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{{Short description|1980 video game}}
{{dablink|For articles with similar titles, see ].}}
{{For|articles with similar titles|Battle zone (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox CVG
{{Infobox video game
|title = Battlezone
| title = Battlezone
|image = ]
| image = Battlezone(Poster).jpg
|caption = An enemy tank in the player's sights
| caption = Arcade poster
|developer = ]
|publisher = ] | developer = ]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|NA/EU|Atari, Inc.<ref name="Germany">{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Battlezone, Atari, Inc. (Germany) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=3846 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>|JP|]/]<ref name="MAD">{{cite web |title=BATTLE ZONE |url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M728649 |website=Media Arts Database |publisher=] |language=ja |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>}}
|designer = ], <br>] (exploding volcano)
|released=] (Arcade)|platforms= ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | platforms = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| released = '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 1980<ref name="atari_production99">{{cite web|title=Production Numbers|url=http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|publisher=]|access-date=19 March 2012|year=1999|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120084729/http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Atari Introduces 'Battlezone' Combat Challenge Game To Test Skill, Wits |magazine=] |date=November 8, 1980 |page=36 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1980/CB-1980-11-08.pdf#page=36}}</ref>|EU|Late 1980<ref name="Germany"/>|JP|February 1981<ref name="MAD"/>}} '''Atari 2600''' {{vgrelease|NA|1983|EU|1983}} '''C64, VIC-20''' {{vgrelease|NA|May 1984<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Year-End Index |magazine=] |date=January 1985 |volume=3 |issue=10 |page=156 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jan85.pdf#page=12}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''<br>1987<ref name=mania/>
|genre = ]
| genre = ]<br>]<ref name="Dalton">{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/15/battlezone-classic-mode-fulfills-the-promise-of-80s-vr/ | title = 'Battlezone' Classic Mode fulfills the promise of '80s VR | last = Dalton | first= Andrew | date = December 15, 2016 | access-date = September 23, 2017 | publisher = ] | quote = It's been 36 years since Atari released ''Battlezone'' and effectively created the first-person shooter in the process.}}</ref><ref name = "GamesRadar">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/bullets-bombs-history-first-person-shooters/ | title = A 43-year history of first-person shooters - from Maze War to Destiny 2 | last = Staff | date = May 1, 2017 | access-date = September 23, 2017 | publisher = ] | quote = 1980s: First-person-shooters become commercialised: ''Battlezone'' gives life to the FPS.}}</ref><ref name = "Walker">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2012/10/26/3619291.htm | title = Evolution of the First Person Shooter | last = Walker | first= Alex | date = October 26, 2012 | access-date = September 23, 2017 | work = ] | quote = But the one game that many Generation X'ers will identify with when it comes to first-person shooters belongs to Atari and the green, wire-frame worlds within ''Battlezone''.}}</ref>
|modes = Single player
| modes = ]
|cabinet = Standard, Horizontal
| designer = {{ubl|Ed Rotberg|Owen Rubin|Roger Hector}}
|cpu=]
| programmer = Ed Rotberg<br>Morgan Hoff
|sound=], custom
| composer = Jed Margolin
|display= Horizontal orientation, ] (b&w) with color overlay, 256 x 231 pixels
|input = Two 2-way ]s (up and down), 1 ]
}} }}
'''''Battlezone''''' is a ] ] game released for ] in November 1980 by ] The player controls a tank which is attacked by other tanks and missiles. Using a small radar scanner along with the terrain window, the player can locate enemies and obstacles around them in the barren landscape. Its innovative use of 3D graphics made it a huge hit, with approximately 15,000 cabinets sold.


With its use of three-dimensional ], the game is considered to be the first true 3D arcade game that has a first-person perspective,{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}} the "first big 3D success" in the ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/the-evolution-of-3d-games-700995 |title=The evolution of 3D games |date=2010-07-11 |website=Tech Radar |access-date=2020-03-19}}</ref> and the first successful first-person shooter video game in particular. This made it a milestone for first-person shooter games.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}}
'''''Battlezone''''' is an ] from ] released in ]. It displays a ] view (using ] rather than ]) on a horizontal black and white CRT (with green and red sectioned color overlay). Due to its novel gameplay and look, this game was very popular for many years.


The game was primarily designed by Ed Rotberg, who was mainly inspired by Atari's top-down ] '']'' (1974). ''Battlezone'' was distributed in Japan by ] and ] in 1981. The system was based on vector hardware designed by Howard Delman which was introduced in '']'' and saw success with '']''. The 3D hardware which drove the program saw use in future games, including '']'', released in 1981.{{sfn|Wolf|2008|p=68}}


==Development== ==Gameplay==
]
The vector technique is similar to the visuals of games such as '']''. The game was designed by ], who designed many games for ], ], and ].


