Surround (video game)
Encyclopedia
Surround is an early video game programmed by Alan Miller and published by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600
, then known as the VCS (Video Computer System). It was one of the nine Atari 2600 launch titles released in October 1977.
Blockade
, released the previous year by Gremlin
. As such, it was the first home console version of the game that would become widely known on other platforms as Snake
. As with other early Atari games, it was licensed to Sears, which released it under the name Chase.
across the screen, leaving a trail behind. A player wins by forcing the other player to crash into one of the trails. Various options allowed for speed-up, diagonal movement, wrap-around and "erase" (the choice to not draw at a given moment); in addition, the sprites could be set to operate at a beginning "slow" speed, or progressively speed up through five speeds.
In addition, the cartridge included a "Video Graffiti
" game mode, in which the player(s) could use the joystick(s) to draw pictures on the screen.
, in which characters battled on a two-dimensional grid using "light cycles." The Tron arcade game
based on the film included a "light cycle" battle as well.
Surround-like games have become widespread on many platforms, including mobile phones and Adobe Flash
applications. Among the recent platforms for new implementations of the Surround concept is the Atari 2600 itself, for which homebrew
games such as Warring Worms
have been created.
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
, then known as the VCS (Video Computer System). It was one of the nine Atari 2600 launch titles released in October 1977.
History
Surround was an unofficial port of the arcade gameArcade 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...
Blockade
Blockade (arcade game)
Blockade is an arcade maze game developed and published by Gremlin in 1976. Using four directional buttons, each player moves their character around leaving a solid line behind them, turning at 90 degree angles. To win, a player must last longer than the opponent before hitting something, with the...
, released the previous year by Gremlin
Gremlin Industries
Gremlin Industries was arcade game manufacturer active from the 1970s to early 1980s, and based San Diego, California, USA .Gremlin was founded in 1973 as a manufacturer of coin-operated wall games. Gremlin's first wall game, Play Ball, was fairly successful.- History :Gremlin joined the video game...
. As such, it was the first home console version of the game that would become widely known on other platforms as Snake
Snake (video game)
Snake is a video game that originated during the late 1970s in arcades and has maintained popularity since then, becoming something of a classic...
. As with other early Atari games, it was licensed to Sears, which released it under the name Chase.
Gameplay
Like its predecessor Blockade and successor Snake, the object of Surround was to maneuver a spriteSprite (computer graphics)
In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene...
across the screen, leaving a trail behind. A player wins by forcing the other player to crash into one of the trails. Various options allowed for speed-up, diagonal movement, wrap-around and "erase" (the choice to not draw at a given moment); in addition, the sprites could be set to operate at a beginning "slow" speed, or progressively speed up through five speeds.
In addition, the cartridge included a "Video Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
" game mode, in which the player(s) could use the joystick(s) to draw pictures on the screen.
Successors
The essential gameplay of Surround was present in many subsequent variations of the Blockade/Snake concept. Among the most prominent appearances of the gameplay elements was in the film TronTron (film)
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Jeff Bridges as the protagonist Kevin Flynn; Bruce Boxleitner in a dual role as security program Tron and Tron's "User", computer programmer Alan Bradley; Cindy...
, in which characters battled on a two-dimensional grid using "light cycles." The Tron arcade game
Tron (arcade game)
Tron is a coin-operated arcade video game manufactured and distributed by Bally Midway in 1982. It is based on the Walt Disney Productions motion picture Tron released in the same year. The game consists of four subgames inspired by the events of the science fiction film. It features some...
based on the film included a "light cycle" battle as well.
Surround-like games have become widespread on many platforms, including mobile phones and Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
applications. Among the recent platforms for new implementations of the Surround concept is the Atari 2600 itself, for which homebrew
Atari 2600 homebrew
An Atari 2600 homebrew is a homebrew video game designed for the Atari 2600 by independent developers following the discontinuation of the console in 1992. The first 2600 homebrew was written in 1995, and since then over 100 homebrew titles have been released...
games such as Warring Worms
Warring Worms
- Background :Warring Worms was created by software developer Billy Eno and released in 2002 under the Baroque Gaming label. The game was Eno's first released Atari 2600 homebrew game.- Gameplay :...
have been created.