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Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 5:29:59 PM   
SlickWilhelm


Posts: 1854
Joined: 7/22/2007
From: Rochester, MN
Status: offline 		A little trip down memory lane of what some of us, ahem, more experienced wargamers used to consider top-notch graphics. This is from SSI's Battle of Antietam from 1987.






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< Message edited by Slick Wilhelm -- 7/26/2010 5:30:08 PM >
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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 5:47:52 PM   
sol_invictus


Posts: 1961
Joined: 10/2/2001
From: Kentucky
Status: offline 		Yikes! I am glad I didn't get my first comp until 1993. My first computer wargame was Atomic's V4V: Velikiye Luki and it still looks very good to this day and I still play it.

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 6:18:04 PM   
mjk428

 

Posts: 1944
Joined: 6/15/2002
From: Western USA
Status: offline 		Things were a bit more colorful for Atari owners.

Eastern Front 1981:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Front_(video_game)




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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 6:22:55 PM   
NefariousKoel


Posts: 2930
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Murderous Missouri Scum
Status: offline 		I remember Conflict in Vietnam being one of, if not the earliest, computer wargames I played.



Fancy Schmancy!

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 9:07:05 PM   
Yogi the Great


Posts: 1948
Joined: 4/10/2007
From: Wisconsin
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

A little trip down memory lane of what some of us, ahem, more experienced wargamers used to consider top-notch graphics. This is from SSI's Battle of Antietam from 1987.



Looks like the first real computer wargame I had for the Apple IIC but it was a Gettysburg game. While I certainly appreciate the improvement in graphics, I still feel too many of us get caught up in graphics and other glitz and lose sight of what should be the most important thing - Is it a good game! Nice graphics can't save things when they are put on games that are no good.

It was also nice when the game (maybe in part because of simple graphics) actually played well instead of having to wait for patches to fix things.

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 10:59:28 PM   
Fred98


Posts: 4430
Joined: 1/5/2001
From: Wollondilly, Sydney
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Yogi the Great

It was also nice when the game (maybe in part because of simple graphics) actually played well instead of having to wait for patches to fix things.



Before the internet, all computer games needed patches. Its just that without the internet you didn't know about it.

-


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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/26/2010 11:06:30 PM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

A little trip down memory lane of what some of us, ahem, more experienced wargamers used to consider top-notch graphics. This is from SSI's Battle of Antietam from 1987.







I think it looked better with symbols on an Apple... )I never could stand the 4 color PC's after coming from 16-32 color Apples)






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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 2:56:56 AM   
Greybriar


Posts: 1148
Joined: 2/9/2007
Status: offline 		CGA graphics weren't much to look at, but they were a step up from what my amber monochrome monitor had been displaying.

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:17:51 AM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Greybriar

CGA graphics weren't much to look at, but they were a step up from what my amber monochrome monitor had been displaying.


I actually built a computer desk to hold my green screen and a portable TV, side by side. I had a y-cable from my computer so that I could use the green screen for reading, and the TV for discerning terrain (colors).

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Post #: 9
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:23:49 AM   
junk2drive


Posts: 12907
Joined: 6/27/2002
From: Arizona West Coast
Status: offline 		I bought an RF modulator at Radio Shack to connect a little color TV to my Apple IIe. What a shock to see Ultima in color instead of green on green.

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Post #: 10
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:28:39 AM   
mllange

 

Posts: 527
Joined: 2/5/2005
Status: offline 		Found the following clip about the wonderful Tigers on the Prowl / Panthers in the Shadows series from HPS, which exactly mirrors how I feel about these games. Probably the only 3.5" floppy games I still play regularly (that aren't available on GOG.com):

quote:

Short story: after 15 years they are still amazing. A fine example of the
"substance over style" approach. The sheer amount of data is staggering
(over 20 variants of the M4 in 1944 alone in PitS) and the detail level
incredible (dynamic LOS - including "seasonal fogliage level" impact on
sightning and shooting; penetration evaluated according to ammunition type,
speed, armor and angle of impact; off map artillery; ground and weather
condition; shhot-and-scoot tactics; air support; naval support; paratroops;
realistic order delays - a key concept - according to force quality,
distance from HQ and other various items...).

