Choplifter

Last updated
Choplifter
Choplifter Cover.jpg
Atari 5200 box cover
Developer(s) Dan Gorlin
Sega (arcade remake)
Publisher(s) Broderbund

Atari, Inc. (5200)
Atari Corp. (7800, 8-bit)
Sega (arcade, consoles)
Platform(s) Apple II, Arcade, Atari 8-bit, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, Famicom, Fujitsu FM-7, Master System, MSX, SG-1000, Thomson MO5, Thomson TO7/70, VIC-20
ReleaseOriginal
Arcade remake
Genre(s) Scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single-player

Choplifter (stylized as Choplifter!) is a military-themed scrolling shooter developed by Dan Gorlin for the Apple II and published by Broderbund in 1982. It was ported to the Atari 8-bit computers the same year, and also to the VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari 5200 (released in February 1984), [6] ColecoVision, MSX, and Thomson computers.

Contents

In 1985, Sega released a remake as an arcade video game, with ports published for the Master System and Famicom in 1986. Graphically enhanced versions for the Atari 8-bit computers and Atari 7800 were also released in 1988 by Atari Corporation. [7]

Gameplay

In Choplifter, the player assumes the role of a combat helicopter pilot. The objective is to rescue hostages held in barracks within the territory controlled by the evil Bungeling Empire. The player must collect the hostages (described in the backstory as "delegates to the United Nations Conference on Peace and Child Rearing") and safely transport them to the nearby U.S. Postal Service building, all while fending off hostile tanks and other enemy combatants. [8] [9] According to the backstory, the helicopter's parts were smuggled into the country, disguised as a "mail-sorting machine."

The helicopter can face three directions: left, right, or forward (facing the player). It can shoot at enemies in any of these directions and need not fly in the same direction it is facing. The forward-facing mode is primarily used to shoot at tanks. The player must be cautious to protect the hostages from enemy fire and avoid hitting them with friendly fire.

To rescue the prisoners, the player must first shoot at one of the hostage buildings to release the hostages, then land to allow them to board the sortie, and finally return them to the player's starting point. Each of the four buildings holds 16 hostages, and the helicopter can only carry up to 16 passengers at a time, meaning several trips are necessary. Once the chopper is full, no more hostages will attempt to board; they will wave the helicopter off and wait for its return. Each successive trip is typically more perilous than the last, as the enemy becomes aware of the player's actions and mounts a counterattack.

If the player lands directly on top of a hostage or completely blocks the building exit, the hostages will be killed. In the Apple II and Atari 7800 versions, hostages will also die if the helicopter is not landed correctly (i.e., if it is slightly tilted), being crushed as they attempt to board. While grounded, the helicopter can be attacked by enemy tanks, which it can only shoot at by returning to the air. Additionally, enemy jet fighters are deployed, which can attack the helicopter in the air with air-to-air missiles or on the ground with bombs.

Development

Coming off a stint working for the Rand Corporation, Dan Gorlin initially developed Choplifter using an Apple II loaned to him by his grandfather. [10] Initially, Gorlin envisioned Choplifter as a 3D game, but he switched to a traditional 2D game environment due to technical limitations.

The game was developed in six months. After Gorlin began experimenting with animating a helicopter on the Apple II, he added scenery, tanks, and planes, with the hostages being added last. He noted that, as a story developed, "movie camera techniques seemed appropriate," including the final message "The End" instead of "Game Over." Gorlin's first demonstration to Broderbund was "too realistic, too much a helicopter simulation," and the company helped him make it easier to fly. [11] The concept of rescuing hostages was inspired by Gorlin's experience with the game Defender , in which the player must protect people on the ground. Although the Iran hostage crisis ended the year before the game was released, Gorlin said, "The tie-in with current events was something that never really crossed my mind until we published." [12]

In the 1990s, Gorlin revisited the 3D concept in a failed attempt to remake the game. [10]

Reception

Debuting in May 1982, the game sold 9,000 copies by June, appearing on Computer Gaming World's list of top sellers. [1] II Computing listed Choplifter seventh on the magazine's list of top Apple II games as of late 1985, based on sales and market-share data. [13]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Sega's arcade version of Choplifter in the November 1, 1985, issue as the most successful table arcade unit on the bi-weekly chart. [14] After being dethroned by Taito's The Legend of Kage on November 15, [15] Choplifter returned to the top of the chart on December 1, 1985. [16]

