The Dovetail Group
1984 early video game developer
The Dovetail Group, Inc. was one of the earliest video game developers to specialize in music video games. The Dovetail Group's products were designed for systems such as the Atari 8-bit computers and the Commodore 64. Notable games developed by The Dovetail Group include Halftime Battlin' Bands (1984), Coco-Notes (1984), and Movie Musical Madness (1984). These games represent some of the earliest examples of the music management subgenre of music video games.
Games
Halftime Battlin' Bands
Published by CBS Software in 1984, Halftime Battlin' Bands is a multiplayer game that requires a player to compose a marching tune and then lead a rank of band members in complex formations to outmaneuver the opponent player (Single-play mode means that the opponent was the computer). In order to prevent the other band from accomplishing their goals, a bench of weapons are available for use against the other band. As the two opposing teams compete, The Jazz Scats (a beatnik jazz band) cheer for the team that is winning. The player is scored based on time it takes to complete a good routine and quality of the routine.
InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers recommended the game among educational software for the Atari 8-bit.
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