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Robotron: 2084
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Robotron: 2084
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=== Remakes and sequels === [[File:RobotronX-gameplay.jpg|thumb|The sequel ''Robotron X'' features gameplay similar to the original, but with three-dimensional graphics.|link=Special:FilePath/RobotronX-gameplay.jpg]] Jarvis planned to produce sequels, but the [[North American video game crash of 1983]] halted most video game production for a few years.<ref name="Retro60"/> Prior to the full effects of the crash, Vid Kidz developed an unofficial sequel in 1983. The game, ''Blaster'', is set in the same universe and takes place in 2085 in a world overrun by Robotrons.<ref name="Retro60" /><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7145| title = Blaster Videogame by Williams (1983)| publisher = [[Killer List of Videogames]]| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3055| title = Blaster - Overview - allgame| publisher = Allgame| first = Earl| last = Green| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref> A sequel with 3D graphics titled ''Robotron X'' was released by Williams in 1996 for the Sony [[PlayStation]] and personal computers. It was ported two years later to the [[Nintendo 64]] as ''Robotron 64''. In addition to the graphical update, the game includes new audio and multiple camera angles.<ref name="GameDesign">{{cite book| title = Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design| first = Andrew| last = Rollings| first1 = Ernest| last1 = Adams| page = 283| publisher = New Riders| isbn = 1592730019| year = 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2268| title = Robotron X - Overview - allgame| first = Brett Alan| last = Weiss| publisher = Allgame| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref> Though the game features similar gameplay as the original, it was not as well received.<ref name="gamesTM-36" /><ref name="GameDesign" /> Authors Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams considered the moving camera in the 3D environment a negative update. They felt the original format—an overhead perspective of a single screen—presented the player with all the necessary information and relied on the player's skill. The moving camera angle, however, obscured areas of the playing field and could result in the player being shot by an enemy that suddenly appeared.<ref name="GameDesign" /> Vince echoed similar statements, stating that the gameplay suffered from the loss of important aspects from the original.<ref>{{cite book| title = Handbook of Computer Animation| first = John| last = Vince| publisher = Springer Science+Business Media| pages = 19–20| isbn = 1852335645| year = 2002}}</ref> Rollings and Adams, however, attribute the fad of classic remakes in the late 1990s in part to ''Robotron X''{{'}}s release.<ref name="GameDesign" /> ''Robotron: 2084'' has been remade on different platforms. Beginning in 1983, the game was ported to several platforms including the [[Atari 5200]], Apple IIe, [[Commodore 64]], and TI-99/4A.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mobygames.com/search/quick?q=Robotron%3A+2084&x=0&y=0| title = MobyGames Quick Search: Robotron: 2084| publisher = [[MobyGames]]| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref> Most conversions did not have a dual joystick and were received less favorably by critics.<ref name="Retro60"/><ref name="Gamasutra-History"/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/855/855369p3.html| title = The Atari 5200 Buyer's Guide| first = Levi| last = Buchanan| publisher = [[IGN]]| date = 2008-02-27| accessdate = 2009-03-19}}</ref> In 2000, a web-based version of ''Robotron: 2084'', along with nine other classic arcade games, were published on Shockwave.com.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/2565653.html| title = Midway Coming Back At You| first = Sam| last = Parker| publisher = [[GameSpot]]| date = 2000-05-05| accessdate = 2009-03-20}}</ref> Four years later, [[Midway Games]] also launched a website featuring the Shockwave versions.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/midwayarcadetreasures/news.html?sid=6108563| title = Midway Arcade Treasures Web site goes live| first = Chris| last = Kohler| publisher = [[GameSpot]]| date = 2004-09-24| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref> The game has been included in several multi-platform compilations: the 1996 ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits]]'', the 2000 ''Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits'', and the 2003 ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2356| title = Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits - Overview - allgame| publisher = Allgame| first = Brett Alan| last = Weiss| accessdate = 2009-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25340| author = All Game Staff| title = Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits: Vol. 1 - Overview - allgame| publisher = Allgame| accessdate = 2009-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/433/433090p1.html| title = Midway Arcade Treasures| first = Craig| last = Harris| date = 2003-08-11| publisher = [[IGN]]| accessdate = 2009-02-10}}</ref> In 2004, Midway Games planned to release a plug and play version of ''Robotron: 2084'' as part of a line of TV Games, however, it was never released.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://gear.ign.com/articles/492/492930p1.html| title = Midway's TV Games| first = Craig| last = Harris| date = 2004-02-17| publisher = [[IGN]]| accessdate = 2009-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/games.html#midwaytv| title = Jeff Vavasour's Video And Computer Game Page| first = Jeff| last = Vavasour| date = 2009-02-16| accessdate = 2009-05-01}}</ref> ''Robotron: 2084'' became available for download via [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox Live Arcade]] in November 2005. It includes high-definition graphics and two-player cooperative multi-player with one player controlling the movement and another the shooting. Scores can be tracked through an online ranking system.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/robotron2084/review.html| title = Robotron: 2084 Review| first = Jeff| last = Gerstmann| publisher = [[GameSpot]]| date = 2005-12-20| accessdate = 2009-03-16}}</ref> The Xbox Live Arcade port had been delisted on February 2010. The game has also inspired other titles. The 1990 arcade game ''[[Smash TV]]'', also designed by Jarvis, features a similar design—two joysticks used to shoot numerous enemies on a single screen—as well as ideas he intended to include in sequels.<ref name="Retro60"/><ref name="GameDesign"/> In 1991, Jeff Minter released a [[shareware]] game titled ''Llamatron'' based on ''Robotron: 2084''{{'}}s design.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.llamasoft.co.uk/lc-16bit.php| title = Llamasoft – 16 Bit| publisher = Llamasoft| accessdate = 2009-03-16}}</ref>
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