Computer Games
Interests
Since the 1980's I have been fascinated with computer games. I started out with a Commodore 64 and one of my favorite games was Stuart Smith's Adventure Construction Set. The idea (and process) of creating my own virtual worlds has always been an interest to me because it challenged my imagination. The limitations, with ACS, made me wish for more.
Later, I got an IBM PC and started looking for games with more graphic capability. I developed a love for a game called Breach 2, Rules of Engagement 2 and Wargame Construction Set. Breach 2 was a squad level tactical game and ROE was a ship to ship combat game. WGS was exactly what it sounded like--an engine to create strategic and tactical wargames.
I also found new versions of Empire (Empire Deluxe and Empire 2), as well as other games like Forgotten Realms--Unlimited Adventures, Steel Panthers, Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games and Lords of the Realm, to name a few. Graphics were increased in these games and I again enjoyed the ability to create my own scenarios within the confines of the game engine and parameters.
For a time, I wrote game reviews for a publication called "Wargamer's Monthly" and articles for Commodore 64 magazines.
Operating systems and graphics became more sophisticated, but I continued to enjoy these "old school" games. Young people today would find them far too graphically limiting but they are still my favorites.
Many of these games have been ported to modern operating systems and a program called DOSBox allows the old games to be played on modern computers. A number of these games are available on the Web. They are considered to be "abandonware," but are still copyrighted. However, copies can be purchased for minimal cost on eBay.
Enthusiasts with much more talent than me have created modern versions of many of these games that are designed to run on current PCs. Below are some web sites where these games can be found and the freeware versions of some of them can be downloaded.
Adventure Creation Kit, a freeware version of Adventure Construction Set, with much more capability
Classic Empire, the forerunner of Empire Deluxe and Empire II, freely available
Dungeon Craft, a freeware version of Forgotten Realms--Unlimited Adventures
DOSBox, a way to run old MS-DOS games on modern PCs.
Adventure Construction Set for the Commodore 64
Breach 2, in a game
Empire II game designer