Conflict: Middle East

Conflict: Middle East was a strategy game released in 1990 by HiTech Expressions for the Apple II computer. Players took control of either Israel or one of several Arab nations during a fictional modern conflict in the Middle East. The game challenged players to manage military units, resources, and diplomatic relationships while trying to achieve victory through conquest or negotiation.

The game presented a top-down map view of the Middle East region. Countries appeared as different colored territories, and military units showed up as simple icons. Players took turns moving their forces, attacking enemy positions, and managing their nation's economy. Each turn represented one week of game time. The Apple II's limited graphics meant everything looked basic, but the gameplay itself offered surprising depth.

Players had to balance several factors to succeed. Military units cost money to build and maintain. Oil production generated income, but oil fields could be captured or destroyed. Diplomatic actions let players form alliances or negotiate ceasefires, though these agreements could be broken. Random events like terrorist attacks or UN interventions added unpredictability to each game.

Combat worked through a simple system where unit strength determined the outcome. Tanks beat infantry, aircraft beat tanks, and anti-aircraft units beat planes. Players needed combined arms tactics to win battles. The game included supply lines too. Units cut off from their home country grew weaker over time.

What made Conflict: Middle East interesting was its attempt to simulate real political tensions through gameplay. Players faced choices between aggressive expansion and defensive strategies. Going to war meant spending resources that could otherwise improve your economy. The game even included nuclear weapons as a last resort option, though using them brought severe diplomatic penalties.

The Apple II version used keyboard commands for all actions. Players typed letter codes to give orders, check unit status, or access different game menus. While this control scheme felt clunky compared to mouse-driven games on newer computers, it worked well enough for turn-based strategy.

Conflict: Middle East represented one of many strategy games trying to bring complex political situations to home computers. It competed with titles like Balance of Power and Crisis in the Kremlin. While it never achieved major commercial success, the game showed how developers could tackle serious subjects on limited hardware. For Apple II owners interested in strategy games beyond fantasy or science fiction settings, it provided a different kind of challenge.