Games Released in December 1975

1 new games released in December 1975, with PLATO being the most active platform. December 31 was the busiest day, with 1 new release.

Top Platform

PLATO

New Releases

1

Busiest Day

December 31

Panther

What was the most popular game of December 1975?

Panther

Panther, a battle tank-driving simulation named after the Panther tank, was one of a handful of early first-person computer games developed by John Edo Haefeli and Nelson Bridwell in 1975 at Northwestern University. The game was developed for the multi-user interactive computer-based education PLATO system and programmed in the TUTOR programming language and utilized scalable vector graphics called linesets. A 1977 development of Panther, with more refined graphics, was named Panzer. The game features team-based deathmatch. There are two teams, Squares and Triangles. The object of the game is to destroy the opposing team's base. Game play is straightforward; the player selects a pseudonym and a team, traverse the terrain looking for enemies to destroy on the way to their base. Perspective is maintained by the use of scalable vector graphics and visual interest is enhanced with special graphics for explosions using a custom character set to accomplish limited raster graphics animation. When players enter the game their tanks are placed randomly in the playing arena near their bases and are temporarily camouflaged to allow time to orient themselves with the current map and state of play. The initial view of the game is in "on-board" mode, which is a first-person perspective of the arena. The other main view available is the map which shows the 5 mountains (Crag, Nixon, Og, Pathos, and Red) which vary in size and placement each time a new game is started. On the map view players can see all of their team members positions and can see enemies only when they are within range. Messaging between team members is available and broadcast-style messages (insults) to the opposing team are also allowed. Team coordination and cooperation is critical to winning in this game as each player has different skills, some players are better at hunting down and killing enemies (or at least engaging and distracting them), others are good at hiding and sneaking to the opposing base to begin bombardment. An interesting capability of the game is that players can donate ammunition and fuel to other players in order to facilitate their role in the game. Ammunition and fuel are loaded at the player's base.

Which days had the most releases?

December 31 saw the most activity with 1 release.

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

Mon, Dec 1

No releases

Tue, Dec 2

No releases

Wed, Dec 3

No releases

Thu, Dec 4

No releases

Fri, Dec 5

No releases

Sat, Dec 6

No releases

Sun, Dec 7

No releases

Mon, Dec 8

No releases

Tue, Dec 9

No releases

Wed, Dec 10

No releases

Thu, Dec 11

No releases

Fri, Dec 12

No releases

Sat, Dec 13

No releases

Sun, Dec 14

No releases

Mon, Dec 15

No releases

Tue, Dec 16

No releases

Wed, Dec 17

No releases

Thu, Dec 18

No releases

Fri, Dec 19

No releases

Sat, Dec 20

No releases

Sun, Dec 21

No releases

Mon, Dec 22

No releases

Tue, Dec 23

No releases

Wed, Dec 24

No releases

Thu, Dec 25

No releases

Fri, Dec 26

No releases

Sat, Dec 27

No releases

Sun, Dec 28

No releases

Mon, Dec 29

No releases

Tue, Dec 30

No releases

Wed, Dec 31

1 release

How did each week compare?

The fifth week of December was the busiest with 1 release.

Week 5 (December 29–31)

1 release
Panther

Most popular release in Week 5

Panther

Panther, a battle tank-driving simulation named after the Panther tank, was one of a handful of early first-person computer games developed by John Edo Haefeli and Nelson Bridwell in 1975 at Northwestern University. The game was developed for the multi-user interactive computer-based education PLATO system and programmed in the TUTOR programming language and utilized scalable vector graphics called linesets. A 1977 development of Panther, with more refined graphics, was named Panzer. The game features team-based deathmatch. There are two teams, Squares and Triangles. The object of the game is to destroy the opposing team's base. Game play is straightforward; the player selects a pseudonym and a team, traverse the terrain looking for enemies to destroy on the way to their base. Perspective is maintained by the use of scalable vector graphics and visual interest is enhanced with special graphics for explosions using a custom character set to accomplish limited raster graphics animation. When players enter the game their tanks are placed randomly in the playing arena near their bases and are temporarily camouflaged to allow time to orient themselves with the current map and state of play. The initial view of the game is in "on-board" mode, which is a first-person perspective of the arena. The other main view available is the map which shows the 5 mountains (Crag, Nixon, Og, Pathos, and Red) which vary in size and placement each time a new game is started. On the map view players can see all of their team members positions and can see enemies only when they are within range. Messaging between team members is available and broadcast-style messages (insults) to the opposing team are also allowed. Team coordination and cooperation is critical to winning in this game as each player has different skills, some players are better at hunting down and killing enemies (or at least engaging and distracting them), others are good at hiding and sneaking to the opposing base to begin bombardment. An interesting capability of the game is that players can donate ammunition and fuel to other players in order to facilitate their role in the game. Ammunition and fuel are loaded at the player's base.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PLATO received 1 new title in December 1975.

PLATO1 release

What genres were most popular?

Simulator was the dominant genre in December 1975 with 1 titles.

Simulator1