Electrocop

File:LYNX Electrocop.png

Electrocop is a third-person shooter game in which players starts off with a time limit of one hour to complete the task of rescuing the president's daughter. The player must make their way through different levels and deal with various foes.Electrocop game manual (Atari Lynx, US){{cite magazine|url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/Atari_Explorer_January_February_1991.pdf|title=Entertainment: Lynx - Electrocop|magazine=Atari Explorer|publisher=Atari Corporation|date=February 1991|pages=64–65|access-date=2019-05-12|archive-date=2018-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926091616/http://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/Atari_Explorer_January_February_1991.pdf|url-status=live}} These foes are robots named, Walker, Python, Mine, Wall Cannon, Virus and Stringray. To get between each level, players must use a computer interface to hack through different doors. While in this interface, there are directories of Information where more can be learned about the robots, Programs that disable the robots and help hack with codes, and Games where players can pass the time by playing minigames titled Meteors, Letter Puzzle and Out Break. There is a Med-pack which heals the player, and weapon repair that fixes any damaged weapons. There are different weapons to choose from to help the player fight throughout the game.

File:Atari-Lynx-I-Handheld.jpg

Electrocop was conceived by Greg Omi when he worked at Epyx as games developer and programmer alongside Chuck Sommerville. In an online interview with website The Atari Times, Omi recounted about the development process of the game, saying work on the project began before any functional Atari Lynx hardware existed. The team were working on an emulator of the console on the Amiga microcomputer at a slow frame rate, in addition of also using a video camera to scan the image in order to test how the graphics would look once the hardware was finalized. However, an early revision of the Lynx capable of displaying raster graphics was made later during development.{{cite web|last=D. George|first=Gregory|url=http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=295|title=The Games of Peter Engelbrite - Christians play games too!|website=ataritimes.com|date=October 25, 2002|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110349/http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=295|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Omi also stated that he initially lacked knowledge of 3D computer graphics and matrices, as he needed a graphical perspective for his project and consulted Blue Lightning programmer Stephen Landrum in how to write it, since the system could not perform sprite rotation.

A long-running rumor was that Electrocop originally started as a 3D sequel to Dennis Caswell's Impossible Mission. However, when asked about this rumor, Omi said "it's funny, but I can't remember if it was supposed to be a sequel to Impossible Mission or not. I remember writing a story and basic game design and pitching it to RJ [Mical], but I don't remember if they were asking for a sequel."{{cite magazine|last=Bevan|first=Mike|title=The History Of: Impossible Mission - The Electrocop Connection|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=122|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=December 2013|page=45}} Despite being a fan of Impossible Mission and knowing Caswell personally, Omi could not recall if he was still a member of Epyx. Atari composer Alex Rudis was also involved during the production of the project and created the music for it.{{cite web|last=D. George|first=Gregory|url=http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=282#lynxgames|title=A conversation with Lx Rudis - Atari's most famous musician speaks!|website=ataritimes.com|date=September 9, 2002|access-date=2019-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216035023/http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=282#lynxgames|archive-date=December 16, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The introductory sequence was created by Sommerville, who developed an animation engine that would be re-used on other titles for the hardware such as Blue Lightning and Todd's Adventures in Slime World, in addition of the minigame sequences.{{cite magazine|last=Hawken|first=Kieren|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/the-making-of-blue-lightning/|title=The Making Of: Blue Lightning|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=152|publisher=Future Publishing|date=March 2016|pages=52–55|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403201925/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/the-making-of-blue-lightning/|archive-date=2017-04-03|url-status=live}}

Electrocop was one of the original launch titles during the initial release of the Lynx in 1989, along with the aforementioned Blue Lightning, California Games and Gates of Zendocon. It was also released in Europe around that time period and later in Japan on December 23 of the same year, where it was distributed by Mumin Corporation instead. The difference between the international and Japanese releases was that the latter came bundled with an instruction manual in Japanese.{{cite web|last=Covell|first=Chris|url=https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/OTH_1989Q3.html|title=Japanese Secrets! - Other Systems: Jul. - Sept. 1989 - Atari Lynx Announcement|website=chrismcovell.com|date=March 3, 2016|access-date=2019-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122091735/http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/OTH_1989Q3.html|archive-date=January 22, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The game was first showcased to the public during the International Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1989 along with the system, though early previews showed the title under the earlier name Net Runner.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-23/ACE_Issue_23_1989_Aug#page/n25/mode/2up|title=Hot From The USA - ACES From The Biggest Computer Show On Earth|magazine=ACE|issue=23|publisher=EMAP|date=August 1989|pages=26–27|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007232125/http://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-23/ACE_Issue_23_1989_Aug#page/n25/mode/2up|archive-date=2016-10-07|url-status=live}}

File:7800 Electrocop art design.jpg graphics]]

