Odell Lake (video game) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Odell Lake |
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|---|---|
| Developer(s) | MECC |
| Publisher(s) | MECC |
| Platform(s) | Apple II, Commodore 64 |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Educational simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Odell Lake is an exciting educational game from 1986. It was made by MECC for computers like the Apple II and Commodore 64. In this game, you get to be a fish living in Odell Lake, which is a real lake in Oregon, USA. The goal is to survive and thrive in the underwater world! Later, another game called Odell Down Under was released, continuing the adventure.
Contents
Playing Odell Lake
As a fish in Odell Lake, you have two main ways to play: you can "go exploring" or "play for points."
Exploring the Lake
When you choose to "go exploring," you can pick from six different kinds of fish to play as. These include fish like the Mackinaw Trout, Whitefish, or Rainbow Trout. In this mode, you can simply swim around and see what happens in the lake.
Playing for Points
If you choose to "play for points," the computer will randomly pick which type of fish you play as. Your goal is to make smart choices to earn as many points as possible. You need to decide which other fish to eat, while also trying to stay safe from enemies like otters, ospreys, and even bait from fishermen.
When playing for points, the names of the fish and other creatures are hidden. This means you have to use your memory to know who is who! The game is also timed, so you need to make quick decisions. After every five moves, you will play as a different type of fish.
Earning Points
Making the best decisions will earn you the most points. If you make a less smart choice, you might get fewer points, or even no points. If your fish eats something it shouldn't, you could actually lose points! If you don't make a decision before time runs out, it counts as "Ignore."
Game Over
The game ends immediately if your fish is attacked by an enemy or if you get caught by a fisherman. To get a high score, you need to play safely and remember what works best in different situations. You also need to pay attention to where your food is (shallow or deep water) and where predators are. Remember, the same situation might have different results each time!
In 1987, the game was also released in Hebrew for the Apple II computer in Israel.
Main Fish Species
Here are the different kinds of fish you might find or play as in Odell Lake:
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden trout
- Mackinaw trout: This is the largest fish in the game.
- Blueback salmon
- Whitefish
- Chub: This is the smallest fish in the game.
Other Lake Creatures
Besides other fish, your fish might meet these creatures or objects in or around the lake:
- Otters: These animals will try to eat any fish that doesn't quickly swim deep into the water. The only exception is the Mackinaw Trout, which always stays in deep water.
- Ospreys: These birds will try to grab any fish that doesn't quickly swim deep. Like with otters, the Mackinaw Trout is safe from them.
- Algae: This green plant is only good food for the Chub. Other fish will find it yucky!
- Plankton: Tiny organisms that some fish eat.
- Fishermen: You won't know they are there until you eat a baited Chub or a fishing fly that looks like an Insect or Larva.
- Bottom organisms: Small creatures that live at the bottom of the lake.
- Insects and larva: Small bugs and their young forms.
Fish Actions
When your fish meets another fish, animal, or object, you can choose from these actions:
- Try to eat the item.
- Try to chase the item away.
- Ignore the item (this happens automatically if you run out of time in "Play for points").
- Make a "shallow escape": Swim quickly towards the surface or shallow water.
- Make a "deep escape": Swim quickly towards the bottom or deeper water.
