Draughts

Draughts is a video game in the puzzle genre and published by Superior Software Ltd. originally released in 1984. It is currently playable on BBC Micro, Electron.

Draughts, also known as checkers, is a traditional game of strategy and skill that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. In 1984, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a version of this classic game for their home computer, the BBC Micro. Developed by Acornsoft, this adaptation of draughts allowed players to experience the timeless gameplay in a new and immersive digital format.

The game was released as part of Acornsoft's "Board Games" collection for the BBC Micro. This collection included other popular games such as chess, backgammon, and othello, all of which were optimized for the BBC Micro's capabilities. Draughts, in particular, was praised for its smooth mechanics, realistic AI opponents, and visually appealing graphics. The game was a hit with BBC Micro owners and remains a beloved title in the platform's library.

One of the standout features of the BBC Micro version of Draughts was the challenging AI opponents. The game offered different difficulty levels, allowing players to choose a suitable opponent based on their skills and experience level. Even the easiest opponent provided a good challenge for novice players and the hardest opponent posed a daunting challenge for even the most skilled players. This added a new level of excitement and replay value to the game, as players could constantly improve their skills and strive to beat their own best scores.

In addition to the AI opponents, the game also supported multiplayer gameplay, either against another human player or against the computer. This allowed friends and family members to compete against each other in intense matches of draughts on a single computer. The multiplayer feature was well-received and remains a popular aspect of the game, even in modern versions.

The graphics and presentation of the BBC Micro version of draughts were also well-regarded at the time of its release. The game had a simple yet appealing design, with a clean playing board and clear, easy-to-distinguish pieces. Even with the limited capabilities of the BBC Micro, the game managed to capture the essence of the physical game and provide an enjoyable visual experience for players.

Despite its release over three decades ago, the BBC Micro version of draughts remains a significant piece of gaming history. The game was one of the first digital adaptations of this timeless classic and helped introduce a new generation to the joys of playing draughts. Its success not only solidified the BBC Micro as a platform capable of delivering high-quality games, but also cemented draughts as a staple of the board game genre in the digital world.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.