Cover of the November/December 1982 issue of Computer Gaming World
Throughout most of the 1980s all the way through the early 2000s Computer Gaming World was known mostly for its coverage of PC games (DOS and then Windows). It's easy to forget how early they actually started. This issue is from November/December 1982. The PC, as in the ancestor of the Windows based computers we use today, wasn't even introduced until the previous year and it was quite expensive as it was designed as a business machine. The IBM PC Jr., the first feeble attempt to market the PC as a home computer wasn't introduced until 1984. In 1982, the PC was not the dominant platform for computer games. This issue of Computer Gaming World covers games for machines like the Atari 400/800, TRS-80 and Apple II.
The contents of this issue include:
Features
- The History of a Wargame Design - The history of SSI's Guadalcanal Campaign from conception to implementation and beyond as related by its author.
- Japanese Strategy in Guadalcanal Campaign - Another article on SSI's Guadalcanal Campaign for the Apple II. This one provides a strategy for helping you win when playing as the Japanese.
- Four for the Atari - Reviews of Attack at EP-CYG-4, Hockey and Soccer (apparently sold together), and Shamus for the Atari 400/800.
- Eastern Front: Scenario Options - An article on creating a custom scenario for Eastern Front for Atari 8-bit computers.
- Star Maze - Review of this space based arcade game by Sir-tech for the Apple II. Also, prizes are offered for the first three people who can get to the 16th level and prove it by providing a map.
- Legionnaire: Review and Analysis - Review of the strategy/war game Legionnaire by Chris Crawford/Avalon Hill for the Atari 400/800.
- Beyond Sargon II - Various chess variations that can be played with Sargon II.
Table of Contents from the November/December 1982 issue of Computer Gaming World
Departments
- Inside the Industry - An overview of the number of games released by each company and for each system in 1981 and the first half of 1982. It's interesting to note that in 1982, the Apple II had the most games followed by the TRS-80 then Atari and finally all other systems. In the first half of 1982, Atari overtook the TRS-80 for second place.
- Letters - Letters from readers about piracy and back issues.
- Taking a peek - Previews of the following games:
- Alien Garden by Automated Simulations/Epyx (Atari 400/800)
- Fore! by Automated Simulations (Apple II)
- Escape From Vulcan's Isle by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- Crypt of the Undead by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- King Arthur's Heir by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- Death Race '82 by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Federation by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Zero Gravity Pinball by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Teleport by Cavalier Computer (Apple II)
- Money Munchers by Datamost (Apple II)
- Mars Cars by Datamost (Apple II)
- Tharolian Tunnels by Datamost (Apple II)
- Kamikaze by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Klondike 2000 by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Shuttle Intercept by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Final Conflict by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- King Cribbage by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Star Traders by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Frazzle by Muse Software (Apple II)
- Monster Mash by The Software Farm (Apple II)
- Picnic Paranoia by Synapse Software (Atari 400/800)
- Hobby and Industry News - News mostly about upcoming games, many of which were briefly covered in the previews section above.
- The Silicon Cerebrum - A technical article on computer based decision making.
- Route 80 (TRS-80) - The future of computer gaming, programs by subscription and PEEKS and POKES on the TRS-80.
- Micro-Reviews - Reviews of:
- Crazy Mazey by Data Most (Apple II)
- Lazermaze by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Seafox by Broderbund (Atari 400/800, Apple II)
- Writing for CGW - Guidelines for submitting articles and reviews to CGW.