Vintage Gameplay Activity

Christopher Diaz-Mihell

March 3, 2011

Asteroids

1979

Atari Inc.

Lyle Rains

1. What is the game genre (e.g. shoot-em-up, racing, sports, puzzle, MMORPG, ‘sandbox’, music sequence following game (e.g. DDR, guitar hero)

            Multi-directional shooter

2. What is the type of game ‘world’ or environment (e.g. flat environment, puzzle/maze space, 3D world?)

           

            Space

3. What is the perspective taken by player (e.g first person, third person perspective, top down, isometric) in relation to main player controlled character?

            Third person play with a two-dimensional view.

4. What is the actual gameplay – what does the player have to do?

            The player has to control a spaceship in an asteroid field. The object of the game is to shoot and destroy asteroids and saucers while not colliding with either, or being hit by the saucers’ counter-fire.

5. Is the gameplay intuitive? (i.e. is it easy to understand what to do without instructions?) describe.

            It is very easy to grasp the gameplay. Upon loading the game I was able to figure out what I had to do to score points. The graphics are very simple which make the gameplay especially easy.

6. Is the gameplay patterned (game does the same thing over & over) or is it random (happens differently every time?)

            The classic version of Asteroids that I played was patterned.

7. What does the type of graphic approach used as well as the audio tell you about the limits of the technology at the time the game was published?

            For starters the display is two-dimensional. Every object in the game is just a simple drawn figure that moves about the screen. For example the ship that the gamer controls is a simple triangle. Other obvious features of a lack of technology arise in the display. The display features only two colors, black and white. The simplicity of the game

8. Describe your views about the game from the point of view of

a. Ease of play

            - Very easy to play even when using a keyboard. Simple instructions and graphics made for a easily understood objective.

b. Enjoyability

            - I found the game to be very enjoyable. I feel that the simplicity of the game made for a more enjoyable experience.

c. Level of engagement/immersion

            - Though the game is simple with not many features, the games system of simply trying to beat your personal high score keeps the gamer involved in the game.

9. Had you played this game prior to this time? If so, when?

            - I have played this game many times before but ultimately the last time I played this game was probably freshman year in high school.

10. What does playing the game remind you of in terms of other games/media?

            The game reminds me of another classic game called Galaga, which is a fixed shooter game that was developed by Namco.