Cinematronics
Encyclopedia
Cinematronics Incorporated was a pioneering arcade game
developer
that had its heyday in the era of vector display
games. While other companies released games based on raster display
s, early in their history, Cinematronics and Atari
released vector-display games, which offered a distinctive look and a greater graphic capability (at the time), at the cost of being only black and white (initially).
clone, a Flipper Ball copy and their first original game design, Embargo, were released in 1975, 1976, and 1977, were not particularly notable. The company really began to prosper after the Space Wars
game came into production about a year later.
on Spacewar! and wanted to create a version of the computer game that could be placed in arcades
. Rosenthal had created a processor
that was powerful enough to run a proper version of Spacewar! and yet inexpensive to produce. He named his TTL
-based technology "Vectorbeam". After building a prototype, he shopped the machine around to various game companies, looking for a distributor. Rosenthal demanded a 50/50 share of the profits, a figure that caused nearly all companies to pass on the deal.
At this same time Cinematronics was looking for their next game. The timing was perfect for the two: Cinematronics was running out of funds and looking for any deal to land a new game and Rosenthal was selling a game but insisted on a ridiculously high profit share. The deal was made and the game was released as Space Wars
.
Space Wars was the first arcade game to utilize black & white vector graphics
, which enabled it to display sharp, crisp images. Space Wars had graphics which were far more detailed than the raster
displays of the time. Cinematronics shipped over 30,000 units and was a top seller in 1978.
Rosenthal, feeling that he was still not receiving enough money for his innovations, left Cinematronics and formed Vectorbeam
. When he attempted to take his "Vectorbeam" technology with him, Pierce and Stroud sued. The men came to an agreement outside of court with Rosenthal selling his company and technology to Cinematronics.
the first one-on-one fighting game, Sundance
and TailGunner.
Cinematronics experimented with color overlays on some of their games. In Star Castle
, the overlay gave color to several elements of the game with fixed positions. In Armor Attack
, the overlay was itself a part of the game: the overlay was a top-down view of a small set of city streets, and the player drove a jeep
through the streets fighting tank
s and helicopter
s.
Cinematronics created Cosmic Chasm
, a color vector game. Other games were developed based on the same hardware system (based on Motorola's 68000
chip) but were never released, including a 3D color vector game.
, such as Naughty Boy and "Zzyzzyxx
". During this time Cinematronics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In 1983 Cinematronics released Dragon's Lair
, one of the first laserdisc
-based arcade games. In order to finish the project they partnered with Advanced Microcomputer Systems (later renamed RDI Video Systems
), who later tried to sell a home version of the laser-disc machine. While RDI's home console, the Halcyon
, was a failure, the Dragon's Lair arcade was a huge success. Cinematronics followed it up with the similar sci-fi-themed laserdisc game, Space Ace
.
In about 1983 some prototype animation material for a Dragon's Lair sequel was produced, but due to the lack of an agreement between Cinematronics and the animator, Don Bluth
, this material sat unused for years, eventually becoming part of the Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp
game in the 1990s.
About 1984, Cinematronics released Express Delivery and other raster games based on a new hardware platform called the Cinemat System, which was designed to be reusable with replaceable software, control panels, and cabinet artwork.
About 1987, Cinematronics was acquired by Tradewest
and renamed the Leland Corporation
and continued to make arcade and PC game software. Tradewest was bought out by WMS in 1991 to become their console division.
Cinematronics, LLC
, a completely separate entity with no connection to the original arcade game creator, was founded in 1994 and primarily developed games for Windows and Macintosh systems.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
that had its heyday in the era of vector display
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
games. While other companies released games based on raster display
Raster graphics
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...
s, early in their history, Cinematronics and Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
released vector-display games, which offered a distinctive look and a greater graphic capability (at the time), at the cost of being only black and white (initially).
Meager beginnings
Cinematronics Inc. was founded in 1975 by Jim Pearce, Dennis Parte and Gary Garrison in El Cajon, California, although early on Parte and Garrison sold their shares to Tom "Papa" Stroud. Cinematronics' first games, a PongPong
Pong is one of the earliest arcade video games, and is a tennis sports game featuring simple two-dimensional graphics. While other arcade video games such as Computer Space came before it, Pong was one of the first video games to reach mainstream popularity...
clone, a Flipper Ball copy and their first original game design, Embargo, were released in 1975, 1976, and 1977, were not particularly notable. The company really began to prosper after the Space Wars
Space Wars
Space Wars was the first vector graphics arcade game. It is based on Spacewar!, a PDP-1 program. It was ported to the Vectrex in 1982...
game came into production about a year later.
