M.U.L.E.

M.U.L.E.
Developer(s)Ozark Softscape
Bullet Proof Software (MSX)
Eastridge Technology (NES)
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Danielle Bunten Berry
Platform(s)Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, IBM PC, MSX2, NES, PC-88, Sharp X1
Release1983: Atari 8-bit, C64
1985: IBM PC
1987: PC-88
1988: MSX2, X1
1990: NES
Genre(s)Strategy
Mode(s)1-4 players

M.U.L.E. is a multiplayer video game written for Atari 8-bit computers by Ozark Softscape. Designer Danielle Bunten Berry (credited as Dan Bunten) takes advantage of the four joystick ports of the Atari 400 and 800 to allow four-player simultaneous play. Published in 1983, M.U.L.E. was one of the first five games from new company Electronic Arts, alongside Axis Assassin, Archon: The Light and the Dark, Worms?, and Hard Hat Mack.[2][3] It is primarily a turn-based strategy game, but incorporates real-time elements where players compete directly as well as aspects that simulate economics.

The game was ported to the Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, and IBM PC compatibles (as a self-booting disk).[4] Japanese versions exist for the PC-88,[5] Sharp X1,[6] and MSX2 computers.[7] Like the subsequent Atari 8-bit models, none of these systems allow four players with separate joysticks. The Commodore 64 version lets four players share joysticks, with two players using the keyboard during action portions.[8]

  1. ^ "GameFAQs - Game Companies: Bullet Proof Software". CBS Interactive Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  2. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (May 21, 2013). "30 years ago Electronic Arts shipped its first batch of five games". Polygon.
  3. ^ "28 Years of EA History". Electronic Arts. May 20, 2011.
  4. ^ Danielle Berry at MobyGames
  5. ^ "Entry with PC-88 info and shots at Mobygames". Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Entry at thelegacy.de with screenshots of the X1 port". Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Entry at Generation-MSX". Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  8. ^ "M.U.L.E. Command Summary Card for the Commodore 64 (pages 1 and 2)".