Spacechase
{{Short description|1982 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Spacechase
| image = Spacechase.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Games by Apollo
| publisher = Games by Apollo
| series =
| designer = Ed Salvo{{cite web|title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers|url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist/ |last1=Hague |first1=James}}
| engine =
| platforms = Atari 2600
| released = January 1982{{Cite web|title = Atari VCS game release dates|url = https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-vcs-game-release-dates|website = Atari Archive| date=2020 |access-date = 2023-08-12}}
| genre = Fixed shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Spacechase is a fixed shooter video game for the Atari Video Computer System (later called the Atari 2600) written by Ed Salvo and published by Games by Apollo in 1982.{{Citation
| last =Stilphen
| first =Scott
| title = DP Interviews....Ed Salvo
| url =http://www.digitpress.com/library/interviews/interview_ed_salvo.html
| accessdate = 2007-11-16}}
Gameplay
File:Spacechase_Screenshot.png
In orbit of an unnamed "moon," the player uses a Starcruiser to destroy formations of alien enemy raiders that attack from above. The lunar surface rotates in the background, but has no effect on gameplay. The player's ship can maneuver in eight directions within the lower third of the game screen. As the game advances, the aliens attacks begin to include "Lazer-Directed Heat-Seeking Proton Missiles".
There are single and two-player games; players alternate turns in the latter. The game can be handicapped for each player by setting the Atari's Difficulty Switch. In the "A" position the player's shots are slower than when the switch is in the "B" position.{{cite web|url=http://www.atariage.com/manual_html_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=471 |title=Atari 2600 Manuals (HTML) - Spacechase (Apollo) |publisher=AtariAge |date= |accessdate=2012-12-11}}
Reception
Spacechase became Apollo's best selling title. Apollo also marketed Spacechase with an offer to make customized or "monogrammed" versions of Spacechase. Less than 10 were sold, and several were given to press including Electronic Games magazine co-founder Arnie Katz.
PM Magazine visited Apollo's offices to film a segment on Apollo and Spacechase, with Leeza Gibbons doing the interview. The segment included programmer Ed Salvo making a customized Spacechase for Gibbons, changing three shapes in the explosion graphic to her initials. When her ship was destroyed, Leeza's initials appeared.
Reviews
The Atari Times, reviewed by Ethan C. Nobles, gave it a 75% rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.ataritimes.com/article.php?showarticle=465 |title=The Atari Times |publisher=The Atari Times |date= |accessdate=2012-12-11}}
neXGam (German), reviewed by Michael Tausendpfund, gave it a 63% rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.nexgam.de/atari-2600-atari/spacechase-atari-2600.html |title=Spacechase |publisher=Nexgam.de |date=2012-07-30 |accessdate=2012-12-11}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{atarimania|id=11620}}
- {{internet archive game|atari_2600_spacechase_1981_apollo_-_games_by_apollo_ed_salvo_byron_parks_ap-2001}}
Category:Atari 2600-only games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games