Cinematronics' first success
Larry Rosenthal, a student of MIT, had written his master's thesisThesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
on Spacewar! and wanted to create a version of the computer game that could be placed in arcades
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
. Rosenthal had created a processor
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
that was powerful enough to run a proper version of Spacewar! and yet inexpensive to produce. He named his TTL
Transistor-transistor logic
Transistor–transistor logic is a class of digital circuits built from bipolar junction transistors and resistors. It is called transistor–transistor logic because both the logic gating function and the amplifying function are performed by transistors .TTL is notable for being a widespread...
-based technology "Vectorbeam". After building a prototype, he shopped the machine around to various game companies, looking for a distributor. Rosenthal demanded a 50/50 share of the profits, a figure that caused nearly all companies to pass on the deal.
At this same time Cinematronics was looking for their next game. The timing was perfect for the two: Cinematronics was running out of funds and looking for any deal to land a new game and Rosenthal was selling a game but insisted on a ridiculously high profit share. The deal was made and the game was released as Space Wars
Space Wars
Space Wars was the first vector graphics arcade game. It is based on Spacewar!, a PDP-1 program. It was ported to the Vectrex in 1982...
.
Space Wars was the first arcade game to utilize black & white vector graphics
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
, which enabled it to display sharp, crisp images. Space Wars had graphics which were far more detailed than the raster
Raster graphics
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...
displays of the time. Cinematronics shipped over 30,000 units and was a top seller in 1978.
Rosenthal, feeling that he was still not receiving enough money for his innovations, left Cinematronics and formed Vectorbeam
Vectorbeam
Vectorbeam was an arcade game manufacturer active in the late 1970s who specialized in vector graphics-based arcade games. It was formed after splitting off from its primary competitor, Cinematronics, and disappeared after re-merging with them soon after....
. When he attempted to take his "Vectorbeam" technology with him, Pierce and Stroud sued. The men came to an agreement outside of court with Rosenthal selling his company and technology to Cinematronics.
Vector games
With the "Vectorbeam" board under their control, Cinematronics released a series of vector graphic arcade games including Starhawk, WarriorWarrior (arcade game)
Warrior is a 1979 arcade game and is one of the pioneers in the fighting game genre. It has been regarded as the first fighting game, however it was predated by Sega's Heavyweight Champ, released in 1976....
the first one-on-one fighting game, Sundance
Sundance (arcade game)
Sundance is a puzzle arcade game using vector graphics released by Cinematronics in 1979. The game consists of two grids floating in a pseudo-3D space with small suns bouncing between them. The player scored points by capturing the suns as they made contact with the grids...
and TailGunner.
Cinematronics experimented with color overlays on some of their games. In Star Castle
Star Castle
Star Castle is a 1980 vector arcade game by Cinematronics. The game involves obliterating a series of defenses orbiting a stationary turret in the center of the screen. The game was designed by Tim Skelly and programmed by Scott Boden. Tim Skelly also created a number of other Cinematronics...
, the overlay gave color to several elements of the game with fixed positions. In Armor Attack
Armor Attack
Armor Attack is a top-down vector shoot 'em up arcade game released by Cinematronics in 1980, licensed to Sega in Japan. The game was originally released as a coin-operated arcade cabinet. It was also licensed for conversion to the Vectrex video game console....
, the overlay was itself a part of the game: the overlay was a top-down view of a small set of city streets, and the player drove a jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
through the streets fighting tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s.
Cinematronics created Cosmic Chasm
Cosmic Chasm
Cosmic Chasm was a color vector arcade game created for the arcades by Cinematronics in 1983, but was originally a game created by GCE for the Vectrex home game system.-Gameplay:...
, a color vector game. Other games were developed based on the same hardware system (based on Motorola's 68000
Motorola 68000
The Motorola 68000 is a 16/32-bit CISC microprocessor core designed and marketed by Freescale Semiconductor...
chip) but were never released, including a 3D color vector game.
Raster, laserdisc games and beyond
About 1982, Cinematronics started releasing games which used raster displayRaster graphics
In computer graphics, a raster graphics image, or bitmap, is a data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a monitor, paper, or other display medium...
, such as Naughty Boy and "Zzyzzyxx
Zzyzzyxx
Zzyzzyxx is a stand up coin operated arcade game developed by Advanced Microcomputer Systems, and manufactured by Cinematronics in 1982. It was retitled as Brix for release as a conversion kit in 1983...