The game uses ] ] displayed on a black and white ]. A colored overlay tints the display green for the bottom {{frac|4|5}} where the action takes place, and red for the top {{frac|5}} where the score and radar screen are displayed.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}}
A version called ''The Bradley Trainer'' (also known as ''Army Battlezone'' or ''Military Battlezone'') was also designed for use by the ] as targeting training for gunners on the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm|url=http://www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> Approaching Atari in December of 1980, some developers within ] refused to work on the project because of its association with the Army,<ref name="electricescape">{{cite web
| last = Jung
| first = Robert
| title = The Army Battlezone Q & A
| url=http://www.electric-escape.net/node/561?PHPSESSID=8e59d52909f100f19342c576ed9d3dd9
| accessdate = 2007-09-17 }}</ref> most notably original Battlezone programmer Ed Rotberg.<ref name="halcyon">{{cite web
| last = Hague
| first = James
| title = Halcyon Days: Ed Rotberg
| url=http://www.dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/ROTBERG.HTM
| accessdate = 2007-09-17 }}</ref> Ed only came on board after he was promised by management he would have no future plans to do anything with the military.<ref name="stevenkent">{{cite book
| last = Kent
| first = Steven L.
| authorlink = Steven L. Kent
| title = The Ultimate History of Video Games
| publisher = ]
| date = 2001
| pages = 153-155
| isbn = 0-7615-3643-4 }}</ref> Only two were produced; one was delivered to the army and is presumed lost, and the other is in the private collection of Scott Evans.<ref name="atarigames">{{cite web
| last = Evans
| first = Scott
| title = Bradley Trainer
| url=http://www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm
| accessdate = 2007-09-17 }}</ref> The gunner yoke was based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle control and was later re-used in the popular '']'' game.<ref name="stevenkent" /> The Bradley Trainer differs dramatically from the original Battlezone as it features helicopters, missiles, and machine guns; furthermore, the actual tank does not move - the guns simply rotate.


The player drives a tank using two joysticks, one controlling the right tread and the other the left. By moving the joysticks relative to each other, the tank can move forward or reverse (both moved in the same direction), turn on the spot to the left or right (one forward, one back) or move and turn at a slower rate (one forward or backward, one neutral). The right-side stick also has a fire button on top, which shoots the player's gun in the direction the tank is currently facing.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}}
Also, one cocktail version of Battlezone was developed as a prototype. This is also in a private collection.


Gameplay takes place on a flat plane with a ]ous ] featuring an erupting ], a distant ], and various ] (in vector outline) like pyramids and blocks. The geometric solid obstacles are indestructible and can obstruct the movement of a player's tank while also blocking shots and can be used as shields. The action surrounds the player in all directions, including off-screen locations, forcing the player to locate the enemy using the radar display at the top of the screen.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}}
Because of its use of ] ] graphics combined with an actual "viewing goggle" that the player puts his face into, Battlezone is widely considered the first true ] game. Likewise, The Bradley Trainer is considered the first VR training device used by the U.S. Army.


There are three types of enemy craft that appear during play, one at a time. At the start of a game, the enemy is dominated by slow tanks that are not particularly difficult to hit even when moving. As the game continues, missiles begin to appear in place of the enemy tanks; these move much faster and are more difficult to hit. Finally, the much faster supertanks appear at higher levels, which are not only harder to hit, but also attack more aggressively.
==Gameplay==
Gameplay is on a plain with a mountainous horizon featuring a memorable erupting volcano, distant crescent moon, and various geometric solids (in vector outline) like pyramids and blocks. The player views the screen, which includes an overhead ] view to find and destroy the rather slow tanks, or the faster moving supertanks. Saucer-shaped ]s and guided missiles occasionally appear for a bonus opportunity. The saucers differ from the tanks in that they do not fire upon the player, and do not appear on radar. The player can hide behind the solids or maneuver in rapid turns once fired on to buy time with which to fire himself. Common play in the US could run from 25 cents to a dollar per game, depending on machine setting. The typical setting is for 25 cent play, with three tanks.


Periodically saucer-shaped ]s will appear while making a distinctive sound to announce their presence; these do not show up on the radar and do not attack the user, but can be shot for bonus points. This is the only object that may appear while other enemies are already present.
Scoring points in ''Battlezone'' is simple. A standard enemy tank is worth 1,000 points when destroyed; a supertank is worth 3,000 points; and the flying saucer is worth 5,000 points. The guided missile is worth 2,000 points when destroyed. All of these targets can be destroyed with a single shot from the player's tank. One bonus tank is awarded when the player's score reached 15,000 points; an additional tank is then awarded at 100,000 points, and every 100,000 points after that. The game only includes one hostile enemy on the game board at all times; the player never has to battle two enemy tanks at once, or a tank and guided missile. The UFO can appear on the screen at the same time as an enemy tank, and it can occasionally be destroyed by enemy fire.


There is a gameplay modification at 100,000 points if the proper conditions are met. When executed properly, the next appearing supertank will not attack, but will instead retreat. A tank icon will then appear at right on qualified high score listings.
The geometric solid obstacles are indestructible, and could block the movement of a player's tank. However, they are also useful as shields, as they block enemy fire as well.

===Myths===
]
There was a persistent rumor/myth that one could actually drive to the erupting volcano in the background, up the side, into the crater and discover a castle inside. This was false, but plans to include such a feature in future versions were inspired by this myth<ref> from Rec Room Amusements</ref>. A similar rumor insisted if one kept driving in the same direction for at least an hour without dying, one would eventually reach the mountains and see a "tank factory" pumping out enemy tanks. Others involved the UFO, including one in which a mothership would attack after a set number of UFOs were destroyed.


