Black Out!

Last updated
Black Out!
Black Out! cover art.jpg
Developer(s) Stormworks Interactive
Publisher(s) Stormworks Interactive
Programmer(s) Jeff Nihlean
Artist(s) Shawn Lavery
Composer(s) Chris Mylrae
Platform(s) Atari Jaguar, Atari Jaguar CD
ReleaseJuly 9, 2012 (Jaguar)
August 13, 2012 (Jaguar CD)
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player

Black Out! is a 2012 puzzle homebrew video game developed and published by Stormworks Interactive for the Atari Jaguar and Atari Jaguar CD. It is the first and only title shipped currently by Stormworks Interactive. In the game, the player must turn off all the light bulbs in a 3x3 grid pattern with the lowest amount of moves possible across four stages comprising ten levels each. The player also has a pre-set move limit and a fixed time limit to solve the puzzle efficiently depending on the difficulty setting.

Contents

Stormworks Interactive, one of the few independent developers committed to Jaguar at the time after Hasbro Interactive released the console's patents and rights into public domain, had previously announced and worked on various homebrew projects that were never finished but served as learning exercises in order to program for Jaguar. Black Out! started development in 2009 but was shelved despite the engine and rules being completed until production resumed in 2011, with Stormworks Interactive rewriting the game while also fixing bugs and additional artwork.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of the first stage, Toxicity JAG Black Out!.png
Gameplay screenshot of the first stage, Toxicity

Black Out! is a grid-based puzzle game reminiscent of Tiger Electronics' Lights Out and Parker Brothers' Magic Square from the Merlin handheld electronic game, where the main objective of the player is to turn off all the light bulbs in a 3x3 grid with the lowest amount of moves possible. [1] [2] There are ten levels across four stages in total, each one presenting a set light pattern that must be solved to advance into the next level. [1] [2] Depending on the difficulty setting, the player has a pre-set move limit and a fixed time limit to solve the puzzle efficiently. [1] [2]

The player is awarded with two items (a time freezer and a bomb) when several levels are cleared in a row without failing and at a quick pace, which can be used to solve puzzles. [1] [2] The game has no pause feature and if the player press the pause button during gameplay, the game will mock them for attempting to do so. [2] Failing to solve any puzzle will send the player back to the starting level of a stage after using a limited number of continues, and the game is over after running out of continues. Finishing the game on the highest difficulty setting unlocks an extra stage at the main menu, which features new puzzles to solve for the player.

Development and release

Black Out! was created by Stormworks Interactive, a small Texas-based game developer. [3] [4] [5] They were one of the few independent developers committed to Atari Jaguar, at the time after Hasbro Interactive released the console's patents and rights into public domain in 1999. [6] [7] [8] Stormworks Interactive had previously announced and worked on various homebrew projects such as Arkanna (a Myst -style graphic adventure) and Zero (a shoot 'em up), neither of which were ever finished but served as learning exercises in order to program for Jaguar. [3] [5] [9] [10] [11] The game was solely programmed by Jeff Nihlean, while Shawn Lavery created the graphics and sound effects. [12] The soundtrack was composed by Chris Mylrae under the pseudonym "-cTrix", and the game's cover art was illustrated by Emily Sheldon, among other staff members assisting in the production. [12]

Development started in 2009 but was shelved despite the game's engine and rules being already complete until production was resumed in 2011, with Stormworks Interactive rewriting it while also fixing bugs and additional artwork. [4] [5] Black Out! was released for Jaguar under a very limited run on July 9, 2012, complete with packaging mimicking officially licensed Jaguar releases, however the initial batch of cartridges do not work correctly on PAL consoles. [13] [14] [15] An Atari Jaguar CD version was also released on August 13, while the game's ROM image was released online for free. [16] [17] It received coverage from gaming outlets like VentureBeat and Retro Gamer for being on a platform deemed as a commercial failure. [13] [18]

Reception and legacy

Kieren Hawken writing in Retro Video Gamer reviewed the Atari Jaguar CD release. [1] Hawken found the game to be fun and compared it with the electronic game Lights Out (1995) by Tiger Electronics. [1] He also praised its soundtrack, presentation, graphical style, and difficulty curve, regarding Black Out! as a "great addition to the homebrew library of the Jaguar." [1]

Black Out! is currently the only title completed and shipped by Stormworks Interactive, and formed part in a string of projects under development by the group for Jaguar such as homebrew conversions of the Freedoom project (retitled as Doom+), [19] [20] Heretic (1994), [21] Chex Quest (1996), [22] among others games. [5] [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atari Jaguar</span> Home video game console

The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it competed with the 16-bit Sega Genesis, the Super NES and the 32-bit 3DO Interactive Multiplayer that launched the same year. Powered by two custom 32-bit processors – Tom and Jerry – in addition to a Motorola 68000, Atari marketed it as the world's first 64-bit game system, emphasizing its 64-bit bus used by the blitter. The Jaguar launched with Cybermorph as the pack-in game, which received divisive reviews. The system's library ultimately comprised only 50 licensed games.

