Electrocop

Electrocop is a 1989 action video game developed by Epyx and published by Atari Corporation in North America and Europe exclusively for the Atari Lynx. It was also released in Japan on November 25 of the same year, where it was instead distributed by Mumin Corporation.[1][2] One of the first games written for the platform, it was one of the launch titles that were released along with the system in North America.

Electrocop
Cover art in all regions
Developer(s)Epyx
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Greg Omi
Designer(s)Chuck Sommerville
Charlie Kellner
R. J. Mical
Tom Schumacher
Artist(s)Arthur Koch
Karen Mangum
Matthew Crysdale
Composer(s)Alex Rudis
Robert Vieira
Platform(s)Atari Lynx
Release
  • NA: 1989
  • EU: 1989
  • JP: 25 November 1989
Genre(s)Action, third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Set on a futuristic interpretation of Washington, D.C. in the year 2069, players assume the role of the titular robot created by MegaCorp who must infiltrate into the Steel Complex fortress in an attempt of rescuing the President of the United States' first daughter under a time limit from The Criminal Brain, who kidnapped her for a ransom and threats to kill her if his demand is not met. Conceived by Greg Omi, who also developed the Lynx hardware alongside Chip's Challenge creator Chuck Sommerville,[3] Electrocop began its development prior to the existence of any functional Lynx hardware.

Electrocop has received mixed reception from critics and reviewers alike since its release, who unanimously praised the pseudo-3D visuals and sound department, but some criticized the repetitive nature of the gameplay and convoluted graphics. A version of the game was developed and completed by ICC for the Atari 7800 but never released.[4]

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot.

Electrocop is a third-person shooter game in which players starts off with a countdown clock of one hour to complete the task of rescuing the president's daughter. You have to make your way through different levels coming up against different foes.[5][6] These foes are robots that go by, Walker, Python, Mine, Wall Cannon, Virus and Stringray.[5][6] To get between each level you have to hack through different doors through a computer interface. While in this interface there are directories of Information where you can learn more about the robots, Programs that disable robots and help hack through codes. Games where you can pass the time by playing games of Meteors, Letter Puzzle and Out Break. Along with Med-pack which heals you and weapon repair to help repair your damaged weapons.[5] There are also different weapons to choose from to help you out during the course of the game.[7]

Development and release
Electrocop began development prior to the existence of any functional Atari Lynx hardware.

Electrocop was conceived by Greg Omi when he worked at Epyx as games developer and programmer alongside Chuck Sommerville. In an online interview with website The Atari Times, Omi recounted about the development process of the game, stating that work on the project began before any functional Atari Lynx hardware existed and the team were working on an emulator of the console on the Amiga microcomputer at a slow frame rate, in addition of also using a video camera to scan the image in order to test how the graphics would look like once the hardware was finalized, although an early revision of the Lynx capable of displaying raster graphics was made later during development.[3][8] Omi also stated that he initially had a lack of knowledge of 3D computer graphics and matrices, as he needed a graphical perspective for his project and consulted Blue Lightning programmer Stephen Landrum in how to write it, as the system could not perform sprite rotation.[3]

A long-running rumor was that Electrocop initially started as a 3D sequel to Dennis Caswell's Impossible Mission. However, when asked about this rumor, Omi said "it's funny, but I can't remember if it was supposed to be a sequel to Impossible Mission or not. I remember writing a story and basic game design and pitching it to RJ [Mical], but I don't remember if they were asking for a sequel."[9] Despite being a fan of Impossible Mission and knowing Caswell personally, Omi could not recall if he was still a member of Epyx.[9] Atari composer Alex Rudis was also involved during the production of the project and created the music for it.[10] The introductory sequence was created by Sommerville, who developed an animation engine that would be re-used on other titles for the hardware such as Blue Lightning and Todd's Adventures in Slime World, in addition of the minigame sequences.[3][11]

Electrocop was one of the original launch titles during the initial release of the Lynx in 1989, along with the aforementioned Blue Lightning, California Games and Gates of Zendocon. It was also released in Europe around the same time period and later in Japan on December 23 of the same year, where it was distributed by Mumin Corporation instead and the difference between the international and Japanese releases is that the latter came bundled with an instruction manual in Japanese.[1][2][12] The game was first showcased to the public during the International Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1989 along with the system, though early previews showed the title under the earlier name Net Runner.[12][13]

Atari 7800 version
Level artwork from the unreleased Atari 7800 version of Electrocop by Hennig before being transposed to pixel art graphics.