==Cabinet== ==Cabinet==
]
]
Battlezone was housed in a standard upright ] with a novel "]" viewfinder which the player used to view the game. The game action could also be viewed from the sides of the viewfinder for spectators to watch. A later, less common version of the cabinet removed the periscope to improve visibility to non-players and improve the ergonomics for players who could not reach the periscope; hygienic concerns with the periscope, against which users pressed their faces, may have played a role in its removal{{Fact|date=September 2007}}. This modification also was welcomed by some operators, who felt that the small windows present in the "periscoped" version did not attract enough attention to the game when played. ''Battlezone'' is housed in an upright full-sized ] with a "]" viewfinder. The viewfinder restricted the player's view so that the display appeared to be naturally limited to resemble a scope.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}} The game action can also be viewed from the sides of the viewfinder for spectators to watch. The game's periscope viewfinder is similar to earlier ] shooting ], notably ]'s ] '']'' (1976) and ]'s ] '']'' (1966).<ref name="Wolf2012">{{cite book |last1=Wolf |first1=Mark J. P. |title=Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming |date=2012 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-313-37936-9 |volume=1 |pages=68–9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=deBFx7QAwsQC&pg=PA68}}</ref> A later version of the cabinet removed the periscope and raised the monitor to a more normal position to improve visibility to non-players and improve ergonomics for players who could not reach the periscope.<ref name= Lendino/> A smaller, "cabaret" version of the cabinet has the screen angled upwards and no periscope.{{sfn|Hanson|2021|p=104}}


The large controller handles were adapted from earlier gear-shift controllers used on racing games, modified with a new stick shape that has internal ribs to make them stronger and adding rubber centering bellows. The right stick has a raised and LED illuminated fire button on top, and the controls were completed with a similar LED illuminated start button on the cabinet. There were two speakers, one each above and below the 19-inch monitor.<ref name= Lendino >{{cite book |title= Attract Mode: The Rise and Fall of Coin-Op Arcade Games |first= Jamie |last=Lendino |page=122 |publisher= Steel Gear Press |date=2020}}</ref>
A smaller version of the cabinet (known as a "cabaret cabinet") also existed with the screen angled upwards, and no periscope. A cocktail table version was tested as a prototype but not produced; it lacked the color overlays as the display would have to flip for opposing players.


==Development==
The controls consisted of left and right ]s, each controlling the treads on that side of the player's tank. One joystick contained a button used to fire projectiles at enemy targets.
With the success of the ] ] games, Atari's ] engineering labs decided to build their own version of a vector display system known as "QuadraScan" that offered a resolution of 1024 x 768.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}} Once it was up and running, they delivered the prototype unit to Atari headquarters where it was given to Wendi Allen (then known as Howard Delman) and Rick Moncrief to develop it into a unit suitable for ] use.{{sfn|Delman|2007}} Allen decided to reimplement the driver system using analog electronics instead of digital, simplifying it and lowering its cost.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}}


While working on the system, Allen suggested they use it to implement a version of '']''. While Allen worked on the driver hardware and Moncrief on the display system, Rich Moore wrote the software for the game.{{sfn|Delman|2007}} ''Lunar Lander'' was released in August 1979, Atari's first vector game, but was not a great success with only 4,830 units manufactured.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}}
==Legacy==
A ''Battlezone'' clone for Apollo ] was written by Justin S. Revenaugh in 1986 and re-written for the ] by Todd Mummert in 1990.


Another team at Atari consisting of Lyle Rains, Ed Logg, and Steve Callfee was working on a ] game called ''Planet Grab''. When they saw ''Lunar Lander'', they asked about using the same system for their game, and the result was '']''. Released in November 1979, it went on to be Atari's most successful game, with 55,000 units sold.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}}
A clone (author unknown) of the game for ] called "bzone.exe" circulated through the ] community in the ].


With the system now proving a huge success in the arcades, Morgan Hoff organized a ] session at Atari to consider additional uses for the hardware. Around the same time, Atari had also been experimenting with early 3D displays using a custom math chip known simply as "the math box", developed by Jed Margolin and Mike Albaugh. The idea of using the math box with the vector hardware seemed like a winner, and the idea of a tank game was raised at the meeting, although Hoff could not remember exactly who introduced the idea.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}}
Throughout the 1980s, ''Battlezone'' was ] to several ] systems, including DOS, the ], ], the ], the Sinclair ], the ] and the ] (within that version is a hidden game with filled polygons). An ] version was also released, but has coloured raster graphics due to graphical limitations. A prototype exists for an ] version as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/battlezone/battlezone.htm |title=AtariProtos.com |accessdate=2007-07-05}}</ref> Battlezone was included in ] in the 1990s; although very similar to the original arcade game, it was newly written, not a port of the original game's code.


The game's design was led by Ed Rotberg. He cited Atari's top-down arcade ] '']'' (1974) as the primary inspiration behind ''Battlezone'', essentially a 3D version of that game. While ''Battlezone'' also has similarities to a first-person tank simulation for the ], '']'', Rotberg said he had never played that game before, but had heard of it; he stated that it "may have inspired whoever originally suggested the idea at the brainstorming meeting where it was proposed, but I seriously doubt it".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wolf |first1=Mark J.P. |chapter=''BattleZone'' and the Origins of First-Person Shooting Games |editor-last1=Call |editor-first1=Joshua |editor-last2=Voorhees |editor-first2=Gerald A. |editor-last3=Whitlock |editor-first3=Katie |title=Guns, Grenades, and Grunts: First-Person Shooter Games |date=9 August 2012 |publisher=] |isbn=978-1-4411-4224-5 |pages=25-40 (35-6)}}</ref>
A ''Battlezone'' clone named '']'' was released on the Commodore 64 in the 1980s. It was ported to Apple II, DOS and ]. Its sequel, '']'', was later released on the Amiga and DOS by ].


Owen Rubin, who shared an office with Ed Rotberg, had the idea of making the volcano in the background erupt, and coded the animation for it.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Steven|last=Kent|title=Retroview: The Owen Rubin Memorial Gameroom |magazine=]|issue=35|publisher=] |date=November 1997|page=34}}</ref>
The 1991 ] tank game '']'' and its sequels such as ''Spectre VR'' owed much to Battlezone for their gameplay and appearance.


