A.E. (video game)

A.E. (sometimes shown unpunctuated as AE) is a fixed shooter written by Jun Wada and Makoto Horai for the Apple II and Atari 8-bit family and published by Broderbund in 1982. Versions for the VIC-20 (1983) and MSX (1984) followed. Unlike most earlier shooters which have a solid color or starfield as a background, the action in A.E. takes place in front of science fiction scenes. Attacking creatures emerge from points in the image, often appearing to come from behind objects. Combined with a slight scaling as they advance, there is the impression of depth.

A.E.
Developer(s)Programmers-3
Publisher(s)Broderbund
Designer(s)Jun Wada
Makoto Horai[1]
Platform(s)Apple II, Atari 8-bit, VIC-20, MSX
Release1982: Apple, Atari
1983: VIC-20
1984: MSX
Genre(s)Fixed shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

According to the back of the box, "A.E. is the Japanese word for 'ray' as in Manta Ray or Sting Ray",[2] robotic versions of which are enemies in the game.

Gameplay

The player's ship can be moved left and right along the bottom of the screen. The fire button launches a missile upward which detonates when the button is released.[3]

Development

Broderbund partnered with Japanese developer Programmers-3 for several games, and A.E. was the first of these. According to Broderbund co-founder Doug Carlston, the Atari 8-bit version of A.E. was the first Atari computer game written in Japan.[4]

Reception

Arnie Katz wrote for Arcade Express: "The swirling flightpaths of the attackers as they zoom hither and yon around the eight playscreens is the principal feature that distinguishes 'A.E.' from the usual run of invasion games."[5] He pointed out that the images the game is played over have little bearing on gameplay. Citing a satisfying difficulty balance, Katz concluded with a score of 8/10.

Computer Games magazine gave the Atari and Apple versions an "A" in its "1985 Software Buyers Guide."[3] Writing for Videogaming and Computer Gaming Illustrated, Susan Levitan concluded: "A.E. is a highly recommended, very challenging and rewarding game. The 3-D graphics are stunning and the serpentine movement of the A.E. is mesmerizing."[6]

References
  1. Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  2. "A.E. back of box". Atari Mania.
  3. "1985 Software Buyers Guide". Computer Games. US: Carnegie Publications. 3 (5): 12. February 1985.
  4. Barry, David (October 1983). "Profiles: The Carlston Trio". Antic. 2 (7).
  5. Katz, Arnie (April 10, 1983). "The Hotseat: A.E." Arcade Express. 1 (18): 7.
  6. Levitan, Susan (July 1983). "RAMblings: A.E." Videogaming and Computer Gaming Illustrated: 59.
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