Summary
- Release Year: 1973
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: Microcomputer
Mugwump (1973): A Text-Based Classic
Mugwump is a simple but addictive text-based game that was released in 1973. The goal of the game is to find four hidden Mugwumps on a 10×10 grid. The player enters a pair of single-digit coordinates to scan a location on the grid. If a Mugwump is at that location, the player is alerted. Otherwise, the player is told the distance from the scanned coordinates to each of the Mugwumps that are yet to be found. The game ends after ten turns or when all of the Mugwumps have been found.
Mugwump was written in BASIC by David Ahl and published in the January 1973 issue of Creative Computing magazine. It was one of the first video games to be published in a magazine, and it quickly became a popular hit. Mugwump was later ported to a number of other platforms, including the TRS-80 and the Commodore 64.
Gameplay
Mugwump is a turn-based game. On each turn, the player enters a pair of single-digit coordinates to scan a location on the grid. If a Mugwump is at that location, the player is alerted and the Mugwump is removed from the grid. If there is no Mugwump at that location, the player is told the distance from the scanned coordinates to each of the Mugwumps that are yet to be found. The game ends after ten turns or when all of the Mugwumps have been found.
Strategy
There are a number of different strategies that can be used to play Mugwump. One common strategy is to start by scanning the corners of the grid. This is because Mugwumps are more likely to be hidden in the corners than in the center of the grid. Another common strategy is to scan the grid in a spiral pattern. This ensures that you will eventually scan every location on the grid.
Legacy
Mugwump is a simple game, but it is also a very addictive and challenging game. It is a classic example of a text-based game, and it has inspired many other games over the years. Mugwump is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the most important video games of all time.
Tips for Playing Mugwump
- Start by scanning the corners of the grid.
- Scan the grid in a spiral pattern.
- If you get stuck, try scanning the locations that are closest to the Mugwumps that you have already found.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies.
Additional Information
- Mugwump was one of the first video games to be published in a magazine.
- Mugwump was ported to a number of other platforms, including the TRS-80 and the Commodore 64.
- Mugwump is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the most important video games of all time.
Conclusion
Mugwump is a simple but addictive text-based game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is a classic example of a text-based game, and it has inspired many other games over the years. If you are looking for a fun and challenging game to play, then I highly recommend Mugwump.
Review Score
7/10