==Ports==
The ] workstations had a ''Battlezone'' derived game in the early ] called ''BZ'' which added network play. ''BZ'' also had guided missiles, where the player would fly the missile after launch, returning to the tank on impact.
In the 1980s, ''Battlezone'' was ported to the ], ], ], ], ]s, ], and later the ] and ]. The ports to non-Atari systems were from ]. The ZX Spectrum version was published by ].


The Atari 8-bit version was released on cartridge in 1987 in the styling of the then-new ].<ref name=mania>{{cite web |title=Battlezone |url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-battlezone_560.html |website=Atari Mania}}</ref> An ] port was scheduled for release in November 1983, but was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Battlezone |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/battlezone/battlezone.htm |access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref>


The Atari 2600 version uses raster graphics instead of vectors and has a third person view where the tank is visible.
<gallery>
Image:A2600_Battlezone.png|] Screenshot
Image:C64_Battlezone.png|] Screenshot
</gallery>


The Atari ST port contains large parts of the original ] code which is emulated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klapauzius.net/Old_Games.html#Battlezone|title=Spiced up games}}</ref>
], the ] giant, released a game for ] inspired by and named '']'' in ]. Aside from the name, however, the game bears little resemblance to the original arcade game.


==Reception==
The game ''Tank Hunter'' on ] is almost an exact replica of ''Battlezone'', complete with imitation vector graphics. The ] game '']'' (BattleZone capture Flag) is available on ], and provides network play and full 3D graphics instead of vector graphics.
''Battlezone'' was released in November 1980 and was a hit. Although not as successful as ''Asteroids'', ''Battlezone'' eventually produced another 15,000 sales for Atari.{{sfn|Fulton|2008}}


''Battlezone'' was well received, earning an Honorable Mention for "Best Commercial Arcade Game" in 1982 at the Third Annual ]. It was runner-up, behind '']''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Kunkel |first1= Bill |author-link1= Bill Kunkel (journalist)|last2= Laney Jr. |first2= Frank |author-link2= Arnie Katz|date = January 1982|title= Arcade Alley: The Third Annual Arcade Awards |journal= ]|publisher= Reese Communications|volume= 5|issue= 10|pages= 28, 76–77|issn= 0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|76}} David and Sandy Small called it "addictive" and mentioned the Battlezone Tunnel Vision, which makes the players drive strangely during rush hour.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Creative Computing |date= January 1982 |page=18 |title=The Expert's Guide to Beating Asteroids, Battlezone, Galazian, RipOff and Space Invaders |first1=David |last1=Small |first2=Sandy |last2=Small |url=https://archive.org/details/creativecomputing-1982-01/page/n19/mode/2up}}</ref> In a more recent review, Eurogamer stated that "Atari's designers came up with some incredibly inventive and interesting games before their decline. ''Battlezone'' is one of the finer examples" and rated it 8 out of 10.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_battlezone_arcade |first=Peter |last=Parrish |title=Battlezone, Tanks for the memories |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date= 25 October 2007}}</ref> Fox gives it a 4 out of 5 rating in ''The Video Games Guide'', although he admits this might perturb some readers.<ref>{{cite book |first= Matt |last=Fox |title= The Video Games Guide |page=24 |publisher= McFarland |date= 2013}}</ref> In 1996, ] ranked the arcade version 97th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=74}}</ref>
There was a bug in some machines which caused very high phony scores into the seven digits to be posted (after a player would enter his initials). Good players could actually reach this level after an hour or two of play.


] magazine awarded the Spectrum version of Battlezone 30 out of 40 points, praising its technical achievements such as the implementation of hidden line removal. The reviewer compared the game to ], a similar game by ], opining that the latter was marginally superior to the official port.<ref name="cvg">{{Cite magazine |date=February 1985 |title=B'Zone/Tank Duel |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-040/page/n42/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=] |pages=43 |issue=40}}</ref>
== Trivia ==
*The music heard in the high score initials prompt is from ]'s ].
*David Palmer holds the official record for this game with a maximum possible 23 million points
*A ''Battlezone'' unit appears in the 1982 movie '']'', in the 1983 movie ''Joysticks'', in the 1984 movie '']'' and in the 1986 movie '']''.
*''Battlezone'''s look exhibited similarities to that of the team tank game '']'', written for the ] System in ] in 1975.


==''The Bradley Trainer''==
==See also==
]
A version called ''The Bradley Trainer'' (also known as ''Army Battlezone'' or ''Military Battlezone'') was designed for use by the ] as targeting training for gunners on the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm|url=http://www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm|access-date=2007-09-17}}</ref> It was commissioned by a consultant group of retired generals.<ref name="NGen26">{{cite magazine|title=Army Armed with Quarters!|magazine=] |issue=26|publisher=]|date=February 1997|page=49}}</ref>


