Summary
'Panzer Battles' is a computer game on two floppy disks with two booklets, a supplement and two cards in a box. Made in Australia by Strategic Studies Group in 1989. Versions are available for the Amiga and the Apple IIgs computer systems. This particular version was released in 1990.
This is one of a series of games in which software micromanaged the actions of the individual units for example battalions or artillery assets.
The series used the same format but different battle scenarios in different theatres of war. Titles included Battles in Normandy, Macarthur's War, Halls of Montezuma and Rommel. The Macintosh allowed mouse control and had high definition graphics.
The setting is the Eastern Front in World War II. There were six scenarios. There was also a campaign editor that allowed users to create their own scenarios, as many as they liked. The one player was the divisional or corps commander and the player could play either side. The commander gave general orders to battalions and regiments. The software would then micromanage the orders.
The game had a sound capability that was determined by the limitations of the hardware.
This object was collected because it was designed and produced by an Australian software development company, the Strategic Studies Group, commonly known as SSG, that makes strategy war games.
This program was distinctive because it was developed for cross-platform use. Versions were available for the Apple II family , Apple IIgs, Commodore, the IBM PC and compatibles and the Macintosh and the Amiga computer systems.
In 1983, the donor's parents gave him an Apple II Europlus. He used it for essays, medical school assignments and games. He became especially interested in war games and he stated that an Australian Sydney-based company Strategic Studies Group had the best war games at that time, which he began and continued to collect.
It was also collected because it is representative of the use of the graphic user interface (GUI) introduced in 1983, even though the game itself was released in 1990.
Part of a representative collection of hardware, software, trade literature and promotional material that documents the history of the Apple company, and its contribution to, and impact on the computer industry and society.
Physical Description
A white cardboard box in printed sleeve,. The box contains two floppy disks with labels, a booklet : game manual of 32 and a booklet Scenario Booklet of 24 pages , a supplement of 4 pages, a registration card and a blue order form/ post card
More Information
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Collection Names
The Apple Company Collection, Internet Macintosh User Group (iMug) Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Chee-Yan Hiew, 22 Nov 2006
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Manufacturer
Strategic Studies Group, Sydney, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1990
Strategic studies group has been making computer games since 1983. -
Format
Magnetic carrier, Floppy disk, 3.5 inch
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Inscriptions
On sleeve: " Panza Battles - Roger Keating, Danny Stevens, Ian Trout" with a sticker: " Mac/Plus SE/II/ IIcx Full colour Program; multi finder compatible, 1 Megabyte Required not Copy protected The rear has introduction and screen image. and the following text: " ©1989 Strategic Studies Group Made in Australia" 1: The booklet: "Game Manual - Battle Front Game System" 2: "Panza Battles Scenario booklet" Floppy Disk Labels: "PANZA BATTLES- Disk One" MACINTOSH ©1990 SSG Version All Rights Reserved
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Brand Names
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
245 mm (Length), 185 mm (Width), 30 mm (Height)
Approximate case dimensions.
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References
[Link 1] (accessed 13 August 2008)
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Keywords
Computer Games, Computer Software, Computers, Computing, Education, Entertainment, World War II, 1939-1945