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Stage
1:
Atari
Cyberdrome
The
First True Multiplayer Game for
the
Atari 
Computer
When
Cyberdrome™ was first released for the
Atari-ST computer in 1992, it became the first
retail computer game specifically designed to be
multiplayer, and could be played equally well by
either a single pilot or two pilots using separate
computers linked by direct-connection or modem.
Absolutely
all elements of single player mode were active in
two player mode [How many current Games can
honestly make that claim?]. In addition, while
the two player game was designed to be cooperative,
with each pilot helping its wing man, at any time
the players could opt to go head-to-head against
each other (known elsewhere as 'death match').
Also,
a special head-to-head game of "capture the flag"
was available where pilots could compete against
each other in a series of tests designed to build
their fighting and piloting skills.
Cyberdrome
combined the realism of a "normal" flight simulator
with the action and strategy of a two-player arcade
game, plus the exploration and problem-solving of a
"dungeon" game. Six Mission Levels allowed for
novice to advance training, and a special
randomizer made every Mission unique.
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Update: If
you still have an old Atari ST/Falcon (or
an emulator) you can now download the
Atari Shareware Version 1.2 of Cyberdrome
for free:
- The
following Zip file contains the
following:
- All
files needed to install Cyberdrome on
an Atari-ST/Falcon computer
- Keyboard
controls and 2-player communication
instruction in text format
- User's
Manual in text, rtf, and pdf
formats.
- I have
also included a Cyberdrome ST image
file for use with the free WinSTon
Atari Emulator (WinSTon allows you to
play Cyberdrome and other Atari games
on your 32 bit Windows-based PC). After
installing WinSTon, unZip the file
below and place the Cyberdrome image
file "CBDv12.ST" in the C:/Program
Files/WinSTon/disk/ subdirectory (or
where ever you have it set up) and
follow all instructions.
Note
that while this software worked on my old
1040-ST system, it is no longer supported
and is being given to you for free with
the understanding that you will be using
it at your own risk. As will all
downloaded files, you should scan for
infections before installing.
Finally,
if you enjoy playing Cyberdrome, you might
enjoy reading the Cyberdrome
novel. Click here to learn more
>>
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Work
on the Atari game ended in the early 1990's but
then a new and much more advanced version of
Cyberdrome was realized on the PC
computer.
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