Flight Simulator (1980 video game)
| Flight Simulator | |
|---|---|
| File:FS1 Flight Simulator.jpg TRS-80 version cover art | |
| Developer | Sublogic |
| Publisher | Sublogic |
| Designers | Bruce Artwick Stu Moment |
| Programmer | Bruce Artwick |
| Platforms | Apple II, TRS-80 |
| Release | Apple II TRS-80 1980 |
| Genre | Amateur flight simulator |
| Mode | Single-player |
Flight Simulator is a 1980 flight simulator video game published by Sublogic for the Apple II (internally cataloged as A2-FS1 Flight Simulator).[1] A TRS-80 version (T80-FS1) followed later that year. It is the first in a line of simulations from Sublogic which were also sold by Microsoft as the long-running Microsoft Flight Simulator series, beginning in 1982.
Sublogic later released updated versions for both the Apple II and TRS-80 on 5 1⁄4 inch diskettes. The updates include enhanced terrain, help menus, and a bomb sight.
Gameplay
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Flight Simulator is a flight simulator in which the player pilots a somewhat modernized Sopwith Camel.[2]
Development
[edit | edit source]Computer-graphics specialist Bruce Artwick and pilot and marketing student Stu Moment were roommates at the University of Illinois. Released for the Apple II computer as A2-FS1 Flight Simulator with British Ace - 3D Aerial Battle,[3] it was their first product after forming Sublogic,[4] has black and white wireframe graphics, with very limited scenery consisting of 36 tiles (in a 6 by 6 pattern, which roughly equals a few hundred square kilometers), and provides a very basic simulation of one aircraft.
Sublogic advertised that the $25 FS1 "is a visual flight simulator that gives you realistically stable aircraft control", with a graphics engine "capable of drawing 150 lines per second".[5]
Ports
[edit | edit source]The simulator was later ported to the TRS-80 Model I under the name T80-FS1,[6] which has only rudimentary graphics capability. Because of the TRS-80's limited memory and display, the instrument panel was dropped and the resolution of the cockpit window display reduced.
Reception
[edit | edit source]J. Mishcon reviewed FS1 Flight Simulator in The Space Gamer No. 31. Mishcon commented that "all things considered, this is single most impressive computer game I have seen. It creates a whole new standard. I most strongly urge you to buy it and see for yourself".[2]
Bob Proctor reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and said that "although there are other flight simulators, the Sublogic program remains unique for the built-in dogfight game. While raving about the simulation, reviewers have called the game 'difficult', 'challenging', and 'next to impossible'".[7]
Flight Simulator sold 30,000 copies by June 1982, tied for third on Computer Gaming World's list of top sellers.[8]
References
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