Aztarac
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| Aztarac | |
|---|---|
 Screenshot of Aztarac |
|
| Developer(s) | Tim Stryker |
| Publisher(s) | Centuri |
| Designer(s) | Tim Stryker |
| Release date(s) | 1983 (Arcade) |
| Genre(s) | Shooter game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Arcade Game |
| Input | Dial, 2 Buttons |
| Arcade cabinet | Horizontal |
| Arcade CPU(s) | 68000 |
| Arcade sound system(s) | Sound CPU : Z80 Sound Chips : AY8910 |
| Arcade display | Raster, 256 x 256 pixels, 32768 colors |
Aztarac is a scrolling shooter arcade game using vector graphics that was released by Centuri in 1983. You pilot a space tank. The tank and its turret are controlled independently, which allows you to move in one direction while shooting in another. Your mission is to guard various space outposts from hordes of incoming enemy ships. Each level will have several outposts all clustered together in the center. If an enemy ship touches an outpost, then the outpost is destroyed. You can activate a long range scanner by using your second button. This allows you to locate enemies before they get close, that way you can fly off and get them before they even have a shot at the outposts.
[edit] Trivia
- Here is a copy of an original game proposal document by Tim Stryker : Defend the starbase from alien invaders. Ship is maneuverable in two dimensions, has laser weapenry, and can use radar to locate menacing planetoïds and enemy squadrons. Enemy squadrons come in two flavors : slow, Space-Invader-like phalanxes of twenty to forty ships bearing rockets, and fast, elite loners bearing lasers. Field of play (the simulated 'universe') is considerably larger than what can be seen on the screen at any one time : the player's ship is always displayed at the center of the screen and only 'sees' the portion of the universe within a given radius about its current position. Enemy ships attack from random points around the compass, bent on destroying the starbase, but will engage the player's ship if it presents itself. Ship has limited fuel and laser energy, but may return to starbase to refuel and recharge at any time. Points are awarded for each enemy craft destroyed, and are deducted for each defending ship lost. Game ends when starbase is destroyed by enemy; limitation of playing time is achieved through gradual escalation of enemy attacks.
- Dennis Bartlett holds the official record for this game with a maximum possible 142 390 points [1]