". During this time Cinematronics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
In 1983 Cinematronics released Dragon's Lair
Dragon's Lair
Dragon's Lair is a laserdisc video game published by Cinematronics in 1983. It featured animation created by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth....
, one of the first laserdisc
Laserdisc
LaserDisc was a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. Initially licensed, sold, and marketed as MCA DiscoVision in North America in 1978, the technology was previously referred to interally as Optical Videodisc System, Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Optical...
-based arcade games. In order to finish the project they partnered with Advanced Microcomputer Systems (later renamed RDI Video Systems
RDI Video Systems
RDI Video Systems was a video game company founded by Rick Dyer originally as "Advanced Microcomputer Systems", and was well known for its Laserdisc video games, beginning with the immensely popular Dragon's Lair...
), who later tried to sell a home version of the laser-disc machine. While RDI's home console, the Halcyon
Halcyon (console)
The Halcyon was a home video game console released in January of 1985 by RDI Video Systems. The initial retail price for the system was USD$2500, and it featured a laserdisc player and attached computer, each the size of an early-model VCR. Only two games were released for the system before RDI...
, was a failure, the Dragon's Lair arcade was a huge success. Cinematronics followed it up with the similar sci-fi-themed laserdisc game, Space Ace
Space Ace
Space Ace is a laserdisc video game produced by Don Bluth Studios, Cinematronics, and Advanced Microcomputer Systems...
.
In about 1983 some prototype animation material for a Dragon's Lair sequel was produced, but due to the lack of an agreement between Cinematronics and the animator, Don Bluth
Don Bluth
Donald Virgil "Don" Bluth is an American animator and independent studio owner. He is best known for his departure from The Walt Disney Company in 1979 and his subsequent directing of animated films such as The Secret of NIMH , An American Tail ,The Land Before Time , and All Dogs Go to Heaven ,...
, this material sat unused for years, eventually becoming part of the Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp is a 1991 laserdisc video game by Don Bluth. It is regarded as the first "true" sequel to Dragon's Lair. It takes place years after the timeline of the original Dragon's Lair. Dirk has married Daphne, and the marriage has produced several children...
game in the 1990s.
About 1984, Cinematronics released Express Delivery and other raster games based on a new hardware platform called the Cinemat System, which was designed to be reusable with replaceable software, control panels, and cabinet artwork.
About 1987, Cinematronics was acquired by Tradewest
Tradewest
Tradewest is a now-defunct American video game company based in Corsicana, Texas that produced numerous games in the 1980s and early 1990s. The company is best known as the publisher of the Battletoads and Double Dragon series in North America and the PAL region.The Tradewest name was revived in...
and renamed the Leland Corporation
Leland corporation
The Leland Corporation was a manufacturer of several arcade video games in the 1980s and early 1990s. Notable among these were Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp in 1991, the long-anticipated follow up to the hugely successful Dragon's Lair from 1983 and Super Off Road, which spawned an expansion and two...
and continued to make arcade and PC game software. Tradewest was bought out by WMS in 1991 to become their console division.
Cinematronics, LLC
Cinematronics, LLC
Cinematronics, LLC was a Texas-based developer of games for the PC and Mac, founded in 1994 by David Stafford, Mike Sandige and Kevin Gliner. They developed Tritryst for Virgin Interactive, Full Tilt! Pinball for Maxis, and Jack Nicklaus 4 for Accolade...
, a completely separate entity with no connection to the original arcade game creator, was founded in 1994 and primarily developed games for Windows and Macintosh systems.
Games
- Alley MasterAlley MasterAlley Master is a Tenpin bowling arcade game released by Cinematronics in 1986.-External links:* at...
(1988) - Armor AttackArmor AttackArmor Attack is a top-down vector shoot 'em up arcade game released by Cinematronics in 1980, licensed to Sega in Japan. The game was originally released as a coin-operated arcade cabinet. It was also licensed for conversion to the Vectrex video game console....
(1980) - Baseball The Season IIBaseball The Season IIBaseball The Season II is a 2-player baseball arcade game released by Cinematronics in 1987.-Series:*1. World Series - The Season *2. Baseball The Season II *3. Super Baseball Double Play Home Run Derby...
(1987) - Boxing Bugs (1981)
- Brix (1983)
- Cerberus (1985)
- Cosmic ChasmCosmic ChasmCosmic Chasm was a color vector arcade game created for the arcades by Cinematronics in 1983, but was originally a game created by GCE for the Vectrex home game system.-Gameplay:...
