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{{short description|1992 video game}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}} |
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{{Original research|article|date=September 2007}} |
{{Original research|article|date=September 2007}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox video game |
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|title= Mission: Thunderbolt |
|title = Mission: Thunderbolt |
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|image= |
|image = |
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|caption= |
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|developer= Dave Scheifler |
|developer = Dave Scheifler |
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|publisher= [[Casady & Greene]] |
|publisher = [[Casady & Greene]] |
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|distributor= Casady & Greene |
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|requirements= Mac OS: System 6.03+, 2 MB RAM, 7.2 MB hard disk space, color or black & white screen |
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'''''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]]. |
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'''''Mission: Thunderbolt''''' is a [[roguelike]] [[personal computer game|computer game]] with a futuristic storyline. It was originally developed and released on [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] [[mainframe computer|mainframe]]s as '''''Doomsday 2000''''', a four-part game, and later ported to both [[Mac OS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' is part 1 of the '''''Jaunt Trooper''''' series and was released on both Mac OS and Windows. Part 2, '''''Mission: Firestorm''''', was only released for Mac OS. The game was one of the first commercially released roguelikes. It put a graphical front end and a full set of sounds in place of the ASCII text traditional to roguelikes. It was also unique in the sheer number of actions/interactions possible. Being closed source, many mysteries of the game were never fully resolved. |
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| ⚫ | <!--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. |
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==Historical background== |
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The creation of this game began in late 1986 as a means for the author to learn the [[C programming language]] while working for DEC. It was developed under the [[OpenVMS|VMS]] operating system on a DEC [[VAX]] mainframe computer; a VAX [[workstation]] was used in later years. The first version was released after nearly a year of development and testing to DEC employees world wide over the [[Internet]] in [[1987 in video gaming|1987]]; the author kept a large world map on the wall of his office and had a [[pushpin]] placed where ever a DEC office was known to have employees playing the game (there were lots of pins). Although titled ''Doomsday 2000'', within DEC the game was known simply as ''Doom''. |
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''Doomsday 2000'' was modeled along the lines of other popular mainframe computer games at the time, such as ''[[Rogue (computer game)|Rogue]]'', ''[[Hack (Unix video game)|Hack]]'', and ''[[Larn]]'', but was specifically designed to have much greater depth of game play and greater freedom with regard to interacting with the game world presented; these are aspects that set the game apart from all other mainframe games of that era. For example, you could bash down walls to gain access to otherwise seemingly inaccessible regions. One trick that was often used by players was to blow a hole in the floor above a particularly troublesome foe lurking on a lower level, then lob grenades through that hole to destroy the critter from relative safety, though some foes were clever enough to clamber up after the [[player character]]. |
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| ⚫ | 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]]. |
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| ⚫ | ''Doomsday 2000'' was initially conceived of as a four |
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[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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--> |
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==Storyline== |
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The world has been invaded by the alien race of the Zytts, and humans have created an underground resistance to overthrow them. In order to strike a vital blow against the invaders, the protagonist is sent to recover an [[anti-matter]] bomb that was stored in a military installation under the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. |
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The aliens however get there first and bring a lot of nasty creatures along with them to try and stop the human resistance from getting the anti-matter bomb. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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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. |
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There are sixteen regions in the game, plus twelve side levels called "Warrens" and two detention levels. Each time a new game was created, most of the levels are randomly generated, allowing for [[replayability]]. |
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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''. |
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===Items=== |
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During the game the player finds many different items that have various functions, such as wield, wear, throw, eat, open, close, activate, deactivate, etc. Some items have a use and some are completely useless, such as the "pile of [[entrails]]" and the "pile of [[rubble]]". Other items have a use but you must be creative in order to find their uses. |
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== Plot == |
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Example 1: Characters often find [[bone]]s that are lying around the compound. If given to a wild [[dog]], they will become friendly and help by attacking enemies. |
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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. |
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==Release== |
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The player character starts the game with three items: a [[butcher knife]], a damaged and unreliable laser pistol (listed as "battered" in the inventory), and a black [[pill]]. |
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| ⚫ | ''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. |
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A unique feature in ''Mission: Thunderbolt'' is that at the start of each new game, the chances of acquiring different items is randomized, resulting in an item being exceedingly rare in one game and very common in another. The various creatures in the game were similarly randomized. |
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===Strange Devices=== |
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Throughout the adventure, the player character will find many devices that are originally called, "Strange Devices." These devices are identified later on as one discovers their uses. These items can be identified at a [[library]] or by discovering their nature through [[trial and error]]. This can be done by trying different things with the devices, such as wearing, activating, firing the item, etc. |
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The '''Light Globe''' is the first "Strange Device" found, usually on Level 2. This item will need to be charged with a [[power cell]] and then activated. The light globe will then give off extra light and illuminate the maze for several squares, allowing the player character to see things long before directly encountered. |
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===Primary Stats=== |
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The game is loosely based on the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' system as far as your stats go for the character's [[physical strength|strength]], [[dexterity]], [[constitution]], etc. |
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===Miscellaneous=== |
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Throughout the game one finds several other weapons and items to use in defense or to assist in progress through the levels of the game toward the goal at level 16. |
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==Future Missions== |
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Characters that complete the original mission can be imported into ''Mission: Firestorm'', only available for Mac OS, despite ''Thunderbolt'''s release for the Windows platform as well. |
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==Reception== |
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''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was awarded "4 Mice" by ''[[MacUser|MacUser Magazine]]'' and was placed within the ''[[Macworld|MacWorld]]'' 1992 Game Hall of Fame. |
''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was awarded "4 Mice" by ''[[MacUser|MacUser Magazine]]'' and was placed within the ''[[Macworld|MacWorld]]'' 1992 Game Hall of Fame. |
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''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was reviewed in 1993 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #189 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon189">{{cite journal |
''Mission: Thunderbolt'' was reviewed in 1993 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #189 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon189">{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser |last2=Lesser |last3=Lesser |first1=Hartley |first2=Patricia |first3=Kirk |name-list-style=amp |journal=Dragon |issue=189 |date=January 1993 |pages=57–62}}</ref> |
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|title=The Role of Computers |
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|author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk |
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|journal=Dragon |
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|issue=189 |
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|date=January 1993 |
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|pages=57–62}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:1992 video games]] |
[[Category:1992 video games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Casady & Greene games]] |
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[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]] |
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[[Category:Mainframe games]] |
[[Category:Mainframe games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Roguelike video games]] |
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[[Category:Single-player video games]] |
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[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Video games using procedural generation]] |
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[[Category:Windows games]] |
[[Category:Windows games]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:25, 12 March 2024
 | This article possibly contains original research. (September 2007) |
| Mission: Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Dave Scheifler |
| Publisher(s) | Casady & Greene |
| Designer(s) | Dave Scheifler |
| Series | Jaunt Trooper |
| Platform(s) | DEC, Mac OS, Windows |
| Release | 1992 |
| 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]- ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia & Lesser, Kirk (January 1993). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (189): 57–62.