Midi-Maze

Network

As in the 1980st year no home computer featured real networking support beside serial-cable connections between two computers, Midi Maze is using a trick to connect up to 16 players: as the Atari ST is having Midi-in and Midi-out connectors for keyboards and sound equipment, these were used to build up a ring-network. Computer 1 Midi-Out is connected to Computer 2 Midi-In, Computer 2 Midi-Out is connected to Computer 3 Midi-In and so forth with the last computer connecting again to Computer-1. This builds a very cheap network for more than two Atari ST computers.

"LAN" parties with Midimaze

Being one of the first multiplayer game accessible to private people outside of universities with access to very expensive workstations, this game also established the first "LAN" parties, where several people meet in a location, bringing their computer and play with other people over local - in this case: Midi - network. On demoscene parties or in regions with lot of Atari ST support it was very common to play Midi-Maze with lots of people. Even after 2010, there still are some groups holding regular Midi-Maze tournaments on the Atari ST (although playing Midi-Maze 2 mostly).

Atari 8-bit

MIDI Maze was ported by Michael Park to Atari's 8-bit computers, commissioned by Atari themselves. Even though the port was finished and even the packaging underway, Atari decided to never publish it for the 8-bitters.

More information can be found at Atariprotos.

Awards

• ST Format
  • May 1990 (Issue #10) - Included in the list "ST Format's 30 Kick-Ass Classics"