Space Invaders

] cite book| title = The Art of Game Worlds| first = Dave| last = Morris| pages = p. 166| publisher = HarperCollins| isbn = 0060724307| year = 2004] Despite the specially developed hardware, Nishikado was unable to program the game as he wanted—the Control Program board was not powerful enough to display the graphics in color or move the enemies faster—and considered the development of the hardware the most difficult part of the whole process. "Space Invaders" was first released in a cocktail-table format with black and white graphics. The Western release by Midway was in an upright cabinet format, and used strips of orange and green cellophane over the screen to simulate color graphics. The graphics were reflected onto a painted backdrop of a moon against a space background. Later Japanese releases also used colored cellophane. The cabinet artwork featured large, humanoid monsters not present in the game. Nishikado attributes this to the artist basing the designs on the original title, "Space Monsters", rather than referring to the in-game graphics.

Impact and legacy

"Space Invaders" is considered one of the most successful arcade shooting games. After the first few months following its release in Japan, the game became very popular. Specialty arcades opened with nothing but "Space Invaders" cabinets, and Taito produced 100,000 arcade machines for the Japanese market over the next few years. 60,000 machines were sold in United States.cite book| title = Official Price Guide to Classic Video Games| first = David| last = Ellis| pages = p. 345| publisher = Random House| isbn = 0375720383| year = 2004] A shortage of 100-yen coins in Japan was attributed to the game, and this led to an increase in production of these coins.cite book| editor= Craig Glenday| title= Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2008| series= Guinness World Records| date= 2008-03-11| publisher= Guinness| language= English|isbn= 978-1-904994-21-3| pages= pp. 106–107| chapter= Record Breaking Games: Shooting Games Roundup] cite web| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2005/jul/24/games.shopping| title=A life through video games| publisher=Guardian Media Group| work=The Observer| author=Richards, Giles |date=2005-07-24| accessdate=2008-05-22] By 2007, it had generated almost US$500 million in revenue. The 1980 Atari 2600 version was the first official licensing of an arcade game and became the first "killer app" for video game consoles by quadrupling the system's sales.cite book| title = Ultimate History of Video Games| first = Steven| last = Kent| pages = p. 190| publisher = Three Rivers Press| isbn = 0761536434| year = 2001]

Legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto considers "Space Invaders" a game that revolutionized the video game industry; he was never interested in video games before seeing it.cite web| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1645158,00.html| publisher="Time"| title=10 Questions for Shigeru Miyamoto| date=2007-07-19| author=Sayre, Carolyn| accessdate=2007-09-04] Several publications attribute the expansion of the video game industry from a novelty into a global industry to the success of the game. "Edge" attributes the shift of video games from bars and arcades to more mainstream locations like restaurants and department stores to "Space Invaders". [cite web| url = http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-30-defining-moments-in-gaming| title = The 30 Defining Moments in Gaming| publisher = Future plc| work = Edge| author= Edge Staff| date = 2007-08-13| accessdate = 2008-09-18] According to "The Observer", the home console versions were popular and encouraged users to learn programming; many who later became industry leaders. 1UP.com stated that "Space Invaders" showed that video games could compete against the major entertainment media at the time—movies, music, and television. IGN attributes the launch of the arcade phenomenon in North America in part to "Space Invaders".cite web| url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/865/865346p1.html| title = Top 10 Classic Shoot 'Em Ups| author = Buchanan, Levi| date = 2008-04-08| publisher = IGN| accessdate = 2008-09-07] "Game Informer" considers it, along with "Pac-Man", one of the most popular arcade games that tapped into popular culture and generated excitement during the golden age of arcades.Cite journal| month= February | year= 2008| title= Classic GI: King of the Hill| journal= Game Informer| publisher= Cathy Preston|issue= 178| pages= p. 108] In 2007, Guinness World Records listed it as the top-rated arcade game, and IGN listed it as one of the "Top 10 Most Influential Games".

