Hi-Res Football

Last updated: January 11, 2026

Overview

Hi-Res Football is a pioneering sports video game released in 1980 by On-Line Systems, the company that would later become Sierra Entertainment¹. Marketed as “the only real-time action football available for your computer,” the game represented an early attempt to bring American football to home computers during the nascent years of the personal computer gaming industry². The game was developed by Jay Sullivan and Ken Williams, with Sullivan having been originally hired to assist Williams in writing a compiler before the unexpected success of Mystery House shifted the company’s focus toward game development³.

As a computer adaptation of American football, Hi-Res Football featured both single-player and two-player modes, allowing players to compete against either a human opponent or the computer². The game was a simple real-time sports simulation where players controlled both offensive and defensive plays, featuring actions like runs, passes, and kicks³. Despite its innovative approach to computerized sports gaming, Hi-Res Football did not achieve anywhere near the same commercial success as On-Line Systems’ adventure or arcade titles of the period³.

The game holds historical significance as one of the earliest titles produced by the company that would grow into Sierra Entertainment, a major force in the video game industry throughout the 1980s and 1990s⁴. As one observer noted when discovering a vintage advertisement for the game: “Holy shit. The goofy ad on page 59 eventually grew into Sierra Entertainment”⁴. Hi-Res Football was part of On-Line Systems’ broader Hi-Res series, which also included Hi-Res Soccer, positioning the company in the sports gaming market alongside their more famous adventure game offerings⁵.

Game Info

Developer: On-Line Systems¹ Designer: Jay Sullivan, Ken Williams⁶ Publisher: On-Line Systems¹ Engine: Machine Language⁷ Platforms: Apple II, Apple II Plus² Release Year: 1980¹ Series: Hi-Res Sports Protagonist: N/A (Sports simulation) Sierra Lineage: Core Sierra (Pre-Sierra Era)

Story Summary

As a sports simulation game, Hi-Res Football does not feature a narrative story in the traditional sense. The game is a computerized recreation of American football, where players take on the role of a team competing in matches against either a computer-controlled opponent or another human player³.

The gameplay revolves around the fundamental structure of American football, with players managing their team through offensive and defensive situations⁶. When playing against the computer AI, the player is always placed in the offensive position, requiring them to orchestrate plays to advance down the field and score⁶. The game presents a competitive sports experience focused on strategic play-calling and real-time action rather than narrative progression.

The objective follows standard American football rules: advance the ball down the field, score touchdowns, and prevent the opposing team from doing the same². Success in the game depends on the player’s ability to select appropriate plays from the available offensive and defensive options and execute them effectively using the paddle controls².

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Hi-Res Football utilizes paddle controllers as its primary input method, a common control scheme for Apple II games of the era⁶. The game operates from a top-down perspective with direct control over the action on the field⁶. Players use the paddles to maneuver their players and execute various football actions during live gameplay².

The game required 48K of RAM to operate on the Apple II or Apple II Plus systems². The real-time nature of the gameplay distinguished it from turn-based sports simulations of the period, requiring players to make quick decisions and execute plays with timing and precision².

Structure and Progression

The game presents American football in a simplified format adapted for the technical limitations of early home computers. Only 40 yards of the playing field are visible at any given time, requiring the display to scroll as play progresses up or down the field⁶.

Players represent their teams using X’s and square O’s on the screen, a visual representation typical of football playbooks and diagrams⁸. The high-resolution character graphics were notable for the time period, though a color monitor was recommended for the optimal visual experience⁸.

Game Modes:

• Single Player: Play against the computer AI (player always on offense)⁶
• Two Player: Compete against a human opponent³

Puzzles and Mechanics

The strategic depth of Hi-Res Football comes from its play selection system. The game features 11 offensive plays and 9 defensive plays, providing variety in how players approach each down⁶. The game included offensive and defensive play cards to help players learn and remember the available options².

Offensive Options:

• Running plays
• Passing plays
• Kicking plays³

Defensive Options:

• Various defensive formations and strategies⁶

The real-time action element meant that selecting the right play was only part of the challenge—players also needed to execute their chosen strategy effectively during live gameplay².

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Hi-Res Football received coverage in contemporary computer gaming publications of the early 1980s. John Williams reviewed the game in Softline magazine in September 1981, though specific scoring details from this review are not available in the research materials⁸.

The game was advertised alongside Hi-Res Soccer in computer gaming magazines of 1981, with advertisements appearing in publications that would later chronicle the growth of the video game industry⁹. The original retail price was $39.95, positioning it competitively in the early home computer software market².

