Excalibur (computer game)

Infobox VG| title = Excalibur


developer = Chris Crawford
publisher = Atari Program Exchange
designer = Chris Crawford, Larry Summers, Valerie Atkinson
engine = Assembly
released = 1983
genre = Role-Playing
modes = Single player
ratings = N/A
platforms = Atari 8-bit
media = floppy disk
requirements = Atari 8-bit computer with 48K, disk drive
input = Joystick

"Excalibur" is a notable early resource-management/strategy computer game for the Atari 8-bit computers. It was designed by game design legend Chris Crawford, developed with the help of Larry Summers and Valerie Atkinson, and published by Atari Program Exchange in 1983.

The object of the game is to unite all of Britain under the rule of King Arthur. You invade kingdoms, set tithes for your vassals, send plagues and pestilences (with the help of Merlin) and manage the loyalty of your own Round Table by rewarding your knights or, if they grow too disloyal, by banishing them.

"Excalibur" was considered to be a well-balanced and elegant-looking game for the time. A trivial detail is that three of the knights of the game, Sremmus, Nosnikta and Drofwarc are named following the names of the creators of the game backwards.

External links

* [http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/peabody/game-book/Chapter8.html "Art of Computer Game Design" chapter describing creation of "Excalibur"]
* [http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?MENU=8&VERSION_ID=1898 atarimania.com] Review - Excalibur
* [http://www.atarimagazines.com/v2n11/productreviews.html Antic Vol.2, No.11] - Product Review for "Excalibur"