Whenever Jeff Minter was working in California he would listen to the Radio Station, KMEL 106.1 FM - their logo was a camel. The idea for using a camel in a game came from this. Further inspiration was drawn from the movie Empire Strikes Back and the Ice Planet Hoth sequence, where the Empire attacked the rebel base using AT-AT’s (or as Jeff would say, giant camels!).

1982 Camel Logo - KMEL 106 FM
1982 Camel Logo - KMEL 106 FM

AT-AT Empire Strikes Back
AT-AT - Empire Strikes Back

Attack of the Mutant Camels released in 1983, revolves around giant camels in a sideways scrolling shootem-up. Technically well put together, with great use of large C64 sprites, moving along multi-coloured backgrounds. Basically blow up everything in your way and watch out for the mutant camels.

Attack Of The Mutant Camels - Llamasoft
Attack Of The Mutant Camels by Llamasoft

Attack Of The Mutant Camels - Llamasoft
Attack Of The Mutant Camels Advert

Although there were many shootem-ups available, this was really original and showed off Jeff’s imaginative flair. One of his more popular games and probably one of the games that most Commodore 64 users will remember. In fact even if they never played the game, they would recognise the name, because of the exposure it had in magazines at the time.


Llamasoft Lecture On AMC '89 - Video Clip from YouTube (gtwportal)