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{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = Mission: Thunderbolt
|title = Mission: Thunderbolt
|image = Mission Thunderbolt cover.jpg
|image =
|caption=
|caption =
|developer = Dave Scheifler
|developer = Dave Scheifler
|publisher = [[Casady & Greene]]
|publisher = [[Casady & Greene]]
Line 17: Line 17:
}}
}}


'''''Mission: Thunderbolt''''' is a [[roguelike]] [[personal computer game|computer game]] developed in 1986 commercially released in 1992. Developed by Dave Scheifler for [[Digital Equipment Corporation]] [[mainframe computers]], it was later released as ''Doomsday 2000'' on [[Mac OS]] and [[Windows]].
'''''Mission: Thunderbolt''''' is a [[roguelike]] video game developed in 1986 commercially released in 1992. Developed by Dave Scheifler for [[Digital Equipment Corporation]] [[mainframe computers]], it was later released as ''Doomsday 2000'' on [[Mac OS]] and [[Windows]].


<!--Another notable feature that was provided, and which may very well have been a first such instance for mainframe games, was the inclusion of special loadable [[bitmap fonts]] for various models of DEC's VT series video [[computer terminals]]. These fonts enabled the game to present actual little pictures of the monsters, loot items, and terrain features found in the game, instead of the simplistic number/letter representations (ASCII characters) used by other games at that time. So a "bat" was shown with the image of a stylized bat, instead of the letter B.
<!--Another notable feature that was provided, and which may very well have been a first such instance for mainframe games, was the inclusion of special loadable [[bitmap fonts]] for various models of DEC's VT series video [[computer terminals]]. These fonts enabled the game to present actual little pictures of the monsters, loot items, and terrain features found in the game, instead of the simplistic number/letter representations (ASCII characters) used by other games at that time. So a "bat" was shown with the image of a stylized bat, instead of the letter B.


[This section contributed by Dave S., Author of ''Mission: Thunderbolt'', September 2007]
[This section contributed by Dave S., Author of ''Mission: Thunderbolt'', September 2007]
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Players control a character in 16 randomly generated levels from a top-down view. Players are able to discover and interact with items of varying value and purpose. The chances for the generation of these items, alongside for enemy encounter rates are randomly generated at the start of each game.
Players control a character in 16 randomly generated levels from a top-down view. Players are able to discover and interact with items of varying value and purpose. The chances for the generation of these items, alongside for enemy encounter rates are randomly generated at the start of each game.


The player's statistics are based on character values from ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'': Players can have different values for strength, dexterity, and constitution. Players who complete ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' can import character data into the Mac OS exclusive sequel, ''Mission: Firestorm''.
The player's statistics are based on character values from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'': Players can have different values for strength, dexterity, and constitution. Players who complete ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' can import character data into the Mac OS exclusive sequel, ''Mission: Firestorm''.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
A resistance force has developed in an alien-occuped Earth, and the player protagonist is sent to retrieve an anti-matter bomb in a military installation under the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. Alien forces arrive there force, and attempt to destroy the human invaders.
A resistance force has developed in an alien-occupied Earth, and the player protagonist is sent to retrieve an anti-matter bomb in a military installation under the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. Alien forces arrive there force, and attempt to destroy the human invaders.


==Release==
==Release==
''Doomsday 2000'' was initially conceived of as a four-part game with interlinked stories, each part being a special "mission" for the heroic character (Captain Hazard) whose role people assumed within the game. ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was the first of the missions, and it was the only mission in the 1987 release. This initial game was later expanded over time to also include ''Mission: Firestorm'' and ''Mission: Quicksilver''. The fourth mission (''Tsunami'') never left the concept stage.
''Doomsday 2000'' was initially conceived of as a four-part game with interlinked stories, each part being a special "mission" for the heroic character (Captain Hazard) whose role people assumed within the game. ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was the first of the missions, and it was the only mission in the 1987 release. This initial game was later expanded over time to also include ''Mission: Firestorm'' and ''Mission: Quicksilver''. The fourth mission (''Tsunami'') never left the concept stage.


[[Casady & Greene]] published a version of the game's first mission as ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' for Mac OS in 1991. John Calhoun provided enhanced creature artwork for that commercial release. Few copies were sold and so was not a commercial success for its author.
[[Casady & Greene]] published a version of the game's first mission as ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' for Mac OS in 1991. John Calhoun provided enhanced creature artwork for that commercial release. Few copies were sold and so was not a commercial success for its author.


The second mission was subsequently released by the author himself for Mac OS as ''JauntTrooper, Mission: Firestorm'' by way of a hobby, rather than a commercial venture, as was a Windows version of the first mission, ''JauntTrooper, Mission: Thunderbolt''.
The second mission was subsequently released by the author himself for Mac OS as ''JauntTrooper, Mission: Firestorm'' by way of a hobby, rather than a commercial venture, as was a Windows version of the first mission, ''JauntTrooper, Mission: Thunderbolt''.
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[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:1992 video games]]
⚫
[[Category:Casady & Greene games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Mainframe games]]
[[Category:Mainframe games]]
[[Category:Roguelike video games]]
[[Category:Roguelike video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Video games using procedural generation]]
[[Category:Video games using procedural generation]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

Latest revision as of 03:25, 12 March 2024

Mission: Thunderbolt
Developer(s)Dave Scheifler
Publisher(s)Casady & Greene
Designer(s)Dave Scheifler
SeriesJaunt Trooper
Platform(s)DEC, Mac OS, Windows
Release1992
Genre(s)Roguelike
Mode(s)Single-player

Mission: Thunderbolt is a roguelike video game developed in 1986 commercially released in 1992. Developed by Dave Scheifler for Digital Equipment Corporation mainframe computers, it was later released as Doomsday 2000 on Mac OS and Windows.


Gameplay

[edit]

Players control a character in 16 randomly generated levels from a top-down view. Players are able to discover and interact with items of varying value and purpose. The chances for the generation of these items, alongside for enemy encounter rates are randomly generated at the start of each game.

The player's statistics are based on character values from Dungeons & Dragons: Players can have different values for strength, dexterity, and constitution. Players who complete Mission: Thunderbolt can import character data into the Mac OS exclusive sequel, Mission: Firestorm.

Plot

[edit]

A resistance force has developed in an alien-occupied Earth, and the player protagonist is sent to retrieve an anti-matter bomb in a military installation under the Appalachian Mountains. Alien forces arrive there force, and attempt to destroy the human invaders.

Release

[edit]

Doomsday 2000 was initially conceived of as a four-part game with interlinked stories, each part being a special "mission" for the heroic character (Captain Hazard) whose role people assumed within the game. Mission: Thunderbolt was the first of the missions, and it was the only mission in the 1987 release. This initial game was later expanded over time to also include Mission: Firestorm and Mission: Quicksilver. The fourth mission (Tsunami) never left the concept stage.

Casady & Greene published a version of the game's first mission as Mission: Thunderbolt for Mac OS in 1991. John Calhoun provided enhanced creature artwork for that commercial release. Few copies were sold and so was not a commercial success for its author.

The second mission was subsequently released by the author himself for Mac OS as JauntTrooper, Mission: Firestorm by way of a hobby, rather than a commercial venture, as was a Windows version of the first mission, JauntTrooper, Mission: Thunderbolt.

Mission: Thunderbolt was awarded "4 Mice" by MacUser Magazine and was placed within the MacWorld 1992 Game Hall of Fame.

Mission: Thunderbolt was reviewed in 1993 in Dragon #189 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia & Lesser, Kirk (January 1993). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (189): 57–62.
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