CODiE Awards 1991: SimEarth, Carmen Sandiego and fairy tales
1991 was one of those years that, in hindsight, feels quietly strange for videogames. Not a fireworks display of revolutions, but a crossroads where experimentation, polish, and odd detours coexisted in equal measure. Some titles felt like natural evolutions of established ideas; others seemed to ask, “What if we tried something completely different?”—even if the answer wasn’t always satisfying.
The awarded games
SimEarth was perhaps the most eccentric member of the Sim family, courtesy of Maxis. On paper, it sounded fascinating: manage an entire planet, from geology to climate to the emergence of life itself. In practice, it felt cold and distant compared to the immediate charm of SimCity or the quirky personality of SimAnts. I admired its ambition, but I could never truly connect with it. It was less a game you played and more a system you observed, and that made all the difference.
King’s Quest V marked a significant moment for Sierra’s legendary series, pushing forward with improved visuals and production values. Despite its importance, I have to confess something sacrilegious: I never actually played a King’s Quest game. It’s one of those gaps in my gaming education that still feels slightly embarrassing, given how influential the series was for adventure games as a whole.
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? stood apart from almost everything else on the market. It was educational without being dull, adventurous without being truly thrilling, and exploratory without offering a real sense of freedom. Half learning tool, half detective game, half globe-trotting quiz—yes, three halves, and somehow it worked… at least for a while. It was fun, clever, and memorable, even if its appeal tended to fade after repeated sessions.
Then there was Railroad Tycoon, a game that needs little embellishment: a train simulation, and a remarkably well-designed one. It was deep without being hostile, complex without feeling impenetrable. For me, it represented one of my very first real encounters with management games, and I remember it fondly as a title that quietly taught me the pleasure of planning, optimization, and long-term thinking.
The list
To round things off, 1991 also left its mark through industry recognition. Below is the list of the CODiE Awards for 1991.
- 1991
- Faces…Tris III Best Action/Arcade Program
- King's Quest V Best Fantasy Role Playing/Adventure Program
- LINKS Best Sports Program
- Mixed Up Mother Goose Best Early Education Program
- Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon Best Strategy Program
- SimEarth Best Secondary Education Program
- SimEarth Best Simulation Program
- Super Solvers Outnumbered! Best Elementary Education Program
- Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (Deluxe Edition) Best Home Learning Program