What's the first game that let you play as the bad guy?

dreamkatcha · 17 July 2018, 07:25

Writing an article on the Superman game for the Amiga I came across 'Superman: The Game' for the C64 (and other systems). That was released in 1985 and let's you optionally play as the supervillain who terrorises the citizens of Metropolis, which got me wondering if that's the earliest example of this. Any other contenders?

Minuous · 17 July 2018, 12:28

If you mean having the option to be either good or bad, Archon allowed it in 1983, but there are probably many others from earlier than that.

Nosferax · 17 July 2018, 15:32

Texas Chainsaw Massacre on the 2600

Cherno · 17 July 2018, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosferax

Texas Chainsaw Massacre on the 2600

This was the first game that came to my mind! Also, Halloween, both came out in 1983.

dreamkatcha · 17 July 2018, 19:48

I suppose what I had in mind was getting to play as the archetypal villain that the hero would traditionally try to defeat or escape from in a movie. Whether that's the only option or just one of them shouldn't really matter. Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be perfect examples in that case.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll make sure I give you a mention.

I've noticed villain protagonists are ten a penny these days so hardly the novelty they were back then.

Daedalus · 18 July 2018, 22:10

I guess it counts in a way, but Eastern Front (1941) is probably in with a shout. That came out on the Atari 8-bits in 1981, and was bundled with the Atari 800XL I had as a kid. It's a turn-based strategy game where you play the part of the Germans during their invasion of Russia. The aim is to reach and conquer Moscow, but I only ever managed to get close to real events by being repelled and losing thousands of troops in the process.

demoniac · 19 July 2018, 07:54

Wizardy I came out in 1981 and you can create a party of evil characters. Not sure how it affected game play.

dreamkatcha · 19 July 2018, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherno

This was the first game that came to my mind! Also, Halloween, both came out in 1983.

I think in Halloween you play as the babysitter, Laurie Strode, don't you? In the Atari 2600 game anyway.

More interesting suggestions, thanks. That's pushed the record back by a couple of extra years.

I'll have to look into how controversial glorifying the Nazis turned out to be at the time. Quite a brave move that.

Nosferax · 19 July 2018, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daedalus

I guess it counts in a way, but Eastern Front (1941) is probably in with a shout. That came out on the Atari 8-bits in 1981, and was bundled with the Atari 800XL I had as a kid. It's a turn-based strategy game where you play the part of the Germans during their invasion of Russia. The aim is to reach and conquer Moscow, but I only ever managed to get close to real events by being repelled and losing thousands of troops in the process.

WW2 Germany vs Stalin USSR... Hard to pick who's the worst...

Nosferax · 19 July 2018, 14:45

Custer form Custer's Revenge on the 2600...

Sinphaltimus · 19 July 2018, 15:22

Swords of Twilight.

Leffmann · 19 July 2018, 17:22

If you don't bow to the status quo, then there are plenty of war-games set post-WW2 where you can play as the U.S. forces.

Seiya · 20 July 2018, 00:28

In "Overlord" by Virgin Mastertronic you have the role of tyrant

Foebane · 20 July 2018, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamkatcha

Writing an article on the Superman game for the Amiga I came across 'Superman: The Game' for the C64 (and other systems). That was released in 1985 and let's you optionally play as the supervillain who terrorises the citizens of Metropolis, which got me wondering if that's the earliest example of this. Any other contenders?

Are you sure you don't mean N64?

As for a bad-guy game... Powermonger?

StingRay · 20 July 2018, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foebane

Are you sure you don't mean N64?

https://csdb.dk/release/?id=82628

DamienD · 20 July 2018, 11:34

What the hell is going on today guys???

...all off topic posts removed.

Djole501 · 20 July 2018, 13:53

North and South.... you can play both sides, its up to the payer who is the worst...

Nosferax · 20 July 2018, 16:28

I believe the OP asked for the earliest game(s).

hitchhikr · 20 July 2018, 16:33

Wizardry IV: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wiz...urn-of-werdna/

DamienD · 20 July 2018, 16:35

Djole501 and Nosferax, you both should definitely read the Rules & Help ...specifically about Banned topics

Enough please; I won't ask again...

17 July 2018, 07:25	#1
dreamkatcha I've got a new byline Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 1,219	What's the first game that let you play as the bad guy? Writing an article on the Superman game for the Amiga I came across 'Superman: The Game' for the C64 (and other systems). That was released in 1985 and let's you optionally play as the supervillain who terrorises the citizens of Metropolis, which got me wondering if that's the earliest example of this. Any other contenders?

17 July 2018, 12:28	#2
Minuous Coder/webmaster/gamer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canberra/Australia Posts: 2,631	If you mean having the option to be either good or bad, Archon allowed it in 1983, but there are probably many others from earlier than that. Last edited by Minuous; 17 July 2018 at 13:29.

20 July 2018, 13:53	#17
Djole501 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Prijedor Posts: 50	North and South.... you can play both sides, its up to the payer who is the worst... Last edited by DamienD; 20 July 2018 at 16:50. Reason: Political rubbish removed...

20 July 2018, 16:28	#18
Nosferax Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Beauharnois,Qc,Canada Posts: 227	I believe the OP asked for the earliest game(s). Last edited by DamienD; 20 July 2018 at 16:50. Reason: Political rubbish removed...

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17 July 2018, 15:32	#3
Nosferax Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Beauharnois,Qc,Canada Posts: 227	Texas Chainsaw Massacre on the 2600

17 July 2018, 19:48	#5
dreamkatcha I've got a new byline Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 1,219	I suppose what I had in mind was getting to play as the archetypal villain that the hero would traditionally try to defeat or escape from in a movie. Whether that's the only option or just one of them shouldn't really matter. Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be perfect examples in that case. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll make sure I give you a mention. I've noticed villain protagonists are ten a penny these days so hardly the novelty they were back then.

18 July 2018, 22:10	#6
Daedalus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin, then Glasgow Posts: 6,334	I guess it counts in a way, but Eastern Front (1941) is probably in with a shout. That came out on the Atari 8-bits in 1981, and was bundled with the Atari 800XL I had as a kid. It's a turn-based strategy game where you play the part of the Germans during their invasion of Russia. The aim is to reach and conquer Moscow, but I only ever managed to get close to real events by being repelled and losing thousands of troops in the process.

19 July 2018, 07:54	#7
demoniac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: - Posts: 1,687	Wizardy I came out in 1981 and you can create a party of evil characters. Not sure how it affected game play.

19 July 2018, 14:45	#10
Nosferax Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Beauharnois,Qc,Canada Posts: 227	Custer form Custer's Revenge on the 2600...

19 July 2018, 15:22	#11
Sinphaltimus Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cresco, PA, USA Age: 53 Posts: 1,126	Swords of Twilight.

19 July 2018, 17:22	#12
Leffmann Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,269	If you don't bow to the status quo, then there are plenty of war-games set post-WW2 where you can play as the U.S. forces.

20 July 2018, 00:28	#13
Seiya Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Italy Posts: 2,342	In "Overlord" by Virgin Mastertronic you have the role of tyrant

20 July 2018, 11:34	#16
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	What the hell is going on today guys??? ...all off topic posts removed.

20 July 2018, 16:33	#19
hitchhikr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: somewhere else Posts: 511	Wizardry IV: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wiz...urn-of-werdna/

20 July 2018, 16:35	#20
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	Djole501 and Nosferax, you both should definitely read the Rules & Help ...specifically about Banned topics Enough please; I won't ask again...

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