Despite its innovative real-time approach to computerized football, contemporary sources indicate that neither Hi-Res Football nor its companion title Hi-Res Soccer achieved the commercial success of On-Line Systems’ adventure or arcade games³. The sports titles remained relatively obscure compared to offerings like Mystery House, which had helped establish the company’s reputation in the adventure gaming genre.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospective evaluations of Hi-Res Football reflect its status as an early, primitive example of sports gaming. The game receives recognition primarily for its historical significance as an early On-Line Systems/Sierra title rather than for its gameplay innovations or lasting entertainment value.

Aggregate Scores:

• MobyGames: 83% (based on available ratings)⁶
• Glitchwave: 0.50 (1 review)¹⁰

The stark contrast between these scores illustrates the varying perspectives on early computer games—some reviewers appreciate the historical context and pioneering nature of such titles, while others judge them by modern standards where they inevitably fall short. Modern gaming databases classify Hi-Res Football as a turn-based strategy/American football game, though contemporary marketing emphasized its real-time action elements¹⁰.

Development

Origins

Hi-Res Football emerged during a pivotal period in On-Line Systems’ history. The company, founded by Ken and Roberta Williams in Coarsegold, California, was in its earliest stages when the game was developed⁴. Jay Sullivan had been brought on board originally to assist Ken Williams in writing a compiler, but the unexpected success of Mystery House in 1980 shifted the company’s priorities toward game development³.

The game’s development represented months of effort by Sullivan and Williams, who sought to bring the excitement of American football to the Apple II platform². The “Hi-Res” designation in the title referred to the high-resolution graphics capabilities of the Apple II, distinguishing the game from lower-resolution competitors and aligning it with On-Line Systems’ other Hi-Res branded products⁸.

Production

The development team at On-Line Systems was small during this period, with the Williams family operating the business from their California home⁴. Ken Williams contributed to the game’s design and programming alongside Jay Sullivan, who would go on to work on other projects for the company⁶.

The game was developed simultaneously or in close proximity to Hi-Res Soccer, with both titles representing On-Line Systems’ foray into the sports gaming market⁵. The shared “Hi-Res” branding and similar development approach suggest these were conceived as companion products to diversify the company’s software catalog beyond adventure games.

Development Credits:⁶

• Designer/Programmer: Jay Sullivan
• Designer/Programmer: Ken Williams

Technical Achievements

For its time, Hi-Res Football represented an attempt to push the Apple II’s capabilities in depicting real-time sports action. The game utilized machine language programming to achieve the performance necessary for smooth gameplay⁷. The high-resolution graphics, while primitive by later standards, were marketed as a notable feature during the early days of personal computing⁸.

The real-time gameplay mechanic was particularly significant, as many sports games of the era relied on turn-based or play-calling only systems². On-Line Systems’ marketing emphasized this distinction, positioning Hi-Res Football as offering a more dynamic and engaging experience than competitors.

Technical Specifications

Apple II Version:²

• Resolution: High-resolution character graphics
• Audio: Basic Apple II speaker sounds
• RAM Required: 48K minimum
• Media: 5.25” floppy disk⁶
• Input: Paddle controllers⁶
• Players: 1-2 simultaneous⁶
• Perspective: Top-down⁶

Display:

• Color monitor recommended for optimal experience⁸
• 40-yard field visible at one time⁶
• Player representation using X’s and square O’s⁸

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Notes
1.0	1980	Apple II	Initial release1
1.0	1980	Apple II Plus	Compatible release2

Some sources indicate a 1981 release date, which may reflect later distribution or advertising rather than the original development completion¹¹. The game appears in Sierra product lists and Wikipedia chronologies under the 1980 date¹.

Technical Issues

No specific bug reports or technical issues are documented in available research materials. Given the game’s age and the limited documentation preservation from this era, any technical problems that may have existed are not recorded in surviving sources.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

• Hi-Res Football was one of the very first titles produced by On-Line Systems, predating the company’s transformation into Sierra On-Line and eventually Sierra Entertainment³
• The game could be ordered by mail, with customers sending checks to the Williams’ address in Coarsegold, California⁴
• A Hacker News commenter expressed surprise that “someone was using a computer there in 1981,” reflecting on the rural location of On-Line Systems’ operations⁴
• The game was part of On-Line Systems’ “Hi-Res” branding strategy, which included Hi-Res Soccer and later the famous Hi-Res Adventure series beginning with Mystery House⁸
• The original advertisement was considered “goofy” by later observers, yet it represented the humble beginnings of a gaming empire⁴

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Hi-Res Football did not achieve significant commercial success, particularly when compared to On-Line Systems’ adventure game offerings³. The game represents an early experiment in sports gaming that ultimately did not define the company’s direction. On-Line Systems would find its niche in adventure gaming, with titles like Mystery House and the King’s Quest series establishing their reputation.

