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Long
before my novel, Cyberdrome
became a reality, my brother Dave and
I created a real Cyberdrome inside a
computer. It was huge and detailed virtual
environment filled with thousands of
independent digital creatures that ate,
slept, fought, and "procreated," all
without human control. They also evolved
over time in ways that couldn't be
predicted. That made it a simulation.
However,
it was also a place where you (and a
friend) could enter and explore, using
virtual vehicles called Tracers. You could
work together (or compete) to explore,
map, find weapons, and blow things up to
complete levels. That made it a game.
The
first magazine reviewers called it "too
cerebral" for most players. We liked that.
So is it a game or a simulation? You
decide for yourself.
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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.
Stage
2:
PC-based
Cyberdrome Simulator
PC-Based
3D Artificial Life Simulation: An adventure
into a virtual environment containing
genetically-evolved artificial life
forms.
Cyberdrome™
Simulator is a 3D digital world created to
grow and evolve artificial life (ALife) programs,
and to allow humans to explore and interact with
these creatures in a massive
environment.
Cyberdrome™
Simulator consists of 9 memory sectors, each
covering a scaled area equal to 100 square miles.
Inside
each of these sectors there are up to 2000
independently moving artificial life
(ALife) programs which have
been
allowed to evolve over time without human control.
These life forms include Raptors, Spiders and
Mantises.
We
have to tell you that work on the Cyberdrome™
Simulator has been put on hold, but we hope to
bring it back someday soon in a brand new format -
a Massively Multiplayer Online Game!
Stage
3:
Cyberdrome
MMOG
Massively
Multiplayer Online Game
What
if you were given the opportunity to enter the
Cyberdrome™ Core and explore
hundreds of square miles of virtual reality from
your phone or personal computer? Would you take
it?
What
if you could actually sit inside your very own
TRACER and do battle with a growing army of
genetically-evolved robotic life forms? What if
these robotic life forms were the size of a
three-story building and had weapons far more
powerful than yours? Would you have the skill to
defeat them?
What
if you were asked to enter Earth-based simulations
with the goal of rescuing humans held captive there
by a dangerous and intelligent enemy? What if you
were told that you had to complete this mission
without the use of game saves or extra lives. Would
you have the courage to attempt it?
And
finally, what if a few hundred of your friends
could join you?
Would
that be cool? That could be
Cyberdrome™
Click
here to buy the book and help make it
happen!
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