Approaching Atari in December 1980, some developers within ] refused to work on the project because of its association with the Army,<ref name="electricescape">{{cite web | last = Jung | first = Robert | title = The Army Battlezone Q & A | url = http://www.electric-escape.net/node/561?PHPSESSID=8e59d52909f100f19342c576ed9d3dd9 | access-date = 2007-09-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071031094945/http://www.electric-escape.net/node/561 | archive-date = 31 October 2007 | url-status = dead}}</ref> most notably original ''Battlezone'' programmer Ed Rotberg.<ref name="halcyon">{{cite web | last = Hague | first = James | title = Halcyon Days: Ed Rotberg | url=http://www.dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/ROTBERG.HTM | access-date = 2007-09-17 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005914/http://dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/ROTBERG.HTM | archive-date= 27 September 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> Rotberg only joined the project after he was promised by management that he would never be asked to do anything with the military in the future.<ref name="stevenkent">{{cite book | last = Kent | first = Steven L. | author-link = Steven L. Kent | title = The Ultimate History of Video Games | url = https://archive.org/details/ultimatehistoryv00kent | url-access = limited | publisher = ] | year = 2001 | pages = –155 | isbn = 0-7615-3643-4}}</ref> According to Rotberg, it took him three months of constant work to develop the prototype version of ''The Bradley Trainer''.<ref name="NGen26" /> Only two were produced; one was delivered to the Army and is presumed lost, and the other is in the private collection of Scott Evans,<ref name="atarigames">{{cite web | last = Evans | first = Scott | title = Bradley Trainer | url=http://www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm | access-date = 2007-09-17}}</ref><ref name="maws">{{cite web|title=MAWS Bradley Trainer ROM set info |url=http://www.mameworld.net/maws/romset/bradley |access-date=2007-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016075845/http://www.mameworld.net/maws/romset/bradley |archive-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who found it by a dumpster in the rear parking lot at Midway Games.
* '']'', a 3D remake from ] which changed the game from an arcade game to a more complicated tank piloting strategy game.

* '']'', another sequel to ''Battlezone'' released by ] in ].
The gunner yoke was based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle control and was later re-used in the popular '']'' game.<ref name="stevenkent" /> ''The Bradley Trainer'' differs dramatically from the original ''Battlezone'' as it features helicopters, missiles, and machine guns; furthermore, the actual tank does not move, but the guns simply rotate.
* '']'', a pseudo-sequel to Battlezone released by Atari in ], which utilizes much of the ''Battlezone'' hardware.

* Battlezone is also the name of a band associated with ].
==Legacy==
Due to its use of ] pseudo ] combined with a "viewing goggle" that the player puts his or her face into, ''Battlezone'' is sometimes considered the first ] arcade video game.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=British Film Institute|title=The New Media Book|author=Dan Harries|year=2002}}</ref>

===Related games and rereleases===
* In 1993, the replicated version of ''Battlezone'' was included in ] for PC with Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, and Mac version for Apple Macintosh.
* ''Battlezone 2000'' for the ] was released in 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=1870|title=Atari Lynx - Battlezone 2000|website=AtariAge}}</ref>
* It was included in the 1996 ''Battlezone / Super Breakout'' combo for the ].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 1996|title=Review Crew: Battlezone / Super Breakout|magazine=]|publisher=]|issue=87|page=66}}</ref>
* ] developed an authorized '']'' game in 1998. Despite having the same name, it is not an arcade game, but a more complicated tank piloting strategy game. '']'' is the 1999 sequel.
* A re-imagining of ''Battlezone'' was developed by ] and released for the ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Dobson, Jason | date=May 4, 2006 | title=Pre-E3: Battlezone Re-imagined, Charlotte's Web, Codemasters Finds Bliss | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/9175/PreE3_Battlezone_Reimagined_Charlottes_Web_Codemasters_Finds_Bliss.php | website=] | access-date=2010-01-29}}</ref>
* In 2008, an ] was released on ] by ].<ref name="XBLA">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/battlezonexboxlivearcade/|title=Xbox – Battlezone Game Detail Page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414030612/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/battlezonexboxlivearcade/|archive-date=April 14, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2013, ] bought the ''Battlezone'' franchise from the Atari bankruptcy proceedings.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/44881/Wargaming-and-Rebellion-claim-Atari-IPs|title=Wargaming and Rebellion claim Atari IPs|journal=MCV|date=22 July 2013}}</ref> In 2016, a remaster of the 1998 game, titled ''Battlezone 98 Redux'', was released for Windows, and an unrelated ] game titled '']'' was released for the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Battlezone Critic Reviews for PlayStation 4|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/battlezone/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref> It was ported to Microsoft Windows in 2017<ref name="DualShockers">{{cite web|title=Battlezone Hits HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with an Exciting Launch Trailer|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/battlezone-launch-htc-vive-oculus-rift/|website=DualShockers|date=11 May 2017 |access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref> and to the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in the following year, as ''Battlezone: Gold Edition.'' It supports ], ] and ].<ref name="DualShockers" />

===Clones and inspired games===
* ''3D Combat Zone'' (1983) by ] published by ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0001033/|title=3D Combat Zone - World Of Spectrum Classic}}</ref>
* '']'' (1983) for the Apple II and Commodore 64.
* '']'' (1983) by Activision for the Atari 2600 is similar to the official port of ''Battlezone''.
* '']'' (1983) for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64 is also similar to 2600 ''Battlezone'', with solid character-mode graphics instead of wireframe 3D graphics. It includes the missiles and saucers of the original.
* ''3D Tank Zone'' (1983) for the ] and ] by Dynabyte; ''Battlezone'' (2023) remake by Rocketeer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atari Battlezone - stardot.org.uk |url=https://stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=26500 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=stardot.org.uk}}</ref>
* ''3D Tank Duel'' (1984) and '']'' (1983) for the ].
* ''Rommel 3D'' (1985) for the ].
* ''bzone'' for ], later rewritten for the ] and Macintosh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umich.edu/~archive/mac/game/war/00index.txt|title=/mac/game/war/00index.txt}}</ref>
* '']'' (1991) for the Macintosh.
* ''BZ'' for the ] workstations added network play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/tpl/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?cmd=getdoc&coll=0650&db=man&fname=6%20bz|title=SGI TPL View (6 bz)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930200941/http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/tpl/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?cmd=getdoc&coll=0650&db=man&fname=6%20bz|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref>
* ''Stramash Zone'' (2018) was self-published for the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clockworkrobot.com/shop/|title = Shop – clockworkrobot}}</ref>
* ], an ] ] tank game.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/linux-format/20200630/282780653766556 |access-date=2024-10-12 |via=PressReader}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* ]


