101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy

Did You Know?

• The game recreates the 101st Airborne Division's use of paratroopers during the Invasion of Normandy.
• ISI president Tim Brooks said he founded the studio to obtain more control over what went into the game.
• 101 was released in October 1998.

Reception

By April 1999, 101 had moved 10,000 units in the United States, per Tim Brooks. James Fudge of Computer Games Strategy Plus deemed it "semi-popular" at that point, and wargamer Mario Kroll labeled it a commercial flop in 2003. Kroll blamed poor distribution: the game was missing from store shelves during the Christmas season after launch, and the developer soon went under, abandoned by its publisher. He viewed this as typical for smaller, less established teams at the time. Despite the sales trouble, Kroll noted the game "received plenty of positive press." CNET Gamecenter, GameSpot, and Computer Games Strategy Plus all nominated it for "Wargame of the Year" honors, though those awards went to The Operational Art of War I: 1939–1955 and People's General. David Finn of Computer Games Strategy Plus gave a glowing review, calling it "probably the first tactical squad level wargame with this scope of realism and detail." William R. Trotter of PC Gamer US was also favorable. Alan Dunkin of GameSpot wrote, "While the scope is limited and the level of detail can intimidate some, 101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy is a winner." But Tim Carter of Computer Gaming World and Ian Marsh of Britain's PC Gaming World were harsh. Marsh said "the gameplay sucks," and Carter largely agreed, writing that the design "might be realistic, but it makes for a lousy game—especially with the incredible number of technical flaws that you are subjected to."