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 1984-1987.
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
MPS Labs' experiments in genre hybridization led to the creation of entirely new genre that would persist for decades, not ephemeral subgenre.
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
Pirates! Commodore 64 1987
Microprose Software released Pirates! for the Commodore 64 in May of 1987. C64 Pirates was designed by Sid Meier, programmed by Sid Meier and drawn by Michael Haire. Arnold Hendrick designed the scenarios and wrote the documentation. Pirates! is an adventure-strategy game that is set in the West Indies between the years of 1560 and 1700. Pirates! simulates 17th century Caribbean buccaneering life and laid down the open-ended foundation for Civilization of 1991 and Darklands of 1992. In addition, Pirates! influenced SoMI of 1990.
Pirates! is most famous for its sword-dueling segment, but it is actually its open-world exploration and navigation systems that are the most technically impressive. Note that Pirates! navigation features 8-way screen-scrolling.
During sword-play the player character can wield rapier, cutlass or longsword. The player character can advance or withdraw and attack and parry high, mid-level and low. In addition, the player character can employ a power attack and combos.
Pirates! IBM PC 1987
Randall Don Masteller of MicroProse coded Sid Meier's Pirates for IBM PC MS-DOS in 1987. PC DOS Pirates displays in 16-color EGA 320x200.
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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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