Midwinter (video game)

Midwinter
Atari ST cover art
Developer(s)	Maelstrom Games
Publisher(s)	Microplay Software Kixx XL (1993 Amiga re-release)
Designer(s)	Mike Singleton
Programmer(s)	George Williamson (Amiga) Dave Gautrey (Atari ST) David Ollman (PC)
Artist(s)	Andrew Elkerton
Platform(s)	MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST
Release	1989 (Atari ST, PC) 1990 (Amiga)
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game, simulation game, strategy game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Midwinter is a post-apocalyptic first-person action role-playing game with strategy and survival elements for the Atari ST, Amiga and PC. It was designed by Mike Singleton and was released in 1989 by Microplay Software. The game was critically acclaimed and commercially successful enough to get a sequel titled Flames of Freedom in 1991. A remake is currently in development.

The game is set in 2099 when the entire world is covered in snow and ice in a post-apocalyptic scenario, on the 160,000-square-mile (410,000 km²) isle of Midwinter. The game package includes a lengthy manual narrating its backstory in a short novella. It describes a cataclysmic meteorite strike in Burma around 2040 which caused impact winter. The ensuing diamond dust covering the Earth caused a global cooling and consequently major economical, political and military tumult. Populace of the northern areas died of glaciation and famine whereas the more temperate zones became overcrowded because of migration. As the glaciers advanced, the sea level lowered, providing more habitable space.

Midwinter island formed following massive volcanic activity in the Azores island group; Pico Island, Sao Jorge Island and Terceira Island became its mountains. The manual describes how the island was settled between 2060 and 2081 by waves of survivors and refugees from the mainland, and the formation of the local militia called Free Villages Peace Force (FVPF). At the start of the game, despotic General Masters is attempting to take over the island by force.