There is even a map editor - so they probably qualify as the only HPS games
that don't need ADC I & II. True, the interface is a little bit cluncky (but
the only feature that shows how it is from 15 years ago is that intuitive
commands still require a "confirmation click") and the graphics are nothing
to write home about - but, who cares?

I played only a little while, but I was hooked again. Which brings me to the
obvious question: HPS (unwisely, IMHO) doesn't sell them anymore. I see that
Dragons in the Mist (expansion devoted to the Pacific front) is listed only
under patches. I also remember that both PitS and ToP2 had scenario disks
done by Nick Bell and IIRC, Sturmer.


Read More: http://www.mofeel.net/1182-comp-sys-ibm-pc-games-war-historical/6209.aspx





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< Message edited by nim8or -- 7/27/2010 3:30:11 AM >

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 12:30:08 PM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: nim8or

the wonderful Tigers on the Prowl / Panthers in the Shadows series from HPS,


They still reside on my HD! ...hmmm, been awhile though. I oughta' crank them up again soon!

(Oh, and Nick Bell is on these forums... last I saw, he was in the Eagle Day to Bombing the Reich forum)

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Post #: 12
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 1:18:20 PM   
Yogi the Great


Posts: 1948
Joined: 4/10/2007
From: Wisconsin
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: E


quote:

ORIGINAL: Greybriar

CGA graphics weren't much to look at, but they were a step up from what my amber monochrome monitor had been displaying.


I actually built a computer desk to hold my green screen and a portable TV, side by side. I had a y-cable from my computer so that I could use the green screen for reading, and the TV for discerning terrain (colors).


I di the same for my IIC - I would usually use the monochrome for any writing or reading and the color monitor for game play. The text was often hard to read on those color monitors so using both made sense.



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Post #: 13
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:12:58 PM   
diablo1

 

Posts: 994
Joined: 2/27/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

A little trip down memory lane of what some of us, ahem, more experienced wargamers used to consider top-notch graphics. This is from SSI's Battle of Antietam from 1987.







The Commodore 64 graphics were actually quite better than that one. Early PC graphics were like 4 colors and pretty awful. I'd say the first 10 years of computer gaming were best on a C64 and Amiga 500.

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Post #: 14
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:22:37 PM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: diablo1

The Commodore 64 graphics were actually quite better than that one.


Yeah, and you commies had time to watch a movie while loading your games! *grin*

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Post #: 15
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:40:42 PM   
carnifex


Posts: 1295
Joined: 7/1/2002
From: Latitude 40° 48' 43N Longtitude 74° 7' 29W
Status: offline 		My first computer wargame, can you name it?




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Post #: 16
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:45:01 PM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

My first computer wargame, can you name it?



Battalion Commander (SSI - 1985) (might've been called Combat Leader or similar on the commie?)

< Message edited by E -- 7/27/2010 3:55:21 PM >

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Post #: 17
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 3:47:26 PM   
SlickWilhelm


Posts: 1854
Joined: 7/22/2007
From: Rochester, MN
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

My first computer wargame, can you name it?



Uh, Amoeba Wars?

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Post #: 18
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 4:06:03 PM   
Knavery


Posts: 286
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		I like the thread title, because if there's any genre of games that have NOT come a long way in the graphic department, it's wargames. ROFL!

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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 4:28:01 PM   
carnifex


Posts: 1295
Joined: 7/1/2002
From: Latitude 40° 48' 43N Longtitude 74° 7' 29W
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: E

quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

My first computer wargame, can you name it?



Battalion Commander (SSI - 1985) (might've been called Combat Leader or similar on the commie?)


