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Created by
Rick Hadsall, last updated on Jun 07, 2009
5 minute read
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 |
|---|---|---|
Technical Magic |
Amiga version of the Flash Chat program. Supports multiple Flash Chat environments simultaneously. |
|
Inner Sanctum Design |
VGA mouse-required interstellar galactic conquest game. Demo supports 1 user, registered played up to 6. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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). |
|
Anthony Spataro |
Changes character set to improve graphics of Flash Attack. |
|
Unknown |
For for Flash Attack to improve graphics. |
|
Unknown |
"AWESOME" Graphics for Flash Attack |
|
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. |
|
Tim Stryker of Galacticomm |
Multiuser realtime Chat. Source was included with the Flash Developers Kit. |
|
Tim Stryker of Galacticomm |
Multiuser realtime Chat. |
|
Jeff Posey |
Fast-paced exciting shootemup for up to 8 players. You only see players/items within natural view in any direction. |
|
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. |
|
John Gillespie of JAGware |
Ship combat game |
|
Chris Haag |
Design suggestion for Flash Protocol to implement High Scoring. |
|
Chris Haag |
A tank warfare game similar to Flash Attack but "much more". |
|
Hyperlight Software |
Explains how to modify Flash sources to support Sysop serialization of Flash games. Included already in Rev H and later. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Chris Haag |
Document to explain how to get incoming players' "GAME IN PROGRESS" detection for Flash. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Neuralogic Productions |
VGA wild western shootout game. |
|
Neuralogic Productions |
VGA wild western shootout game. |