Reviews

Softline in 1982 called the game "what may well be the first Interactive Computer-Assisted Animated Movie. A fusion of arcade gaming, simulation, and filmic visual aesthetics, Choplifter is destined to occupy a place in the software Hall of Fame." The magazine praised the animation and the helicopter's "subtle flight control," and concluded that seeing the hostages' "hope and excitement, their faith in you" made the game "hard to play. It hurts to see one of those lively people killed." [11] In 1983, its readers named Choplifter fourth on the magazine's Top Thirty list of Atari 8-bit programs by popularity. [17] BYTE called Choplifter "great fun". [18] Computer Gaming World , [19] Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games, [20] and The Commodore 64 Home Companion [21] praised the graphics and animation, the latter stating that "the little captives running across the desert almost seem alive."

The Apple II version of the game received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "Best Computer Audiovisual Effects" at the 4th annual Arkie Awards, [22] : 33  and shortly afterward, Billboard named it Computer Game of the Year. [23] The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 gave the game an overall A+ rating, calling it "a masterpiece." The book concluded that "the concept, graphics, and animation make this a delightful game." [24] InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers cited it as "innovative" and a "winner." [25]

Console XS magazine reviewed the Sega Master System version, giving it a score of 85%. [26] Computer and Video Games magazine reviewed the Master System version in 1989, giving it a score of 87%. They also reviewed the ColecoVision and Atari 7800 versions, giving them scores of 81% and 84%, respectively. [27]

Legacy

Choplifter II , subtitled "Rescue Survive," was released for the Game Boy in 1991, then remade for both the Game Boy and Game Gear as Choplifter III in 1994. An unrelated Choplifter III was released for Super NES.

In late 1997, Gorlin and his development team, Ariok Entertainment, were working on a Choplifter game for IBM PC compatibles that would be in 3D and feature multiplayer functionality. [28] However, the game was never released.

Sega released a pair of spiritual successors without the Choplifter brand:

Programmer Will Botti cited Choplifter as a major inspiration for his 1996 game Black Dawn . [29]

In 2004, Xicat Interactive published ChopLifter: Crisis Shield exclusively in Europe. [30] [31]

inXile Entertainment released Choplifter HD for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Microsoft Windows in January 2012, and for Ouya in August 2013.

Related Research Articles

<i>Zaxxon</i> 1982 video game

Zaxxon is a scrolling shooter developed and released by Sega as an arcade video game in 1982. The player pilots a ship through heavily defended space fortresses. Japanese electronics company Ikegami Tsushinki was also involved in the game's development.

<i>Pinball Construction Set</i> 1982 video game

Pinball Construction Set is a video game by Bill Budge written for the Apple II. It was originally published in 1982 through Budge's own company, BudgeCo, then was released by Electronic Arts in 1983 along with ports to the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64.

<i>Centipede</i> (video game) 1981 video game

Centipede is a 1981 fixed shooter arcade video game developed and published by Atari, Inc. Designed by Dona Bailey and Ed Logg, it was one of the most commercially successful games from the golden age of arcade video games and one of the first with a significant female player base. The primary objective is to shoot all the segments of a centipede that winds down the playing field. An arcade sequel, Millipede, followed in 1982.

<i>Shinobi</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

Shinobi (忍) is a side-scrolling hack and slash video game produced by Sega, originally released for arcades on the Sega System 16 board in 1987. The player controls ninja Joe Musashi, to stop the Zeed terrorist organization from kidnapping students of his clan.

<i>Lode Runner</i> 1983 video game

Lode Runner is a 2D puzzle-platform game, developed by Doug Smith and published by Broderbund in 1983. Its gameplay mechanics are similar to Space Panic from 1980. The player controls a character who must collect all the gold pieces in a level and get to the end while being chased by a number of enemies. It is one of the first games to include a level editor.

1984 saw many sequels and prequels along with new titles such as 1942, Boulder Dash, Cobra Command, Jet Set Willy, Karate Champ, Kung-Fu Master, Yie Ar Kung-Fu and Punch-Out!! The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were Pole Position in the United States, for the second year in a row, and Track & Field in the United Kingdom. The year's best-selling home system was Nintendo's Family Computer (Famicom), which was only sold in Japan at the time.

