Energy Czar is an early educational simulation game where the president of the United States gives the player full power to guide the country through a 1980s energy crisis. The player has full control over eight energy resources: coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power and biomass. It is possible to promote or restrict each resource, ration them, change their taxes and regulate their prices as well as changing environmental controls.
To keep their job, players need to keep the population happy and produce enough energy so that their demand is met. Failing to do so leads to the player being fired. A public opinion poll appears every five years and rates the player’s accomplishments within three areas: economy growth, inflation and deaths from accidents and pollution. To stay in power, it is necessary to get at least a 20% rating in each category and 30% overall. To win the game the player needs to get an approval rating of at least 75% and will then be given the title of National Hero.