NetWars
| Industry | Computer software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Hungerford , United Kingdom |
NetWars, initially known as LiteYear, is a 3D vector-graphics computer game utilizing IPX protocol, launched by Novell in 1993 for the DOS platform to demonstrate the features of NetWare. The project was initiated in 1989 and developed by Edward N. Hill, Jr., an engineer at Novell's European Development Centre located in Hungerford, UK.
Release
The version 2.06 of NetWars was included as a single executable file, NETWARS.EXE, within Novell DOS 7 and Personal NetWare 1.0. This release replaced the text-based NLSNIPES.EXE, which had been part of NetWare Lite 1.1 since 1991. NLSNIPES.EXE itself was the follow-up to the original Snipes, a game traditionally distributed with Novell NetWare products.
Legacy
In 1997, Advanced NetWars version 3 was introduced alongside Caldera’s OpenDOS 7.01, DR-DOS 7.02, and DR-DOS 7.03. This edition brought enhancements such as SoundBlaster audio compatibility, joystick integration, support for six-player multiplayer sessions, missile weaponry, AI-controlled opponents, a new multiplayer shoot-out mode, an improved single-player experience, an external camera perspective, and a spaceship shape editor called NWDRAW for custom designs. Despite these additions, the executable size remained under 77 KB.
Both NetWars and Advanced NetWars served as inspiration for derivative projects like Ingmar Frank's NetWarsGL, developed for Win32/OpenGL between 2002 and 2004, as well as the Botolib-based NetWorst clone.