Chip's Challenge
| Chip's Challenge | |
|---|---|
| Studio |
 Epyx
|
| Publisher |
Atari ( Atari Lynx )
Microsoft Home ( Windows ) |
| Senior Developer | Chuck Sommerville |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
1989 (Lynx) |
| platform | Windows , MS-DOS , Atari Lynx , Atari ST , Amiga , Commodore 64 , ZX Spectrum , Amstrad CPC |
| genre | Puzzle , maze |
| Game mode | Single player |
| control | Control pad , joystick , keyboard , mouse |
Chips's Challenge is a tile- based, puzzle-like, two-dimensional computer game in which the player sees the section of the playing field as a floor plan from above. The game was developed by Chuck Sommerville and first published in 1989 by the computer game manufacturer Epyx for the Atari Lynx handheld console . The game was later adapted for other systems and reached a far larger target group with the spread of Windows 3.1x and the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 4, which was partly included, as well as the Best of Microsoft Entertainment Pack.
history
In 1989, Chuck Sommerville led a team of software developers at Epyx and, during a ten-week break before the Atari Lynx game console was released, created the game Chip's Challenge . Sommerville developed a simple prototype of the game on an Apple II to test the game logic and to demonstrate to Epyx that the game was entertaining. One third of the levels were created by Chuck Sommerville himself, another third by Bill Darrah, and the rest of the game's levels by Epyx. Although the game console was not particularly successful, Chip's Challenge was adapted for numerous other systems such as the Amiga , the Commodore 64 , the ZX Spectrum , the TI-84 Plus and TI-89 Titanium pocket calculators from Texas Instruments as well as for MS-DOS and Windows . Most of the porting of the original game to other systems was carried out by Images Software . The versions of the game for Microsoft systems were implemented by Microsoft itself under the direction of Tony Garcia. Microsoft acquired the license from Epyx to port the game as MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 version, whereby the game logic was slightly changed.
Game content
Game history
The story of the game tells of a high school senior, the computer whiz named Chip McCallahan that Melinda The Mental Marvel hits in the laboratory school. This gives Chip the task of finding a way through Melinda's "Clubhouse" in order to be accepted into the exclusive Bit Buster Club . The way through this task leads through several puzzles of increasing difficulty.
Gameplay
The player controls the main character Chip through the tile-shaped game world on a two-dimensional playing field viewed from above . The entire game world of each level consists of 32 × 32 tiles, of which the player only sees a section of 9 × 9 tiles and is located in the middle. The aim of the game is to solve the given task by logical combination and skill in order to be able to end the respective level by uncovering and finding the exit. The exit of almost every level is blocked by a kind of lock in the form of a chip socket , which can only be opened with the required number of computer chips . One of the main tasks here is to collect the computer chips that are scattered around the game world so that you can open the exit at the end of the level.
Levels
The original version of Chip's Challenge contains 148 levels, the Microsoft version has been expanded by one to 149 levels. Most of the levels have a similar course of play in that the player solves tasks within a given time using logical thinking, collecting the necessary computer chips and finding the goal. For example, keys or buttons have to be found or blocks have to be moved in order to open locked doors or to pave the way. In addition to this classic level scheme, individual levels differ significantly from it. Some levels have no time limit, consist purely of a maze with no task to be solved, only require the collection of chips, rely exclusively on logical combinations without collecting chips or require sheer skill to complete the level. Each level is protected with a password, which is displayed at the beginning of the level. By entering the respective four-digit password, it is possible to select a level that has not yet been played. If the player has problems with a level and has to restart it repeatedly without having finished it, he will be offered to skip the level.
Game elements
Game blocks
Each field of the game world of the level consists of a game block with which the appearance and the task of the level is determined. In addition to passive game blocks that do not interact with movable game elements, there are also a number of active game blocks that change their behavior and appearance or influence the movable game element when they meet movable game elements.
