NATO Commander (computer game)
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| NATO Commander | |
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| Developer(s) | MicroProse |
| Publisher(s) | MicroProse |
| Platform(s) | Atari 8-bit family, Apple II, Commodore 64 |
| Release date | 1983 |
| Genre(s) | strategy game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
NATO Commander is a commercial computer strategy game designed by Sid Meier and released in 1983 by MicroProse. The game ran on 8-bit home computers of its day such as the Atari 8-bit family, Apple II and Commodore 64.
The scenario involves a Cold War Soviet invasion of West Germany. The player is given operational control of NATO land armies (only the computer can play the Soviets), and must repel the invasion by deploying his forces geographically and choosing their offensive or defensive roles.
As the battle progresses, both operational and political factors influence the outcome. NATO may lose or win back cities and territory; according to the scenario chosen the player had the option to decide to stave off the Warsaw Pact onlsaught by countercharging head-on, buying time for space awaiting a diplomatic solution, mounting a counteroffensive around the Hannover-Hamburg axis, awaiting the French armies mobilization or the Italian Army's decision to enter the fray or not. Tactical nuclear weapons and chemical weapons are available to both sides but their use often carried heavy image penalties and could initiate an escalation. In the end, either the player or the Soviets surrender, based on how much land and combat-ready forces remain.
