Backgammon is a video game adaptation of the board-game backgammon developed by Atari, Inc. for the Atari Video Computer System (later the Atari 2600) and released in 1979.[1] The game was one of the earliest electronic versions of Backgammon.[2]
Backgammon | |
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Developer(s) | Atari, Inc. |
Publisher(s) | Atari, Inc. |
Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
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Genre(s) | Strategy |
Mode(s) | Single-player, two-player |
The cover art for the game was by Chris Spohn, who created the cover art for many early Atari games.[3]
Eight different modes of playing backgammon were included in the game, including "Acey deucey". A doubling cube was available in-game for use in gambling. The rolling of the dice and other gaming operations were controlled via the paddle/joystick. The game was playable in both single-player and two-player, competitive mode.[1]
Contemporary reviewers were relatively positive about the game. In an October 1979 review, American computer magazine Creative Computing described the game as "excellent for someone learning Backgammon" and as "provid[ing] an interesting challenge to beginner to intermediate players".[4] UK-based TV Gamer called it "fairly challenging" in one-player mode.[5]
In Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide, Brett Weiss described it as "user friendly and clearly defined", although he also noted that it was easy to beat the computer.[1]