Spacewar (video game)

Spacewar! is one of the first video and multi- player computer games. In 1961 a prototype at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Steve Russell was programmed on a PDP-1, he needed for 200 hours spread over six months. The prototype was a two-player game, because the computer did not have enough power to simulate an opponent. He was very simple, it could only be controlled spaceships. In spring 1962, the game with the help of Russell's friends was completed by Tech Model Railroad Club. These were added including a background and the influence of gravity on the space ships.

The game was inspired by the Lensmen Books by Edward E. " Doc" Smith. Despite its archaic by today's standards graphics it practiced on the students a great fascination and to date has inspired numerous imitators. Meanwhile was Spacewar! repeatedly reprogrammed in various programming languages ​​and on almost all operating systems.

In the game revolve around two spaceships, each controlled by a human player or the computer, a sun. Their gravitational field pulls on both the spacecraft and the bullets that are fired from them. Winner of the game is who first attaches a hit on enemy ship. Alternatively, a player wins if the spaceship of the other falling into the sun.

1977 there was a very similar arcade game called Space Wars of Cinematronics.

Spacewar! (Pixel version via emulator )

KSpaceduel ( modern version for KDE)

Steve Russell on a PDP-1 (2007)