Software:Atic Atac

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Short description: 1983 video game
Atic Atac
ZX Spectrum cover art
Developer(s)Tim and Chris Stamper
Publisher(s)Ultimate Play the Game
Platform(s)ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro
ReleaseZX Spectrum
BBC Micro
Genre(s)Action-adventure, maze
Mode(s)Single-player

Atic Atac is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Ultimate Play the Game, released for the ZX Spectrum in 1983 and the BBC Micro in 1985. The game takes place within a castle in which the player must seek out the "Golden Key of ACG"[lower-alpha 1] by unlocking doors and avoiding enemies. It was Ultimate's second game to require 48K of RAM; most of their previous games for the Spectrum ran on unexpanded 16K models.

The game was written by Tim Stamper and its graphics were designed by brother Chris Stamper. Atic Atac received praise from critics upon release, mostly for its graphics and gameplay. It was later included in the 2015 release by Rare on the Xbox One retrospective compilation, Rare Replay. The game served as inspiration for the critically acclaimed adventure game show Knightmare.

Gameplay

A screenshot from the game, showing a room surrounded by locked doors, and the rotting chicken energy meter on the right

The game is presented in a top-down perspective (albeit with sideways-on action) and is set inside a complex, labyrinthine castle with multiple floors (accessed by staircases and timed trapdoors) and secret passages. The player has been trapped inside and needs to collect three pieces of the "Golden Key of ACG" in order to escape. They can choose from three different characters; a Wizard, Knight or Serf.[3][4] Each character has different ground friction, a different weapon to kill common enemies and access to a secret passage unique to them, meaning that navigating the castle is different for each one.[5][6]

There are a number of items scattered around the castle, of which the player may carry up to three at a time. Some of these are always in the same place at the start of the game, whereas others are distributed randomly.[5] Items include differently-coloured keys which will unlock their respective doors, the three pieces of the ACG key, and other items that affect certain enemies or are mere red herrings.[3] Common enemies appear in each room upon entering and will attack the player on sight. Collision with these enemies destroys them but drains a portion of the player's health. There are also stationary poisonous fungi which will drain health constantly if the player is in contact with them, and enemies that require special items in order to either distract, repel or kill them, otherwise they remain in the room, invulnerable to conventional attacks, and rapidly drain the player's health if touched.[4]

The player has three lives upon starting the game, and should they die a gravestone will appear at their location and stay in place for the remainder of the current game.[5] Health can be replenished by collecting food scattered throughout the castle, however it will constantly drop the more the player moves, thus the player may eventually lose a life from starvation if they have not escaped the castle in time.[3]

Development

Ashby Computers and Graphics was founded by brothers Tim and Chris Stamper, along with Tim's wife, Carol, from their headquarters in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in 1982. Under the trading name of Ultimate Play the Game, they began producing multiple video games for the ZX Spectrum throughout the early 1980s.[7] Prior to founding Ultimate, the Stamper brothers had backgrounds in designing arcade machines, but no marketing experience in the video game sector.

The operations of Ultimate were secretive and the Stamper brothers rarely gave interviews.[7][8] Computer and Video Games noted that during development of Atic Atac, staff would work in "separate teams" to ensure quality control; one team would work on graphics whilst the other would oversee gameplay or sound.[3] The Stamper brothers worked seven days a week with little sleep in order to devote more time into developing video games, and would frequently re-use the same mechanics of their earlier games in newer ZX Spectrum games.[7]

Reception and legacy

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Crash92%[9]
CVG9/10[5]
Eurogamer8/10[10]

Atic Atac entered the MRIB Top 30 software charts at number 5 in November 1983,[1] taking the number 1 position from Valhalla the following fortnight.[11]

The game received a positive critical reception upon release. Micro Adventurer mainly praised Ultimate's capabilities of developing high quality games, saying that Atic Atac was "bound to fix their name firmly into the minds of adventurers", further recommending the game "without reservation".[8] Crash enjoyed the game's colourful graphics, heralding the detail and objects of the game to be "marvellous". However, they criticised the difficult joystick control and vague instructions, adding that the entire game is a "learning experience".[9] Computer and Video Games stated that the game was "the best yet from Ultimate",[5] and later in 1984 described it as "the favourite arcade adventure amongst computer gamesters".[3] Personal Computer Games wrote that it was "another blockbuster game",[12] while Sinclair User praised both the depth of plot and the advanced graphics, citing them both as "superb".[13]

