Heist
Name: The Heist
Programmer(s): Mike Livesay & Mike Mooney
Publisher: Microfun
Year: 1983
Description:
Heist was released in 1983 for the Apple II computer by Micro Fun. This action game put players in control of a thief trying to steal valuable items from heavily guarded museums. The game became popular among Apple II owners who wanted something different from the typical arcade shooters of the time.
In Heist, you play as a burglar who must break into five different museums. Each museum contains treasures like paintings, statues, and jewels that you need to steal. The goal is simple: grab the loot and escape without getting caught. Guards patrol each floor, and security cameras watch for intruders. If a guard spots you, they chase you down. Get caught three times and the game ends.
The game uses a top-down view where you can see the entire floor layout. Your thief appears as a small figure that moves in eight directions using the keyboard. Guards follow set patrol routes, but they change direction when they spot you. Security cameras rotate back and forth, creating safe zones where you can hide. Each museum has multiple floors connected by elevators. The treasures are scattered across different rooms, and some require keys to access.
What made Heist special was its emphasis on planning and timing. Unlike action games where you shoot enemies, Heist required patience and strategy. You had to study guard patterns, wait for cameras to turn away, and plan escape routes. The game included 50 different museum layouts, keeping gameplay fresh. Players could also create custom levels using the built-in editor, which was unusual for 1983.
The graphics were basic but effective. Museums appeared as simple floor plans with walls, doors, and corridors. Characters were tiny stick figures, but their movements were smooth. The Apple II's speaker produced simple beeps and alarm sounds when guards spotted you. While not impressive by today's standards, these features worked well for the gameplay.
Heist sold moderately well and received positive reviews in computer magazines. Critics praised its unique concept and level editor. The game influenced later stealth titles by showing that avoiding enemies could be as fun as fighting them. Micro Fun released versions for other computers including the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit family.
Today, Heist remains a noteworthy example of early stealth gaming. It proved that Apple II games could offer more than just arcade conversions. The game's focus on sneaking rather than shooting helped establish stealth as a gaming genre. While simple compared to modern games, Heist demonstrated creative game design within the Apple II's technical limits.