trek

trek [-s]

-s
    Displays the saved high score list from previous games and then exits.

The trek command launches a classic text-based computer game, often found within the bsdgames package on Linux and Unix-like systems. It simulates commanding a starship (frequently the USS Enterprise) on a mission to rid the galaxy of hostile Klingon invaders. Players navigate a grid-based galaxy, manage ship resources like energy, photon torpedoes, and phasers, and make strategic decisions to locate and destroy enemies, explore quadrants, and dock at starbases for repairs and resupply.

The game is turn-based and interactive, prompting the user for commands such as 'move', 'fire', 'dock', or 'shield'. Despite its simple text interface, trek offers a surprisingly deep and engaging strategic experience, requiring players to balance exploration, combat, and resource management to successfully complete their mission. It's a nostalgic journey into early computer gaming.

The trek command is a game, not a system utility, and is typically part of the bsdgames package, which may not be installed by default on all Linux distributions. Its gameplay is entirely text-based and relies on interactive prompts for user input. Variations of the 'trek' game exist, and the specific version and its features (like available options) can vary depending on the package and operating system.

Players control their starship through a galaxy divided into an 8x8 grid of quadrants. Each quadrant can contain stars, starbases, and Klingon vessels. Commands are entered interactively at the 'Command?' prompt. Key commands often include:
srscan (short-range scan of current quadrant)
lrscan (long-range scan of galaxy)
move (warp to another quadrant)
fire (use phasers or photon torpedoes)
dock (at a starbase for repairs and resupply)
shields (raise/lower shields)
status (display ship status)
quit (exit the game)

The original Star Trek game, upon which the Unix trek is based, was created by Mike Mayfield in 1971 for the SDS Sigma 7 mainframe computer. Its immense popularity led to numerous ports and variations across various computing platforms throughout the 1970s and beyond. The version commonly found in Unix-like systems' bsdgames package is a direct descendant of these early implementations, preserving the classic text-based gameplay. It represents a significant piece of early interactive computing history, demonstrating complex simulations with minimal graphical capabilities.

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