The Would-Be Gentleman models the economic and social life of a French
bourgeois during the life and reign of Louis XIV of France, 1638?1715.
It is intended for undergraduates studying the economic life of the
period. This scenario is briefly introduced to the player, who then
embarks on an ambitious plan of economic and social decision-making.
The player experiences the world of 17th century France by managing
income and properties, planning marriages and estates, and seeking
influence through official duties and alliances with powerful figures.
Historical and personal events are inter-related in the simulation.
Significantly, students develop an understanding of economic patterns
and make their judgements in terms of 17th century France. As in real
life, economic success and social prestige do not follow a fixed
pattern. The program features many economic choices clearly laden with
prestige, but players who overreach themselves can suffer shame, loss
of income, and even, God forbid, bankruptcy. The challenge of The
Would-Be Gentleman is to keep social status and economic status in
balance.
SC0589_CM003.img self-identifies as version 4.1 in its About box.
WouldBeGentleman_Early_dsk.zip is an unidentified earlier version;
considering the release history given in the documentation, it most
closely corresponds to version 2.0.
