System 15000
Encyclopedia
System 15000 is a 1984
video game by A.V.S. It was originally conceived, designed
, and programmed by Lee Kristofferson (born John Wagstaff) in assembly language for the Commodore 64
. Versions were later ported to the ZX Spectrum
and BBC Micro
, both written in BASIC
. This was the first game to simulate computer hacking
.
A sequel was planned by Lee Kristofferson but never released.
", in reference to the Michael Jackson hit from 1983.
When users enter the System 15000 User Network in the game and select option 1, it lists the then current lineup of AVS games, including Flight Zero-One Five (VIC-20), Whirlwind One-Five (Vic-20) and "15000 Series Games" (CBM 64/BBC B). (All games have the number one and five in them.)
1984 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* May 10, King's Quest , the first animated adventure game, the first in the King's Quest series, and the first to use the AGI engine.* June 4, Nintendo releases Donkey Kong 3...
video game by A.V.S. It was originally conceived, designed
Game design
Game design, a subset of game development, is the process of designing the content and rules of a game in the pre-production stage and design of gameplay, environment, storyline, and characters during production stage. The term is also used to describe both the game design embodied in a game as...
, and programmed by Lee Kristofferson (born John Wagstaff) in assembly language for the 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...
. Versions were later ported to the 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...
and BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
, both written in BASIC
BASIC
BASIC is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages whose design philosophy emphasizes ease of use - the name is an acronym from Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code....
. This was the first game to simulate computer hacking
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
.
A sequel was planned by Lee Kristofferson but never released.
Plot
The game box includes a letter which provides background information to establish the premise of the game. Written to the main character from the perspective of a friend "Mike", it outlines how (a presumed mutual friend) Richard's company, Comdata, has had $1.5 million stolen by a rival company named Realco. Furthermore, the police are unable to retrieve the money, so the player is needed to hack into a computer system and retrieve the funds. The letter provides a single phone number and entry code, part of the game's simulation of dialing into databases and bulletin boards. The player has to figure out how to get into the proper database to take back the cash.Release
Advertisements for System 15000 challenged gamers to "Beat ItBeat It
"Beat It" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones . It is the third single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller . Eddie Van Halen was hired to add the song's distinctive overdriven guitar solo, but was prevented by his...
", in reference to the Michael Jackson hit from 1983.
When users enter the System 15000 User Network in the game and select option 1, it lists the then current lineup of AVS games, including Flight Zero-One Five (VIC-20), Whirlwind One-Five (Vic-20) and "15000 Series Games" (CBM 64/BBC B). (All games have the number one and five in them.)
See also
- HackerHacker (computer game)Hacker is a 1985 computer game by Activision. It was designed by Steve Cartwright, produced by Brad Fregger and was released for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari XL/XE, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Macintosh, MS-DOS, MSX and ZX Spectrum...
- Neuromancer
- BloodNetBloodNetBloodNet is a cyberpunk RPG / Adventure game published by MicroProse in 1993.A mix of future tech and gothic vampire story, in the cyberpunk style, BloodNet puts the player into the role of a man named Ransom Stark, who must battle a vampire named Abraham Van Helsing who is attempting world...
- UplinkUplink (computer game)Uplink is a video game released in 2001 by the British software company Introversion Software. On 23 August 2006, it was made available for purchase on Valve's Steam service and on 24 March 2011 it was made available for purchase from the Ubuntu Software Center...