Wayout
Encyclopedia
Wayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed
by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982
. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time. Most other contemporary Maze games (such as 3D Monster Maze
, Phantom Slayer
and 3-Demon
) used a 'fixed' perspective and only 4-way movement, whereas Wayout allowed players to move freely within the 3D environment of the maze.
There is also a computer controlled opponent called the "Cleptangle" who appears as a spinning rectangular form which moves around the maze and will render the player's compass and mapmaker useless by 'stealing' them if it comes in to contact with the player.
In addition, there is a 'wind' within each maze, which blows in a constant direction, and is visualised by the presence of 'Fireflies' (represented by single pixels, moving through the maze). The 'wind' can sometimes be too strong for the player to push against, but it can also help the player locate the exit of the maze.
The 'mapmaker' function, which appears in the lower portion of the screen, is a top-down, 2D view of the maze the player inhabits, and draws itself as you move around, in a very similar way to the 'automap' feature which became prevalent in many later first-person shooter
s such as Doom.
, paddles
or the keyboard
, allowing the player to move forward and turn left or right (but not backwards).
Antic Magazines David Duberman wrote excitedly in it's February 1983 edition: "The graphics that appear before you as you move through the maze are more life-like and dramatic than I have ever seen. The 3-D animation... makes this game the last word in alternate-reality simulation".
Wayout was described at the time as having "superb 3-D graphics" by Electronic Fun, but was criticised for the lack of variety in the colours of each maze (they are all blue), which could lead the player to become "very disoriented".
', released the following year
, which allowed two-player competition.
Game programming
Game programming, a subset of game development, is the programming of computer, console or arcade games. Though often engaged in by professional game programmers, many novices may program games as a hobby...
by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982
1982 in video gaming
-Events:* December 27 - Starcade, a video game television game show, debuts on TBS in the United States.-Notable releases:*October 13 - Mystique releases the Custer's Revenge adult video game for the Atari 2600 home console....
. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time. Most other contemporary Maze games (such as 3D Monster Maze
3D Monster Maze
3D Monster Maze is a computer game developed from an idea by J.K.Greye and programmed by Malcolm Evans in 1981 for the Sinclair ZX81 platform with the 16 KB memory expansion. The game was initially released by J. K. Greye Software in early 1982 and re-released later the same year by...
, Phantom Slayer
Phantom Slayer
Phantom Slayer is a computer game released by Med Systems in 1982 for the TRS-80 Color Computer and Dragon 32/64. Written by Ken Kalish, Phantom Slayer is considered by some to be a very early forerunner of the modern First-person shooter genre....
and 3-Demon
3-Demon
3-Demon is a wireframe 1983 DOS computer game based on Pac-Man.-Summary:...
) used a 'fixed' perspective and only 4-way movement, whereas Wayout allowed players to move freely within the 3D environment of the maze.
Gameplay
The player is trapped inside one of 26 mazes and must find the exit with the use of a compass and a map-making kit. The game automatically maps the areas you explore and records how many movement units the player uses up, saving the best scores to the game disk.There is also a computer controlled opponent called the "Cleptangle" who appears as a spinning rectangular form which moves around the maze and will render the player's compass and mapmaker useless by 'stealing' them if it comes in to contact with the player.
In addition, there is a 'wind' within each maze, which blows in a constant direction, and is visualised by the presence of 'Fireflies' (represented by single pixels, moving through the maze). The 'wind' can sometimes be too strong for the player to push against, but it can also help the player locate the exit of the maze.
The 'mapmaker' function, which appears in the lower portion of the screen, is a top-down, 2D view of the maze the player inhabits, and draws itself as you move around, in a very similar way to the 'automap' feature which became prevalent in many later first-person shooter
First-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
s such as Doom.
Controls
The game could be played with either a joystickJoystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
, paddles
Paddle (game controller)
A paddle is a game controller with a round wheel and one or more fire buttons, where the wheel is typically used to control movement of the player object along one axis of the video screen...
or the keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
, allowing the player to move forward and turn left or right (but not backwards).
Reception
Creative Computing magazine described Wayout as "deliciously addictive"; although the reviewer, Chris Vogeli, admits to being initially frustrated until he realised the exit could be anywhere on the map, and not just at the edge.Antic Magazines David Duberman wrote excitedly in it's February 1983 edition: "The graphics that appear before you as you move through the maze are more life-like and dramatic than I have ever seen. The 3-D animation... makes this game the last word in alternate-reality simulation".
Wayout was described at the time as having "superb 3-D graphics" by Electronic Fun, but was criticised for the lack of variety in the colours of each maze (they are all blue), which could lead the player to become "very disoriented".
Sequel
Paul Edelstein's follow up to Wayout was a similar maze game called 'Capture The FlagCapture The Flag (video game)
Capture The Flag is a 3D first-person perspective, two player, video game, released for the Atari 8-bit in 1983. It was programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein and was the follow-up to his 1982 game, Wayout, which featured similar maze-based game-play for one player...
', released the following year
1982 in video gaming
-Events:* December 27 - Starcade, a video game television game show, debuts on TBS in the United States.-Notable releases:*October 13 - Mystique releases the Custer's Revenge adult video game for the Atari 2600 home console....
, which allowed two-player competition.