MIDI Maze

MIDI Maze is a multiplayer computer game for the Atari ST, circa 1987 published by the publisher Hybrid Arts. It is the first commercial product of the developer Xanth F / X, the design team had published in the past Fuji - Boink, Shiny Bubbles and other graphics demos as public domain software for the Atari ST and Atari XE.

Description

Up to 16 computers can be connected via the MIDI interface to a small network ( a so-called MIDI Ring). The MIDI Out jack of each computer was the MIDI In of the next Atari connected to the until the ring was completely built. A computer acted as " master computer ", from which also the MIDI ring could be tested for proper function.

When playing surface is a Pac-Man -like maze that is displayed from the view of each player in a simple 3D representation. The players are shown as large smileys can chase each other and shoot.

The unofficial successor to MIDI Maze II ( 1989) offered new options such as Automatic Fire Reciprocate and was designed by Markus Fritze ( game ) and Christoph Pagalies ( Editor ) developed. There was also a more similar to the original improved version called " Midimaze Plus" (1991 ) by Robert Spahl (programming) and Werner Spahl (graphics), which especially more players information offered in addition to a compass.

Also in 1991 appeared on various Nintendo consoles successor Faceball 2000.

MIDI Maze was an early proponent of the genre "First -person shooter " and possibly the first multi- player first-person shooter. Because of this property were organized with this game - especially in the United States - the first forms of LAN parties.

Netmaze is a GPL - licensed clone that is playable under X11 and via the Internet. Netmaze is now being used in research as a simulator for robot software.