The $39.95 price point was typical for software of the era, though the high cost of computer software in the 1980s limited the potential customer base for any individual title². The game’s relative obscurity today reflects its modest impact on the market at the time of release.

Collections

Hi-Res Football has not been included in major Sierra game compilations or re-releases. The game’s primitive nature and lack of name recognition compared to Sierra’s adventure game catalog has left it as a historical curiosity rather than a title with ongoing commercial viability.

Fan Projects

No significant fan projects, remakes, or preservation efforts specific to Hi-Res Football are documented in available research. The game exists primarily in abandonware archives and historical gaming databases⁶.

Related Publications

• Original Game Manual: Included offensive and defensive play cards, instructions for paddle controls, and gameplay guidance²
• Vintage Advertisements: Print advertisements appeared in computer gaming magazines circa 1981, often paired with Hi-Res Soccer promotions⁹

Critical Perspective

Hi-Res Football occupies an interesting position in video game history as a footnote to the founding story of Sierra Entertainment. While the game itself is primitive and unlikely to engage modern players, its existence demonstrates the experimental nature of early computer game development. On-Line Systems, like many early software companies, tried multiple genres before finding their successful formula.

The game’s historical significance lies not in its gameplay innovations or commercial success, but in what it represents: the humble beginnings of a company that would go on to define adventure gaming for a generation. As one internet commenter observed upon discovering a vintage advertisement, the “goofy ad” for Hi-Res Football “eventually grew into Sierra Entertainment”⁴. This transformation from a small operation selling football games via mail order to a major entertainment software publisher illustrates the remarkable growth of the video game industry during the 1980s and 1990s.

The contrast between Hi-Res Football’s obscurity and Sierra’s later successes also highlights how companies in the early gaming industry had to experiment widely before finding their niche. Ken and Roberta Williams would achieve their greatest success with graphical adventure games, a genre far removed from sports simulations, but Hi-Res Football represents an important step in their journey as game developers.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

• GOG Dreamlist – Hi-Res Football – Vote to add this game to GOG’s catalog

Download / Preservation

• Internet Archive – Hi-Res Football Manual²
• MobyGames – Hi-Res Football⁶

Manuals & Extras

• Original Manual (Text) – Digitized game manual with play cards and instructions²

Series Continuity

Hi-Res Football was released as part of On-Line Systems’ “Hi-Res” branded product line, which also included Hi-Res Soccer⁵. These sports titles represented the company’s attempt to diversify beyond their adventure game offerings. The Hi-Res branding would become more famously associated with the Hi-Res Adventure series, beginning with Mystery House in 1980, which established the graphical adventure game genre⁸.

The sports titles existed separately from the adventure game line and did not spawn sequels or ongoing franchises. On-Line Systems’ success with adventure games would lead the company away from sports gaming, though Sierra would later publish football games through subsidiary Dynamix’s Front Page Sports series in the 1990s¹².

• Previous: N/A (First in Hi-Res Sports series)
• Next: N/A (Series discontinued)
• Related: 1980 - Hi-Res Soccer (Companion sports title)

References

Footnotes

1. Wikipedia – List of Sierra Entertainment Video Games – release year, developer, publisher, platform information ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

2. Internet Archive – Hi-Res Football Manual – original manual text including pricing, technical requirements, gameplay description, marketing quotes ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹

3. Retro365 Blog – Q-Bits: Hi-Res Football and Soccer – development history, Jay Sullivan’s background, commercial performance context ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

4. Hacker News Discussion – historical context, vintage advertisement discovery, community reactions ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

5. Retromags Gallery – Hi-Res Soccer/Football – vintage magazine advertisement scan, publication context ↩ ↩² ↩³

6. MobyGames – Hi-Res Football – comprehensive technical specifications, designer credits, gameplay details, ratings ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹

7. Sierra Chest – Hi-Res Football – engine information, basic metadata ↩ ↩²

8. Ars Technica Forums – Gaming Archeology – Softline review reference, technical specifications, visual design details ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

9. VG Print Ads – Hi-Res Soccer/Football Advertisement – vintage print advertisement archive ↩ ↩²

10. Glitchwave – Sierra Entertainment Games – modern rating, genre classification ↩ ↩²

11. Sierra Gamers – Hi-Res Football – alternate release date listing ↩

12. Sierra Fandom Wiki – Dynamix – later Sierra football games context, Front Page Sports series information ↩