As one of the earliest shooting games, it set precedents and helped pave the way for future titles and for the shooting genre.cite book| editor= Craig Glenday| title= Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2008| series= Guinness World Records| date= 2008-03-11| publisher= Guinness| language= English|isbn= 978-1-904994-21-3| pages= p. 88| chapter= Record Breaking Games: Shooting Games] cite web| url = http://games.ign.com/articles/840/840621p1.html| title = IGN's Top 10 Most Influential Games| publisher = IGN| author = Geddes, Ryan| coauthors = Hatfield, Daemon| date = 2007-12-10| accessdate = 2008-07-11] "Space Invaders" was the first video game to have an intermission between gameplay, and to popularize the concept of achieving a high score.cite web| url=http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/halloffame/spaceinvaders.shtm| title=The Gamespy Hall of Fame: Space Invaders| publisher=GameSpy| author=Kevin Bowen| accessdate=2008-04-30] IGN lists it as the number eight "classic shoot 'em up". "Space Invaders" has inspired the development of several games, and led to multiple sequels and rereleases. Arcade games, like Namco's "Galaxian" and "Galaga", were modeled after "Space Invaders"'s gameplay and design.cite web| url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/493/493431p1.html| title=Hall of Fame: Galaxian and Galaga| author=Osborne, Scott| publisher=GameSpy| date=2001-06-01| accessdate=2008-04-30] In 2002, Taito released "Space Raiders", a third-person shooter reminiscent of "Space Invaders". [cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/spaceraiders/similar.html?mode=versions| title=Space Raiders: Release Summary| publisher=GameSpot| accessdate=2008-04-30] cite book| editor = ed. Rico Komanoya| title = Japanese Game Graphics: Behind the Scenes of Your Favorite Games| year = 2004| publisher = Harper Design International| location = New York, NY| isbn = 0-06-056772-4| pages = pp. 116–121| chapter = Space Raiders]

Rereleases and sequels

"Space Invaders" has been rereleased on numerous platforms, and spawned many sequels. Rereleases include ported and updated versions of the original arcade game. Ported versions generally feature different graphics and additional gameplay options—for example, moving defense bunkers, zigzag shots, invisible aliens, and two-player cooperative gameplay. Ports on earlier systems like the Atari home consoles featured simplified graphics, while later systems such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and PlayStation featured updated graphics. Later titles include several modes of gameplay and integrate new elements into the original design. For example, "Space Invaders Extreme", released on the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable, integrated musical elements into the standard gameplay. [cite web| url = http://psp.ign.com/articles/863/863894p1.html| title = Space Invaders Extreme Set for US| publisher = IGN| author = Hatfield, Daemon| date = 2008-04-02| accessdate = 2008-06-07] [Cite journal| month= May | year= 2008| journal = Official Nintendo Magazine| title = Space Invaders| issue= 29| pages= p. 46] An upcoming spin-off for WiiWare, "Space Invaders Get Even", allows players to control the aliens instead of the laser cannon. [cite web| url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/882/882265p1.html| title = Space Invaders Set for WiiWare| publisher = IGN| author = IGN Staff| date = 2008-06-17| accessdate = 2008-08-19] Different ports have been met with mixed receptions; the Atari 2600 version was very successful while the Nintendo Entertainment System version was poorly received.

Taito has released several arcade sequels that built upon the basic design of the original. The first was "Space Invaders Part II" in 1980; it featured color graphics and new gameplay elements. This version was released in the United States as "Deluxe Space Invaders" (also known as "Space Invaders Deluxe"), but featured a different graphical color scheme and a lunar-city background. Another arcade sequel, titled "Space Invaders II", was released exclusively in the United States. It was in a cocktail-table format and featured a competitive two-player mode. During the summer of 1985, "Return of the Invaders" was released with updated color graphics, and more complex movements and attack patterns for the aliens. Subsequent arcade sequels included "Super Space Invaders '91", "Space Invaders DX", and "Space Invaders '95". Each game introduced minor gameplay additions to the original design.

The game and its related games have been included in video game compilation titles. "Space Invaders Anniversary" was released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and included nine "Space Invader" variants. [cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/spaceinvadersanniversary/news.html?sid=6086826| title = Empire signs Space Invaders titles| author = Calvert, Justin| publisher = GameSpot| date = 2004-01-22| accessdate = 2008-05-10] A similar title for the PlayStation Portable, "Space Invaders Pocket", was released in 2005. [cite web| url = http://psp.ign.com/articles/613/613267p1.html| title = Boot To The Head For Bootleggers| publisher = IGN| author = Nix| date = 2005-05-12| accessdate = 2008-06-07] "Space Invaders", "Space Invaders Part II" and "Return of the Invaders" are included in "Taito Legends", a compilation of Taito's classic arcade games released in 2005 on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC.cite web| url = http://www.2sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20051025c| title = Sega and Empire Interactive Launch Taito Legends for PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC| publisher = Sega| date = 2005-10-25| accessdate = 2008-05-05] [cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/taitolegends/news.html?sid=6133138| title = Sega goes old school with Taito| author = Surette, Tim| publisher = GameSpot| date = 2005-08-13| accessdate = 2008-05-10] "Space Invaders DX" and "Space Invaders '95" were included in "Taito Legends 2", a sequel compilation released in 2006. [cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168839.html| title = More Taito Legends headed to US| author = Sinclair, Brendan| publisher = GameSpot| date = 2007-04-10| accessdate = 2008-05-10]