==References== ==References==
===Citations===
<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the<ref> and </ref> tags and the tag below -->
{{reflist|30em}}
<references/>

===Bibliography===
* {{cite encyclopedia
|first=Christopher |last=Hanson
|title=Battlezone
|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Video Games
|editor-first= Mark |editor-last=Wolf
|date= 2021
|publisher= ABC-CLIO
|isbn= 9781440870200
|pages=104–105
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fc0vEAAAQBAJ
}}
* {{cite interview
|title= Howard Delman interview
|first=Howard |last= Delman
|interviewer= Scott Stilphen
|date=2007
|url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/interviews/howard_delman/interview_howard_delman.html
}}
* {{cite magazine
|first=Steve |last=Fulton
|title= Atari: The Golden Years -- A History, 1978-1981
|magazine=Gamasutra
|date=21 August 2008
|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3766/atari_the_golden_years__a_.php?print=1
}}
* {{cite encyclopedia
|encyclopedia = The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to Playstation and Beyond
|editor-first= Mark |editor-last=Wolf
|first= Mark |last=Wolf
|title=Vector Games
|publisher= ABC-CLIO
|date=2008
}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{KLOV game|id=7059|name=Battlezone}} * {{KLOV game|id=7059|name=Battlezone}}
* at the Arcade History database
*{{moby game|id=/battlezone_|name=''Battlezone''}}
*{{WoS game|id=0000466|name=Battlezone}} * {{WoS game|id=0000466|name=Battlezone}}
* {{Coinop game|id=100013|name=Battlezone}}
*
*
*
* at The Great Game Database
* &ndash; this article on arcade games names ''Battlezone'' as "the first truly interactive 3-D environment"
*


{{Battlezone}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 22:00, 4 November 2024

1980 video game For articles with similar titles, see Battle zone (disambiguation). 1980 video game
Battlezone
Arcade poster
Developer(s)Atari, Inc.
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)
  • Ed Rotberg
  • Owen Rubin
  • Roger Hector
Programmer(s)Ed Rotberg
Morgan Hoff
Composer(s)Jed Margolin
Platform(s)Arcade, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Commodore 64, IBM PC, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum
ReleaseArcade
  • NA: November 1980
  • EU: Late 1980
  • JP: February 1981
Atari 2600 C64, VIC-20
  • NA: May 1984
Atari 8-bit
1987
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Battlezone is a first-person shooter tank combat game released for arcades in November 1980 by Atari, Inc. The player controls a tank which is attacked by other tanks and missiles. Using a small radar scanner along with the terrain window, the player can locate enemies and obstacles around them in the barren landscape. Its innovative use of 3D graphics made it a huge hit, with approximately 15,000 cabinets sold.

With its use of three-dimensional vector graphics, the game is considered to be the first true 3D arcade game that has a first-person perspective, the "first big 3D success" in the video game industry, and the first successful first-person shooter video game in particular. This made it a milestone for first-person shooter games.

The game was primarily designed by Ed Rotberg, who was mainly inspired by Atari's top-down shooter game Tank (1974). Battlezone was distributed in Japan by Sega and Taito in 1981. The system was based on vector hardware designed by Howard Delman which was introduced in Lunar Lander and saw success with Asteroids. The 3D hardware which drove the program saw use in future games, including Red Baron, released in 1981.

Gameplay

Two joysticks control the player's tank. Instructions on their use are printed on the cabinet.

The game uses wireframe vector graphics displayed on a black and white vector monitor. A colored overlay tints the display green for the bottom 4⁄5 where the action takes place, and red for the top 1⁄5 where the score and radar screen are displayed.

The player drives a tank using two joysticks, one controlling the right tread and the other the left. By moving the joysticks relative to each other, the tank can move forward or reverse (both moved in the same direction), turn on the spot to the left or right (one forward, one back) or move and turn at a slower rate (one forward or backward, one neutral). The right-side stick also has a fire button on top, which shoots the player's gun in the direction the tank is currently facing.

Gameplay takes place on a flat plane with a mountainous horizon featuring an erupting volcano, a distant crescent moon, and various geometric solids (in vector outline) like pyramids and blocks. The geometric solid obstacles are indestructible and can obstruct the movement of a player's tank while also blocking shots and can be used as shields. The action surrounds the player in all directions, including off-screen locations, forcing the player to locate the enemy using the radar display at the top of the screen.

There are three types of enemy craft that appear during play, one at a time. At the start of a game, the enemy is dominated by slow tanks that are not particularly difficult to hit even when moving. As the game continues, missiles begin to appear in place of the enemy tanks; these move much faster and are more difficult to hit. Finally, the much faster supertanks appear at higher levels, which are not only harder to hit, but also attack more aggressively.

Periodically saucer-shaped UFOs will appear while making a distinctive sound to announce their presence; these do not show up on the radar and do not attack the user, but can be shot for bonus points. This is the only object that may appear while other enemies are already present.

