CyberStrike
CyberStrike is a futuristic 3D combat online game by Simutronics Corporation, involving team combat between customizable mechs, each of which is controlled by a different player.
Initially exclusive to the GEnie online service, it opened in February 1993, and later that year it caused Computer Gaming World magazine to create the new category of "Online Game of the Year" so it could be awarded to CyberStrike.[1] In 1994 it was offered in stores by MicroProse.
In 1997, a new version of the game, CyberStrike 2 was announced as a joint project between Simutronics and Sony's 989 Studios. A single-player mission-based version was released in stores, and a multiplayer version opened on GEnie in December 1998. It was also released on America Online, and then via the Simutronics website. After CyberStrike 2 opened, the original version of the game was renamed as CyberStrike Classic.
Reception
Computer Gaming World in 1993 praised the simple user interface and "amazing" graphics, including the weather. The reviewer reported that he played 12 hours before stopping at $6 an hour, concluding that "CyberStrike is addictive, action-filled and downright fun. The violence is bloodless ... but the challenge is exhilarating".[2] That year the magazine named CyberStrike the On-Line Game of the Year.[1]
Credits
CyberStrike Designer:
David Whatley
Product Managers:
Elonka Dunin, Malcolm Griffiths, Mike Belleau
Programming:
David Whatley, Mark Vicuna, Nick Mincoff, Tom Tayon, Mike Dabbs
Graphics:
David Whatley, John W. Ratcliff
Sound:
David Whatley, John W. Ratcliff
Documentation:
Elonka Dunin
Package Editor:
Jonathan Caspian‑Kaufman
Package design and Layout:
Cesar Novoa, Joseph Morel
Additional Support:
Neil Harris, John Donham, Ryan Dickey
Live Team: Rick Slayter, John Smedley, Mike Anderson
References
- 1 2 "Computer Gaming World's Game of the Year Awards". Computer Gaming World. October 1993. pp. 70–74. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
This is the first year that CGW has offered an On-Line Game of the Year award. With more and more modems among our readership and numerous games appearing with graphic front-ends, it has been an interesting year for this genre . . . This year's winner, however, is CyberStrike (GEnie/Simutronics), David Whatley, designer. CyberStrike combines real-time, polygon-filled graphics and local machine sound card support to provide a visceral experience of "being" in cyberspace. Add the teamwork and communications aspects to the competitive challenge of fighting it out through multi-colored streets and alleys, and it becomes a definite winner.
- ↑ Wilson, David M. "GEnie's CyberStrike Makes Gigantor Strides in Multi-player, On-line gaming". Computer Gaming World (1993-2005). p. 60. Retrieved 7 July 2014.