"Spacetag" (old, plain-text version, circa 1990)

Spacetag is a real-time, full-screen space game for UNIX systems. It may be run from any terminal with a properly configured screen, and with a sufficiently fast baud rate. The player flies around in a "spaceship", and attempts to "tag" an "enemy ship" by running into it. Both a short-range and a long-range scan are available. A planet, space stations, gravity, an atmosphere, friction, and fuel and temperature considerations all combine to complicate and enhance the game.

The current version of spacetag is visually very primitive, using only text-based graphics. It may be run from utstat.toronto.edu by typing

/u/jeff/bin/spacetag

Because of the primitive graphics, the game is a bit difficult to figure out, so be sure to carefully read the instructions (available here or when starting the game).

I hope to create an xwindows version of the game in the future. The higher quality graphics will make the game easier to understand. I also plan to add extra features, including more planets or moons, different "tag" arrangements, and multi-player possibilities.

NEWSFLASH (8/28/96): I am now developing a new version of spacetag. For now it still uses primitive text-based graphics. However, there are some improvements, including a better, rounder, more interesting PLANET and a MOON. But most importantly, it is now a TWO-PERSON game, with two spaceships being flown from two different terminals (one being "it", and one "not it"). If you've played ordinary spacetag and would like to experiment with this new version, then I would be delighted; please let me know.

COMMENTS / SUGGESTIONS / QUESTIONS? Send me e-mail.

GOOD LUCK!!!