Drugwars

Player notes

About this game

Drug Wars is John E. Dell's text-based trading game. Its opening instructions set two goals: repay the loan shark, then build up as much money as possible during a month of play. The screen tracks cash, debt, bank funds and the stock carried in a trench coat or kept in the Bronx stash.

Answer Y when the opening screen offers instructions. The game then proceeds through written prompts: choose whether to buy, sell or travel, enter an item or quantity, and select a numbered destination when asked. Use the letters shown in the prompt and confirm typed values with Enter. Space advances screens that explicitly request it.

Read each new prompt before entering a command because visits to the bank, stash and lender interrupt the usual trading choices. Keep enough cash available to meet obligations and pay attention to carrying capacity. Random events and encounters can change the plan, so a profitable earlier price is not a guarantee on the next visit.