Taipan was (and is) a classic role-playing game from the 1980s. While not as graphically oriented as some of the other popular gamesof the time (e.g. Choplifter, Karateka, and Lode Runner), Taipan stillmanaged to capture the imagination of almost every player that laidhands upon it.Loosely based upon James Clavell's best-selling novel "Tai-Pan", thegame lets you play the role of an ocean-going trader doing business inmajor Asian ports during the mid-1800s. Your objective is simple: makethe most money possible by trading and pirating. Based out of Hong Kong,you'll sail from harbor to harbor buying commodities including opium,silk, arms, and "general" goods, and selling them again at a higherprice elsewhere.