Soccer Games On 8-Bit Machines

 

The mass introduction of computers into people’s homes began in the early Eighties. It was accompanied by the era of 8-bit computers such as Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Naturally, soccer games came with them. There were some attempts with this gaming category even before that (by companies Atari, Intellivision, Ramtek, and others); however, the major rise in the quality of soccer games occurred when computers were put into the hands of “common” people, outside of large corporations. Computers for home use at the time were strong enough to carry relatively complicated tasks, with acceptable graphic and sound capabilities. Nevertheless, they were inexpensive enough that programming was no longer reserved for big companies. A few of these skilled developers quickly began to create a new chapter within the world of Ufabet.

The turning point around 1983. A programmer known as Andrew Spencer developed International Soccer. With a great graphics system for the time, an improved ball flight model compared to the predecessors of the 70s, and nine levels of computer-controlled opponents (early games usually were played by two players), this game conquered the market quickly. There are some views, drawn from the past, that this game is the greatest achievement discussing football games using 8-bit computers and further.

Maybe that appraisal was nostalgia-tinted, or perhaps it was only the result of poor competition. During the reign of 8-bit machines, several hundreds of football games were created, and only a handful of them could be described as good. Some titles worth noting were Match Day from 1985. (and its sequel from 1988. ), Gary Lineker’s Superstar Soccer by Gremlin Graphics and 5 A Side by the company known as Anirog (later changed to Anco, the name that was yet to crave its place in the history of football games).

On the other hand, the market was filled with rubbish titles. It was not obvious how the publishing houses came up with the courage to make them available to the public in the first place (who was able to play Super Soccer by Imagine, or Peter Beardsley’s International Football by Grand Slam and knows what I’m talking bout).

At the end, when it was suggested that computers running 8-bit could not bring the best football games, two titles on C64 made a difference. The year was 1988. Microprose released Microprose Soccer, and Audiogenic released Emlyn Hughes International Soccer. Two amazing games that dealt with football in various ways. Microprose Soccer reinvented the top-down view (although visually identical to the years older arcade game Tehkan World Cup), with fast-paced action, colorful graphics, and neat options like – replays and different weather throughout the game. On the other hand, Emlyn Hughes International Soccer used practically the identical graphics as the original International Soccer, but with an array of brand new moves and ways to pass and kick the ball. It also involved distinct characteristics for each player on the team.

The two games were the cornerstones of soccer games played on 8-bit machines; however, their popularity did not last for long. The eighties were coming to an end, and with them came the end of แทงบอลออนไลน์. 16-bit games were in the pipeline and, along with them came titles as Kick Off and Sensible Soccer. But, those will be the subject of a separate article.