TacOps (Game)

Infobox VG| title = TacOps


developer = Major I.L. Holdridge, USMC (ret)
publisher = Battlefront
designer =
engine =
released = 1994
genre = Turn-based wargame/simulation
modes = Single player, Multiplayer, PBEM
ratings =
platforms = Mac, Windows
media = CD-ROM, Digital Download
requirements =
input =

TacOps is a turn-based wargame originally released in 1994. The game, developed by Major I.L. Holdridge, USMC (ret), details modern, hypothetical combat between U.S. and Canadian troops versus the OPFOR who are armed with various equipment from across the globe. Instead of typical hex or square based movement, the forces move around without a grid. Players take turns giving orders and then watching the battles unfold on the map. Also, players cannot directly control where their troops fire, but rather control parameters such as fire zones, and range of engagement. The game is considered very realistic, and includes a database with information and photos for all of the units in the game.

Game play is divided into two phases. In the order phase time does not pass in the game and orders can be entered. During a combat phase these orders are executed and the player can only watch the results as 60 seconds of game time passes.

Order Phase

During the order phase of a turn, when a player clicks on a unit its Order Box comes up. The player can order where the unit moves and, among other options, where it faces, whether it is exposed, and fire sector orders (with varying priorities).

Combat Phase

After a player is satisfied with the orders he or she has given, they may move on to the combat phase. A combat phase represents 60 seconds, and is typically divided into four, 15 second segments in which units fire and move.

History

*1994 TacOps for Macintosh v0. Arsenal Publishing.
*1996 TacOps for Windows v1. Arsenal Publishing.
*1998 TacOpsNZ v2. Custom version licensed to New Zealand Army. Avalon Hill Game Company.
*1998 TacOps Classic Edition v2. Avalon Hill Game Company.
*1998 TacOpsMC v2. Custom version licensed to US Marine Corps. Avalon Hill Game Company.
*1999 TacOpsCF v2 and v3. Custom versions licensed to Canadian Forces (Canadian Army). Battlefront.com.
*2000 TacOps v3. Battlefront.com.
*2000 TacOpsCav v3. Custom version licensed to US Army. Battlefront.com.
*2002 TacOpsCav v4. Custom version licensed to US Army. Battlefront.com.
*2002 TacOps v4. Battlefront.com.
*2003 TacOps ANZAC v4. Custom version licensed to Australian Army and New Zealand Army. Battlefront.com.
*2004 TacOps ANZAC v5. Custom version licensed to Australian Army and New Zealand Army. Battlefront.com.
*2003 TacOpsMC v4. Custom version licensed to US Marine Corps. Battlefront.com.
*2004 TacOpsMC v5. Custom version licensed to US Marine Corps. Battlefront.com.
*2006 TacOps v4.0.6 AH (Current patch level as of 1/10/2008)

Demo

There is a [http://battlefront.com/downloads.html demo] version offered by [http://battlefront.com Battlefront.com] .

External links

* [http://www.battlefront.com Battlefront.com, the current publisher of TacOps games]

* [http://tacopshq.com TacOps Headquarters, a fansite by RikkiTikki with maps and articles for download]

* [http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=76, Discussion forum on GameSquad.com]

* [http://www.tacopshq.com/guide/Main_Page, the TacOps Wiki site]

* [http://enn.electronicnewsnetwork.com/globalthunder/ Electronic News Network] - A CNN.com-like website for the "Global Thunder" MBX (gamed out with TacOps for land & Harpoon for sea) that provided immersive After Action Reports as well as some Intel for Redfor and Bluefor participants. Nine issues were released with the latter two containing video news reports. Note that some news stories mentioned were outside the realm of events in Global Thunder and simply featured to 'flesh out' the news site.