Basketball - innovative AI way before it's time?

[maibock]

I walked down into the basement looking for another snow shovel and there was my 10 year old playing basketball for the first time. He seemed to be having fun. After a few tips I went back up to finish the sidewalk and got to thinking.

 

How cool was it for the computer to "lay back" when it would get a few points ahead, keeping you in the game? How fun was it to know that you didn't have to get trounced 40 times in a row until you figured a pattern or finally mastered the joystick of today's games. And when you finally got the hang of the game, how difficult is it to keepo a lead with the computer's relentless defense?

 

I only wish today that some of the newer games came with a more intuitive AI, instead of the same reasource cheating hogs we have today..

 

ps: Played the game this morning while on the treadmill. Lost 44-42! damn I had the game sewed up until a turnover and a blocked shot gave the computer a 2 point lead.. with 3 seconds left in the game I got a shot off, only to not hold the button down long enough(time pressure!!!) and the shot hit the rim and fell short..

 

rematch when I get home today!!

[Rob Mitchell]

Yes 1-player AI Basketball is great! What other second season (1978) games have good AI? Does Dodg'em have a good AI, one player mode?

 

The only first season (1977) game with AI is Surround.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[King Atari]

Basketball is definitely one of the 1st generation greats, both in 1 or 2 player mode. The AI is incredible.

[Big Player]

Basketball is a great game. My only beef with it is that you must have your last second shot go through the hoop before time runs out. Hate to think how many games I lost that way.

 

Playing Atari while on the treadmill is a great idea. Now I wonder if my health club will let me hook mine up.

 

It took 11 years for Atari to top Basketball with Double Dunk.

[StanJr]

and it took Big Player all of 11 seconds to TROUNCE me at Double Dunk at last year's CinciClassic!

 

I'll get you one day Big Player...I'm drinking milk!

[mos6507]

Maybe it's time to hack the game so that you just need the ball in the air when time runs out.

 

Thomas?

[maibock]

wow.. thanks for the heads up on Double Dunk. Just checked the screenshot, it looks great! Now to find the game hehe

 

It's funny just how many games I don't know that's out there..

[Big Player]

and it took Big Player all of 11 seconds to TROUNCE me at Double Dunk at last year's CinciClassic!

 

I'll get you one day Big Player...I'm drinking milk!    

 

and yet I was only toying with you, young grasshopper.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Maybe it's time to hack the game so that you just need the ball in the air when time runs out.

 

Thomas?

I got my award already.

[StanJr]

I got my award already.

 

[MegaManFan]

Does anybody have a Double Dunk I could get at Philly Classic next month? Loose or boxed, doesn't matter to me.