1982 was the peak year for the golden age of arcade video games as well as the second generation of video game consoles. Many games were released that would spawn franchises, or at least sequels, including Dig Dug, Pole Position, Mr. Do!, Zaxxon, Q*bert, Time Pilot and Pitfall! The year's highest-grossing video game was Namco's arcade game Pac-Man, for the third year in a row, while the year's best-selling home system was the Atari 2600. Additional video game consoles added to a crowded market, notably the ColecoVision and Atari 5200. Troubles at Atari late in the year triggered the video game crash of 1983.

<i>Davids Midnight Magic</i> 1982 video game

David's Midnight Magic is a pinball simulation video game written by David Snider for the Apple II and published by Broderbund in 1982. The game was published in Europe by Ariolasoft. A port to Atari 8-bit computers was released the same year, then the Commodore 64 in 1983. In 1987 Atari Corporation published a cartridge version in the styling of the then-new Atari XEGS.

<i>Apple Panic</i> 1981 video game

Apple Panic is a game for the Apple II programmed by Ben Serki and published by Broderbund Software in 1981. Apple Panic is an unauthorized version of the 1980 arcade game Space Panic, the first game with ladders and platforms. While the arcade original remained obscure, Apple Panic became a top seller for home computers. It was ported to the Atari 8-bit computers, VIC-20, IBM PC, and TRS-80.

<i>Drol</i> 1983 video game

Drol is a video game published by Broderbund in 1983. It was written for the Apple II by Benny Aik Beng Ngo, then ported to the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers. Versions were released for the SG-1000 in 1985 and Amiga in 1991.

Synapse Software Corporation was an American software developer and publisher founded in 1981 by Ihor Wolosenko and Ken Grant. Synapse published application software and developer tools and was primarily known for video games. It initially focused on the Atari 8-bit computers, then later developed for the Commodore 64 and other systems. Synapse was purchased by Broderbund in late 1984 and the Synapse label retired in 1985.

Dan Gorlin is a video game programmer and designer best known for his 1982 Apple II game Choplifter, in which the player pilots a helicopter to rescue hostages. His next Apple II game, Airheart (1987), took three years to complete. While technically advanced, it was not as well received as Choplifter. He wrote the sequel to Airheart for the Atari ST: Typhoon Thompson in Search for the Sea Child (1988). All three games were published by Broderbund.

<i>Fort Apocalypse</i> 1982 video game

Fort Apocalypse is a multidirectional scrolling shooter for Atari 8-bit computers created by Steve Hales and published by Synapse Software in 1982. Joe Vierra ported it to the Commodore 64 the same year. The player navigates an underground prison in a helicopter, destroying or avoiding enemies and rescuing prisoners. A contemporary of Choplifter, it has similarities to that game as well as the arcade games Scramble and Super Cobra.

<i>Jawbreaker</i> (video game) 1981 video game

Jawbreaker is a Pac-Man clone programmed by John Harris for Atari 8-bit computers and published by On-Line Systems. Released in 1981 before an official version of Pac-Man was available, it was widely lauded by reviewers and became a major seller. The story of its creation and Harris's Atari 8-bit implementation of Frogger form a portion of Steven Levy's 1984 book, Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution.

<i>Serpentine</i> (video game) 1982 video game

Serpentine is a maze video game written by David Snider for the Apple II and published by Broderbund in 1982. Serpentine's gameplay and visuals are similar to the Konami arcade game, Jungler, released the previous year. It was ported to the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers. A VIC-20 version was licensed to Creative Software.

<i>Karateka</i> (video game) 1984 video game

Karateka is a 1984 martial arts action game for the Apple II by Jordan Mechner. It is his first published game and was created while he was attending Yale University. The game was published in North America by Broderbund and in Europe by Ariolasoft. Along with Karate Champ and Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Karateka is one of the earliest martial arts fighting games. It was inspired by Japanese culture and by early Disney animated films and silent pictures. An influential game of its era, it was one of the first to use cinematic storytelling and sound design, and rotoscoped animation.

