Games research

Research/ find (6) examples of “Asteroids” games from the past to the present.

Summarise their similarities and differences. Think about:

• Replay values
• Difficulty levels
• Scoring systems
• Themes/graphic styles
• Animations
• Sound effects

Asteroids Raid

 There is replay value to the game because it is very smooth and has a nice retro look to the game. I feel that this game becomes very difficult too quickly, level 2 of the game has too many enemies for you to be able to get through to level 3. There is a scoring system in the game but I feel that this is unnecessary as there is no leaderboard so you can’t see your score after a level. The graphic style for the is a retro style, I think for a game like this, a retro style works as it is a classic. The animations keep within the look of the game, simple and retro looking. They are slow and laggy so it seems like an old game. The audio for this game sounds unrefined, old and classic to continue with the classic theme.

Space Invaders

This game is the original 'asteroid' game. Space invaders is so simply done and it has survived the test of time. Its graphics are very basic and its audio is very basic. This game is an addictive game, it tells you the points of each enemy at the beginning and tells you the score at the end of the game. Its audio is simple and effective as are its graphics. This is a simple game that has a classic feel, it doesn't have a leader board but will continue to be played everywhere.

Galaga

This game is very similar to Space invaders. The graphics have a basic retro style, but there is more detail and has stronger animations. The enemies provide more difficulty to the game as the move around the screen and fire at you, this makes the game more exciting and gives it a replay value. The audio is again like space invaders, it has basic firing, explosion and death sounds. This makes the game seem old like space invaders to give it a retro feel. The scoring system is clear and it has a leader board which helps make the game better as it allows you to know your score when you die.

Asteroids

This game has a different game play style compared to the others. This game allows you to move your player around the screen to avoid and shoot the moving hazards and enemies. Again, like some of the others, the graphics and audio, are very basic. The animation when you shoot an asteroid is basic, it becomes smaller and duplicates. At the end of the game, it displays you score but does not have a leader board.

Phoenix
This game has gameplay similar to Galaga. It has enemies which move around the screen and have a some detail. The game has difficulty due to the enemies moving around the screen making this game more difficult. The game has a score count and tells you the score at the end but doesn't have a leader board. Its audio, like the others are very basic.

Cubefield
This game has stronger graphics and animations than the other games researched. This game is more fun I feel as it is something different. It is a very smooth game where you have to avoid cube. This is a good game but it has no sound which I think makes it a bit boring, but this game counts your score and tells you it after. I think this is a good different game which has a lot more replay value.