Star Ship
Encyclopedia
Star Ship is a video game cartridge developed by Atari
for its Video Computer System
(later known as the Atari 2600). The game was one of the nine launch title
s offered when the Atari 2600 went on sale in January of 1978. It was designed and programmed
by Bob Whitehead
. It was based on the Atari arcade game
Starship 1
.
The game was the first space-related
game developed for the Atari VCS. The player(s) used the joystick
controller to achieve one of the following objectives:
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
for its Video Computer System
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
(later known as the Atari 2600). The game was one of the nine launch title
Launch title
A launch game, or launch title, is a video game released to consumers synchronously with the release of its respective video game console, meaning they are the only available games at the time of the console's launch. Several of these games are also packaged with the console...
s offered when the Atari 2600 went on sale in January of 1978. It was designed and programmed
Game programming
Game programming, a subset of game development, is the programming of computer, console or arcade games. Though often engaged in by professional game programmers, many novices may program games as a hobby...
by Bob Whitehead
Bob Whitehead
Bob Whitehead is a game designer and programmer. He is a renowned pioneer and entrepreneur of the video game industry, having been instrumental in forming two video game developers. One, Activision, was the first third-party video game developer.-Career:...
. It was based on the Atari arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
Starship 1
Starship 1
Starship 1 is an arcade game developed, manufactured, and released by Atari in 1977.-Gameplay:The object of Starship 1 is to destroy alien spacecraft while maneuvering through star and asteroid fields....
.
The game was the first space-related
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
game developed for the Atari VCS. The player(s) used the joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
controller to achieve one of the following objectives:
- Destroying as many spacecraftSpacecraftA spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
s and robotRobotA robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
s as possible within a time limit, all while dodging asteroidAsteroidAsteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s. - Alternating between avoiding enemy fire from spacecraft and firing at the opponent-controlled craft (human or computer).
- Avoiding asteroids and other varied space objects to cover the greatest distance possible.
- Landing the space module on a lunar landing pad. The moon can either be stationary or be computer- or human opponent-controlled.
External links
- Star Ship at AtariAge