<i>Choplifter HD</i> 2012 video game


Choplifter HD is a video game developed by inXile Entertainment and released in 2012–2013. It is a 3D polygonal remake of the 1982 game Choplifter by Dan Gorlin. inXile hired Gorlin as a design consultant for the game. As in the original game, players fly missions in a helicopter, defeating enemies and rescuing people. Initially released for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, the game was later ported to Ouya and Android devices. Choplifter HD was praised for staying true to the original, retaining the gameplay the series was known for, but was criticized for its high level of difficulty.

<i>Night Mission Pinball</i> 1982 video game

Night Mission Pinball is a pinball simulation video game published by Sublogic in 1982. It was developed by Bruce Artwick for the Apple II, then ported to the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and IBM PC.

<i>A.E.</i> (video game) 1982 video game

A.E. is a fixed shooter written by Jun Wada and Makoto Horai for the Apple II and Atari 8-bit computers and published by Broderbund in 1982. Versions followed for the VIC-20 (1983) and MSX (1984). 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.

References

  1. 1 2 "Inside the Industry" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . September–October 1982. p. 2. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  2. ↑ "Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000170265)". United States Copyright Office . Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ↑ "Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000280077)". United States Copyright Office . Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "Video Game Flyers: Choplifter, Sega (EU)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. p. 131. ISBN   978-4990251215.
  6. ↑ "Year-End Index" (PDF). Computer Entertainer . Vol. 3, no. 10. January 1985. p. 156.
  7. ↑ "Choplifter!". Atari Mania.
  8. ↑ Broderbund. Choplifter (Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64). Scene: game packaging.
  9. ↑ Mott, Tony (2013). 1001 video games you must play before you die (Revised and updated ed.). London: Cassell Illustrated. ISBN   9781844037667.
  10. 1 2 Frank Cifaldi (January 13, 2012). "Choplifter: From 1982 to 2012". Gamasutra. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Salmons, Jim (July 1982). "The Choppers of Mercy". Softline. p. 18. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  12. ↑ Hague, James (1997). "Halcyon Days".
  13. ↑ Ciraolo, Michael (Oct–Nov 1985). "Top Software / A List of Favorites". II Computing. p. 51. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 271. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 November 1985. p. 23.
  15. ↑ "Best Hit Games 25" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 270. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 November 1985. p. 23.
  16. ↑ "Best Hit Games 25" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 272. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 December 1985. p. 23.
  17. ↑ "The Most Popular Atari Program Ever". Softline. March 1983. p. 44. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  18. ↑ Clark, Pamela; Williams, Gregg (December 1982). "The Coinless Arcade - Rediscovered". BYTE. p. 84. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  19. ↑ Greenlaw, Stanley (July–August 1982), "Choplifter! Rescue the Hostages", Computer Gaming World , pp. 30, 38
  20. ↑ Ahl, David H.; Brill, Andrew; Lubar, David; Coffey, Michael; Archibald, Dale (Spring 1983). "Apple Computer Games". Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games. Vol. 1, no. 1. p. 86.
  21. ↑ "Broderbund Software". The Commodore 64 Home Companion. 1984. pp. 166–167. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  22. ↑ Kunkel, Bill; Katz, Arnie (March 1983). "Arcade Alley: The Best Computer Games". Video . 6 (12). Reese Communications: 32–33. ISSN   0147-8907.
  23. ↑ Kleiner, Karen (Jul–Aug 1983). "Billboard Conference". Softline. pp. 44–45. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  24. ↑ Stanton, Jeffrey; Wells, Robert P.; Rochowansky, Sandra; Mellid, Michael, eds. (1984). The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software. Addison-Wesley. p. 74. ISBN   0-201-16454-X.
  25. ↑ Mace, Scott (1984). InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers. Harper & Row. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-06-669006-3.
  26. ↑ "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS . No. 1 (June/July 1992). United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. 23 April 1992. pp. 137–47.
  27. ↑ "Complete Games Guide" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
  28. ↑ "In the Studio". Next Generation . No. 38. Imagine Media. February 1998. p. 28.
  29. ↑ "Behind the Screens". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 87. Ziff Davis. October 1996. p. 158.
  30. ↑ "ChopLifter [PS2 - Cancelled?] - Unseen64". 15 April 2008.
  31. ↑ "ChopLifter: Crisis Shield Release Information for PlayStation 2 - GameFAQs".
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.