Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter, Simulator
- Platforms: Apple II, Arcade, Atari 8-bit, Atari Lynx, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Commodore VIC-20, DOS, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari, Atari Corporation, Quicksilva Ltd.
Battlezone (1980): The Arcade Classic That Defined Vector Graphics
Released in November 1980, Battlezone was an arcade game that revolutionized the way we thought about video games. Developed by Atari and designed by Ed Rotberg, Battlezone was one of the first games to use vector graphics, which resulted in a unique and distinctive wireframe aesthetic that set it apart from its contemporaries.
Gameplay
Battlezone is a first-person tank combat game. The player controls a tank that is tasked with destroying enemy tanks and defending their base. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player can rotate their tank 360 degrees and fire in any direction.
One of the most innovative aspects of Battlezone was its use of vector graphics. Vector graphics are created using mathematical equations, which allows for much sharper and more detailed images than raster graphics, which are created using pixels. This gave Battlezone a unique and futuristic look that was unlike anything else available at the time.
Battlezone was also one of the first games to feature a true 3D environment. The player’s tank could move around a 3D battlefield, and the game’s camera would automatically adjust to keep the tank in the center of the screen. This gave the player a sense of immersion that was unmatched by other games of the era.
Legacy
Battlezone was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s, and it helped to popularize the use of vector graphics in video games. Battlezone was also ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Apple II.
Battlezone has been cited as an influence on a number of later video games, including Star Wars: Battlefront, Halo, and Call of Duty. It is also considered to be one of the most important arcade games of all time.
Graphics
Battlezone’s vector graphics were groundbreaking for their time. The game’s wireframe aesthetic gave it a unique and futuristic look that was unlike anything else available at the time. The game’s environment was also very detailed, with mountains, trees, and other objects all rendered in vector graphics.
Battlezone’s graphics were also very smooth and fluid. The game ran at a high frame rate, which gave it a very responsive and immersive feel. This was in contrast to many other arcade games of the era, which were often jerky and slow.
Sound
Battlezone’s sound effects were also very good for their time. The game’s explosions and gunfire were very realistic, and the game’s music was also very catchy. The game’s sound effects and music helped to create a very immersive and exciting atmosphere.
Gameplay
Battlezone’s gameplay was very innovative for its time. The game’s first-person perspective and 3D environment gave it a sense of immersion that was unmatched by other games of the era. The game’s controls were also very responsive, and the game’s difficulty was well-balanced.
Battlezone was also one of the first games to feature a true artificial intelligence (AI) opponent. The game’s AI was very challenging, and it could adapt to the player’s strategies. This made Battlezone a very replayable game, as players could constantly try to improve their scores and defeat the AI.
Overall
Battlezone is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. Its innovative vector graphics, smooth gameplay, and challenging AI make it a must-play for any fan of gaming history.
Additional Information
- Battlezone was the first arcade game to use a trackball for player control.
- Battlezone was one of the first games to feature a true 3D environment.
- Battlezone was one of the first games to feature a true artificial intelligence (AI) opponent.
- Battlezone was ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Apple II.
- Battlezone has been cited as an influence on a number of later video games, including Star Wars: Battlefront, Halo, and Call of Duty.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