In popular culture

The game has appeared in numerous facets of popular culture. Multiple television series have aired episodes that either reference or parody the game and its elements; for example, "DangerMouse", [cite episode| title = Custard| episodelink = List of DangerMouse episodes#Series 2 (Spring 1982)| series = DangerMouse| serieslink = DangerMouse| credits = | network = ITV| airdate= 1982-01-04| season = 2| number = 12] "That '70s Show", [cite episode| title = Donna's Story| episodelink = List of That '70s Show episodes#Season 4: 2001–2002| series = That '70s Show| serieslink = That '70s Show| network = Fox Broadcasting Company| airdate = 2001-11-20| number = 84] "Scrubs",cite episode |title= My Bad Too|series= Scrubs|serieslink= Scrubs (TV series)|credits= |network= NBC|airdate= 2008-04-10|season= 7|number= 7] and "Robot Chicken". [cite episode| title = Suck It| episodelink = List of Robot Chicken episodes#Season 2: 2006| series = Robot Chicken| serieslink = Robot Chicken| network = Cartoon Network (US)| airdate = 2006-04-02| season = 2| number = 1] Elements are prominently featured in the "Raiders of the Lost Arcade" segment of "Anthology of Interest II", an episode of "Futurama". [cite episode| title = Anthology of Interest II| episodelink = Anthology of Interest II| series = Futurama| serieslink = Futurama| credits = | network = Fox Broadcasting Company| airdate= 2002-01-06| season = 3| number = 18] cite web| url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/12/video-games-fut.html| title=Videogames & Futurama, Part 1: Raiders of the Lost Arcade| author= Baker, Chris| publisher = "Wired News"| date= 2007-12-17| accessdate= 2008-05-12] Many publications and websites use the pixelated alien graphic as an icon for video games in general, including video game magazine "Electronic Gaming Monthly", technology website Ars Technica, and concert event Video Games Live. Video Games Live has also performed audio from "Space Invaders" as part of a special retro "Classic Arcade Medley". [cite web| url = http://games.ign.com/articles/816/816582p1.html| title = Microsoft Brings Video Games Live To London| publisher = GameSpot| author = Microsoft| date = 2007-08-28| accessdate = 2008-09-07] A French street artist known as Invader has made a name for himself by creating mosaic artwork of "Space Invader" aliens around the world.cite web| url = http://swindlemagazine.com/issue03/space-invader-2/| title = Space Invader| author = Fairey, Shepard| publisher = "Swindle Magazine"| accessdate = 2008-05-06]

In 2006, the game was one of several video game related media selected to represent Japan as part of a project compiled by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159315| title = Japan honors NES, PS2, Mario| author = Wyman, Walt| publisher = GameSpot| date = 2006-10-04| accessdate = 2008-05-09] cite web| url = http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/hundred/hundred.html| title = 日本のメディア芸術100選| language = Japanese| publisher = Japan Media Arts Plaza| accessdate = 2008-05-05] In the same year, "Space Invaders" was included in the London Science Museum's Game On exhibition meant to showcase the various aspects of video game history, development, and culture. [cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159465| title = London museum showcases games| author = Boyes, Emma| publisher = GameSpot| date = 2006-10-09| accessdate = 2008-05-09] At the Belluard Bollwerk International 2006 festival in Fribourg, Switzerland, Guillaume Reymond created a three minute video recreation of a game of "Space Invaders" as part of the "Gameover" project using humans as pixels. [cite web| url = http://www.notsonoisy.com/spaceinvaders/| title = Space Invaders — Guillaume Reymond — video performance| publisher = NOTsoNOISY| year = 2006| accessdate = 2008-05-22] The GH ART exhibit at the 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany included an art game, "Invaders!", based on "Space Invaders"'s gameplay. The creator later asked for the game to be removed from the exhibit following criticism of elements based on the September 11, 2001 attacks. [cite web| url= http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19972| title = Creator Of Space Invaders-Based 9/11 Art Piece Pulls Exhibit| publisher = Gamasutra| author = Remo, Chris| date = 2008-08-25| accessdate = 2008-08-25]

References

External links

* [http://www.taito.com/ Official Taito site] ja icon
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