Daley Thompson's Decathlon

Daley Thompson's Decathlon
Developer(s)	Ocean Software
Publisher(s)	Ocean Software
Distributor(s)	Ocean Software
Composer(s)	Martin Galway
Platform(s)	Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Release date(s)	1984
Genre(s)	Sport
Media/distribution	Tape

Daley Thompson's Decathlon is a computer game based on Konami's Track and Field, developed and released under license by Ocean Software in 1984^[1]. It was released in the wake of Daley Thompson's popularity following his gold medals in the decathlon at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games.

Gameplay

The player takes part in the ten events of the modern decathlon:

• Day 1: 100 metres, Long jump, Shot putt, High jump, 400 metres
• Day 2: 110 hurdles, Pole vault, Discus, Javelin, 1500 metres

The player starts the game with three lives; failure to reach the minimum standard in an event results in the loss of one life. Success in the 1500 Meters event results in the game returning to Day 1 to repeat the events with more difficult qualification criteria.

Running is simulated by hitting two keys (representing the left and right leg) alternately and as quickly as possible. The game rapidly gained a reputation amongst players as a "joystick killer" because of the constant vigorous waggling of the joystick required during many of the events.

Music

The game's soundtrack was composed by Martin Galway. The introduction music is based on the 1978 electronic music piece "Rydeen" by Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).

See also

• Daley Thompson's Supertest
• Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge

References

1. ^ Bourne, Chris (November 1984). "Daley takes the gold". Sinclair User (EMAP). http://www.sincuser.f9.co.uk/032/ssftwre.htm. Retrieved 6 January 2009. 

External links

• Daley Thompson's Decathlon at MobyGames
• Daley Thompson's Decathlon at World of Spectrum