Cult Video Game Essentials: Star Raiders
It was deemed the first violent video game! Released in 1979 it remains in the mind of cult gamers everywhere. It was called Star Raiders!
The game was a space combat simulator video game for the Atari 8-bit family of computers. It was written by Doug Neubauer, an Atari employee, and released in cartridge form by Atari in 1979. It was later ported to other Atari computer and game platforms.
The game simulates combat in 3D between the player’s powerful ship and an invading fleet of alien “Zylon” vessels. Star Raiders was distinctive for its graphics, which represented an out-the-cockpit, first-person view from a fictional combat spaceship traveling through a streaming 3D starfield in pursuit of enemy spacecraft. The game’s attract mode, a simple streaming star field, was a common sight in computer stores of the early-1980’s to show off the Atari computers’ graphics capabilities. The game is commonly referred to as the platform’s killer app.
Star Raiders had considerably higher quality graphics and more complex game play than any game before it. As a result, it inspired both imitators throughout the 1980’s and later-generation space combat simulation games. Notably, it is one of the games that inspired the seminal title Elite, and thus the Wing Commander and X-Wing series. It is also one in a series of first person space shooters (including 1977’s Starhawk and 1979’s Star Fire) that appeared in the late-1970s and were arguably predecessors of the later seen first-person shooter genre.
EA SPORTS UFC 4 officially launches worldwide August 14th Featuring Israel Adesanya and Jorge Masvidal as global cover stars. In Read more
Buckle up, take full control of starfighters such as the X-wing and TIE fighter, and feel the adrenaline of strategic Read more
A new tale of terror is about to unfold when you step into the town of Little Hope. Watch the Read more
The Complex: Lockdown is an interactive sci-fi thriller full-motion video game (FMV) that was released worldwide through PC, PS4, Xbox Read more
The third game in the SUPERHOT franchise - MIND CONTROL DELETE gives you MORE insight into the world of SUPERHOT, Read more
Get a peek at Super Nintendo World in this trailer for the Nintendo Theme Park area which opens at Universal Read more
The creators of the Batman: Arkham series are back with a brand new action-adventure shooter. The most dangerous villains in Read more
Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition, is OUT NOW on PlayStation 5! Awaken the slumbering spirit of the north and Read more
A master swordsman makes his highly anticipated return to the Stage of History... Hwang will be coming to SOULCALIBUR VI Read more
Shadow Warrior 3 launches the offbeat first-person shooter series to the next level with a seamless blend of fast-paced gunplay, razor-sharp Read more
Brett Summers
Founded Cult Faction in 2014. Some would describe him as a teacher, writer, dream weaver, and visionary... some would not...