There is a gameplay modification at 100,000 points if the proper conditions are met. When executed properly, the next appearing supertank will not attack, but will instead retreat. A tank icon will then appear at right on qualified high score listings.

Cabinet

Battlezone uses 3D vector graphics viewed through a "periscope".

Battlezone is housed in an upright full-sized arcade cabinet with a "periscope" viewfinder. The viewfinder restricted the player's view so that the display appeared to be naturally limited to resemble a scope. The game action can also be viewed from the sides of the viewfinder for spectators to watch. The game's periscope viewfinder is similar to earlier submarine shooting arcade games, notably Midway's arcade video game Sea Wolf (1976) and Sega's electro-mechanical game Periscope (1966). A later version of the cabinet removed the periscope and raised the monitor to a more normal position to improve visibility to non-players and improve ergonomics for players who could not reach the periscope. A smaller, "cabaret" version of the cabinet has the screen angled upwards and no periscope.

The large controller handles were adapted from earlier gear-shift controllers used on racing games, modified with a new stick shape that has internal ribs to make them stronger and adding rubber centering bellows. The right stick has a raised and LED illuminated fire button on top, and the controls were completed with a similar LED illuminated start button on the cabinet. There were two speakers, one each above and below the 19-inch monitor.

Development

With the success of the Cinematronics vector graphics games, Atari's Grass Valley engineering labs decided to build their own version of a vector display system known as "QuadraScan" that offered a resolution of 1024 x 768. Once it was up and running, they delivered the prototype unit to Atari headquarters where it was given to Wendi Allen (then known as Howard Delman) and Rick Moncrief to develop it into a unit suitable for arcade video game use. Allen decided to reimplement the driver system using analog electronics instead of digital, simplifying it and lowering its cost.

While working on the system, Allen suggested they use it to implement a version of Lunar Lander. While Allen worked on the driver hardware and Moncrief on the display system, Rich Moore wrote the software for the game. Lunar Lander was released in August 1979, Atari's first vector game, but was not a great success with only 4,830 units manufactured.

Another team at Atari consisting of Lyle Rains, Ed Logg, and Steve Callfee was working on a raster graphics game called Planet Grab. When they saw Lunar Lander, they asked about using the same system for their game, and the result was Asteroids. Released in November 1979, it went on to be Atari's most successful game, with 55,000 units sold.

With the system now proving a huge success in the arcades, Morgan Hoff organized a brainstorming session at Atari to consider additional uses for the hardware. Around the same time, Atari had also been experimenting with early 3D displays using a custom math chip known simply as "the math box", developed by Jed Margolin and Mike Albaugh. The idea of using the math box with the vector hardware seemed like a winner, and the idea of a tank game was raised at the meeting, although Hoff could not remember exactly who introduced the idea.

The game's design was led by Ed Rotberg. He cited Atari's top-down arcade shooter game Tank (1974) as the primary inspiration behind Battlezone, essentially a 3D version of that game. While Battlezone also has similarities to a first-person tank simulation for the PLATO system, Panther, Rotberg said he had never played that game before, but had heard of it; he stated that it "may have inspired whoever originally suggested the idea at the brainstorming meeting where it was proposed, but I seriously doubt it".

Owen Rubin, who shared an office with Ed Rotberg, had the idea of making the volcano in the background erupt, and coded the animation for it.

Ports

In the 1980s, Battlezone was ported to the Apple II, Atari 2600, Commodore 64, VIC-20, IBM PC compatibles, ZX Spectrum, and later the Atari 8-bit computers and Atari ST. The ports to non-Atari systems were from Atarisoft. The ZX Spectrum version was published by Quicksilva.

The Atari 8-bit version was released on cartridge in 1987 in the styling of the then-new Atari XEGS. An Atari 5200 port was scheduled for release in November 1983, but was cancelled.

The Atari 2600 version uses raster graphics instead of vectors and has a third person view where the tank is visible.

The Atari ST port contains large parts of the original 6502 code which is emulated.

Reception

Battlezone was released in November 1980 and was a hit. Although not as successful as Asteroids, Battlezone eventually produced another 15,000 sales for Atari.

Battlezone was well received, earning an Honorable Mention for "Best Commercial Arcade Game" in 1982 at the Third Annual Arkie Awards. It was runner-up, behind Pac-Man. David and Sandy Small called it "addictive" and mentioned the Battlezone Tunnel Vision, which makes the players drive strangely during rush hour. In a more recent review, Eurogamer stated that "Atari's designers came up with some incredibly inventive and interesting games before their decline. Battlezone is one of the finer examples" and rated it 8 out of 10. Fox gives it a 4 out of 5 rating in The Video Games Guide, although he admits this might perturb some readers. In 1996, GamesMaster ranked the arcade version 97th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time".

Computer and Video Games magazine awarded the Spectrum version of Battlezone 30 out of 40 points, praising its technical achievements such as the implementation of hidden line removal. The reviewer compared the game to 3D Tank Duel, a similar game by Realtime Games Software, opining that the latter was marginally superior to the official port.

The Bradley Trainer

A standard enemy tank in the player's sights in The Bradley Trainer

A version called The Bradley Trainer (also known as Army Battlezone or Military Battlezone) was designed for use by the U.S. Army as targeting training for gunners on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. It was commissioned by a consultant group of retired generals.

Approaching Atari in December 1980, some developers within Atari refused to work on the project because of its association with the Army, most notably original Battlezone programmer Ed Rotberg. Rotberg only joined the project after he was promised by management that he would never be asked to do anything with the military in the future. According to Rotberg, it took him three months of constant work to develop the prototype version of The Bradley Trainer. Only two were produced; one was delivered to the Army and is presumed lost, and the other is in the private collection of Scott Evans, who found it by a dumpster in the rear parking lot at Midway Games.

