Blitz (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Blitz is an arcade-style game for the VIC-20 personal computer
.
The first game of this genre was written for the Commodore PET
by Peter Calver and published under the name Air Attack by his company, Supersoft
, in 1979. At that time it was common for computer magazines to publish games listings which readers could type into their own computer, and Air Attack was also published as a listing in the December 1979 issue of Personal Computer World
.
For a short period a 4-coloured transparent overlay was available which simulated colour on the black-and-white screen of the PET computer (a similar technique had previously been used in some arcade machines, notably Breakout). However, when Commodore switched from black-and-white to green screens the effect was no longer as convincing, and the overlay was discontinued.
Although the game was prompted by a verbal description of the arcade game Canyon Bomber
(Atari
, 1977), it was not until many years later that Peter Calver saw the original game. The inspired change from a canyon filled with rock pillars to a city of skyscrapers was copied by all later clones including Blitz, City Bomber and City Lander (for ZX Spectrum, C64 and ZX-81). 'Blitz' was published by Commodore themselves for the Vic-20, then Blitz-64 for the Commodore 64 and Blitz-16 for the Commodore-16. Blitz was taken by Commodore from 'Vic New York' written by Simon Taylor
/TaySoft.
composed of blocks. The player has to drop bombs from a plane, and each bomb which hits a building removes one or more blocks. As the plane descends it risks hitting any remaining blocks so priority has to be given to bombing the tallest "buildings". The level is completed when all blocks are removed and the plane has descended safely to the bottom of the screen.
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
.
The first game of this genre was written for the Commodore PET
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
by Peter Calver and published under the name Air Attack by his company, Supersoft
Supersoft
Supersoft is a software and computer game developer and publisher founded in England in 1978. It was founded by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard to develop and publish software primarily for the Commodore PET.-Hardware:...
, in 1979. At that time it was common for computer magazines to publish games listings which readers could type into their own computer, and Air Attack was also published as a listing in the December 1979 issue of Personal Computer World
Personal Computer World
Personal Computer World was a long-running British Computer magazine.Although for at least the last decade it contained a high proportion of Windows PC content , the magazine's title was not intended as a specific reference to this...
.
For a short period a 4-coloured transparent overlay was available which simulated colour on the black-and-white screen of the PET computer (a similar technique had previously been used in some arcade machines, notably Breakout). However, when Commodore switched from black-and-white to green screens the effect was no longer as convincing, and the overlay was discontinued.
Although the game was prompted by a verbal description of the arcade game Canyon Bomber
Canyon Bomber
Canyon Bomber is a black-and-white 1978 arcade game, developed and published by Atari. The game was ported to the Atari 2600, also in 1978.-Gameplay:...
(Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
, 1977), it was not until many years later that Peter Calver saw the original game. The inspired change from a canyon filled with rock pillars to a city of skyscrapers was copied by all later clones including Blitz, City Bomber and City Lander (for ZX Spectrum, C64 and ZX-81). 'Blitz' was published by Commodore themselves for the Vic-20, then Blitz-64 for the Commodore 64 and Blitz-16 for the Commodore-16. Blitz was taken by Commodore from 'Vic New York' written by Simon Taylor
Simon Taylor
Simon Taylor may refer to:*Simon Taylor , drummer for InMe*Simon Taylor , Scottish professional rugby union footballer*Simon Taylor , convict ship to Western Australia...
/TaySoft.
Game description
A plane moves across the screen at a steady speed. When the plane reaches the end of the screen it moves to the other side and drops down one line, with the speed increasing each time the plane drops a line. Below is a cityscapeCityscape
A cityscape is the urban equivalent of a landscape. Townscape is roughly synonymous with cityscape, though it implies the same difference in urban size and density implicit in the difference between the words city and town. In urban design the terms refer to the configuration of built forms and...
composed of blocks. The player has to drop bombs from a plane, and each bomb which hits a building removes one or more blocks. As the plane descends it risks hitting any remaining blocks so priority has to be given to bombing the tallest "buildings". The level is completed when all blocks are removed and the plane has descended safely to the bottom of the screen.