TAC (video game)

Last updated
TAC
Box cover of TAC videogame 1983.jpg
Developer(s) Microcomputer Games
Publisher(s) Avalon Hill
Designer(s) Ralph Bosson
Platform(s) Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, IBM PC
Release1983
Genre(s) Wargame
Mode(s) Single-player, two-player

T.A.C. (Tactical Armor Command) is a top-down tactical combat computer wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1983 for Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and IBM PC. The game takes place during the Second World War and simulates clashes involving the United States, the USSR, Germany and the United Kingdom. [1]

Contents

Publication history

TAC is a wargame designed by Ralph Bosson of Microcomputer Games, a division of Avalon Hill. The game was originally released for Apple II in 1983. [2] It was later ported to Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 and IBM PC. [3]

Description and gameplay

Gameplay screenshot (Atari 8-bit) TAC (video game) Atari 8-bit PAL screenshot.png
Gameplay screenshot (Atari 8-bit)

TAC simulates, on a tactical scale, armored vehicle combat during the Second World War. [3] It can be played by a single player against the computer at four different difficulty levels, or against another player simultaneously on the same computer.

Scenarios

The game offers five different scenarios:

  1. A standard engagement between the two forces.
  2. An attack against a defensive position that is protected by a minefield which can only be removed by infantry units.
  3. An attack against a defensive position unguarded by mines, where the defender must successfully escape along a given route.
  4. The player faces a continuous stream of Russian tanks and tries to destroy as many as possible.
  5. The two forces are initially separated by a minefield which they must clear in order to engage.

Set-up

Each player chooses which nation to play: United States, Soviet Union, Germany or the United Kingdom. For each nation, eight types of armored vehicles are available. After choosing a scenario, each player is allocated a certain number of points with which to buy different units, including infantry, tanks and anti-tank guns. [2] For example, a player choosing the Americans can choose armored vehicles like the M4 Sherman, the M10 Wolverine, the M26 Pershing, the M3 Lee or the M8 Greyhound. [4]

Map

The game takes place on a map representing a 1,800 × 2,000 meter section of a plain in northern Germany. The map is divided into fifteen sectors, identified by a letter (for the vertical axis) and a number (for the horizontal axis) and consisting of plain or forest. Each side can control up to eight units via the keyboard. Direction of movement, for example, on the Apple II and Commodore 64 is controlled with keys U, H, J and N, and on the IBM PC with the 8, 6, 2, and 4 keys on the number pad. (On the Atari 8-bit, all input is done with the joystick.)

Movement: Armor

When the movement phase begins, an armored unit advances in a straight line as far as possible, unless the player orders it to turn or turn around.

Movement: Infantry and artillery

Each unit of infantry and artillery units has a transport vehicle. When the unit is loaded on to the transport, it is in transport mode and cannot engage in combat. The unit becomes one with the transport vehicle, and if it is destroyed, the unit is also destroyed. When the infantry or artillery unit is unloaded, it is in combat mode and can fight. The unit is now independent of its transport vehicle and if the transport vehicle is destroyed, the unit can continue to fight.

Without a transportation vehicle, infantry units can only move one square per player directional input. Artillery cannot move at all without a transportation vehicle. [2]

Combat

Combat can take five different forms:

  1. Apart from infantry, most units can attempt indirect fire against unseen enemies in suspected locations.
  2. Armored combat vehicles can also overrun infantry or artillery units.
  3. Infantry can storm armored vehicles
  4. Infantry units can engage in a firefight with another infantry unit.
  5. Artillery pieces can aim direct fire at any type of target. [2]

Reception

In the August 1983 edition of Softalk (Vol. 3, No. 12), Ralph Bosson was impressed by the game, calling the graphics "first rate" and the attention to detail "awe inspiring." He concluded, "TAC is a superb entry from Avalon Hill. It is a carefully researched and designed game of impressive sophistication, yet it's surprisingly easy to play and even a little addicting." [5]

In the October 1983 edition of Computer Gaming World , Dick Richards saw it as a fun and relatively realistic simulation of tactical combat between armored vehicles, and thought it retained its replayability over time. He did think that the game could have been even better had it incorporated a greater variety of different terrains, such as roads, rivers and ravines. Richards concluded "My overall reaction to TAC is positive. The graphics and sound effects are good." [2]

A review in the November–December 1983 issue of Softline highlighted the superior graphics and sound effects of the game as well as its addictive game system. [6]

