The FLASH Protocol

The Flash Protocol was an ingenious multiuser game server protocol that functioned through the teleconference. Users would gather in a channel and enter one Flash game, which would take over their session and use the BBS as a passthrough, very much like how multiuser game services like XBOX Live use the internet today! Flash games were initially ANSI, but were not limited to ANSI - they could use any graphics the client could support! Flash Attack was the first full product for the Flash protocol (Flash Chat was a realtime chat program to demonstrate the protocol). It was a direct port of a tank/base battle game for the PET of the same name, written by Tim Stryker and Katie Wasserman in 1979. It was enormously fun, though people started writing trojan programs to cheat. Sounds like the online game networks today. In fact, the Flash protocol could be used to write multiuser online internet games today! The main drawback was the load placed on the old DOS systems, but surely the performance of today's servers would eliminate that drawback.

Known Flash Games, Programs, and Related Files

Program

Developer

Description

Amiga Flash Chat v1.5

Technical Magic

Amiga version of the Flash Chat program. Supports multiple Flash Chat environments simultaneously.

Flash Dominate v1.0

Inner Sanctum Design

VGA mouse-required interstellar galactic conquest game. Demo supports 1 user, registered played up to 6.

Flash Attach v2.2

Tim Stryker of Galacticomm

A tank and laser battle simulation, with mines, pods, seekers, neutrons, "ghosts" and much more. This file contains full documentation on how to play, both single-player and multi-player. See the December 1980 issue of BYTE Magazine for a discussion of Flash Attack v1.0.

Flash Attack v3.0

Tim Stryker of Galacticomm

A tank and laser battle simulation, with mines, pods, seekers, neutrons, "ghosts" and much more. This file contains full documentation on how to play, both single-player and multi-player. See the December 1980 issue of BYTE Magazine for a discussion of Flash Attack v1.0.

Flash Attack Cyborg v1.0

Scott Brinker, Aaron Von Gauss of Galacticomm

For Flash Attack, a TSR to automatically sets range and angle for neutrons. For those who play Flash Attack regularly, this definitely makes it easier to win.

TITAN, SPARTAN, and PLEBIAN

Ken Demarest III

TITAN TSR for Flash Attack - Most full featured available - Virtual Maps, Invincibility, Trig Calc, and more. Includes SPARTAN and PLEBIAN (stripped down versions).

Flash Graph for Flash Attack v1.0

Anthony Spataro

Changes character set to improve graphics of Flash Attack.

Flash Attack Font

Unknown

For for Flash Attack to improve graphics.

FA Charset

Unknown

"AWESOME" Graphics for Flash Attack

Flash Farkle v1.0

Michael Stanley of E-Z Computing

Dice game - objective is to be the first to score 5000 points or more by rolling 5 dice. Players take turns until a winner emerges. This copy is registered to Galacticomm's Demo System, and required the "Flash Mods" by Hyperlight installed.

Flash Chat v1.0

Tim Stryker of Galacticomm

Multiuser realtime Chat. Source was included with the Flash Developers Kit.

Flash Chat v2.0

Tim Stryker of Galacticomm

Multiuser realtime Chat.

Flash Cutthroat v1.0 Demo

Jeff Posey

Fast-paced exciting shootemup for up to 8 players. You only see players/items within natural view in any direction.

Flash Cycle v2.0 Demo

Brian Bowles

A VGA Flash Game based upon the classic game where the object is to entrap your opponent inside your wall and be the last remaining.

Flash Duel v1.0

John Gillespie of JAGware

Ship combat game

Flash High Scoring Proposal

Chris Haag

Design suggestion for Flash Protocol to implement High Scoring.

Flash Infiltrator v0.1 Beta

Chris Haag

A tank warfare game similar to Flash Attack but "much more".

Flash Mods for Sysop serialization

Hyperlight Software

Explains how to modify Flash sources to support Sysop serialization of Flash games. Included already in Rev H and later.

Flash Maze v1.1

Scott Brinker, Chris Robert of Galacticomm

The objective is to be the last survivor in the maze. Use photons, zappers, drillers, and bombs to kill off your opponents' stamina.

Flash Maze v2.0

Scott Brinker, Chris Robert of Galacticomm

The objective is to be the last survivor in the maze. Use photons, zappers, drillers, and bombs to kill off your opponents' stamina.

Flash Roulette v2.0

Mark Boettcher of Hyperlight Software

Place your bets! Just like the Vegas-style roulette game. Move your chips on squares to bet on and when the wheel spins, if the ball falls on that number of color you win.

Game In Progress Detection Design

Chris Haag

Document to explain how to get incoming players' "GAME IN PROGRESS" detection for Flash.

Flash Spacewars

Les Bird, Ron Struempf of Galacticomm

An EGA/VGA space battle game. Features include 3 ships to choose from, cloaking device, shields, lasers, torpedos and hyperspace. Joystick supported, and up to 10 players can battle in a high resolution space universe.

Flash Spacewars v2.0

Les Bird, Ron Struempf of Galacticomm

An EGA/VGA space battle game. Features include 3 ships to choose from, cloaking device, shields, lasers, torpedos and hyperspace. Joystick supported, and up to 10 players can battle in a high resolution space universe.

Flash Tank v1.4

Les Bird of Galacticomm

Flash Tank is a high resolution EGA/VGA tank battle game in which up to 6 players can compete with each other on a hires playfield by controlling their own tanks. Tanks are equipped with cannon shells and mines. Includes 4 games with different objectives.

Flash Tank v2.0

Les Bird of Galacticomm

Flash Tank is a high resolution EGA/VGA tank battle game in which up to 6 players can compete with each other on a hires playfield by controlling their own tanks. Tanks are equipped with cannon shells and mines. Includes 4 games with different objectives.

Flash Tankfire v0.5 Beta

Chris Haag

A 320x400x256 VGA color tank shootout with 3D trajectories, terrain, shields, and several weapons. If you think Infiltrator was nice, you'll love this.

Flash Wars v1.0

Linda Carpenter of Hyperlight Software

A Multiplayer 3D Maze Battle. The objective is to map out the 3D maze looking for, and destroying, the renegade Cyborgs.

Flash Worm v1.0 (pre-release demo)

Michael Stanley of E-Z Computing

The objective is to be the last to survive, or the first to reach a size of 200. Up to three players per game.

Flash Wild West Beta v3.0

Neuralogic Productions

VGA wild western shootout game.

Flash Wild West Beta v4.0

Neuralogic Productions

VGA wild western shootout game.