Star Thief

Name: Star Thief
Programmer(s): Jim L. Nitchals
Publisher: Cavalier Computer
Year: 1981

Description:

This game is a Rip Off Clone

Star Thief is a 1981 action game for the Apple II that puts players in control of a spaceship navigating through dangerous asteroid fields. Created by William Demas and published by Cavalier Computer, this game became popular among early Apple II owners looking for fast-paced arcade action.

The game takes place in deep space where players pilot a small spacecraft through increasingly difficult levels. Your main goal is to steal energy pods while avoiding or destroying asteroids that fill the screen. The ship moves using the Apple II's keyboard, with keys controlling thrust, rotation, and firing. Players must carefully manage their limited fuel supply while collecting enough energy pods to advance to the next level.

What makes Star Thief special is its smooth scrolling graphics, which were impressive for 1981. Most Apple II games at the time had choppy movement, but Star Thief's programming made the asteroids and spacecraft move fluidly across the screen. The game uses simple white graphics on a black background, typical of early Apple II games, but the animation quality stood out.

Each level increases the challenge by adding more asteroids and making them move faster. Players earn points by shooting asteroids and collecting energy pods. The game includes a radar display showing nearby threats, helping players plan their movements. Running out of fuel or crashing into an asteroid ends the game, forcing players to start over from the beginning.

Star Thief borrowed ideas from popular arcade games like Asteroids but added the energy pod collection mechanic to create something new. The game required 48K of RAM, which was substantial for the time. Sound effects were limited to simple beeps and explosion noises through the Apple II's basic speaker.

The game sold well through computer stores and mail-order catalogs throughout the early 1980s. While it never achieved the fame of games like Lode Runner or Karateka, Star Thief represented the type of quality arcade-style games that helped establish the Apple II as a serious gaming platform. Its combination of smooth graphics, challenging gameplay, and strategic fuel management created an experience that kept players coming back for higher scores.

Today, Star Thief remains a solid example of early Apple II game design, showing how creative programmers could overcome hardware limitations to create engaging games. Though simple by modern standards, it demonstrates the foundation of space action games that would evolve throughout the 1980s.