Snipes

About this game

Snipes is a fascinating and historically significant text-mode action game from the early days of computing. Released in 1982, it features simple but enjoyable Gauntlet-like gameplay where players navigate a maze, destroy enemy generators, and fend off ASCII smiley-faced enemies. What makes Snipes particularly interesting is its role as one of the earliest games to support networked multiplayer, commissioned by Novell to test the capabilities of early Local Area Networks (LANs). Gameplay Overview: Objective: Navigate a maze, destroy enemy generators, and survive waves of ASCII smiley-faced enemies. Mechanics: Maze Navigation: Players move through a text-based maze using keyboard controls (typically arrow keys or similar inputs). Enemy Generators: Destroy generators that spawn enemies to stop the flow of hostile smiley faces. Combat: Players can shoot enemies to eliminate them while avoiding collisions. Multiplayer: Snipes supports networked multiplayer, allowing players to compete or cooperate over a LAN—a groundbreaking feature for its time. Key Features: Text-Mode Graphics: The game uses ASCII characters to represent the player, enemies, and maze, giving it a retro, minimalist aesthetic. Simple Controls: Easy-to-learn keyboard inputs for movement and shooting. Networked Multiplayer: One of the first games to support LAN-based multiplayer, showcasing early networking technology. Gauntlet-Like Gameplay: The mix of maze navigation, enemy combat, and generator destruction resembles the classic arcade game Gauntlet. Historical Significance: As a tool for testing Novell’s networking capabilities, Snipes holds a unique place in the history of both gaming and computer networking.

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