Gunship Computer Game

Description:

This computer game software, for use on a Commodore 64 microcomputer, has the original box containing a 5 ¼” diskette with the “Gunship” software, an 80-page Operations Manual, a keyboard overlay, and a catalog of MicroProse products.

The action-adventure game “Gunship” was designed by Arnold Hendrick and Andy Hollis and licensed by MicroProse in 1986. It sold for $39.95. MicroProse Software Inc. was founded in 1982 by Sid Meier (creator of the video game “Civilizations”) and Bill Stealey in Hunt Valley, MD.

“Gunship” was a combat flight simulator video game in which the player controlled an AH-64 Apache helicopter through missions to attack enemy targets and to protect friendly forces. According to the operations manual, “Now you can experience the danger, excitement, courage, and agony of real combat helicopter flying -- without the bloodshed and suffering that occur in real warfare.”

The program started with a one vehicle identification quiz. If answered incorrectly, the player could only fly in training mode. To start a mission the player had to decide on a duty assignment, the degree of duty hazard, and the reality level. At the pilot briefing the player received a primary and secondary mission, a password, terrain map, and an intelligence report. The player then decided whether to go on the mission or report to “Sick Call.” (Sick call put a service reprimand on the pilot’s record that affected future promotions.) After choosing armaments for the mission, the pilot could turn on the engines, engage the rotor and begin the mission. The goal was to accomplish both missions and return safely to base. The reward for a successful mission was either a promotion, a medal, or both depending on how well a mission was accomplished.