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Games categorized as artillery consist of turn based games that involve trajectory angles and power, choices that players must make in order to achieve a goal (such as attacking a target). The simplicity of these types of games makes them widely available to all platforms, including calculators like the TI series. Variance between games mainly include the type of object players control and the weapons and projectiles available for use.

One of the first most significant tank games was Scorched Earth for the PC; allowing multiple players and CPU controlled players to involve themselves in massive free-for-alls.