Two different games :)

(Well, not so different but two different releases for sure - Combat Leader came out '83 and BC in '85 - both were available for the Atari and C-64).


My second computer wargame:



< Message edited by carnifex -- 7/27/2010 4:41:12 PM >

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Post #: 20
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 4:56:45 PM   
diablo1

 

Posts: 994
Joined: 2/27/2010
Status: offline 		The second one there ^ is Knights of the Desert by SSI.

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Post #: 21
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 5:10:04 PM   
sPzAbt653


Posts: 9511
Joined: 5/3/2007
From: east coast, usa
Status: offline 		I still have all of my old Com64 floppy's, but the system and monitor have been tossed after no one could repair them anymore. I recently reproduced SSI's Arnhem map for TOAW. The original looked just like the above screenshot for Knights of the Desert.




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RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 5:27:57 PM   
rickier65

 

Posts: 14231
Joined: 4/20/2000
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

quote:

ORIGINAL: E

quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

My first computer wargame, can you name it?



Battalion Commander (SSI - 1985) (might've been called Combat Leader or similar on the commie?)


Two different games :)

(Well, not so different but two different releases for sure - Combat Leader came out '83 and BC in '85 - both were available for the Atari and C-64).


My second computer wargame:





That was actually my first computer wargame!

Rick

(in reply to carnifex)
Post #: 23
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 6:28:38 PM   
carnifex


Posts: 1295
Joined: 7/1/2002
From: Latitude 40° 48' 43N Longtitude 74° 7' 29W
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rick

That was actually my first computer wargame!

Rick


That was the first one I bought.

Combat Leader was given to me by a friend who kept referring to it as "That stupid green game".

< Message edited by carnifex -- 7/27/2010 6:29:38 PM >

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Post #: 24
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/27/2010 7:04:54 PM   
diablo1

 

Posts: 994
Joined: 2/27/2010
Status: offline 		I remember when Knights of the Desert came on a cassette tape, but, shipped with the floppy as well.

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Post #: 25
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/28/2010 2:07:48 AM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

quote:

ORIGINAL: E

quote:

ORIGINAL: carnifex

My first computer wargame, can you name it?



Battalion Commander (SSI - 1985) (might've been called Combat Leader or similar on the commie?)


Two different games :)

(Well, not so different but two different releases for sure - Combat Leader came out '83 and BC in '85 - both were available for the Atari and C-64).



They were so alike to me... I didn't spend much time on a commie, but did play it on an Apple. They were both "That Ant Game from SSI."

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Post #: 26
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/28/2010 5:26:11 AM   
V22 Osprey


Posts: 1593
Joined: 4/8/2008
From: Corona, CA
Status: offline 		My first wargame was...ahem....SPWAW.

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Post #: 27
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/28/2010 5:48:12 AM   
E

 

Posts: 1247
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: V22 Osprey

My first wargame was...ahem....SPWAW.


Wait another 20-30 years and you'll sound similar to us older farts...

"I remember my first wargame actually required you to TOUCH something like a mouse or a keyboard! And you could actually see where you REALLY were in your peripheral VISION! (yes! you actually used your eyeballs back then!) And when you got hit, you just heard a sound on a speaker... no nerve impulse transfers or anything!" -- Quote of "V22 Osprey," April 12th 2035, on UniMatrix Thought Forum, Neuron #3214. Just before he shipped out to his new job as Overseer of the Andromeda Cluster.

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Post #: 28
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/28/2010 6:10:20 AM   
SwampYankee68


Posts: 1186
Joined: 5/8/2002
From: Connecticut, U.S.
Status: offline 		My first wargame:

SSI's Computer Ambush!



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Post #: 29
RE: Computer wargame graphics have come a long way - 7/28/2010 7:03:06 AM   
Bamilus


Posts: 973
Joined: 4/30/2010
From: The Old Northwest
Status: offline 		I think this thread is a testament to the fact that you can be very happy with something when you don't know any different 

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