Autobahn
Name: Autobahn
Programmer(s): Nasir Gebelli
Publisher: Sirius
Year: 1981
Description:
Autobahn was a racing game released for the Apple II computer in 1981 by Sirius Software. The game put players behind the wheel on Germany's famous highway system, where speed limits don't exist and drivers push their cars to the limit.
The game used the Apple II's graphics capabilities to create a top-down view of a multi-lane highway. Players controlled a small car that needed to weave through traffic while maintaining high speeds. The road scrolled continuously from top to bottom, creating the illusion of forward movement. Different colored cars represented various types of vehicles, from slow trucks to fast sports cars.
Players used the keyboard or joystick to steer their car left and right between lanes. The goal was simple: drive as far as possible without crashing. Points increased based on distance traveled and the current speed. Faster speeds meant more points but also made avoiding collisions much harder. The game started at moderate speeds but gradually increased the pace as players progressed.
What made Autobahn challenging was the unpredictable traffic patterns. Cars would suddenly change lanes without warning. Trucks moved slowly in the right lane while sports cars zoomed past on the left. Players needed quick reflexes to dodge vehicles that appeared at the top of the screen. One collision meant game over, forcing players to start from the beginning.
The game featured simple beep sounds for the engine and crash effects. While basic by today's standards, these audio cues helped players focus on the action. The graphics used the Apple II's limited color palette effectively, with different vehicle types clearly visible against the gray road surface.
Autobahn competed with other racing games of the era like Night Driver and Rally Speedway. However, its highway setting and traffic-dodging gameplay made it unique. The game didn't feature turns or multiple tracks like some competitors. Instead, it focused on pure reaction-based gameplay that kept players coming back to beat their high scores.
The game demonstrated how simple concepts could create addictive gameplay on early computers. Without complex graphics or elaborate features, Autobahn relied on solid mechanics and increasing difficulty to maintain interest. It represented the straightforward design philosophy common in early 1980s computer games, where gameplay always came first.
Though not as famous as later racing games, Autobahn helped establish driving games as a popular genre on home computers. Its influence can be seen in countless traffic-dodging games that followed, proving that good game design doesn't require advanced technology.