Homebrew, when applied to video games, refers to software produced by hobbyists for proprietary video game consoles which are not intended to be user-programmable. The official documentation is often only available to licensed developers, and these systems may use storage formats that make distribution difficult, such as ROM cartridges or encrypted CD-ROMs. Many consoles have hardware restrictions to prevent unauthorized development.

<i>I-War</i> (1995 video game) 1995 video game

I-War is a 1995 shooter video game developed by Imagitec Design and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar. The plot takes place in a futuristic setting where the mainframe supercomputer Override begins to mutate databases and create computer viruses. The player is tasked with piloting an antivirus tank vehicle to eliminate mutated databases and viruses clogging the I-Way network, while recovering data pods and facing off against a variety of enemies.

<i>Alien vs Predator</i> (Atari Jaguar video game) 1994 video game

Alien vs Predator is a 1994 first-person shooter developed by Rebellion Developments and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar. It was also distributed in Japan by Mumin Corporation, where it became a pack-in game for the console. It is the first entry in the Alien vs. Predator franchise developed by Rebellion. Taking place in a simulation depicting the fall of the Golgotha training base camp, the game offers three playable scenarios: Alien, Predator, or a human of the Colonial Marines. The player is presented with a series of interconnected sublevels and ships to progress through. Each character has different objectives, abilities, weapons, and disadvantages.

<i>BattleSphere</i> 2000 video game

BattleSphere is a space combat simulation video game developed by 4Play for the Atari Jaguar. The game was released in 2000, with the enhanced edition BattleSphere Gold released in 2002. Set during a future war between seven alien races, the factions agree to confine their hostilities to a tournament with the galaxy at stake. Gameplay consists of five modes, each featuring distinct scenarios and objectives. Up to 16 players can participate in a deathmatch mode via local area network (LAN) play.

<i>Save Mary</i> 2005 video game

Save Mary is a prototype video game designed by Tod Frye and made for the Atari 2600. The game involves Mary who is trapped in a valley that is slowly filling with water. The player must operate a crane to move blocks to allow Mary to escape the rising water and eventually be carried to safety by the player.

<i>Attack of the Mutant Penguins</i> 1995 video game

Attack of the Mutant Penguins is a action-strategy video game developed by Sunrise Games and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar in Europe on December 1995, and North America on March 15, 1996. A port titled Mutant Penguins was released in 1996 by GameTek for MS-DOS. The plot follows Bernard and Rodney, intergalactic heroes defending earth against alien invaders disguised as penguins. The player must dispatch the alien penguins before they reach a doomsday weapon, in the form of a weighing scale. Earth also has real penguins, who help the player by fighting the aliens and counteracting their weight on the scale.

<i>World Tour Racing</i> 1997 video game

World Tour Racing is a 1997 racing video game developed by Teque London and published by Telegames for the Atari Jaguar CD. In the game, the player controls a Formula One car competing against computer-controlled opponents in races across multiple locations. Gameplay consists of three modes and the player can customize the vehicle's characteristics.

<i>Protector</i> (Atari Jaguar video game) 1999 video game

Protector is a scrolling shooter video game developed by Bethesda Softworks for the Atari Jaguar. The game was released in 1999, with the enhanced edition Protector: Special Edition released in 2002 and the Atari Jaguar CD expansion pack Protector: Resurgence released in 2014. Set in a future where an interstellar war broke out when alien forces arrived on Earth, the player controls the Starblade ship to defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting the inhabitants of Haven-7.

<i>Power Drive Rally</i> 1995 video game

Power Drive Rally is a 1995 racing video game developed by Rage Software and published by Time Warner Interactive for the Atari Jaguar. It is a conversion of the 1994 racing game Power Drive, which was released on multiple platforms. Revolving around rallying, the game features six real vehicles and circuits based on eight locations around the world. The players participate in various racing events and earn money by qualifying or winning to continue the rally season and repair damage to the car.

<i>Towers II: Plight of the Stargazer</i> 1995 first-person role-playing video game

Towers II: Plight of the Stargazer is a first-person role-playing video game originally developed and published by JV Enterprises for the Atari Falcon in 1995. It is the sequel to Towers: Lord Baniff's Deceit, which was first released as a shareware title on the Atari ST in 1993 and later ported to MS-DOS and Game Boy Color.

<i>Blue Lightning</i> (1995 video game) 1995 combat flight simulator game

Blue Lightning is a 1995 combat flight simulator video game developed by Attention to Detail and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari Jaguar CD. It is a conversion of Epyx's 1989 Atari Lynx title of the same name, and one of the pack-in games for the Jaguar CD. In the game, the player assume the role of a rookie fighter pilot from the Blue Lightning squadron, taking control of multiple military aircraft across various missions to stop general Drako, who betrayed the United Nations and gained power of military organizations through corruption to expand his organized crime empire all over the world.

