TRON

TRON

THE GAME

First came the Tron movie: an electric adventure story about a computer wiz who tries to terminate a runaway program in a huge computer information system only to get pulled into the system. Produced by Walt Disney studios,

Tron is not only about computer adventures, it is filled with computerized effects: graphics that aren’t possible in the real world of film-making, but exist through the magic of computer electronics.

Tron may well pick up where Disney films like Fantasia left off. It will be visually astounding and at the same time, create seemingly impossible effects for the first time on film.

Bruce Boxloitner portrays a rebellious video warrier in a computer world controlled by a malevolent.

The computer adventures of ■fron won’t be limited to the movie screen. Bally Manufacturing is reported to be readying a Tron game for arcade play. The arcade version of Tron will also be placed in movie theaters before the movie opens as sort 0{ an electronic coming attractions unit to alert movie-goers to the computer potentials of Tron.

Home game players won t be left out of the Tron adventures either. Mattel has announced

that Tron will be available for their Intellivision system.

The Intellivision version of Tron is something of a first in home game circles. There will actually be two complete Tron carts. Tron I lets the player become Tron and fight off the blue warrior enemies using fatal discs. Tron II is a maze type game where the player must eliminate alien dots as he or she advances toward the heart of the master computer program.

So whether you favor the tensions and excitement of a Space Invaders type game where you have a direct confrontation with the enemy (Tron I) or the eye/hand

coordination necessary to keep the aliens at bay as you move through a maze (Tron II), you’ll find plenty of action in the Tron home game carts.

The concept of releasing a movie, arcade game, and home game carts at practically the same time is a new one for both the movie and the video game industry. Whether the existence of the arcade-home games will help promote the movie remains to be seen, but there’s no question that people who see the movie and hear about the game will definitely want to see what kind of action the game provides.

As with upcoming games

based on Raiders Of The Lost Ark and The Empire Strikes Back, Tron has a terrific advantage: it is an instantly recognizable game plan to those who have seen the movie and enjoyed its plot. So if a moviegoer gets into the Tron concept, he or she can step into the action by playing the Tron game. Of course, the final verdict on the Tron game won t come in until it has hit the arcades and home carts. As with other computer games, its ultimate success or failure as a hot new game will depend on the kind of action it offers the player.

KRULL

ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE

The film version of krull is now filming, at Pinewood Studios in england, with Ken Marshall starring, and eight sound stages fitted out for special effects by Derek Med dings (he did the effects for Superman I & II) to be filmed by Peter Sushitzky (he was director of photographey on The Empire Strikes Back).

While Columbia Pictures in producing the movie in England, back in the U.S. the latest news is that Krull will be more than a movie it will also be the latest in the list of movies that are also screeen games.

D. Gottlied & Co. (which happens to be the arcade game subsidiany of Columbia Pictures) will create and manufacture arcade video and pinball games which, according to the film company, will be "keyed to the spectacular setting and effects of the film..."

Home game fans will also be able to experience the marvels of Krull because Atari and Columbia have signed an agreement so that Atari can make home video game carts based on the film.

So step into what Columbia describes as being set in "an other time and place." and prepare to play Krull.

TEMPEST: WATCH OUT FOR THE SPIKER

If any one game brings great new terminology to computer play, it’s Atari’s Tempest, where the action is all wrapped up in terms like Fuseball, Spiker, Super Zapper, and the like.

Using an interesting spiderweb effect as the screen game graphic, Tempest gives the player plenty of eye/hand practice as the player attempts

getting skewered by the Spiker and at the same time tries to take out the Fuseballs, Pulsars, and Tankers that come his way.

Tempest is a definite skill game that takes some practice before the player can achieve anywhere near a maximum score or deal with the many game variables. It seems as if danger lurks in every direction for the player, although three controls, including a Fire button and a Super Zapper button, do help to even up the odds.

SPACE DUEL

Interesting play possibilities arise with Space Duel which offers either solo play or two player action. The two player mode should not be overlooked. It allows two players to try their skill at starship warfare with another starship controlled by the second player. In addition, each player must watch out for the hazards of space,

like saucers, rocks, space mines, and other forbiddinc elements.

The distinctive red and green starships of Atari’s Space Duej make it easily recognizable. You may find that the graphics are a little loud, considering the premise involved, but get down to the action and you’ll discover a game that is quite a different approach to space strategy.