A version of Electrocop was in development by ICC for Atari Corporation on the Atari 7800, focusing on action and platforming instead of the third-person shooter gameplay style from the original Lynx version and was also showcased during an exhibition at the Consumer Electronics Show in a complete state.{{cite web|last=Pratt|first=Adam|url=https://arcryphongames.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/lost-electrocop-on-the-atari-7800-plus-some-other-thoughts-on-the-system/|title=Lost: Electrocop on the Atari 7800 (Plus some other thoughts on the system)|website=arcryphongames.com|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202052137/https://arcryphongames.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/lost-electrocop-on-the-atari-7800-plus-some-other-thoughts-on-the-system/|archive-date=December 2, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The 7800 version is notable for being one of the first titles where director and writer Amy Hennig was involved, creating the artwork using Atari ST and Macintosh computers as a freelancer.{{cite web|last=Goss|first=Steve|url=http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105531-anyone-know-what-unreleased-game-amy-hennig-worked-on/page-2#entry1321671|title=Anyone know what unreleased game Amy Hennig worked on? (Page 2)|website=AtariAge|date=June 25, 2007|access-date=2019-04-19|quote=Amy Hennig: Sadly, I don't think there's an existing copy of the game out there, unless the programmer kept one (neither of us worked for Atari; we were both contractors). The game was finished, btw, I think it was just so late in the 7800's life that Atari decided not to publish it. Too bad -- I think it was a pretty good game, for its time.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513020821/http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105531-anyone-know-what-unreleased-game-amy-hennig-worked-on/page-2#entry1321671|archive-date=May 13, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-07-la-fi-himi7-2010feb07-story.html|title=How I Made It: Amy Hennig|last=Fritz|first=Ben|date=February 7, 2010|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 26, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100213185358/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/07/business/la-fi-himi7-2010feb07|archive-date=February 13, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Marie|first=Meagan|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/02/storytellers-of-the-decade%3A-amy-henning-interview.aspx|title=Storytellers Of The Decade: Amy Hennig Interview|magazine=Game Informer|date=December 2, 2010|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216065459/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/02/storytellers-of-the-decade_3a00_-amy-henning-interview.aspx|archive-date=2010-12-16|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gameblog.fr/article-lecteur_751_zoom-sur-amy-hennig|title=Zoom sur Amy Hennig - La directrice créative de Naughty Dog|website=gameblog.fr|date=January 5, 2011|access-date=2019-04-19|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824185117/http://www.gameblog.fr/article-lecteur_751_zoom-sur-amy-hennig|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} However, despite Hennig stating that work on the project was completed, this version would never be released due to Atari cancelling its release late during the official life span of the system. In a 2007 forum post at AtariAge, former MicroProse UK employee Steve Goss revealed artwork of the cancelled conversion that was given to him by Hennig herself.{{cite web|last=Goss|first=Steve|url=http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105531-anyone-know-what-unreleased-game-amy-hennig-worked-on/page-2#entry1322054|title=Anyone know what unreleased game Amy Hennig worked on? (Page 2)|website=AtariAge|date=June 26, 2007|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513020821/http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105531-anyone-know-what-unreleased-game-amy-hennig-worked-on/page-2#entry1322054|archive-date=May 13, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

{{Video game reviews

|Allgame = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Kyle|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16834&tab=review|title=Electrocop - Review|website=AllGame|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114132041/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16834&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014|url-status=live}}

|IGN = 7.0 / 10{{cite web|last=A. Jung|first=Robert|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/electrocop|title=Electrocop - A brilliant concept that didn't completely click|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=July 6, 1999|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416081423/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/electrocop|archive-date=April 16, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

|rev1 = Aktueller Software Markt

|rev1Score = 10 / 12{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1990.03/page/n94|title=Report - Lynx Da Geht Der Luchs Ab! - Die Weichteile - Electrocop|magazine=Aktueller Software Markt|issue=40|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=March 1990|page=95|lang=de}}

|rev2 = Amstar

|rev2Score = 13 / 20{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Amstar/amstar_numero49/amstar_49-44.jpg|title=Le cahier des consoles n°1: Lynx - Electrocop|magazine=Amstar|issue=49|publisher=Soracom Editions|date=September 1990|page=44|lang=fr|access-date=2019-11-04|archive-date=2019-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104000802/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Amstar/amstar_numero49/amstar_49-44.jpg|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = CVG Mean Machines

|rev3Score = 90%{{cite magazine|last=Rignall|first=Julian|url=https://archive.org/details/Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_Volume_IV_1990_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n65|title=Complete Guide to Consoles - The Complete Games Guide - Lynx - Electrocop|magazine=Computer and Video Games Mean Machines|issue=4|publisher=EMAP|date=November 1990|pages=66–67}}

|rev4 = The Games Machine

|rev4Score = 79 / 100{{cite magazine|last=M. Rosenthal|first=Marshal|url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n42/mode/1up|title=Consoles - Atari Lynx - Reviews - Electro Cop|magazine=The Games Machine|issue=27|publisher=Newsfield Publications|date=February 1990|page=43|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913212619/http://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n42/mode/1up|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

|rev5 = Génération 4

|rev5Score = 75%{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero022/Gen4%20N022%20-%20Mai%201990%20-%20Page%20068.jpg|title=Test - Lynx - Electrocop|magazine=Génération 4|issue=22|publisher=Computec Media France|date=May 1990|page=68|lang=fr}}

