Summary

Release Year: 1991
Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: Amiga, DOS
Developers: Rainbow Arts
Publishers: Rainbow Arts

Mad TV (1991): A Zany Simulation of Television Station Management

Released in 1991 by Rainbow Arts, Mad TV is a television station management simulation game that is loosely based on Mad Magazine. The game puts the player in the role of a new program director for a TV station, and tasks them with selecting programming, earning advertising revenue, and trying to marry Betty, an attractive woman who works in the building.

The game is presented in a tongue-in-cheek style, with many of the characters and situations being parodies of real-life television personalities and shows. For example, one of the shows that the player can choose to air is called “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” which is a parody of the classic sitcom of the same name.

Despite its humorous tone, Mad TV is actually a fairly complex and challenging simulation game. The player must carefully consider which shows to air, how to promote them, and how to negotiate with advertisers in order to maximize their profits. The game also features a number of random events that can occur, such as natural disasters, celebrity scandals, and even alien invasions.

One of the most unique features of Mad TV is its “Betty Factor.” Betty is an attractive woman who works in the building, and the player can choose to try to marry her. However, Betty is a very demanding woman, and the player must go to great lengths to impress her. For example, the player can buy her gifts, take her to dinner, and even write her poems.

If the player is successful in marrying Betty, they will receive a bonus to their profits. However, if the player fails to impress Betty, she will eventually leave the building and the player will lose the bonus.

Mad TV was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it has since become a cult classic among fans of simulation games. The game is praised for its humor, its challenging gameplay, and its unique “Betty Factor.”

Gameplay

Mad TV is played from a top-down perspective, and the player controls the station’s program director. The game is divided into days, and each day the player must perform a number of tasks, such as:

Selecting which shows to air
Promoting the shows
Negotiating with advertisers
Dealing with random events

The player must carefully consider which shows to air, as each show has its own unique costs, ratings, and advertising potential. The player must also promote the shows effectively in order to attract viewers. The player can do this by buying advertising, creating promotional stunts, and even hiring celebrities to endorse the shows.

The player must also negotiate with advertisers in order to sell advertising time. The player must be careful not to sell too much advertising time, as this can lead to viewers becoming annoyed and switching channels.

Finally, the player must deal with a number of random events that can occur during the game. These events can range from minor annoyances, such as power outages, to major disasters, such as alien invasions. The player must be prepared to deal with these events quickly and efficiently in order to minimize their impact on the station’s profits.

The Betty Factor

The Betty Factor adds an extra layer of challenge to Mad TV, and it can be a lot of fun to try to win Betty’s heart. However, it is important to remember that Betty is not essential to winning the game. The player can still win the game without marrying Betty, but it will be more difficult.

Conclusion

Mad TV is a fun and challenging simulation game that will appeal to fans of Mad Magazine and business sims alike. The game’s humor, its challenging gameplay, and its unique “Betty Factor” make it a truly unique and memorable experience.