1. ==== ====
Create videos using IPhone
http://tinyurl.com/IPhonevidHero
==== ====
In this ongoing look at significant moments in the history of video game design, we have already
taken a look at Bungie's Halo & Halo 2, Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series, Nintendo's Metroid and
several others. The goal of this series is to go beyond simple gaming magazines and iPhone App
Reviews, and take a closer look at what defines memorability and quality in game design. In this
nineteenth part of the series we will examine some more of those classic moments where video
game designers undoubtedly got it right and delivered a memorable, enduring and progressive
gaming experience.
Gauntlet (Arcade) - Developed by Atari and unleashed to arcades in 1985, Gauntlet was an
absolute revelation. For starters, the game cabinet was absolutely huge, dwarfing the other
machines of the day. Upon first glance, Gauntlet was already demanding the player to take notice.
Among its many firsts, Gauntlet was the first arcade game to have a class system, as users could
choose among a wizard, warrior, elf and valkyrie, each with their own strengths (magic, strength,
speed, defense) and weaknesses (poor defense, poor magic, poor hand to hand ability, no true
strength). It was also the first game that allowed four player simultaneous play, as teams of
players could often be seen loading up the game with quarters before starting their journey. With
Gauntlet, unlike any other game to that point and like few since, the players could feed the
machine quarters in exchange for more health and magic. This became an actual necessity, as
health would drain from players over time. Gauntlet was also one of the first games to feature
voices, and certainly the first to feature such a large amount of them. Arcade players will forever
remember the game crying out such classics as, "Wizard needs food, badly!" or "Valkyrie is about
to die!" Although created with a voice chip and not actually sampled from a human, these sounds
were accurate and served to immerse the player even deeper into the experience.
In focusing on Gauntlet, many areas of the game volunteer themselves for a place in this article
series. As mentioned, the game offered a very unique arcade experience. The characters were
varied, the sounds a leap forward, and the cooperative nature of gameplay upped the ante in
several ways. However, since it is the theme of this series to isolate a single component of a
game, we will single out the game's multiplayer component.
In surveying the video game landscape at the time of Gauntlet's release, multiplayer games were
in no way an anomaly. However, multiplayer games that allowed for simultaneous play were just
about non -existent. By allowing players to quest together, the developers not only exponentially
increased their potential earnings, they created a sort of digital Dungeons & Dragons experience,
with the voice samples serving as a sort of Dungeon Master. Gauntlet machines of the time could
often be found with all four joysticks occupied, with over $20 worth of quarters pre-loaded, as the
well equipped heroes would set off on their journey to complete the game's incredibly long and
challenging quest. This multiplayer component went far beyond a mere quarter grabbing gimmick,
however, as true team work was required in order to proceed through the game's ever more

2. difficult labyrinths. Giving up food for a teammate in need, casting a spell at just the right time, and
creating enemy diversions so a player could make it to an exit point were just some of the ways in
which teamwork could be used to the players' advantage in this epic arcade game.
For making them a group activity, introducing what were - at the time - astounding technical and
game design progressions to, and providing a challenge worthy of the most skilled gamer (or four
person team of gamers), Gauntlet has forever earned its place alongside the all time greats in
arcade game history.
Frank Taylor writes on behalf of AppsPatrol. He recommends you visit AppsPatrol for your iPhone
App Reviews, iPhone Game Reviews and info on newly released iPhone Apps.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Taylor_Jr.
==== ====
Create videos using IPhone
http://tinyurl.com/IPhonevidHero
==== ====