Computer Game Makes It Fun to Navigate Your Way Around Town

It’s debatable who should get credit for putting Los Angeles on the map. Scott Klynas, however, gets credit for putting it on a disk.

The Simi Valley software writer designed a game for personal computers called “Los Angeles on a Disk” that lets players travel the Southland’s streets and freeways free from smog, congestion and valet parking.

Klynas, who helped invent an electronic drum set when he worked at Mattel, said he wanted to make a game that shows people how to get around Los Angeles and that highlights the city’s chief attractions. His wife, Linda, helped by providing 20,000 words of text.

The goal is to find a stash of money hidden at one of 307 locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties, while avoiding four “trackers” who try to catch players and eliminate them from the game. Clues are found at such places as the “Burrito King” fast-foot stand on Sunset Boulevard.

To stay in the game, players need to earn money by mowing lawns, acting in bit parts in movies and frying hamburgers. The money pays for food, entertainment, culture, lodging and gasoline.

An example of the kind of entertainment available is a stop at the Pantages Theatre to see the last act of “My Fair Lady.” Also included in the entertainment category are earthier diversions such as a professional wrestling match at the Olympic Auditorium involving George (The Animal) Steele, Sergeant Slaughter and Hulk Hogan.

Klynas, who is working on Las Vegas and San Francisco versions of the game through his company, Klynas Engineering, says it took him two years to design the software and enter the text. The game, which can be played only on IBM personal computers or compatible equipment, lists for $39.95 and is selling at 14 computer stores in California.

A software review in the June edition of Byte, a computer magazine, called Klynas’ maps “a bit crude and stylized, but even so, surprisingly well done.”

But there is at least one bug in the software. Those who play the game visit Dodger Stadium and watch outfielder Mike Marshall beat the New York Yankees in the World Series with a grand slam in the ninth inning. Trouble is, he does it with two men on base, rather than the necessary three.

Klynas promises to fix it.