American Laser Games
Encyclopedia
American Laser Games was a company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico
that created a wide variety of light gun
laserdisc video game
s. The company was founded in the late 1980s by Robert Grebe, who had originally created the system to train police officers under the company name ICAT (Institute for Combat Arms and Tactics), and adapted the technology to more mainstream entertainment, namely arcade video games. Later, as the arcade market began to soften, the company turned toward the 3DO
as an avenue into the home, as well as a way to stay active in the arcade business, with lower overhead costs - offering a modified version of the 3DO platform as an OEM upgrade for existing arcade video game cabinets, supporting compressed video versions of ALG hits at a low price. In 1995 ALG released Mazer for the 3DO home market and Orbatak (3DO-powered) for the arcade - their first and only in-house non-FMV (Full motion video
) based games.
The company lasted until the late 1990s, by which time it had begun making "games for girls" for the PC (under the moniker Her Interactive
), beginning with McKenzie & Co.
. This change in direction marked the end of American Laser Games commercial success, and the company eventually closed its doors and was bought out by Her Interactive, which had been spun off before ALG closing and is still making games today. In 2000, the development and publishing rights to all of the games that were produced by American Laser Games were purchased by Digital Leisure, Inc from Her Interactive. Many of these games were then re-released for the PC
and in DVD TV game
format.
The company also released a series of light-gun controllers, including the 3DO Game Gun
and the PC Gamegun, for home computer use. The latter proved unsuccessful due to its poor accuracy.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
that created a wide variety of light gun
Light gun
A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games.Modern screen-based light guns work by building a sensor into the gun itself, and the on-screen target emit light rather than the gun...
laserdisc video game
Laserdisc video game
A laserdisc video game is an arcade game that uses pre-recorded video played from a laserdisc, either as the entirety of the graphics, or as part of the graphics.-History:...
s. The company was founded in the late 1980s by Robert Grebe, who had originally created the system to train police officers under the company name ICAT (Institute for Combat Arms and Tactics), and adapted the technology to more mainstream entertainment, namely arcade video games. Later, as the arcade market began to soften, the company turned toward the 3DO
3DO Interactive Multiplayer
The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer is a video game console originally produced by Panasonic in 1993. Further renditions of the hardware were released in 1994 by Sanyo and Goldstar. The consoles were manufactured according to specifications created by The 3DO Company, and were originally designed by...
as an avenue into the home, as well as a way to stay active in the arcade business, with lower overhead costs - offering a modified version of the 3DO platform as an OEM upgrade for existing arcade video game cabinets, supporting compressed video versions of ALG hits at a low price. In 1995 ALG released Mazer for the 3DO home market and Orbatak (3DO-powered) for the arcade - their first and only in-house non-FMV (Full motion video
Full motion video
Full motion video based games are video games that rely upon pre-recorded TV-quality movie or animation rather than sprites, vectors, or 3D models to display action in the game. In the early 1990s a diverse set of games utilized this format...
) based games.
The company lasted until the late 1990s, by which time it had begun making "games for girls" for the PC (under the moniker Her Interactive
Her Interactive
Her Interactive is the leading mystery-maker and pioneer of fun and inspiring interactive entertainment. The company, with 24 awards to its name, designs, develops and publishes high-quality, mystery adventure games and apps, and is the world leader in the mystery games category. Her Interactive's...
), beginning with McKenzie & Co.
McKenzie & Co
McKenzie & Co. was an full-motion video CD-ROM dating sim game released by Her Interactive in 1995,designed to be played by girls. It was available for Windows 3.1/Windows 95 and Mac OS....
. This change in direction marked the end of American Laser Games commercial success, and the company eventually closed its doors and was bought out by Her Interactive, which had been spun off before ALG closing and is still making games today. In 2000, the development and publishing rights to all of the games that were produced by American Laser Games were purchased by Digital Leisure, Inc from Her Interactive. Many of these games were then re-released for the PC
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
and in DVD TV game
DVD TV game
A DVD TV game is a standalone game that can be played on a set-top DVD player. The game takes advantage of technology built into the DVD format to create an interactive gaming environment compatible with most DVD players without requiring additional hardware...
format.
