Terrorist (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Terrorist is a real-time, two player strategy game
developed by Steven Pederson of Edu-Ware Services
in 1980
for the Apple II
. One player plays the government authority, while the other plays a terrorist organization in three scenarios: the capture of a building and taking of hostages, air piracy, and nuclear blackmail. Players make their moves at the same time through the use of game paddles. Winner and loser is judged by an elaborate scoring system based upon the government player's societal values and the terrorist player's goals.
The game begins with one player choosing to be the terrorist and using a scenario generator to define the government in which the terrorist incident will take place. For example, among the societal values of individual rights, state rights, and economic progress, the United States, according to the game puts most of its emphasis on the former, while Japan puts most of its emphasis on the latter.
Next, the terrorist player selects one of three fictional terrorist organizations to play: the International Brotherhood for Liberation, the National Fundamentals Army, or the People's Low Republic. He also develops a list of demands that it will seek from the government that it is terrorizing. For example, the National Fundamentalist Army (NFA) is concerned that a rapist/murder is not being efficiently brought to trial and punished.
Once the political environment and terrorist goals have been set, the action begins in real time. Each player simultaneously and independently calls up different options through the use of the Apple II
's game paddles.
Using the paddles to control the game introduces a degree of clumsiness that was intentional. According to designer Pederson, "You are no longer the operator of a computer, you are simulating the role of a decision maker. Your decision may or may not be executed, or may be executed too late. Just because the head of state or leader of a movement gets credit for whatever actions are taken does not mean that they are in full control of all events.".
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
developed by Steven Pederson of Edu-Ware Services
Edu-Ware
Edu-Ware Services, Inc. was an educational and entertainment software publisher established in 1979 by Sherwin Steffin and Steven Pederson It was known for its adventure games, role-playing video games, and flight simulators for the Apple II family of computers.-History:Edu-Ware founders Sherwin...
in 1980
1980 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* May 22, Namco releases Pac-Man, which is their biggest selling game of all time* December, Nintendo releases the Radar Scope arcade game...
for the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
. One player plays the government authority, while the other plays a terrorist organization in three scenarios: the capture of a building and taking of hostages, air piracy, and nuclear blackmail. Players make their moves at the same time through the use of game paddles. Winner and loser is judged by an elaborate scoring system based upon the government player's societal values and the terrorist player's goals.
Gameplay
Terrorist is a two-player game that allows the players to make moves as the same time through the use of the Apple II's game paddles.The game begins with one player choosing to be the terrorist and using a scenario generator to define the government in which the terrorist incident will take place. For example, among the societal values of individual rights, state rights, and economic progress, the United States, according to the game puts most of its emphasis on the former, while Japan puts most of its emphasis on the latter.
Next, the terrorist player selects one of three fictional terrorist organizations to play: the International Brotherhood for Liberation, the National Fundamentals Army, or the People's Low Republic. He also develops a list of demands that it will seek from the government that it is terrorizing. For example, the National Fundamentalist Army (NFA) is concerned that a rapist/murder is not being efficiently brought to trial and punished.
Once the political environment and terrorist goals have been set, the action begins in real time. Each player simultaneously and independently calls up different options through the use of the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
's game paddles.
Using the paddles to control the game introduces a degree of clumsiness that was intentional. According to designer Pederson, "You are no longer the operator of a computer, you are simulating the role of a decision maker. Your decision may or may not be executed, or may be executed too late. Just because the head of state or leader of a movement gets credit for whatever actions are taken does not mean that they are in full control of all events.".