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MicroProse & MPS Labs Computer Games


MicroProse & MPS Labs



Founded by Sid Meier, Bill Stealey and Andy Hollis in 1982, MicroProse is a North American computer-game developer and publisher most famous for its strategy games and simulators. MPS Labs and MicroStyle were internal development divisions of MicroProse.

According to my commentary as it currently stands, MPS Labs / MicroProse developed the best computer game in each year from 1988 to 1991: four years in a row. Arguably, MPS Labs developed the best computer game of 1994 and 1996 as well. And arguably, MPS Labs / MicroProse developed the best computer game in each year from 1984-87.

There are not many developers that arguably made the best computer game eight years in a row.

Here are a few of MicroProse's technical achievements:

  • Developed the first realistic gunship and stealth fighter sims in 1986-87 (A. Hollis, J. Synoski)
  • Flat-shaded real-time 3D rendering on the Commodore 64 in 1986 (A. Hollis)
  • Developed vehicle physics in 1989 (D. Dennies, S. Spanburg, G. Crammond)
  • Developed articulated 3D models in 1989 (D. Dennies, S. Spanburg)
  • Developed low-altitude topographical 3D detail in 1991 (D. Dennies)
  • Developed the first realistic F1 sim in 1991 (G. Crammond)
  • Invented 4X TBS in 1991 (S. Meier)
  • Developed the first RTwP combat system ("pause for orders") in 1992 (J. Synoski)
  • Developed advanced pre-API computer-game GUIs and icon-driven interfaces
  • Published some of the best-written manuals in computer game history

This is a chronological list of MicroProse, MPS Labs and MicroStyle computer games that I have so far covered. Note that my coverage ranges from a few lines of commentary to 200-article deep-delves. Headings link to coverage where applicable.

In my humble opinion, MicroProse are one the greatest computer-game developers of all-time; MicroProse games are not only entertaining, they are educational as well. Games that educate players while entertaining them at the same time -- those are King.

F-15 Strike Eagle Atari 8 Bit 1984



Silent Service IBM PC 1985



Randall Don Masteller of MicroProse coded Silent Service for IBM PC MS-DOS in 1985. Silent Service was designed and developed by Sid Meier for the Commodore 64. Silent Service displays in 16-color EGA 320x200

Silent Service simulates submarine warfare in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War.

Silent Service manual: 47 pages.

Gunship Commodore 64 1986



Project Stealth Fighter Commodore 64 1987



Randall Don Masteller of MicroProse coded Sid Meier's Pirates for IBM PC MS-DOS in 1987. Pirates displays in 16-color EGA 320x200.

Pirates! simulated 17th century life and laid down the open-ended foundation for Sid Meier's Civilization of 1991.

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Red Storm Rising IBM PC 1989



Stunt Car Racer IBM PC 1989 (MicroStyle)


M1 Tank Platoon IBM PC 1989



Knights of the Sky IBM PC 1990



Sid Meier's Covert Action IBM PC 1990



Sid Meier's Covert Action was released by MPS Labs in 1990 for Amiga and IBM PC MS-DOS 2.x & 3.x. Programmed by Sid Meier, Covert Action requires an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, Compaq, Tandy 1000 or such-like IBM compatible with at least 512K of RAM. Covert Action displays in 256-color VGA 320x200. Covert Action is a James Bond-like spy simulator featuring a mix of strategy, puzzle and action segments.

Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon IBM PC 1990




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