Modem Wars
Encyclopedia
Modem Wars is a 1988 Real-Time Tactics
game developed by Ozark Softscape
and published by Electronic Arts
for the IBM PC
and Commodore 64
platforms.
connection between two machines (via telephone or null modem serial connection), with both players controlling a group of robotic units trying to eliminate the opponent's command center. Features such as fog of war
, varied unit types, terrain, and formations, all now standards in the genre, were implemented despite the daunting technical limitations of late 1980s computers. As for the game's influence on other games, Scott Sharkey states that Modem Wars was perhaps "[t]he closest predecessor" to the groundbreaking and influential Sega Genesis
real-time strategy game Herzog Zwei
.
Of specific technical interest, Modem Wars has been lauded for its mechanism of using 4-byte packets for each 'move', deltas to determine game states, and storage of those deltas to allow for after-game replays.
The game was originally developed under the title "Sport of War"; Computer Gaming World
noted this was the easiest way to understand the game, saying "You play the game as a wargame, but you accumulate points as if it were a sports game." The name was changed to Modem Wars to call attention to how the game is intended to be played against other humans via modem. The computer AI opponent is referred to as a "solo trainer", and CGW recommended against buying the game for those planning to only play against the computer.
The game also has a replay feature, referred to as a "game film". A separate utility allows replays to be uploaded to bulletin board system
s for sharing.
In Computer Gaming Worlds review, Daniel Hockman noted designer Dan Bunten's intentions for the game:
The map is made up of multiple types of terrain. Most of the space is clear, but there are also woods, which slow movement and reduce visibility, and hills, which slow movement and allow units atop them to have a small range and damage bonus, while those climbing have a small damage penalty.
Optionally, a Recycler space can be made available, which will regenerate destroyed units. A recycled unit must be moved off the Recycler for another unit to appear, and it can be blocked by enemy units. There are three options: None, Half, and Full; Half will recycle only half the units you've lost.
The bulk of the player's army consists of Grunts, which have respectable capabilities. There is a modest contingent of Riders, which are faster than Grunts, but which have less firepower and armor. (In total, there are just enough Grunts and Riders to stretch all the way across the width of the screen.) Next is a small contingent of Boomers, which are artillery pieces. They have longer range and do significant damage to other units except other Boomers. Each of the three Spies is a fast, rugged unit with extended range sensors, but no weapons, which are useful for finding enemy units, especially the ComCen. Spies are also very useful for blocking the enemy Recycler, if present. And lastly is the Command Center, aka the Quarterback, aka the ComCen. The ComCen is the player's seat in the battle. It has a limited number of missiles for self-defense, heavy armor, and a radar screen which is capable of spotting enemy spies. If it uses its missiles, it becomes visible on the main map and enemy radar screen for several seconds. Destroying the enemy ComCen is another way to win.
Units can be collected into groups for easier management.
Units also have two special modes of operation. First is Digging In. A dug-in unit deals additional damage at longer range and takes less damage from enemy fire, but can't move. It takes a few seconds to dig in or out, though units can start the game dug in. The second mode is Shadow mode, which reduces the distance at which other units can see it; however, while in this mode, it cannot see or shoot. The ComCen cannot use either of these modes.
1. Get your ComCen across the opposing Goal line, 3/4 of the way across the screen.
2. Knock out the enemy ComCen.
3. Have the highest score when time runs out.
Points are scored by sending your units across the middle and the goal lines.
Real-time tactics
Real-time tactics or RTT is a subgenre of tactical wargames played in real-time simulating the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics...
game developed by Ozark Softscape
Ozark Softscape
Ozark Softscape was a computer game programming team consisting initially of Dan Bunten, Bill Bunten, Jim Rushing, and Alan Watson.-History:The company was based out of Little Rock, Arkansas and had profound success with a few of their early titles...
and published by Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
for the IBM PC
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
and 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...
platforms.
Summary
The first multi-computer online game. Modem Wars was played over a modemModem
A modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
connection between two machines (via telephone or null modem serial connection), with both players controlling a group of robotic units trying to eliminate the opponent's command center. Features such as fog of war
Fog of war
The fog of war is a term used to describe the uncertainty in situation awareness experienced by participants in military operations. The term seeks to capture the uncertainty regarding own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign...
