ad in Compute! Gazette Issue #60 (1988); advertised as part of a larger group in Compute! Gazette Issue #51 (1987)

 

Listed in Computer And Video Games Issue #092 (1989); Compute! Magazine Issue #087 (1987); Swedish catalog Svenska Hemdator Nytt Issue #07 (1989); listed as a contest prize in ZZap!64 Issue #051 (1989)

Suggested as an educational gift from Santa in Washington Apple Pi Journal (1987)

 

Reviews and Write-Ups:

 

Educational applications discussed in Software for Aerospace Education. A Bibliography (2nd Ed.; 1989), a bibliography of software used by NASA for training purposes.

 

Reviewed in Compute! Magazine Issue Issue #93 (1988); Washington Apple Pi Journal (1987); Commodore Magazine Issue #16 (1988); Zzap!64 Issue #32 (1987); Commodore Disk User Vol 1 Issue #2 (1988); Compute! Gazette Issue #54 (1987); Moj Micro Issue #06 (1989) (Slovenian); Aktueller Software Markt Issue #12 (1987) (German); Happy Computer SH Issue #21 (n.d.) (German); Arcades Issue #04 (1988) (French); The Villanovan, (Villanova U. newspaper) (1987)

 

Tips:

 

Tips sections in Gold Mine Game Tips for Commodore Users (1990); Commodore Magazine Issue #29 (1989)

 

Wiki Entries and Fan Sites:

 

Mobygames

 

Alternate Copies/Versions on the Internet Archive:

 

Alternate version also uploaded by 4am (4am and san inc crack); two versions (1) and (2) uploaded by Sketch the Cow; uploaded as part of A2 Canada Collection

Softkey and Cracking:

Softkeys described in Hardcore Computist Issue #57 (1988) and Computist Issue #68 (1989)

Description, from Mobygames:

Earth Orbit Stations is a space program simulation where you run a privately owned space station. It focuses on the commercial aspects of space flight, as opposed to governmental or military aspects.

In the near future of the year 1996, you have been appointed space director. Your goal is to build space stations, conduct research, market products, and compete against up to three other directors. These can be controlled either by the computer or by other players. There are various missions with distinct objectives: the tasks range from rescue operations, pure research or space colony construction to a search for intelligent extraterrestrial life.

In the course of the game, you can build 39 different modules, including command, life, chemical lab, solar collector, and communications. Most of the missions require special units: for a Mars rescue operation, you first need to build a space hospital, for example. It's also possible to launch shuttles and probes from the station.

Reaching the goals of each scenario requires money. You can sell new products, request help from commercial sponsors, and even use ads to attract more buyers. To make this game even more challenging, you constantly have to watch your opponents, because if any of them achieves the goal first, you lose.