In 1991, Atic Atac was ranked as the 79th best ZX Spectrum game of all time by Your Sinclair,[14] and was voted the 8th best game of all time by the readers of Retro Gamer magazine for an article that was scheduled to be in a special Your Sinclair Tribute issue.[15] In 2007, Eurogamer described it as a prime example of "what passion can do when properly digitised".[16] In 2015, the game was included in Rare Replay, a collection of 30 Rare-designed games released for the Xbox One gaming console.[17]

The game was a major inspiration for the critically acclaimed CITV game show Knightmare, with producer Tim Child realising that if a ZX Spectrum could run a compelling adventure game, then a television programme with pre-rendered graphics could revolutionise the genre.[18][19] Sabre Wulf, which was released for the ZX Spectrum by Ultimate Play the Game later in 1984, was noted for having similar gameplay to Atic Atac, including its similar themes of a continuous maze.[4] In a retrospective interview with Retro Gamer, Rare designer Gregg Mayles asserted that their 2003 game Grabbed by the Ghoulies was not inspired by Atic Atac, despite their similar themes of a haunted mansion.[20]

Notes

  1. ↑ "ACG" is an acronym for Ashby Computers and Graphics, the parent company of Ultimate Play the Game

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Top Thirty". Personal Computer News (VNU) (39): 8. 1 December 1983. https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews039-07Dec1983/page/n9. Retrieved 15 September 2023. 
  2. ↑ "Atic Atac". The Micro User (Database Publications) 3 (8). October 1985. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Attack Atic Atac". Computer and Video Games (34): 53–59. August 1984. https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-034/CVG034_Aug_1984#page/n51/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Fox, Matt (2013). The video games guide : 1,000+ arcade, console and computer games, 1962-2012 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-7257-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=LVc1QNGo_g0C&q=atic+atac&pg=PA65. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "You'll be haunted by Atic Atac". Computer and Video Games (28): 31–32. February 1984. https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-028/CVG028_Feb_1984#page/n30/mode/1up. 
  6. ↑ "Ultimate Play the Game". The BBC Games Archive. http://www.beebgames.com/games.php?company=295. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "The Best of British - Ultimate". Crash. http://www.crashonline.org.uk/51/ultimate.htm. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Hybrid wins the accolades". Micro Adventurer (3): 28. January 1984. https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer03-Jan84#page/n27/mode/1up. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Atic Atac". CRASH (2): 34. March 1984. https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-02/Crash_02_Mar_1984#page/n36/mode/1up. Retrieved 2007-10-06. 
  10. ↑ Spencer, Spanner (10 October 2007). "Atic Atac review - Eurogamer". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/atic-atac-review. 
  11. ↑ "Top Thirty". Personal Computer News (VNU) (40): 8. 15 December 1983. https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews041-21Dec1983/page/n9. Retrieved 15 September 2023. 
  12. ↑ "Video horrorshow". Personal Computer Games (3): 4. February 1984. https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-03/PersonalComputerGames_03#page/n5/mode/2up/search/atic+atac. 
  13. ↑ "Dangerous castle is highly recommended". Sinclair User (23): 52. February 1984. https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-023/SinclairUser_023_Feb_1984#page/n51/mode/1up. Retrieved 2007-10-06. 
  14. ↑ "Alt URL". http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100.htm. 
  15. ↑ "The 50 Best Speccy Games Ever!". ysrnry.co.uk. November 2004. http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/50bestspeccygames94.htm. 
  16. ↑ Spencer, Spanner (2007-10-10). "Atic Atac". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=85112. 
  17. ↑ "Rare Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary with a Massive 30-Game Collection". Xbox News. 15 June 2015. http://news.xbox.com/2015/06/xbox-rare-celebrates-its-30th-anniversary-with-a-massive-30-game-collection. 
  18. ↑ "A Man Walks Into a Bar... Tim Child". Bother's Bar. 6 January 2010. http://www.bothersbar.co.uk/?page_id=193. 
  19. ↑ "The History of Knightmare". Knightmare. http://www.knightmare.com/history. 
  20. ↑ "A Rare Glimpse". Retro Gamer (84): 38. December 2010. 
  • Atic Atac can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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