Alex Pournelle, son of Jerry Pournelle of BYTE , reviewed TAC in February 1984. He stated that it well replicated Avalon Hill board games while adding computer assistance to rules and data. While criticizing the documentation as insufficient and advising Avalon Hill to provide more scenarios, Alex said that TAC "is fun and refreshingly different". While naming it as his game of the month, the absence of the German Flak 88 disappointed Jerry. [7]

In the May 1984 edition of Electronic Games , Neil Shapiro was enthusiastic, calling the game "the best simulation of tank warfare this reviewer has seen on or off a computer screen." He called the sound quality "fantastic" and the quality of the graphics "beautifully executed." His only criticism was the lack of varied terrain, saying, "While the simulated "wooded plain" does have groves of trees in which to hide, such things as gullies and hills would have enriched the contest." Shapiro concluded, "From the high-resolution display of the battlefield to the canny, computer opponent, just about every aspect of both simulation and play is tops." [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wargame</span> Strategy game that realistically simulates war

A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a simulation of an armed conflict. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to study the nature of potential conflicts. Many wargames re-create specific historic battles, and can cover either whole wars, or any campaigns, battles, or lower-level engagements within them. Many simulate land combat, but there are wargames for naval, air combat, and cyber as well.

<i>M1 Tank Platoon</i> 1989 video game

M1 Tank Platoon is a tactical simulator of tank warfare developed and published by MicroProse for the Amiga, Atari ST and MS-DOS in 1989. The game features a mixture of first-person, third-person tank warfare, and tactical simulation gameplay. It was followed by a sequel, M1 Tank Platoon II, released by MicroProse in 1998 for Windows. M1 Tank Platoon was sold to Interplay Entertainment in 2009. M1 Tank Platoon is available on Steam and Epic Games services.

<i>PanzerBlitz</i> World War II board wargame published in 1970

PanzerBlitz is a tactical-scale board wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1970 that simulates armored combat set on the Eastern Front of World War II. The game, which was the most popular board wargame of the 1970s, is notable for being the first true board-based tactical-level, commercially available conflict simulation wargame. It also pioneered several concepts that would become industry standards.

<i>Wizards Crown</i> 1986 video game

Wizard's Crown is a top-down role-playing video game published by Strategic Simulations in 1986. It was released for the Atari 8-bit computers, Atari ST, IBM PC compatibles, Apple II, and Commodore 64. A sequel, The Eternal Dagger, was released in 1987.

<i>Tanktics: Computer Game of Armored Combat on the Eastern Front</i> 1976 video game

Tanktics: Computer Game of Armored Combat on the Eastern Front is a 1976 two-player tank battle computer wargame by Chris Crawford. It was Crawford's first video game. He initially self-published it as Wargy I. It was published by Avalon Hill in 1981 as Tanktics.

<i>Eastern Front (1941)</i> 1981 video game

Eastern Front (1941) is a computer wargame for Atari 8-bit computers created by Chris Crawford and published through the Atari Program Exchange (APX) in 1981. A scenario editor and assembly language source code for the game were also sold by APX as separate products.

<i>Under Fire!</i> 1985 video game

Under Fire! is a tactical level computer game released by Avalon Hill's computer division in 1985. The game was released for Apple II, Commodore 64, and DOS systems. Initial packaging had the name of the designer, Ralph H. Bosson, over the title on the box front so as to read Ralph Bosson's UNDER FIRE!, but subsequent packaging replaced his name and read Avalon Hill's UNDER FIRE! instead. The C64 port was by Dyadic Software Associates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tactical wargame</span> Type of wargame that models military conflict at a tactical level

Tactical wargames are a type of wargame that models military conflict at a tactical level, i.e. units range from individual vehicles and squads to platoons or companies. These units are rated based on types and ranges of individual weaponry. The first tactical wargames were played as miniatures, extended to board games, and they are now also enjoyed as video games.

Turn-based tactics (TBT) is a video game genre of strategy video games. They are turn-based simulations of operational warfare and military tactics in generally small-scale confrontations as opposed to more strategic considerations of turn-based strategy (TBS) games. Turn-based tactical gameplay is characterized by the expectation of players to complete their tasks using only the combat forces provided to them in a generally realistic manner.

<i>Shuttle</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Shuttle is a space flight simulator game developed by Vektor Grafix and published by Virgin Games. It was released in 1992 on the IBM PC, Amiga and Atari ST.

<i>Incunabula</i> (video game) 1984 video game

Incunabula is a video game designed by Steve Estvanik and released by Avalon Hill for IBM PC compatibles in 1984. It is the original computerized version of Civilization board game, preceding Sid Meier's Civilization which was published in 1991.