<i>The Assassin</i> (cancelled video game) Video game

The Assassin is an unreleased action role-playing video game that was in development by American studio OMC Games and planned to be published under the company's Hellified Games label on a scheduled Q1 2000 release date for the Atari Jaguar CD. It was intended to be a prequel to Orb Of Bengazi, another title that was in development by OMC for the add-on.

<i>Mad Bodies</i> 2009 video game

Mad Bodies is a homebrew Breakout-style/shoot 'em up video game developed and published by FORCE Design exclusively for the Atari Jaguar on May 2, 2009. It is the first and only title to be released for the platform as of date by FORCE Design.

<i>Championship Rally</i> (2000 video game) 2000 video game

Championship Rally is a homebrew racing video game developed and published by Songbird Productions exclusively for the Atari Lynx on December 15, 2000. Themed around rallying, the players compete with either AI-controlled opponents or against other players in matches across various locations.

<i>Frog Feast</i> 2005 video game

Frog Feast is a 2005 action homebrew video game developed by Rastersoft and originally published by OlderGames for the Neo Geo CD and Sega CD. It was later ported to Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, X68000, CD-i, Atari Jaguar CD, Atari Jaguar, Amiga CD32, Dreamcast, and FM Towns Marty. Gameplay is similar to Frog Bog (1982), revolving around players controlling frogs on lilypads attempting to eat more flies than the other as the objective under a set time limit.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hawken, Kieren (2012). "RVG Reviews – Atari Jag CD: Blackout! – By Storm Works Interactive". Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. Retrieved 2023-06-11. (Transcription. Archived 2023-02-07 at the Wayback Machine ).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Black Out! (Instructions) (North American ed.). Stormworks Interactive. 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Jaguar Previews: Arkanna". Jaguar Front Page News. GameSpy. June 28, 2000. Archived from the original on 2001-01-19. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  4. 1 2 "In-Dev". Atari User. Vol. 2, no. 13. Anglo Internet Press. October 20, 2011. p. 32.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Battison, Jamie (May 19, 2012). "RVG Interviews Storm Works". Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  6. ↑ "Classic Gamer Newswire: Jaguar News — Hasbro Sets Jaguar Free". Classic Gamer Magazine. Vol. 1, no. 1. March 1999. p. 10.
  7. ↑ "The Atari Jaguar 64-Bit Multimedia Entertainment System". Atari Explorer. 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-04-21. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  8. ↑ Goss, Patrick (2011). "Redundant gadgets: Atari Jaguar". MSN Tech & Gadgets UK . Microsoft. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  9. ↑ "JagFest 2000 Photos". JagFest. June 24, 2000. Archived from the original on 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
    ( "JagFest 2000 Pics!". The JagFest Homepage. 2000. Archived from the original on 2001-02-24. Retrieved 2023-06-10.)
  10. ↑ "Arkanna: Game progress". lonestar.texas.net. 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-05-03. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  11. ↑ Nihlean, Jeff (rush6432) (October 3, 2011). "Blackout!". AtariAge . pp. 1–5. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2019-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. 1 2 Stormworks Interactive (July 9, 2012). Black Out! (Atari Jaguar). Stormworks Interactive. Level/area: Black Out! Team.
  13. 1 2 Crawley, Dan (April 25, 2013). "Consoles that won't die: The Atari Jaguar". VentureBeat . Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  14. ↑ Elpianistero (July 11, 2012). "Black Out est disponible à l'achat sur la Jaguar". RetrOtaku (in French). Association RetrOtaku. Archived from the original on 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  15. ↑ "Blackout! - Atari Jaguar [NA]". VGCollect.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  16. ↑ Nihlean, Jeff (rush6432) (August 13, 2012). "BLACKOUT! RELEASED NOW!". AtariAge . pp. 1–16. Archived from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Projects". Stormworks Interactive. 2012. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  18. ↑ Hawken, Kieren (August 15, 2013). "Jaguar: 20 Years On". Retro Gamer . No. 119. Imagine Publishing. pp. 76–81.
  19. ↑ Lavery, Shawn (KANGAshawn) (September 13, 2012). Doom Conversion on Atari Jaguar Storm Works Interactive (YouTube). United States. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  20. ↑ Nihlean, Jeff (rush6432) (June 5, 2016). "Jaguar Doom+". Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2019-08-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ Retro Video Gamer (April 25, 2014). Heretic - Atari Jaguar - Sneak Preview (YouTube). United States. Archived from the original on 2015-07-26. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  22. ↑ Nihlean, Jeff (rush6432) (September 18, 2016). "Chex Quest Jaguar". Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. Archived from the original on 2020-08-01. Retrieved 2020-08-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ "Airstrike for JagCD". Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. August 10, 2016. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.