Tanktics | Classic retro game for the Commodore PET Computer (1978)

Tanktics is a computer wargame written by Chris Crawford and published by Avalon Hill in 1978. It was one of the earliest computer wargames and was designed for the Commodore PET, a popular personal computer at the time. The game simulates tank battles, allowing players to command tanks on a grid-based map, with a focus on strategy and tactical decision-making.

The gameplay involves players issuing movement and firing orders to their tanks, with the computer handling the execution and resolving combat. The game features a simple text-based interface, typical of early computer games, and emphasizes realism in tank warfare, including factors like line of sight, terrain, and armor penetration. It was praised for its innovative approach to wargaming on a computer, offering a more dynamic experience compared to traditional board wargames.

Chris Crawford, the game's creator, is a well-known figure in the gaming industry, particularly for his work in strategy and simulation games. Avalon Hill, the publisher, was a prominent company in the wargaming industry, known for both board and computer wargames. Tanktics is considered a pioneering title in the history of computer wargames and is remembered for its influence on the genre.