Soccer Games On 8-Bit Machines

 

The mass introduction of computers into people’s homes began in the early Eighties. It was accompanied by the era of 8-bit computers such as Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Of course, soccer games also came with these machines. There were a few attempts in this game category before that (by companies Atari, Intellivision, Ramtek, and some others). Still, the real break out in the quality of soccer games occurred when computers were put into the hands of “common” people outside of the big corporations. The computers used by home users of the period were powerful enough to handle fairly complex tasks, with acceptable graphic and sound capabilities. Moreover, they were affordable, so programming was not reserved for the elite for long. Some of those new gifted developers instantly began creating a brand new page into the history of Ufabet.

The turning point was in 1983 when a programmer known as Andrew Spencer developed International Soccer. With good graphics for that time, a better ball flight model compared to the predecessors of the 70s, and nine levels of computer-controlled opponents (early games were usually played by two players only), This game dominated the market in no time. Based on the historical perspective of this game, there are certain opinions that it is the most successful when discussing football games on 8-bit machines and further.

Maybe the appraisal was nostalgic, or maybe it was only the result of low competition. When 8-bit machines were in use, football games were made, and only a handful of them could be described as excellent. Some titles worth noting were Match Day from 1985. (and its sequel from 1988. ) Gary Lineker’s Superstar Soccer by Gremlin Graphics and 5 A Side by the company named Anirog (later changed to Anco, the name that would not yet beg its place in the history of football games).

On the other side, markets were flooded with sloppy titles. It was not evident how their publishing houses find the courage to let them be exposed to the public in the first place (who was able to try Super Soccer by Imagine, or Peter Beardsley’s International Football by Grand Slam is aware of what I’m talking bout).

When it was shown that 8-bit computers could not bring out quality football games, two games on C64 made a difference. It was in 1988 that Microprose released Microprose Soccer as well as Audiogenic published Emlyn Hughes International Soccer. Two amazing games that dealt with football in different ways. Microprose Soccer reinvented the top-down view (although visually, it is quite similar to, a few years ago, the arcade games like Tehkan World Cup), with fast-paced action, vivid graphics, and neat options like – replays and different weather throughout the game. On the other side, Emlyn Hughes International Soccer used practically the same graphics as the previous International Soccer, but with an array of brand new moves and methods to pass and kick the ball. There were also distinct characteristics for each player on the team.

Those two games were cornerstones of soccer games played on 8-bit computers, but their fame didn’t last too long. The eighties were nearing an end, and along with them vanished the age of แทงบอลออนไลน์. 16-bit games were in the pipeline, and along with them came titles such as Kick-Off and Sensible Soccer. However, they will be the subject of another article.