, varied unit types, terrain, and formations, all now standards in the genre, were implemented despite the daunting technical limitations of late 1980s computers. As for the game's influence on other games, Scott Sharkey states that Modem Wars was perhaps "[t]he closest predecessor" to the groundbreaking and influential Sega Genesis
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...
real-time strategy game Herzog Zwei
Herzog Zwei
Herzog Zwei is a Mega Drive / Genesis game by Technosoft, published in 1989 . It is an early real-time strategy game, the first with a feature set that falls under the contemporary definition of the genre, predating the genre-popularizing Dune II...
.
Of specific technical interest, Modem Wars has been lauded for its mechanism of using 4-byte packets for each 'move', deltas to determine game states, and storage of those deltas to allow for after-game replays.
The game was originally developed under the title "Sport of War"; Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
noted this was the easiest way to understand the game, saying "You play the game as a wargame, but you accumulate points as if it were a sports game." The name was changed to Modem Wars to call attention to how the game is intended to be played against other humans via modem. The computer AI opponent is referred to as a "solo trainer", and CGW recommended against buying the game for those planning to only play against the computer.
The game also has a replay feature, referred to as a "game film". A separate utility allows replays to be uploaded to bulletin board system
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
s for sharing.
In Computer Gaming Worlds review, Daniel Hockman noted designer Dan Bunten's intentions for the game:
"Dan would like us to believe that Modem Wars is "a wargame for the rest of us". That is, Modem Wars is a fast moving game that does not get bogged down in the minutia of detail so often associated with wargames. Dan feels that Modem Wars is for those gamers who want to "play war" but are turned off by the detailed rules of the typical wargame."
Gameplay
Each player is presented with a map of which he controls the lower half. Across the center is a line, below which he can set up his units. Each unit which crosses this line gains a point. If the ComCen crosses it, many additional points are scored. A second line is three quarters of the way up the screen; crossing it with units gives additional points. Crossing it with the ComCen is one way to win the game.The map is made up of multiple types of terrain. Most of the space is clear, but there are also woods, which slow movement and reduce visibility, and hills, which slow movement and allow units atop them to have a small range and damage bonus, while those climbing have a small damage penalty.
Optionally, a Recycler space can be made available, which will regenerate destroyed units. A recycled unit must be moved off the Recycler for another unit to appear, and it can be blocked by enemy units. There are three options: None, Half, and Full; Half will recycle only half the units you've lost.
The bulk of the player's army consists of Grunts, which have respectable capabilities. There is a modest contingent of Riders, which are faster than Grunts, but which have less firepower and armor. (In total, there are just enough Grunts and Riders to stretch all the way across the width of the screen.) Next is a small contingent of Boomers, which are artillery pieces. They have longer range and do significant damage to other units except other Boomers. Each of the three Spies is a fast, rugged unit with extended range sensors, but no weapons, which are useful for finding enemy units, especially the ComCen. Spies are also very useful for blocking the enemy Recycler, if present. And lastly is the Command Center, aka the Quarterback, aka the ComCen. The ComCen is the player's seat in the battle. It has a limited number of missiles for self-defense, heavy armor, and a radar screen which is capable of spotting enemy spies. If it uses its missiles, it becomes visible on the main map and enemy radar screen for several seconds. Destroying the enemy ComCen is another way to win.
Units can be collected into groups for easier management.
Units also have two special modes of operation. First is Digging In. A dug-in unit deals additional damage at longer range and takes less damage from enemy fire, but can't move. It takes a few seconds to dig in or out, though units can start the game dug in. The second mode is Shadow mode, which reduces the distance at which other units can see it; however, while in this mode, it cannot see or shoot. The ComCen cannot use either of these modes.
Goals
There are three ways to win the game:1. Get your ComCen across the opposing Goal line, 3/4 of the way across the screen.
2. Knock out the enemy ComCen.
3. Have the highest score when time runs out.
Points are scored by sending your units across the middle and the goal lines.