Starsat
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
_________________________

(From GTW64):

1988 Bit By Bit

Status: Full Game, Findability: 5/5
Coding: Jeff Pritchard
Graphics: Ann Pritchard
Sound: Michael Storey, Jeff & Ann Pritchard

Thanks to Scott Julian, GTW is proud to present another game saved from oblivion in the shape and form of Starsat. An Australian RPG style game, fully completed, but sadly never released.

 I’m not too sure of the story behind the game, but upon loading you are greeted with a level design with the same aspect as with Spindizzy.

Here you can take control of one of three vehicles, which have differing strengths and weaknesses such as speed and weapons. You navigate your tank, ship through various screens with the ability to destroy other enemy craft.

There is likely to be much more to it, but due to not being much of an RPG fan, I haven’t had chance to really explore the game fully. We will get a better description of the game sometime soon.

 The game does not seem bad at all, and one which many of us would have no doubt bought had it been released. So why did it not get a release?… Well, Australian distributor Pactronics was offered the game, who often dealt with Utilities rather than games. Unfortunately, just as the game was completed, no deal could be agreed, and so the game was not released.

 For reasons unknown, the game doesn’t seem to have been released elsewhere. Maybe it was attempted, but no-one wanted 
 the game. Very strange.

This is what Scott had to say about the game, "It is called Starsat by Bit by Bit software in Australia. The game was offered to an Australian distributor called Pactronics (very large during the 80s and early 90s). I worked for them in various rolls including programming (mostly Atari ST stuff) and some C64 utilities.

 This game was offered but failed to reach agreement and unfortunately never released, Sorry I couldn’t find any instructions, but I seem to remember that you move around STARSAT by pressing keys 1 thru 8."

 It’s now thanks to Scott that the game has been found and saved, but we hope to speak to the game’s developers in the future and get their side of the story on the game. Not much is really known, and we’re sure that there is a few stories to tell about this game.

Interestingly to add, this is labelled as Version 1.02… We therefore assume that there could have been more done, but we doubt it. We feel this is pretty much it. Though we will try to find out once contact has been made with the developers.

 Check it out and enjoy, and a big thanks to Scott again for helping save this game.

A full game found for GTW, and another preserved…


Contributions: Scott Julian

http://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/starsat/
