Sid Meier's Covert Action

Look, most of my time with this game was spent doing 'practice' with the cipher minigame. For that alone, it's quite a lot of fun. The phone tapping minigame is also a bit of fun to figure out, though less engaging. As for the 'full' actual game.. I've only played it once or twice on the easy setting. Some of the activities are tricky, particularly movement while infiltrating a location. If you're on a laptop without a numpad, you might be out of luck since that's where the movement keys are. The closest game I can think of is Carmen Sandiego, but that might just be skin deep, since both of them are investigation games that have an elevator sequence bridging their core loop. Fundamentally, you're finding and following clues, snooping on people involved in a scheme, building up a dossier until you have enough info to apprehend the ringleader. It's the kind of game I'd love to see redone with more refined and modern controls, but it fundamentally works as a 2D game and probably wouldn't as a 3D game, so.. any indies paying attention? Should you buy it? If you like ciphers and you don't mind playing something that, to modern tastes, feels more like an alpha or tech demo, then give it a shot if it's on sale.

I love this game even if I can't figure out how to not suck at driving or placing wiretaps. Even if they remade this game and took out all of the fun that comes from writing down clues because too much is going on or doing cryptograph puzzles, I'd be happy with it drawing attention to the original. It's a lot like Carmen Sandiego in that you first have to learn where the action is and who's involved, then going through the rigmarole of jumping through legal hoops because you need to fill out that dossier before you're allowed to make an arrest and finally having like no time at all to hunt down all of these nefarious ne'er-do-wells, hopefully also snatching up their toys like blueprints or explosives. It's as rough as you'd expect from a game old enough to have its own kids but it's complex and neverending, randomized fun that you can just get a good game going pretty quickly.

Truly one of Sid Meier's under-appreciated classics, this is a must play for fans of his other works, and espionage fans in general. Don't be afraid to fail multiple times as you learn the best wheres and ways to play. Utilize the cheat sheets for an easier time across the four minigames. A pen and paper is also recommended. Consult your assistant at any CIA headquarters through the Intelligence Branch for tips about your current objectives, and which lead(s) might be best to follow.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov I have already submitted a report to the Federal Trade Commission - detailing the fraudulent bait and switch sales activities of Digital Eclipse and Atari on the GOG storefront. This practice is considered unethical and is illegal in many jurisdictions due to its deceptive nature. The FTC's Consumer Sentinel database, is available to federal, state, and local law enforcement across the country. This is concerning Atari and their developer, Digital Eclipse's year-long delayed release of the DLC for 'Atari 50'. Atari purposefully withheld this DLC - for a entire year - from the GOG storefront, under the pretence of 'technical difficulties'. Atari and Digital Eclipse did this, knowing GOG users / owners of the base game 'Atari 50', would double dip on Steam. Timeline of Atari 50 DLC GOG release: - Sept 25 - Digital Eclipse stated on their YouTube trailer video for DLC1 that “something went wrong” [with the GOG DLC failing to release, along with the main platforms] and that they were trying to “fix" it. - Oct 4 - Atari' stated response to a GOG customer, posted on the ‘Atari 50' forum, claimed their “team” were “actively working on the issue” and were trying to “resolve” it. - Nov 09 - Atari, on X - "We are currently working on bringing the DLC to GOG. If we are able to, it will be available early 2025" - Jan 23 - Digital Eclipse / Atari's 'cancellation' of the DLC on Discord - "The studio's proprietary development tools don't allow for this content to be efficiently re-platformed to the VCS and GOG platforms". - April - Atari’s email response: “... Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide a Steam key, as your purchase was made through GOG…” The DLC has now appeared on the GOG store - completely unannounced - conveniently, in time for the Namco Legendary Pack. GOG users' purchases: 2x base games of 'Atari 50' + 4x DLC (Steam + GOG). ------------------------------ GOG user posts on the ‘Atari 50’ forums: Sept 27 - “Well, I got tired of waiting. So, I got a cheap key for Steam and got the DLC there.” Oct 01 - “following this post.. waiting for it as well.. that $4 key for steam is enticing” Oct - “Any news? Just bought Atari50 on Gog and didn't realize that it wasn't the full game but can't find where the DLCs are. Very tempted to attempt a gog refund.” Nov 5 - "Doesn’t look too good. On the Atari and Digital Eclipse websites it doesn’t mention Atari 50 available on GOG at all. I wonder if it’s some kind of business shenanigans going on." Nov 7: “Tomorrow is it. If they don't have the DLC Updates here, looks like I'm re-buying the game from Steam come next month” Nov 08 - “Looks like I'm uninstalling my Gog purchase of it and buying it from Steam instead” Nov 08 - “At this point, as soon as I see a copy that includes both DLC on either TPB or 1337x, I'm going to just obtain it there, and save money on the DLC guilt free.” Nov 09 - Atari, on X - "We are currently working on bringing the DLC to GOG. If we are able to, it will be available early 2025" Nov 09 - “How long ago did you buy it? I just sent a request to support to either explain why the DCL is not available yet and tell me when it will be or refund the game so I can go repurchase on Steam.” Nov 09 - “Still I'd say pirating is better then buying the game and dlcs on steam or another drmed storefront as if one does it'd kinda reward the bad behavior of the devs/publishers in general” Nov 20 - “I just uninstalled it and am getting the Steam version after I get paid next week. I'm aware I'll be paying full price, plus more for the DLC, but it's worth it” Jan 22 - "They said we'd get it early this year if they can. I'm not sure if that means if they can ever or if they can "early." Who knows?" Feb 17 - “I gave up and got a cheap Steam key. I'm done with GoG unless it's an old game Steam doesn't have.” Sept 08 - "I find it hilarious that the development tools SUDDENLY allow them to push out DLCs... I wonder how many months of complaints hit the Atari offices..." Sept 08 - "And to think I had bought it again on Steam just a month ago..."

This was a classic, but need a modern remake introduce to todays audiences.