Spearhead

Spearhead is a 1999 tank simulation with action elements developed by Zombie and published by Interactive Magic for Windows 95. Set in a near-future conflict where Libya invades Tunisia, the player commands an M1A2 Abrams main battle tank across the Tunisian desert. The single-player campaign includes 23 missions, flanked by quick-start skirmishes, tutorials, and three lessons on using the built-in mission editor. Multiplayer supports up to 12 players over LAN or internet in 15 dedicated scenarios.

The game attempts to fuse realistic simulation with accessible action. Players operate the tank's driving, gunner, and commander stations, including an Inter Vehicular Information System (IVIS) that provides a top-down tactical map for issuing orders and calling in airstrikes or artillery. Visuals are textured, polygonal, and support 3D acceleration via 3Dfx, PowerVR, and Direct3D, though the desert environment is dominated by brown hues and repetitive terrain. Sound design captures engine pitch changes, weapon blasts, ricochets, and digitized crew voice communications.

System requirements include a Pentium 133 MHz, 16 MB of RAM, a 4 MB PCI video card with 3D acceleration, a CD-ROM drive, and DirectX-compatible sound. While ambitious, Spearhead was criticized for failing to fully satisfy either simulation or action audiences, though its mission editor and multiplayer were praised as lasting strengths.