The passive game blocks include all types of passive walls , the normal floor covering and a special floor covering that can only be entered by the character controlled by the player. Among the active game blocks which can include change their behavior or appearance: water , sand , key walls , some invisible walls , Togglewände , bombs , one-way streets , plinth blocks and Klonblöcke . The active game blocks that influence moving game elements include: fire, ice, slide, trap, teleporter, thief, various buttons, information and the target.
Movable game elements
Movable game elements can move in the game world on suitable game blocks and are specially blocked by walls. In addition to the main character , which is controlled directly by the player, the group of moving game elements consists of the moving block and the creatures . The moving block plays a special role as it can be moved by the main character and is therefore a central element for solving tasks and leveling paths. Creatures are movable game elements that independently navigate through the game world using simple algorithms and thus bring the dynamic components into play. Creatures include: ball , dumbbell , slime stain , frog , tank , plane , fireball , crawler, and beetle .
Objects
Objects can be placed on game blocks or under moving blocks. In addition to the computer chips required to open the exit, keys and protective shoes can be collected as objects . By collecting keys it is possible to open key walls in the same color as the key. Protective shoes enable the main character to safely step onto special blocks. Fire shoes , for example, allow you to step onto fire blocks safely, or ice skates to step on ice in a controlled manner . In addition to fire shoes and ice skating shoes , swimming fins and suction shoes can be collected.
Copies, successors and expansions
One of the most famous copies of Chip's Challenge is Tile World . The game, published under the GNU General Public License, allows the loading of the original level file and emulates both the game logic of the original Atari version and that of the modified Microsoft version.
Due to the success of Chip's Challenge through the publication of the Microsoft version, Chuck Sommerville developed the successor Chip's Challenge 2 as early as 1999 . However, Sommerville was unable to publish the game on its own, as after the bankruptcy of Epyx, the rights to its development - including Chip's Challenge - were sold to the Bridgestone Multimedia Group . Since Bridgestone Multimedia had little experience in the computer game industry, they asked for a six-figure sum for the publication of Chip's Challenge 2 , which Sommerville could not offer, so that the game was forgotten. In 2010, Sommerville resumed negotiations with Bridgestone Multimedia and, five years later , published Chip's Challenge 2 with his company Niffler on May 28, 2015 via the Internet sales platform Steam .
In 2012 Sommerville published the game Chuck's Challenge and in 2014 the 3D game Chuck's Challenge 3D, which was funded by the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.com . Both games are based on a similar game concept as Chip's Challenge . Chuck's Challenge 3D was released for Windows, Mac OS , Linux, and Android .
For the game Chip's Challenge different level editors have been developed by the community , which makes it very easy to create your own levels. Due to the commitment of the community, several "official" level packages were created over time to expand the original game.
Web links
- Explanation of all game elements and levels as well as technical information , accessed on November 22, 2015
- Chip's Challenge on Steam . Accessed November 22, 2015
- Chip's Challenge 2 on Steam , Accessed November 22, 2015
- Tile World . Accessed November 22, 2015
- Details on the structure of the level file , accessed on November 22, 2015
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b How an early '90s Windows gaming classic was unearthed after years in limbo , Accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ a b Message from Chuck Sommerville on Richard Field's Chip's Challenge Page , accessed November 22, 2015
- ^ Chip's Challenge - World of Spectrum , Accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Chip's Challenge for TI-83 + , accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Lynx Review - Chip's Challenge , accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Years After It Was Made, Chip's Challenge 2 Is Finally Out , Accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Chuck's Challenge - about , accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Chuck's Challenge 3D by Niffler - Kickstarter , accessed November 22, 2015
- ↑ Chuck's Challenge 3D on Steam , accessed November 23, 2015
- ↑ Chuck's Challenge 3D Reloaded - Android Apps on Google Play , Accessed November 23, 2015
- ↑ Official Sets - CC Zone: The Next Level , Accessed November 22, 2015