Dogfight (1980 video game)

Dogfight is an aerial combat video game written by Bill Basham for the Apple II and published by Microlab in 1980. The game is a clone of Atari, Inc.'s 1975 arcade game Jet Fighter.

For other use of term, see Dogfight (disambiguation).
Dogfight
Developer(s)Bill Basham[1]
Publisher(s)Microlab
Platform(s)Apple II
Release1980
Genre(s)Multidirectional shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, 2-8 players multiplayer

Gameplay

The player controls an aircraft that always moves in the direction is it pointed and can be rotated left or right and shoot. The screen wraps around at the edges, such that a player heading off the right edge of the screen will re-enter from the left.

Players can play solo against the computer or up to 8 humans can play against each other. Since all input is via the single built-in keyboard of the Apple II, this involves the players crowding up against each other to reach their 3 keys. Each plane is identified by a number drawn next to it.

When a plane is shot, it becomes a parachuting figure, which transits the screen from top to bottom a few times and also may be shot.

Development

The game was written by Bill Basham in Rockford, Illinois. He obtained an Apple II and began to program in machine language, and wanted to explore the animation capabilities. He ended up being able to smoothly animate up to 56 items on the screen at the same time. Part of the performance was obtained by using a lookup table.[2]

Reception

Dogfight was number 6 on Softalk's "The Top Thirty" list in the February 1981 issue.[3]

Legacy

Dogfight II, released in 1981, is an update to the original game that includes support for the Joyport device, and two new game modes: multiplayer and anti-aircraft gunner.[4] Dogfight II was re-released as shareware with Basham's Diversi-Copy and Diversi-DOS utilities.[5]

gollark: Well, sure, the maximum is higher, median is about the same.
gollark: Also, economics isn't MUCH higher, these are box plots.
gollark: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/718225/SFR_18_2017_LEO_mainText.pdfHere is some slightly older data.
gollark: Anyway, the issue with making stuff mandatory at school and stuff is that it will often end up just making people learn how to run the algorithms and whatnot enough to pass exams rather than creating actual understanding and ability to solve practical problems.
gollark: Yes, apparently.

References
  1. Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  2. "Dogfight". Gallery of Undiscovered Entities. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. "The Top Thirty". Softalk. 1 (6): 44. February 1981.
  4. "Dogfight II". Internet Archive. Microlab. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  5. "Diversi Copy". Internet Archive. DSR. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
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