Sci Fi Games have been part of computing as long as computers have existed. From the early arcades to modern computers and game consoles every game developer cites an inspiring moment. We look at some of the influential games that inspired generations of programmers.
The first arcade game to be a success around the world was the Japanese invented Space Invaders. Released in 1978 by Taito in an era when the younger generation were looking up at the sky and asking the most questions. This 2D fixed shooter game resulted in a shortage of 100 yen coins. Within pop culture the pixelated image of the alien spacecrafts have become a popular retro image.
In the early 1980s computers were only starting to be used at home. Elite was a hugely popular space trading game that also introduced flight simulation and wireframe combat. The game was improved through the decade and a second version was released for more powerful computers, such as the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga. Recently the developers have announced plans to develop a modern version.
Elite launched the first wave of people purchasing computers for their homes. At the time computers were only used lightly at work places and most schools only had small labs. This game inspired a generation of youngsters to impress on their parents the advantages of having a computer at home. Once they had the computer many also explored what else could be done. This is generally considered to be what inspired many developers to choose their career. One of the two lead designers of Elite, David Braben, recently went on record calling for curriculum changes to encourage the next generation.
Speedball was a violent futuristic sports simulator. Set in an arena that resembles a handball court or ice skating rink helped it gain a lot of familiarity with sports fans. With a combination of high speed action, power ups, and a bit of luck it became hugely successful. Modern versions continue to be made for modern gaming systems.
Another popular science fiction gaming genre was first person shooters. Quake gained a huge amount of popularity but that was by its successor Half Life, the most successful game of its type in the era. Using a greatly enhanced version of the same engine. The central character was Gordon Freeman, a scientist with poor time keeping ability at the Black Mesa research facility. A huge explosion knocks him unconscious, he comes around to find the facility infested with hostile aliens.
Sid Meier's Civilization series was brought into the future with Alpha Centauri. Using the same engine it added a science fiction twist to the classic series. As with Civilization it's based around idealistically different settlements, this time on an alien world. Each faction makes friends and enemies with their rivals until one is dominant. Short videos are played as breaks in the game, some of the quotes are memorable enough to be used in films just often enough for fans of the game to notice them. Since the late nineties it has become the standard for strategy games.
Sci Fi games have been around as long as arcades and home computers. Generations of developers have been inspired by some of the most inspirational games. Each time a game is released that successfully tries something a bit different a new generation is inspired.
The first arcade game to be a success around the world was the Japanese invented Space Invaders. Released in 1978 by Taito in an era when the younger generation were looking up at the sky and asking the most questions. This 2D fixed shooter game resulted in a shortage of 100 yen coins. Within pop culture the pixelated image of the alien spacecrafts have become a popular retro image.
In the early 1980s computers were only starting to be used at home. Elite was a hugely popular space trading game that also introduced flight simulation and wireframe combat. The game was improved through the decade and a second version was released for more powerful computers, such as the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga. Recently the developers have announced plans to develop a modern version.
Elite launched the first wave of people purchasing computers for their homes. At the time computers were only used lightly at work places and most schools only had small labs. This game inspired a generation of youngsters to impress on their parents the advantages of having a computer at home. Once they had the computer many also explored what else could be done. This is generally considered to be what inspired many developers to choose their career. One of the two lead designers of Elite, David Braben, recently went on record calling for curriculum changes to encourage the next generation.
Speedball was a violent futuristic sports simulator. Set in an arena that resembles a handball court or ice skating rink helped it gain a lot of familiarity with sports fans. With a combination of high speed action, power ups, and a bit of luck it became hugely successful. Modern versions continue to be made for modern gaming systems.
Another popular science fiction gaming genre was first person shooters. Quake gained a huge amount of popularity but that was by its successor Half Life, the most successful game of its type in the era. Using a greatly enhanced version of the same engine. The central character was Gordon Freeman, a scientist with poor time keeping ability at the Black Mesa research facility. A huge explosion knocks him unconscious, he comes around to find the facility infested with hostile aliens.
Sid Meier's Civilization series was brought into the future with Alpha Centauri. Using the same engine it added a science fiction twist to the classic series. As with Civilization it's based around idealistically different settlements, this time on an alien world. Each faction makes friends and enemies with their rivals until one is dominant. Short videos are played as breaks in the game, some of the quotes are memorable enough to be used in films just often enough for fans of the game to notice them. Since the late nineties it has become the standard for strategy games.
Sci Fi games have been around as long as arcades and home computers. Generations of developers have been inspired by some of the most inspirational games. Each time a game is released that successfully tries something a bit different a new generation is inspired.
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