688(I) Hunter/Killer
Jane's 688(i) Hunter/Killer is a 1997 submarine simulator video game, developed by Sonalysts Inc. and published by Electronic Arts and more recently by Strategy First for Windows 95 compatible operating systems. It is named after the 688 (Improved) Los Angeles class of United States (SSN) submarine, and was a successor to the earlier game 688 Attack Sub.[1][2] It's part of the Jane's Combat Simulations series. It was released on Valve's Steam content delivery service[3] as well as DotEmu.[4]
Jane's 688(I) Hunter/Killer | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Sonalysts, Inc. |
Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
Producer(s) | Ed Gwynn |
Programmer(s) | David Capizzano Robert Costello Mel Davey Scott Martin Tod Swain |
Composer(s) | Dave Frazer Neil M. Goldberg Curt Ramm |
Series | Jane's Combat Simulations |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Submarine simulator |
Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Development
688(I) Hunter/Killer was developed by Sonalysts Inc., which had previously developed submarine simulations and wargames for the United States Department of Defense.[5] The developers limited themselves to plausible real world scenarios, based on projections from Jane's Information Group.[5] Because of the authentic tactics and technology being simulated, Sonalysts had the Pentagon review the game to ensure that it did not contain any valuable military secrets.[5]
The game was developed using custom software tools, with the exception of the ship models, which were done using PowerAnimator.[5]
Reception
Tim McDonald gave 688(I) Hunter/Killer an 8.8 out of 10 in GameSpot, declaring that "At last, the long wait for a worthy nuclear submarine simulation is over." He lauded the depth, complexity, and realism of the simulation, and the way the different systems and stations are integrated such that the player can naturally switch between them.[6] Next Generation rated the game four stars out of five, and stated that "if you're the sort who's intimidated by a game that comes with - and needs - a 200-page manual, you'll want to give this one a miss. But if you've got a taste for the complex side of military sims, you'll love 688(I)."[7]
References
- Subsim.com review and information
- Gamespot.com review and information
- Steam information
- "DotEmu Game Page". Archived from the original on 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- "NG Alphas: 688(I) Hunter Killer". Next Generation. No. 29. Imagine Media. May 1997. pp. 95–97.
- McDonald, Tim. "688(I) Hunter/Killer Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- "Finals". Next Generation. No. 34. Imagine Media. October 1997. p. 182.