The gunner yoke was based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle control and was later re-used in the popular Star Wars game. The Bradley Trainer differs dramatically from the original Battlezone as it features helicopters, missiles, and machine guns; furthermore, the actual tank does not move, but the guns simply rotate.

Legacy

Due to its use of first-person pseudo 3D graphics combined with a "viewing goggle" that the player puts his or her face into, Battlezone is sometimes considered the first virtual reality arcade video game.

Related games and rereleases

Clones and inspired games

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Video Game Flyers: Battlezone, Atari, Inc. (Germany)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. "Production Numbers" (PDF). Atari. 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  3. "Atari Introduces 'Battlezone' Combat Challenge Game To Test Skill, Wits" (PDF). Cash Box. November 8, 1980. p. 36.
  4. ^ "BATTLE ZONE". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  5. "Year-End Index" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 3, no. 10. January 1985. p. 156.
  6. ^ "Battlezone". Atari Mania.
  7. Dalton, Andrew (December 15, 2016). "'Battlezone' Classic Mode fulfills the promise of '80s VR". Engadget. Retrieved September 23, 2017. It's been 36 years since Atari released Battlezone and effectively created the first-person shooter in the process.
  8. Staff (May 1, 2017). "A 43-year history of first-person shooters - from Maze War to Destiny 2". GamesRadar. Retrieved September 23, 2017. 1980s: First-person-shooters become commercialised: Battlezone gives life to the FPS.
  9. Walker, Alex (October 26, 2012). "Evolution of the First Person Shooter". ABC News. Retrieved September 23, 2017. But the one game that many Generation X'ers will identify with when it comes to first-person shooters belongs to Atari and the green, wire-frame worlds within Battlezone.
  10. ^ Hanson 2021, p. 104.
  11. "The evolution of 3D games". Tech Radar. 2010-07-11. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  12. Wolf 2008, p. 68.
  13. Wolf, Mark J. P. (2012). Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 68–9. ISBN 978-0-313-37936-9.
  14. ^ Lendino, Jamie (2020). Attract Mode: The Rise and Fall of Coin-Op Arcade Games. Steel Gear Press. p. 122.
  15. ^ Fulton 2008.
  16. ^ Delman 2007.
  17. Wolf, Mark J.P. (9 August 2012). "BattleZone and the Origins of First-Person Shooting Games". In Call, Joshua; Voorhees, Gerald A.; Whitlock, Katie (eds.). Guns, Grenades, and Grunts: First-Person Shooter Games. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 25-40 (35-6). ISBN 978-1-4411-4224-5.
  18. Kent, Steven (November 1997). "Retroview: The Owen Rubin Memorial Gameroom". Next Generation. No. 35. Imagine Media. p. 34.
  19. Reichert, Matt. "Battlezone". AtariProtos.com. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
  20. "Spiced up games".
  21. Kunkel, Bill; Laney Jr., Frank (January 1982). "Arcade Alley: The Third Annual Arcade Awards". Video. 5 (10). Reese Communications: 28, 76–77. ISSN 0147-8907.
  22. Small, David; Small, Sandy (January 1982). "The Expert's Guide to Beating Asteroids, Battlezone, Galazian, RipOff and Space Invaders". Creative Computing. p. 18.
  23. Parrish, Peter (25 October 2007). "Battlezone, Tanks for the memories". Eurogamer.net.
  24. Fox, Matt (2013). The Video Games Guide. McFarland. p. 24.
  25. "Top 100 Games of All Time" (PDF). GamesMaster (44): 74. July 1996.
  26. "B'Zone/Tank Duel". Computer and Video Games. No. 40. February 1985. p. 43.
  27. "www.safestuff.com/bradley.htm". Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  28. ^ "Army Armed with Quarters!". Next Generation. No. 26. Imagine Media. February 1997. p. 49.
  29. Jung, Robert. "The Army Battlezone Q & A". Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  30. Hague, James. "Halcyon Days: Ed Rotberg". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  31. ^ Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games. Prima Publishing. pp. 153–155. ISBN 0-7615-3643-4.
  32. Evans, Scott. "Bradley Trainer". Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  33. "MAWS Bradley Trainer ROM set info". Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  34. Dan Harries (2002). The New Media Book. British Film Institute.
  35. "Atari Lynx - Battlezone 2000". AtariAge.
  36. "Review Crew: Battlezone / Super Breakout". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 87. Ziff Davis. October 1996. p. 66.
  37. Dobson, Jason (May 4, 2006). "Pre-E3: Battlezone Re-imagined, Charlotte's Web, Codemasters Finds Bliss". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  38. "Xbox – Battlezone Game Detail Page". Archived from the original on April 14, 2008.
  39. "Wargaming and Rebellion claim Atari IPs". MCV. 22 July 2013.
  40. "Battlezone Critic Reviews for PlayStation 4". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  41. ^ "Battlezone Hits HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with an Exciting Launch Trailer". DualShockers. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  42. "3D Combat Zone - World Of Spectrum Classic".
  43. "Atari Battlezone - stardot.org.uk". stardot.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  44. "/mac/game/war/00index.txt".
  45. "SGI TPL View (6 bz)". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  46. "Shop – clockworkrobot".
  47. https://www.pressreader.com/australia/linux-format/20200630/282780653766556. Retrieved 2024-10-12 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Bibliography

External links

Battlezone
Developers
Official games
Clones
Categories: