Gunship (video game)
Encyclopedia
Gunship is an AH-64 Apache
helicopter
simulation that was released by Microprose
in 1986. Its platforms include DOS
, Atari ST
, Amiga
, Commodore 64
, MSX
and ZX Spectrum
. The game was later ported onto the Sega Mega Drive
by U.S. Gold
in 1993. A direct sequel
, Gunship 2000
, was released in 1991.
In Central America, the Middle East, and Western Europe, AIM-9 Sidewinder
s would also be standard equipment, usually as a backup air-to-air weapon in case of cannon failure.
Patient players might move in short jumps, crouching behind hills to block the enemy's line of sight and suddenly popping up to attack. More aggressive players generally fly fast and erratically to evade enemy fire, flying in low to deliver devastating cannon attacks at close range. Since flight time is a component of the mission evaluation, either method has its advantages. The latter, however, can be rather dangerous against 1st Line enemies whose fast reaction times can cause the chopper to be pummelled with relentless fire.
Most enemy fire, especially from light cannons, is deflected by armor. Some enemy fire will cause systems damage. After enough damaging hits, the structural integrity will fail, causing a general power failure. This manifests itself in a dual-engine flameout, warranting an emergency landing. An emergency landing by a seriously injured pilot in enemy territory causes him to become Missing in Action
. If the pilot lands without serious injury, he can escape back to base and live to fight another day.
There is no defined time limit in the game. A player can return to any number of Forward Area Resupply Points where he'll be rearmed, refueled and damage repaired. Returning to the Home Base will end the mission. Ideally, the pilot completes both missions, knocks out other targets, and makes it back to base within 20 minutes.
, although he can continue amassing medals.
To earn all medals, the player can follow these steps:
Other medals are earned in combat, such as the Purple Heart
, Air Medal
, Bronze Star, Silver Star
, Distinguished Service Cross
, and the Congressional Medal of Honor. No medals in this game are prerequisites for earning others (the requirement of shooting down two Hinds in one mission for the Medal of Honor led some to believe that it was not possible to earn it before earning lower medals). Repeated medals are harder to earn than the first one.
The criteria for winning medals is based on types of targets destroyed, number of targets destroyed, objectives met, time elapsed, and sometimes whether or not the pilot is wounded. As in real life, medals in this game can be awarded posthumously.
scheme that allowed a limited number of hard disk installs from a key disk. If needed, Gunship could later be un-installed from the hard disk, crediting the install back to the key disk. This system had the drawback of not working if the user ran defragmentation software without uninstalling Gunship first. Later versions used a key disk system that allowed unlimited backup copies, but required the key disk to be inserted briefly before the game would run. This had the drawback that, if the key disk were lost or damaged, the user would have to pay for a new copy.
Other copy protection measures include a Vehicle Identification screen at startup that requires the user to match the image on the screen to the appropriate vehicle (e.g. BTR, BMP, ZSU, etc) from the manual.
In addition, upon approaching a friendly base after completion of missions, the base radios a password, and the pilot is expected to respond with the corresponding countersign from the manual. Theoretically, if he enters a blank or incorrect countersign twice, he will be shot down; however, by that time, the pilot is usually so close to base that he can land before friendly air defenses have a chance to respond.
Supposedly, cracked copies of Gunship have been circulating since the 1990s. However, the game aborts as soon as the pilot reaches the rank of 2nd Lieutenant
- the bug occurs in at least one original release of the game (PC version 429.05 recognizable by a black box with a photo of AH-64 with a sun behind it) which simply doesn't have the aforementioned disk copy protection, so it's possibly that they are ordinary non-cracked copies of that version.
AH-64 Apache
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the...
helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
simulation that was released by Microprose
MicroProse
MicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
in 1986. Its platforms include DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
, Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, MSX
MSX
MSX was the name of a standardized home computer architecture in the 1980s conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, then Vice-president at Microsoft Japan and Director at ASCII Corporation...
and ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
. The game was later ported onto the Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
by U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold was a British video game publisher and developer from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, producing numerous titles on a variety of 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit platforms.-History:...
in 1993. A direct sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
, Gunship 2000
Gunship 2000
Gunship 2000 is a helicopter flight simulator and is the sequel to Gunship by MicroProse. It was released in 1991 for DOS. Amiga, Amiga CD32 and PlayStation versions were released in 1993, 1994 and 1996 respectively...
, was released in 1991.
Regions
The game features missions in seven regions, including:- Training in the USA
- Southeast AsiaSoutheast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
- 1st Air Cavalry Division - Central AmericaCentral AmericaCentral America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
- 82nd Airborne Division - Middle EastMiddle EastThe Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
- 101st Airborne Division101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the... - Western EuropeWestern EuropeWestern Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
- 3rd Armored DivisionU.S. 3rd Armored DivisionThe 3rd Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army. Nickamed the Third Herd, the division was first activated in 1941, and was active in the European Theater of World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War, and participated in the...