(1983) - Danger Zone (1986)
- Double Play: Super Baseball Home Run Derby (1987)
- Dragon's LairDragon's LairDragon's Lair is a laserdisc video game published by Cinematronics in 1983. It featured animation created by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth....
(1983) - Embargo (1977)
- Express Delivery (1984)
- Flipper Ball (1976)
- Freeze (1982)
- Hovercraft (1983)
- Jack the Giantkiller (1982)
- Mayhem 2002 (1985)
- Naughty Boy (1982)
- Power Play (1985)
- Redline RacerRedline RacerRedline Racer is a PC-based video game that was developed by Criterion Games and released by Ubisoft in 1998. It features single-player and multiplayer modes.-Gameplay:...
(1986) - Rip Off (1980) A cocktail version was also manufactured under license by CenturiCenturiCenturi, based in Hialeah, Florida, was one of the top six suppliers of coin operated video game machinery in the United States. Many of the machines distributed in the US under the Centuri name were licensed from overseas manufacturers, particularly Konami....
- Solar Quest (video game) (1981)
- Space AceSpace AceSpace Ace is a laserdisc video game produced by Don Bluth Studios, Cinematronics, and Advanced Microcomputer Systems...
(1984) - Space WarsSpace WarsSpace Wars was the first vector graphics arcade game. It is based on Spacewar!, a PDP-1 program. It was ported to the Vectrex in 1982...
(1977) - Star CastleStar CastleStar Castle is a 1980 vector arcade game by Cinematronics. The game involves obliterating a series of defenses orbiting a stationary turret in the center of the screen. The game was designed by Tim Skelly and programmed by Scott Boden. Tim Skelly also created a number of other Cinematronics...
(1980) - Starhawk (1977)
- SundanceSundance (arcade game)Sundance is a puzzle arcade game using vector graphics released by Cinematronics in 1979. The game consists of two grids floating in a pseudo-3D space with small suns bouncing between them. The player scored points by capturing the suns as they made contact with the grids...
(1979) - Tail GunnerTail GunnerTail Gunner is a monochrome vector arcade game created by Vectorbeam in 1979. The premise of the game is that the player is the tail gunner of a large space ship. Enemy spacecraft are approaching the vessel for attack, and the player must aim a set of crosshairs and shoot the enemies before they...
(1979) - Tailgunner II 1980 This was a cockpit version was otherwise the same as the original Tailgunner. It was made under license by ExidyExidyExidy was one of the largest creators of arcade video games during the early period of video games, from 1974 until at least 1986 . The company was founded by H.R."Pete" Kauffman...
. - WarriorWarrior (arcade game)Warrior is a 1979 arcade game and is one of the pioneers in the fighting game genre. It has been regarded as the first fighting game, however it was predated by Sega's Heavyweight Champ, released in 1976....
- War of the WorldsWar of the Worlds (arcade game)War of the Worlds was a monochrome vector arcade game created by Tim Skelly of Cinematronics in 1982.The game was basically a shooting game where the player controls a tank object at the bottom of the screen and shoots towards the top of the screen at descending Tripods robots in a first person...
(1982) - World Series - The Season (1985)
- World Series BaseballWorld Series BaseballSega Sports' World Series Baseball, or simply World Series Baseball, is a sports game developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the first game in the series and was originally released in 1994...
(1984) - ZzyzzyxxZzyzzyxxZzyzzyxx is a stand up coin operated arcade game developed by Advanced Microcomputer Systems, and manufactured by Cinematronics in 1982. It was retitled as Brix for release as a conversion kit in 1983...
(1982)
Sources
- Kent, Steven L., The Ultimate History of Video Games, (San Francisco: Sierra Club, 1994) ISBN 0-7615-3643-4
- Tim Skelly's History of Cinematronics and Vectorbeam Retrieved Jul. 8, 2005.
External links
- The Dragon's Lair Project Details the history of Laser Disc games.
- Cinemtronics entry on the KLOVKiller List of VideogamesThe Killer List of Videogames is a web site featuring an online encyclopedia devoted to cataloging arcade games past and present. It is the video game department of the International Arcade Museum, and has been referred to as "the IMDb for players."....
- The Dot Eaters entry on the history of Cinematronics and the development of early games such as Space Wars
- http://www.dadgum.com/giantlist/archive/cinematronics.html on the History of Cinematronics and Vectorbeam by Tim Skelly
- http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=2547&image=1 brochure for Embargo game