Summary
- Release Year: 1977
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, Vectrex
- Developers: Cinematronics
- Publishers: GCE, Sega, S.A. SONIC, Taito
Space Wars (1977): The Dawn of Vector Graphics Arcade Gaming
In the annals of video game history, Space Wars stands as a true pioneer. Released in 1977, it was one of the first arcade games to utilize vector graphics, a cutting-edge technology at the time that allowed for sharp, vibrant visuals and smooth animations. Space Wars also introduced several innovative gameplay elements that would go on to become industry standards, such as two-player competitive play and the ability to take damage and repair your ship.
The Birth of Space Wars
The brainchild of MIT graduate Larry Rosenthal, Space Wars was born out of a passion for the original Spacewar!, a PDP-1 program developed in the mid-1960s. Rosenthal was fascinated by the game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, and he set out to create his own version that would push the boundaries of what was possible in arcade gaming.
Rosenthal spent countless hours designing and building his own custom hardware and software for Space Wars. He partnered with Cinematronics, a company founded by Nolan Bushnell, the legendary creator of Pong, to produce and distribute the game.
Gameplay and Innovations
Space Wars is a two-player competitive game in which each player controls a starship. The goal is to destroy your opponent’s ship by firing shells or ramming into it. The game features a variety of gameplay options, including the presence or absence of a star in the middle of the playfield (which exerts a positive or negative gravitational pull), whether the edges of the playfield “wrap around” to their opposite sides, and whether shells bounce.
One of the most unique features of Space Wars is that it cannot be played in “one player” mode; a human opponent is required. This design decision was made to encourage social interaction and competition among players.
Another innovative aspect of Space Wars is the damage system. Unlike many other arcade games of the time, Space Wars allows your ship to take a glancing hit without dying. However, the ship will suffer damage, and a cloud of loose ship fragments will break off and float away. The ship will also be visibly damaged on screen and will turn and accelerate more slowly. This damage system adds an element of strategy to the game, as players must decide whether to continue fighting with a damaged ship or retreat to repair.
Legacy and Impact
Space Wars was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of its time. It helped to popularize vector graphics technology and set the stage for the golden age of arcade gaming in the 1980s.
Space Wars also had a profound impact on the development of video games in general. Its two-player competitive gameplay, damage system, and other innovative features were adopted by countless other games that followed. Space Wars is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential video games of all time.
Technical Details
Space Wars is powered by a custom hardware system designed by Rosenthal. The system uses a vector graphics display, which generates images by drawing lines between points on the screen. This technology allows for sharp, vibrant visuals and smooth animations, which were a major step forward from the raster graphics displays used in earlier arcade games.
The game’s software is written in assembly language. It is a relatively simple program, but it is very efficient and makes effective use of the hardware.
Ports and Re-releases
Space Wars has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Vectrex, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64. It has also been re-released on modern platforms such as the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
Conclusion
Space Wars is a true classic of arcade gaming. Its innovative gameplay, cutting-edge graphics, and social multiplayer experience made it one of the most popular and influential games of its time. Space Wars continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages today, and it stands as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the early pioneers of video game development.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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