A version of Electrocop was in development by ICC for Atari Corporation on the Atari 7800, focusing on action and platforming instead of the third-person shooter gameplay style from the original Lynx version and was also showcased during an exhibition at the Consumer Electronics Show in a complete state.[4][14] The 7800 version is notable for being one of the first titles where director and writer Amy Hennig was involved, creating the artwork using Atari ST and Macintosh computers as a freelancer.[15][16][17][18] However, despite Hennig stating that work on the project was completed, this version would never be released due to Atari cancelling its release late during the official life span of the system.[15][17] In a 2007 forum post at AtariAge, former MicroProse UK employee Steve Goss revealed artwork of the cancelled conversion that was given to him by Hennig herself.[19]

Reception

Electrocop garnered mixed reception.[36] In a capsule review for STart, Clayton Walnum praised the game's graphics and variety of challenges.[37] Robert A. Jung reviewed the game which was published to IGN Entertainment. In his final verdict he wrote "This cart was a brilliant concept that didn't completely click; the race against the clock and the real-time exploration/combat elements are hampered with uninspired gameplay and little variety. Electrocop's stunning visuals and sounds make it fun to watch, but whether you'd buy a game for its razzle-dazzle is a personal decision." Giving a final score of 7 out of 10.[7]

Legacy

In recent years, Greg Omi has stated that no sequel was ever planned to be in development.[3] In 1993, Atari Corp. requested several Epyx titles in order to be converted and release to the then-upcoming Atari Jaguar, with Electrocop among the list of selected titles, although no actual development on a Jaguar version was ever started.[38]

References
  1. "LYNX Soft > 1989-1991". GAME Data Room (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2018-04-08. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  2. Philippe, Jean (2002). "La console lynx au Japon - La LYNX ce fait japonaise". pageperso.aol.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 2016-08-27. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  3. D. George, Gregory; Forhan, Carl (July 8, 2003). "Greg Omi: ElectroCOP! - Talking to the man behind the COP!". ataritimes.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  4. Reichert, Matt. "7800 Rumor Mill". www.atariprotos.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  5. Electrocop game manual (Atari Lynx, US)
  6. "Entertainment: Lynx - Electrocop" (PDF). Atari Explorer. Atari Corporation. February 1991. pp. 64–65. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  7. A. Jung, Robert (July 6, 1999). "Electrocop - A brilliant concept that didn't completely click". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  8. D. George, Gregory (October 25, 2002). "The Games of Peter Engelbrite - Christians play games too!". ataritimes.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  9. Bevan, Mike (December 2013). "The History Of: Impossible Mission - The Electrocop Connection". Retro Gamer. No. 122. Imagine Publishing. p. 45.
  10. D. George, Gregory (September 9, 2002). "A conversation with Lx Rudis - Atari's most famous musician speaks!". ataritimes.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  11. Hawken, Kieren (March 2016). "The Making Of: Blue Lightning". Retro Gamer. No. 152. Future Publishing. pp. 52–55. Archived from the original on 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  12. Covell, Chris (March 3, 2016). "Japanese Secrets! - Other Systems: Jul. - Sept. 1989 - Atari Lynx Announcement". chrismcovell.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  13. "Hot From The USA - ACES From The Biggest Computer Show On Earth". ACE. No. 23. EMAP. August 1989. pp. 26–27. Archived from the original on 2016-10-07. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  14. Pratt, Adam (May 30, 2014). "Lost: Electrocop on the Atari 7800 (Plus some other thoughts on the system)". arcryphongames.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  15. Goss, Steve (June 25, 2007). "Anyone know what unreleased game Amy Hennig worked on? (Page 2)". AtariAge. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2019. Amy Hennig: Sadly, I don't think there's an existing copy of the game out there, unless the programmer kept one (neither of us worked for Atari; we were both contractors). The game was finished, btw, I think it was just so late in the 7800's life that Atari decided not to publish it. Too bad -- I think it was a pretty good game, for its time.
  16. Fritz, Ben (February 7, 2010). "How I Made It: Amy Hennig". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  17. Marie, Meagan (December 2, 2010). "Storytellers Of The Decade: Amy Hennig Interview". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  18. "Zoom sur Amy Hennig - La directrice créative de Naughty Dog". gameblog.fr (in French). January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  19. Goss, Steve (June 26, 2007). "Anyone know what unreleased game Amy Hennig worked on? (Page 2)". AtariAge. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  20. Knight, Kyle. "Electrocop - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
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