<i>Legionnaire</i> (video game) 1982 video game

Legionnaire is a computer wargame for Atari 8-bit computers created by Chris Crawford released through Avalon Hill in 1982. Recreating Julius Caesar's campaigns in a semi-historical setting, the player takes command of the Roman legions in real-time battles against the barbarians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer wargame</span> Wargame played on a computer or other digital device

A computer wargame is a wargame played on a digital device. Descended from board wargaming, it simulates military conflict at the tactical, operational or strategic level. Computer wargames are both sold commercially for recreational use and, in some cases, used for military purposes.

<i>Combat Mission</i> Video game series

Combat Mission is the name of a series of computer wargames simulating tactical battles. The series has progressed through two distinct game engines. The original game engine, referred to as 'CMx1' by the developer, Battlefront.com, powered a trio of games set in the Second World War. Combat Mission: Shock Force was released in July 2007 as the debut of the 'CMx2' game engine. The Combat Mission games are a mixture of turn-based gameplay and simultaneous real-time execution. The game environment is fully three-dimensional, with a "Wego" style of play wherein each player enters their orders into the computer simultaneously during pauses in the action, and then are powerless to intervene during the action phase. More familiar turn-based games use an "I-go/You-go" system of play.

<i>Cross of Iron</i> (board game) Board wargame published in 1979

Cross of Iron is a tactical board wargame published in 1979 by Avalon Hill as an expansion — called a "gamette" by the company — to their very popular 1977 wargame Squad Leader. The game simulates small group tactical combat during World War II on the Eastern Front.

<i>Nobunagas Ambition</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Nobunaga's Ambition is a 1986 strategy game by Koei, focused in the Sengoku period of the history of Japan. A part of Koei's "Historical Simulation" line of titles, it was published on several platforms such as IBM PC compatibles, Amiga, the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, and Mega-Drive. It is the second game in the Nobunaga's Ambition series and the first Nobunaga's Ambition title to be released in English. The player has the objective unifying Japan as Oda Nobunaga or as any of the other daimyos present in the game. Several revisions were made to the gameplay since the first game, as well as a 50-province mode which expanded the game's map to feature all of Japan.

<i>The Shattered Alliance</i> 1981 video game

Chronicles of Osgorth: The Shattered Alliance is a 1981 computer wargame published by Strategic Simulations in January 1982 for the Apple II and Atari 8-bit computers. Programmed by John Lyon, it relies on a new game engine, called RapidFire, intended to make faster and easier access to wargames published by the studio. During a turn, the program selects the units each in turn and the player only has to order them to move, attack or cast a spell. The order is then executed immediately before the program selects another unit. The game offers two categories of scenarios. The first is composed of medieval-fantasy confrontation, including a free adaptation of the Battle of Gondor against the Mordor forces in the Lord of the Rings. The second is composed of historical battles of antiquity.

<i>The Battle of Shiloh</i> (video game) 1981 video game

The Battle of Shiloh is a 1981 computer wargame published by Strategic Simulations. It is one of the first Civil War strategy computer games, and was the first Strategic Simulations game available on the TRS-80. Intended as an introductory war game, it was available on the Commodore 64, Apple II, and Atari 8-bit family, TRS-80 and IBM PC, and was originally developed by David Landry and Chuck Kroegel through their studio "Tactical Design Group".

<i>Close Assault</i> 1982 video game

Close Assault is a computer wargame published in 1982 by Avalon Hill.

<i>Panzer-Jagd</i> 1983 video game

Panzer-Jagd is computer wargame published in 1983 by The Avalon Hill Game Company for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64.

References

  1. ↑ "Taking a Peek: TAC". Computer Gaming World . Vol. 3, no. 4. July–August 1983. p. 6. ISSN   0744-6667.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Richards, Dick (October 1983). "TAC: Review & Analysis" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . Vol. 3, no. 5. pp. 21, 49. ISSN   0744-6667 . Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. 1 2 Brooks, Evan (September 1993). "Brooks' Book of Wargames: 1900-1950, A-P". Computer Gaming World . No. 111. p. 146. ISSN   0744-6667.
  4. 1 2 Shapiro, Neil (May 1984). "Articles of War : T.A.C.". Electronic Games . 2 (12): 48–51. ISSN   0730-6687.
  5. ↑ Bosson, Ralph (August 1983). "Marketalk Reviews". Softalk. 3 (12). Softalk Publishing: 173–174. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  6. ↑ "TAC". Softline. 3 (2): 4. November–December 1983.
  7. ↑ Pournelle, Jerry (February 1984). "Chaos Manor Gets Its Long-Awaited IBM PC". Byte. p. 113. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.