Computer Battlegames and Computer Spacegames by Daniel Isaamen and Jenny Tyler. Hayes Books. $4.95 each (Canadian).
My kids like computers. Four-year old Chris enjoys banging on the keys. Seven-year old Scott likes games, but is also quite interested in programming. He will work hard and long trying a program of his own, or typing in a program from a book or magazine. Unfortunately, there are few books for young users like Scott. So this pair from England is all the more welcome for ZX/TS users.
Computer Battlegames and Computer Spacegames share the same format. The heart of each book consists of listings of about a dozen short games. Each listing is designed to work on a ZX81 or Timex Sinclair 1000, but “translations” are included for the Spectrum, BBC micro, TRS 80, Apple, and Vic 20. There are also brief sections about adding to the programs, writing your own programs, and a summary of Basic.
Every effort has been taken to make the books attractive. The full color illustrations are very well done. The inevitable cute little robots appear throughout the books, making program operation clearer or challenging the child in the Puzzle Corner. All in all, the books are quite appealing.
However, what is underneath the flashy appearance?
The programs themselves—Robot Missile, Battle at Traitor Castle, etc.—are very simple, text oriented games that in no way live up to their illustrations. After all, most of them are designed to run in 1K—and SYNC readers know that this means the user must supply a lot of imagination!
I believe this simplicity is intentional though. Your child will probably spend as much time and get as much enjoyment from entering the programs as from playing them. The listings are essentially educational—in a fun way.
What, then, can your child learn from these books?
Let’s start with what the child will not learn. The books do not attempt to be a course in Basic, so he will not learn everything he needs to know about programming. He will not learn how to operate that unique Sinclair keyboard—so be prepared to help out.
Your child will learn how these computer games work. The programs are all thoroughly explained. Once again, though, be prepared to help out unless your youngster has a good computer background. Your child will also probably learn ways of improving and changing the games because of the many hints and suggestions. After all, the programs are deliberately simple so that their operation is clear. The books encourage the child to think rather than just blindly type in a listing. And this is really the best thing about Computer Battlegames and Computer Spacegames—even better than the pictures!