Solo Flight
| Solo Flight | |
|---|---|
| Studio | MicroProse |
| Publisher | MicroProse |
| Senior Developer | Sid Meier |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
1983 |
| platform | Apple II , Atari 8-Bit , C64 , MS-DOS , Thomson TO |
| genre | Flight simulator |
| Game mode | Single player |
| control | Joystick , keyboard |
| medium | Cassette and floppy disk |
| language | English |
Solo Flight is a civil flight simulator that was developed under the direction of Sid Meier and was first published in 1983 by MicroProse for the Atari 8-bit home computers. The game was, with some restrictions, one of the first realistic flight simulators in the home computer sector and was characterized above all by the fact that, in addition to visual flight (VFR), instrument flight (IFR) was also simulated. In addition to radio beacon navigation (VOR) , the game also offered the opportunity to carry out land approaches with the support of the instrument landing system (ILS). For this reason, the game contained corresponding flight cards, without which the game could not be used meaningfully.
In 1984 a version of the computer game appeared for the C64 (ported by Grant Irani) and in 1985 the versions for the IBM PC (ported by Randal Masteller) and the Apple II (ported by Andy Hollis). The PC version differed significantly from the other versions due to its CGA graphics.
In 1985 a 2nd edition of the computer game was released for the C64 (created by John Kutcher) and for the Atari 8-bit home computers (created by Edward Hill). In contrast to the 1st edition, these versions of the game a. via a tutorial with a flight instructor (including voice output for the C64) and an improved graphic representation of the cockpit.
background
You played a mail plane who had to serve several airports in one of three scenarios and before each new start could determine how much cargo to take and how much to refuel.
presentation
Only the runways of the airports were recognizable in the form of a vector graphic, the ground was green, the sky blue. Differences in altitude could only be recognized by the fact that the shadow of the aircraft was approaching or moving away from the aircraft.
control
The controls were relatively easy. Elevator and rudder were operated with the joystick. The motor power was controlled with the keys 1-9 and 0 (above the QWERTY keys), the brakes activated with the B key. In addition, the landing gear could be retracted and extended (with the L key) and the flaps set in three positions (with the F key).
The game was interesting for those who wanted to take off and land.
The space shooting simulation Darklight Conflict later had identical controls (keys 1–9 and 0) .
literature
- Lee Pappas: Solo Flight (Review). In: Analog No. 16, February 1984 (English)
- Gordon Miles: Solo Flight (Review). In: Antic Volume 3, No. 2, June 1984, p. 80 (English)
Web links
- Solo Flight and Solo Flight 2nd edition in the Atari Mania database (English)
- Solo Flight at MobyGames (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Solo Flight in the Atari Mania database (English)