|rev6 = Hobby Consolas

|rev6Score = 84 / 100{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/HobbyConsolas001#page/n79/mode/1up|title=En Cartel - Electrocop (Lynx) - El Mega-poli y las admiradoras secretas|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=1|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=October 1991|page=88|lang=es}}
86 / 100{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_006.pdf&page=32|title=Reportaje - Otro super-poli del futuro - Electrocop|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=6|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=March 1992|page=32|lang=es}}

|rev7 = Interface

|rev7Score = 58 / 100{{cite magazine|title=Electrocop|magazine=Interface|publisher=Semic Press|date=1991|lang=sv}}

|rev8 = Joystick

|rev8Score = 80%{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero003/joystick%20-%20N%B03%20-%20mars%201990%20-%20page042%20et%20page043.jpg|title=Consoles - Lynx - Lynx Test - Electrocop|magazine=Joystick|issue=3|publisher=Anuman Interactive|date=March 1990|page=43|lang=fr}}
78%{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numerohs03/Joystick%20HS%20n%b03%20-%20Juillet%20Ao%fbt%201991%20-%20Page%20142.jpg|title=Console News - Lynx: Electrocop|magazine=Joystick|issue=Hors-Serie 3|publisher=Anuman Interactive|date=July–August 1991|page=142|lang=fr}}

|rev9 = Micromanía

|rev9Score = 7 / 10{{cite magazine|author=J.G.V.|url=https://archive.org/stream/micromania-segunda-epoca-32#page/n28/mode/1up|title=Punto de mira - Lynx: Electrocop|magazine=Micromanía|volume=2|issue=32|publisher=HobbyPress|date=January 1991|page=29|lang=es}}

|rev10 = Play Time

|rev10Score = 69%{{cite magazine|last=Szameitat|first=Thorsten|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1991-10.pdf&page=99|title=Konsolen - Lynx Reviews - Electrocop|magazine=Play Time|issue=5|publisher=CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG|date=October 1991|page=83|lang=de}}

|rev11 = Power Play

|rev11Score = 38%{{cite magazine|last=Fisch|first=Henrik|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=4373&s=2|title=Power Thema - Lynx im Test|magazine=Power Play|issue=24|publisher=Future Verlag|date=March 1990|pages=26–27|lang=de|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-date=2023-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129031329/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=4373&s=2|url-status=live}}

|rev12 = Superjuegos

|rev12Score = 59 / 100{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/RevistaSuperJuegosDelMes001#page/n15/mode/2up|title=Consola - En pantalla: Electrocop - Al servicio de la ley|magazine=Superjuegos|issue=1|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=May 1993|pages=16–17|lang=es}}

|rev13 = Zero

|rev13Score = 86 / 100{{cite magazine|last=Ponting|first=Tim|url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-05/Zero_05_Mar_1990#page/n49/mode/1up|title=Review - Console - Three Sizzling Atari Lynx Games Reviewed - Electro Cop|magazine=Zero|issue=5|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=March 1990|page=50}}

}}

Electrocop garnered mixed reception.{{cite magazine|last=Molyneaux|first=Maurice|title=Gaming on the Go - Electrocop by Epyx|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=20|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=September 1990}} In a capsule review for STart, Clayton Walnum praised the game's graphics and variety of challenges.{{cite magazine|last=Walnum|first=Clayton|url=https://archive.org/stream/STart-Magazine-Issue-39#page/n66/mode/1up|title=The Lynx Collection - Gates of Zendocon|magazine=STart|issue=39|publisher=Antic Publishing|date=December 1990|pages=67–73|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310163057/https://archive.org/stream/STart-Magazine-Issue-39#page/n66/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-03-10|url-status=live}} Robert A. Jung reviewed the game which was published to IGN Entertainment. In his final verdict he said "This cart was a brilliant concept that didn't completely click; the race against the clock and the real-time exploration/combat elements are hampered with uninspired gameplay and little variety. Electrocop's stunning visuals and sounds make it fun to watch, but whether you'd buy a game for its razzle-dazzle is a personal decision." Giving a final score of 7 out of 10.

{{clear}}

Greg Omi has stated that no sequel was ever planned to be in development. In 1993, Atari Corp. requested several Epyx titles in order to be converted and release to the then-upcoming Atari Jaguar, with Electrocop among the list of selected titles, although no actual development on a Jaguar version was ever started.{{cite web|last=Dragon|first=Lost|url=http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/3333-the-epyx-titles-atari-wanted-on-lynx/|title=The EPYX Titles Atari Wanted on Lynx...|website=atari.io|date=July 6, 2017|access-date=2019-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105443/http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/3333-the-epyx-titles-atari-wanted-on-lynx/|archive-date=20 March 2018|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=1863 Electrocop] at AtariAge
• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/lynx/586944-electrocop Electrocop] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.giantbomb.com/electrocop/3030-11150/ Electrocop] at Giant Bomb
• {{mobygames|/18265}}

{{Portal bar|1980s|United States|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Electrocop}}

Category:1989 video games

Category:Action games

Category:Atari games

Category:Atari Lynx games

Category:Cancelled Atari 7800 games

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Category:Run and gun games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Third-person shooters

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Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Video games scored by Alex Rudis

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