Lost opportunities

Considering that Hunter Killer was the first ever home computer link game, you'd have thought that the submarine cat and mouse scenario would have been better exploited and expanded on by now. Subwar 2050 was released by Microprose at almost the same time on the PC and Amiga. We awarded it 84 per cent in AF67 - the main criticism barring it from a prestigious Gold award being that it didn't include a link option. The ability to send out dummy robot-controlled subs as tactical decoys could have turned the game into the sport of champions. But, alas and alack, it was not to be. Where's the vision? So many opportunities for top serial link entertainment have been missed unnecessarily.

It seems that we're going to have to rely on visionaries such as Acid Software and Team 17 to produce the games that innovative, socialised gamers require and demand. Imagine the selling power and potential of an A1200 Super Skidmarks 2 and Alien Breed 3D serial link bundle. Especially if the A1200 was beefed up with a 68030 processor, 4Mb of RAM and two serial ports as standard.