Ask RedWolf: On Famicom, Winds, and Pyramids
July 18th, 2007 by Benj Edwards[ “Ask RedWolf” is a regular column where Benj Edwards (aka RedWolf) answers readers’ questions about computers and video games. ]
Late last year, I started fielding questions for a new series called “Ask RedWolf”(“RedWolf” being my long-time online alias that I used to go by on this blog). Many months later, I’m finally getting around to releasing the first one.
This time around, I discuss a technical question on the Sharp Twin Famicom and give my best educated guesses on two requests for game identification, which our readers might be able to help with. And of course, you can always ask me questions yourself for the next column. On with the show.
[ Continue reading Ask RedWolf: On Famicom, Winds, and Pyramids » ]
The History of Civilization now on Gamasutra
July 18th, 2007 by Benj EdwardsEarlier this year, I spent a few months getting into everything Civilization for an in-depth look at the history of Sid Meier’s classic. The result of that work is now up on Gamasutra as “The History of Civilization.” It also includes (at the end of the article) the transcript of a lengthy telephone interview I conducted with Sid Meier on the topic.
I’d like to extend special thanks to Sid Meier, Bruce C. Shelley, and Troy S. Goodfellow for their indispensable help in putting the piece together. I hope you enjoy reading it.
[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Biofeedback Game Interface
July 16th, 2007 by Benj EdwardsIf you use this image on your site, please support “Retro Scan of the Week” by giving us obvious credit for the original scan and entry. Thanks.
Great Moments in Shareware: Scorched Earth
July 12th, 2007 by Benj EdwardsSixteen years after its humble emergence in the golden age of the BBS, Wendell Hicken’s timeless 1991 artillery simulation remains a hallmark in shareware history. Scorched Earth stands as nothing less than a masterpiece in the field of computer games.
With its numerous gameplay settings, variable computer AI, and an impressive variety of entertaining power-ups, Scorched Earth possesses nearly infinite replay value. It’s also one of the greatest party games ever devised: up to ten players can take turns plotting the explosive demise of their closest friends at the hands of a Nuke, MIRV, or Death’s Head over as many as 1000 rounds. As a testament to the pure strategy of the game, veterans skilled in the ways of Scorch know the best ways to dispatch foes — or merely survive as others duke it out — under any circumstance, rain or shine, springy walls or rubber.
Many of today’s game designers seem envious of Scorch’s ability to consistently entertain for over a decade. Fans of Hicken’s classic have attempted modern remakes of or improvements upon Scorched Earth, but to this day, none has even begun to approach the solid feel, intricate balance, or professional production values of the original. That’s how good it is.
Hicken didn’t invent the artillery game; he perfected it. And as long as our computers run without smoking, we’ll still be playing the original Scorched Earth as good Wendell intended.
Scorched Earth 1.5 | |
Release Date: | 1991 (1.0), 1995 (1.5) |
Author: | Wendell T. Hicken (aka “Sprig”) |
Platform: | MS-DOS |
Runs Best On: | Any 286 or 386 PC with 640K+ RAM and a VGA card |
Notes: |
Amazingly, Scorched Earth runs pretty well on modern computers under Windows. If the game seems too fast, adjust the in-game “Firing Delay” setting (under “Hardware”). You might also want to try running the game under DOSBox. The game uses the PC speaker for sound. |
– Download Scorched Earth 1.5 – (633KB) |
[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Ultima VII Immortality Contest
July 9th, 2007 by Benj Edwards“Platform Agnostics” on 1UP.com
June 28th, 2007 by Benj EdwardsI forgot to mention this earlier, but an article I wrote about the “most ported” games of all time is now up on 1UP.com. It’s called Platform Agnostics, and it takes a look at eight games that are prominent for their cross-platform status, i.e. appearing on many different computers or video game systems. (By the way — I’m not a big fan of the “whore” analogy that the 1UP editors used on the subtitle, but hey, that’s their call. I’ll admit that my title is a little dry.)
Anyway, take a look at it if you’re interested. It’s definitely on-topic for VC&G, as most of the games discussed are pretty old.
[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Mind-Blowing Software
June 25th, 2007 by Benj EdwardsIf you use this image on your site, please support “Retro Scan of the Week” by giving us obvious credit for the original scan and entry. Thanks.