Wallwar
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Overview
Wallwar is an action game developed by Peter Oliphant and published by Sierra On-Line for the Atari 8-bit computer systems in 198311. Originally titled “Force Fields” during development2, the game was released under Sierra’s short-lived SierraVision label2, which was used for a brief period to differentiate certain arcade-style titles from Sierra’s adventure game catalog.
The game features competitive head-to-head gameplay where players must break through a kinetic brick wall positioned in the center of the screen while simultaneously attempting to destroy their opponent’s force field2. Wallwar was noted for being “visually impressive with a lot of things going on at once”2, borrowing elements from various existing games to create its unique gameplay experience2. The game supports both single-player and two-player modes1.
Despite its technical achievements, Wallwar failed to achieve commercial success, selling “only a very limited number of copies”2. The game represents an interesting footnote in Sierra’s history, documenting the company’s brief foray into arcade-style action games during the early 1980s and the turbulent circumstances surrounding its development.
Game Info
Story Summary
As an arcade-style action game from the early 1980s, Wallwar does not feature a traditional narrative story1. The game is purely focused on competitive gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling elements.
The conceptual premise involves two opposing forces separated by a central barrier, each attempting to breach the other’s defenses2. Players control their respective sides of the playfield, working to penetrate the kinetic brick wall that divides the screen while protecting their own force field from destruction2.
The game’s design philosophy prioritized action and visual spectacle over narrative depth, which was typical of arcade-influenced titles of this era2. The focus remained squarely on fast-paced, competitive gameplay that challenged players’ reflexes and strategic thinking.
Gameplay
Interface and Controls
Wallwar supports multiple input methods, allowing players to use either a joystick or keyboard for control1. The joystick control scheme was standard for Atari 8-bit action games of the period, providing intuitive and responsive input for the fast-paced gameplay1.
The game accommodates 1-2 players1, with the two-player mode serving as the primary competitive experience. In single-player mode, the computer controls the opposing force field1.
Structure and Progression
The gameplay centers around a divided playfield with a kinetic brick wall positioned in the middle of the screen2. The core objective requires players to:
- Offensive Goal: Break through the center wall to access the opponent’s side2
- Defensive Goal: Protect your own force field from destruction2
- Victory Condition: Successfully destroy the opponent’s force field2
Puzzles and Mechanics
Rather than puzzles, Wallwar features action-oriented mechanics that borrowed elements from multiple existing game genres2. The kinetic brick wall in the center serves as both obstacle and opportunity, requiring players to strategically break through while managing their defenses2.
The game was praised for having “a lot of things going on at once”2, suggesting multiple simultaneous gameplay elements that demanded player attention and quick reflexes. The blend of offensive and defensive mechanics created a dynamic competitive experience that set it apart from simpler single-objective games of the era2.
Reception
Contemporary Reviews
Documentation of contemporary reviews for Wallwar is extremely limited in available sources. The game’s commercial failure meant it received minimal coverage in gaming publications of the period2.
Ernst Krogtoft of Retro365 noted that “Neither WallWar nor Mr. Cool became commercial success stories”2, indicating that the game struggled to find an audience despite its technical merits2.
Modern Assessment
Modern retrospective coverage of Wallwar remains sparse due to the game’s obscurity. The Retro365 blog provided one of the few detailed retrospective analyses, describing the game as “visually impressive”2 while acknowledging its commercial failure2.
Aggregate Scores:
- MobyGames: No user rating available1
The game’s limited commercial distribution means that few copies survived, making it a collector’s item and contributing to its obscurity in gaming history23.
Development
Origins
Wallwar began development under the working title “Force Fields”2. The game was created by Peter Oliphant, who developed it during his evenings and nights while still employed at Mattel2. Oliphant originally prototyped the game on MOS Technology’s 6502 8-bit microprocessor2, which was the processor architecture used in Atari 8-bit computers.
The development circumstances were unusual, as Oliphant worked on the project entirely in his personal time, separate from his duties at Mattel2. This independent development approach would later create significant legal complications for the young developer2.
Production
When Peter Oliphant approached Ken Williams at Sierra On-Line with his completed prototype, Williams offered $16,000 for the game2. This sum was three times what Oliphant had hoped to receive for his work2, demonstrating Williams’ confidence in the project’s potential.
After accepting the offer, Oliphant quit his position at Mattel to focus on completing the game2. Ken Williams gave him two months to finish Wallwar for commercial release2.
However, Mattel attempted to claim ownership of the game despite Oliphant developing it entirely on his own time2. In a dramatic confrontation, Mattel subpoenaed Oliphant at his own going-away party from the company2. This legal challenge represented the kind of intellectual property disputes that became increasingly common in the early game industry as developers moved between companies.
Development Credits:2
- Designer/Developer: Peter Oliphant
Animation Production
No external animation studios were involved in Wallwar’s production. The game was developed entirely by Peter Oliphant2.
Technical Achievements
Wallwar was noted for its visual complexity, with reviewers commenting on the impressive amount of on-screen activity2. The kinetic brick wall mechanic demonstrated sophisticated collision detection and physics for its era2.
