tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294307769201592012.post1352583403006823485..comments2022-08-26T12:24:47.384-07:00Comments on Shilling Epilepsy to Mouth-Breathers: "Amidar", Atari 2600, 1983.Rowan Lipkovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691096685515251681noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294307769201592012.post-34769915219786366902012-11-13T08:09:09.082-08:002012-11-13T08:09:09.082-08:00It's easy to forget how seductive cloning the ...It's easy to forget how seductive cloning the designs of successful games was in the industry's early years (and, OK, since the genre explosion of the '90s reversed). Many, many games imitated Pac-Man's formula, but virtually none of them approached the fun of the original. Nintendo set the tone for the next couple generations of consoles by first codifying the platformer with Donkey Kong and then perfecting it in Super Mario Bros. And of course, any top-down shooter is just a refinement of Space Invaders.<br /><br />So they're taking a gamble at asking the consumer to have an open mind and accept something new. (It must have been somewhat meritorious, since it inspired <a href="http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/amidar-variants-line-coloring-games" rel="nofollow">a host of imitators</a> of its then-new gameplay premise. I know, I say "Amidar clone" and you go "Say what now?")<br /><br />I like the way the ad includes a whimsical drawing of the whimsical box art (see http://www.mobygames.com/game/amidar/cover-art/gameCoverId,225411/ ) ... it appears to be by a different artist, but it captures the ape's attitude. I just dig using a drawing of the box instead of a photo or... the box's own drawing. For extra EPYC power, use a drawing of a description of the drawing!Rowan Lipkovitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08691096685515251681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294307769201592012.post-16732050383884699172012-11-13T00:58:03.466-08:002012-11-13T00:58:03.466-08:00The "dots before your eyes" is obviously...The "dots before your eyes" is obviously a dig at Pac-Man, and probably not a very good comparison to make.<br /><br />"You know that game that is really cool and you love playing? Its not cool. Our game is cool."<br /><br />...yeah, doesn't sound very convincing. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17026721235086776991noreply@blogger.com