Missions
After selection of region, style, and enemies, the pilot is assigned a primary mission and a secondary mission. These could include such objectives as "Destroy enemy headquarters" or "Support friendly troops" (i.e. destroy targets near friendly forces). The latter would be an easier mission, because the battle would be fought closer to friendly lines.Weaponry
The pilot then arms the chopper, usually selecting:- AGM-114 HellfireAGM-114 HellfireThe AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile developed primarily for anti-armor use. It has multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is the primary 100 lb-class air-to-ground precision...
s Air-to-Ground Missile (guided missiles that destroy "hard" targets such as bunkers and tanks) - FFARs Folding Fin Aerial Rocket (unguided rockets that destroy "soft" targets such as infantry and installations)
- HEDP (High-Explosive, Dual-Purpose) rounds for the 30 mm cannon (an all-purpose weapon with a maximum range of 1.5km)
In Central America, the Middle East, and Western Europe, AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
s would also be standard equipment, usually as a backup air-to-air weapon in case of cannon failure.
Flight
Most enemy fire, especially from light cannons, is deflected by armor. Some enemy fire will cause systems damage. After enough damaging hits, the structural integrity will fail, causing a general power failure. This manifests itself in a dual-engine flameout, warranting an emergency landing. An emergency landing by a seriously injured pilot in enemy territory causes him to become Missing in Action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
. If the pilot lands without serious injury, he can escape back to base and live to fight another day.
There is no defined time limit in the game. A player can return to any number of Forward Area Resupply Points where he'll be rearmed, refueled and damage repaired. Returning to the Home Base will end the mission. Ideally, the pilot completes both missions, knocks out other targets, and makes it back to base within 20 minutes.
Winning the game
There is no ending to Gunship. Promotions stop once a pilot makes ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, although he can continue amassing medals.
To earn all medals, the player can follow these steps:
- Accomplish missions during Training in the USA to earn the National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
. - In Southeast Asia, accomplish missions to earn the Southeast Asia Campaign Ribbon.
- In Central America, accomplish missions to earn the Central America Campaign Ribbon.
- In the Middle East, accomplish missions to earn the Middle East Campaign Ribbon.
- In Western Europe, accomplish missions to earn the Western Europe Campaign Ribbon.
Other medals are earned in combat, such as the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, Bronze Star, Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, and the Congressional Medal of Honor. No medals in this game are prerequisites for earning others (the requirement of shooting down two Hinds in one mission for the Medal of Honor led some to believe that it was not possible to earn it before earning lower medals). Repeated medals are harder to earn than the first one.
The criteria for winning medals is based on types of targets destroyed, number of targets destroyed, objectives met, time elapsed, and sometimes whether or not the pilot is wounded. As in real life, medals in this game can be awarded posthumously.
Copy protection
On some platforms Gunship originally used a copy protectionCopy protection
Copy protection, also known as content protection, copy obstruction, copy prevention and copy restriction, refer to techniques used for preventing the reproduction of software, films, music, and other media, usually for copyright reasons.- Terminology :Media corporations have always used the term...
scheme that allowed a limited number of hard disk installs from a key disk. If needed, Gunship could later be un-installed from the hard disk, crediting the install back to the key disk. This system had the drawback of not working if the user ran defragmentation software without uninstalling Gunship first. Later versions used a key disk system that allowed unlimited backup copies, but required the key disk to be inserted briefly before the game would run. This had the drawback that, if the key disk were lost or damaged, the user would have to pay for a new copy.
Other copy protection measures include a Vehicle Identification screen at startup that requires the user to match the image on the screen to the appropriate vehicle (e.g. BTR, BMP, ZSU, etc) from the manual.
In addition, upon approaching a friendly base after completion of missions, the base radios a password, and the pilot is expected to respond with the corresponding countersign from the manual. Theoretically, if he enters a blank or incorrect countersign twice, he will be shot down; however, by that time, the pilot is usually so close to base that he can land before friendly air defenses have a chance to respond.
Supposedly, cracked copies of Gunship have been circulating since the 1990s. However, the game aborts as soon as the pilot reaches the rank of 2nd Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
- the bug occurs in at least one original release of the game (PC version 429.05 recognizable by a black box with a photo of AH-64 with a sun behind it) which simply doesn't have the aforementioned disk copy protection, so it's possibly that they are ordinary non-cracked copies of that version.
External links
- Gunship on the Amiga at The Hall of Light (HOL)