The game’s development on the 6502 microprocessor architecture2 allowed Oliphant to optimize performance for the Atari 8-bit platform’s specific capabilities1.
Technical Specifications
- Media: 5.25” Floppy Disk1
- Alternative Media: ATRUtil k-file disks3
- Input Devices: Joystick, Keyboard1
- Players: 1-2 Players1
- Processor: 6502 8-bit microprocessor2
Cut Content
No information about cut content has been documented in available sources.
Version History
Note: Some sources indicate a 1982 release date3 while others cite 1983112. The discrepancy may reflect different stages of development, limited distribution, or regional variations.
Technical Issues
No specific technical issues or bugs have been documented in available sources for Wallwar.
Easter Eggs and Trivia
- Original Title: The game was originally called “Force Fields” during development before being renamed Wallwar for commercial release2
- Moonlighting Development: Peter Oliphant developed the entire game during evenings and nights while working full-time at Mattel2
- Legal Drama: Mattel attempted to claim ownership of the game despite Oliphant developing it on his own time, going so far as to subpoena him at his going-away party2
- Generous Offer: Ken Williams offered $16,000 for the game, three times what Oliphant had hoped to receive2
- SierraVision Label: Released under Sierra’s short-lived SierraVision sub-label2
- Genre Blend: The game borrowed elements from different existing games to create its unique gameplay2
Multiple Endings
As an action game, Wallwar does not feature multiple endings. Gameplay sessions conclude when one player successfully destroys the opponent’s force field2.
Voice Cast
Wallwar does not feature voice acting, which was standard for Atari 8-bit games of this era1.
Legacy
Sales and Commercial Impact
Wallwar was a commercial disappointment, selling “only a very limited number of copies”2. Ernst Krogtoft noted that “Neither WallWar nor Mr. Cool became commercial success stories”2, referring to the two games Peter Oliphant developed for Sierra On-Line.
The game’s poor sales contributed to its current obscurity, with few copies remaining in circulation2. This commercial failure was despite Sierra’s confidence in the project, as evidenced by Ken Williams’ generous offer of $16,000 for the game rights2.
Collections
Wallwar has not been included in any official Sierra compilation releases1. The game remains available primarily through digital preservation efforts3.
Fan Projects
No significant fan remake or modification projects for Wallwar have been documented.
Related Publications
No official hint book, strategy guide, or related publications were produced for Wallwar due to its limited commercial distribution2.
Primary Documentation Sources:
- Matt Chat Interview: Peter Oliphant provided first-hand accounts of the game’s development in a video interview, which served as the primary source for the Retro365 retrospective article2
Critical Perspective
Wallwar occupies a curious position in Sierra’s history as one of the company’s attempts to diversify beyond adventure games in the early 1980s2. The game’s release under the SierraVision label suggests Sierra was experimenting with brand differentiation to distinguish arcade-style games from their narrative-driven adventure titles2.
The development story behind Wallwar is perhaps more significant than the game itself, illustrating the volatile nature of the early game industry. Peter Oliphant’s experience—developing games as a “moonlighting” project, facing legal challenges from his employer, and ultimately creating a commercial failure despite technical innovation—reflects the precarious position of game developers in the pre-established industry era2. The game serves as a reminder that Sierra, while best known for adventure games, explored multiple genres during its formative years, with varying degrees of success2.
Downloads
Purchase / Digital Stores
- Not available for purchase; 1983 release is abandonware with extremely limited original copies2
Download / Preservation
- Internet Archive – Wallwar (1982) – Atari 8-bit preservation3
Manuals & Extras
- No digital manual currently available
Series Continuity
Wallwar is a standalone title and not part of any game series1. It represents Peter Oliphant’s first commercial game release, followed by Mr. Cool, which was also published by Sierra On-Line and similarly failed to achieve commercial success2.
The game was released during Sierra On-Line’s expansion period in the early 1980s, when the company was exploring various game genres beyond their adventure game roots2. The SierraVision label under which Wallwar was released was short-lived2, and Sierra would eventually focus predominantly on adventure games that became their signature products.
References
Footnotes
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MobyGames – Wallwar – publisher, platform, release date, technical specifications, player count, input devices ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25
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Retro365 – Bits from my Personal Collection: WallWar, Mr. Cool – Peter Oliphant, from Handhelds to the Personal Computer – development history, Peter Oliphant credits, original title, SierraVision label, gameplay description, legal challenges, Ken Williams offer, commercial performance, Matt Chat interview source ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29 ↩30 ↩31 ↩32 ↩33 ↩34 ↩35 ↩36 ↩37 ↩38 ↩39 ↩40 ↩41 ↩42 ↩43 ↩44 ↩45 ↩46 ↩47 ↩48 ↩49 ↩50 ↩51 ↩52 ↩53 ↩54 ↩55 ↩56 ↩57 ↩58 ↩59 ↩60 ↩61 ↩62 ↩63 ↩64 ↩65 ↩66
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Internet Archive – Wallwar (1982) – preservation entry, Atari platform, 1982 date reference, ATRUtil k-file disk format, US region ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7