The company also released a series of light-gun controllers, including the 3DO Game Gun
Gamegun
The Game Gun is the only light gun released for the Panasonic / Goldstar 3DO video game console. It was released in 1994 by American Laser Games, makers of full motion video shooter games. The Game Gun is almost exactly the same as the Peacekeeper Revolver, except with a notable color difference. ...
and the PC Gamegun, for home computer use. The latter proved unsuccessful due to its poor accuracy.
Laserdisc + Light gun arcade games
- Mad Dog McCreeMad Dog McCreeMad Dog McCree is the first live-action laserdisc video game released by American Laser Games. It originally appeared as an arcade shooting game in 1990....
(1990) - Who Shot Johnny Rock?Who Shot Johnny Rock?Who Shot Johnny Rock? is the title of a live-action full motion video laserdisc video game produced by American Laser Games and released in the arcade in 1991, as well as for DOS, Sega CD, 3DO and CD-i in or around 1994...
(1991) - Space PiratesSpace Pirates (video game)Space Pirates is a live-action laserdisc video game, released by American Laser Games for the arcade and various platforms between 1992 and 1994...
(1992) - Mad Dog II: The Lost GoldMad Dog II: The Lost GoldMad Dog II: The Lost Gold is a live-action laserdisc video game produced by American Laser Games, released for the arcade, Sega CD, 3DO, CD-i and PC , the first release being in 1992; the quality of the video is the lowest on Sega CD...
(1992) - Gallagher's GalleryGallagher's GalleryGallagher's Gallery is a live-action laserdisc video game, released by American Laser Games in 1992 . It is often considered the most bizarre game released by the company, due to its atypical premise and goals...
(1992) - Crime PatrolCrime PatrolCrime Patrol is a live-action laserdisc video game released by American Laser Games in 1993.-Storyline:Crime Patrol, just like the company's previous releases, didn't focus so much on the storyline as on the general concept of the game, which was in essence its being a rail shooter. A plot is still...
(1993) - Crime Patrol 2: Drug WarsCrime Patrol 2: Drug WarsCrime Patrol 2: Drug Wars is a live-action laserdisc video game, first released by American Laser Games in 1994. As the title implies, it is the sequel to the relatively popular arcade game Crime Patrol, with very similar gameplay, objectives and scenery...
(1994) - The Last Bounty HunterThe Last Bounty HunterThe Last Bounty Hunter is a live-action laserdisc video game released by American Laser Games in 1994. Like almost all of the games produced by the now-defunct company, it was a rail shooter and, like the two installments in the Mad Dog McCree series before it, was set in the Old West...
(1994) - Fast Draw ShowdownFast Draw ShowdownFast Draw Showdown is a live-action laserdisc video game, released by American Laser Games in 1994 for a limited number of platforms. As one of the last live-action rail shooters released by the company, which began the series with Mad Dog McCree, it is also arguably the shortest...
(1994) - Shootout at Old TucsonShootout at Old TucsonShootout at Old Tucson is a rare live-action laserdisc video game, released by American Laser Games in 1994 in the arcade. The game was produced for a limited number of systems, and was the only release by the company never to be ported to PC...
(1994)
Other games
- Mazer
- Way of the WarriorWay of the Warrior (video game)Way of the Warrior is a fighting game released in 1994 for the 32-bit 3DO. It was developed by Naughty Dog and it received a "17+" rating for its violent content. The game's soundtrack consists of music from the 1992 White Zombie album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol...
(with Naughty Dog) - OrbAtak
- McKenzie & Co.McKenzie & CoMcKenzie & Co. was an full-motion video CD-ROM dating sim game released by Her Interactive in 1995,designed to be played by girls. It was available for Windows 3.1/Windows 95 and Mac OS....
- McKenzie & Co. : More Friends
- Vampire Diaries
- Battles in TimeBattles in TimeBattles in Time was a PC video game and was the first and last product co-developed by Quantum Quality Productions and American Laser Games. The game was a time travel-based strategy game....
(with QQP)
External links
- KLOV entry for American Laser Games
- The Dot Eaters Article covering ALG and the laser game craze