23
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/OCTOBER 1982
GO'l'll_JTEB'S
TEMPEST
"REACTOR": A TECHNICAL OUTLINE
BY ATARI -VIDEO ART
BY JOHN HOLSTROM
and execution of the program, selection of 1/0 ports,
and selection of certain timing and RW signals. The
8088 has capabilities for 64K of memory. Gottlieb is
using 32K x 8 ROM and 8K scratch RAM, operating
on a 5 Mhz. clock and controlling 5 input and 5 output
ports.
The Video generator section of the board is called
the Video State machine. A separate clock machine
generates and controls the video signal output. The
vertical sync is used to reset the Watchdog Timer and
also to synchronize the CPU to the Video State
machine. With the Video State machine controlling
many of its own functions, the CPU has more program-
ming room, more reliable stabilization of the buses,
and more reliable set-up of program execution. The
extra programming room gives the GG-2 system up to
4096 possible color variations and a 128-character set
for foreground out of a possible 512 characters and
objects.
You will find all of Gottlieb's technicians at the
pinball hotline are familiar with the video system. If
you have any questions or if technical help is needed
for video repair, feel free to call them anytime.
CIDCAGO
SWITCH
INTRODUCES NEW SPILL
RESISTANT SWITCH FOR
ARCADE GAMES
Gottlieb's recent video, "Reactor", should still be
available at your distributor. The video system that
Gottlieb calls the Graphics Generator 2, or GG-2,
has been totally developed and designed at their video
engineering facility in Bensenville, Illinois. The GG-2
system is an expandable system that is a self-contained,
self-supporting board without the need for external
ROM boards or 1/0 boards. The exception is a small
track ball interface board, which handles the conversion
of four X-Y coordinates into digital form for the CPU.
Gottlieb's engineers have also designed a new,
simplified, more reliable power supply board. The
new A2 power supply for video combines the logic
supply, a 6-Amp +5 regulated DC crowbar-protected
output and all the voltages for the Sound/Speech
board.
The "Reactor" game has the added dimension of
speech because of Gottlieb's A6 Sound/Speech board.
They have used two speakers for a richer sound and
more reliable operation. Some notes for technicians
familiar with Gottlieb's Sound/Speech board: In the
binary input coding from the CPU board, S32 input is
now used as the MSB of input codes. If servicing the
Sound/Speech or Power Supply Assembly, do not
remove any connectors until the LED indicator, D25,
for the + 30V DC Audio Amp reference is completed
off.
The cable and connector layouts have been designed
to correspond to their pin-game coding systems.
Those familiar with the cable, connector and wire
codes in pinball games should find Gottlieb's video
system familiar: Wires are triple color coded, male
connectors are coded AxPx, female connectors are
AxJx, ground is always white or green/yellow and
+5V DC is blue/ grey/grey.
The CPU Video Generator board is divided into
two semi-independent control sections. The CPU uses
the 8088 Intel Microprocessor to control the reading
Chicago Switch, a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works,
Inc., is introducing a new pushbutton switch designed
to function in the rugged environment of a busy
arcade. The Game Switch features an umbrella shield
that protects the contacts from spills and debris. The
switch can be rinsed out with plain water without
affecting its operation. The Game Switch is an
economical alternative to and completely interchange-
able with switches now used by the electronic game
industry. Chicago Switch's new switch is designed to
withstand the pounding given high traffic arcade
games. It has been rated to 2,500,000 cycles. It is easy
to install with single-nut mounting and quick-connect
terminals. Available in standard and custom colors,
the Game Switch offers a choice of gold or silver
crosspoint contacts. Chicago Switch is a leading
supplier oflow-cost standard switches to many different
industries. For complete information on the new
Game Switch or other switch requirements, contact
Chicago Switch, A Subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works,
Inc., 1714 N. Darnen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
60647. Phone (312) 489-5500.
The following article appeared in the September '82
issue of Heavy Metal Magazine. We thought it
noteworthy as a "state of the art" review.
You hear a lot about "Video Art", but in this video
game you'llfind abstract video art at its finest.
"Tempest" combines performance art with parti-
cipatory conceptual art from the seventies and
psychedelic Op art from the sixties to create a unique
visual statement for the eighties. Unfortunately the
fact that "Tempest" is a mere video "game" will
prevent most curators from presenting it in any gallery
or exhibition. The case would be made that "Tempest"
is a mere commercial design manufactured to generate
revenue and provide simple amusement, not to be
appreciated for its aesthetic value. However, that
would be an arbitrary value judgment.
No two "Tempest" performances produce the
same visual effects. The player becomes, in effect, an
artist. "Play" becomes "work". Although the work is
temporary, the structure and layout of the game
provide a constant and permanent form for the players
to involve themselves in. It is both more powerful and
more intimate than any painting.
"Tempest's" design is a statement on its own
technology, or facture. Originally the designers wanted
alien monsters to emanate from the center of the
board. When the programmers discovered that their
monster designs wouldn't generate proper resolution
on the video screen, they had to redesign the "enemy"
into abstract shapes. The form follows the function.
New video games are reaching out in this bold new
direction. Taito's "Qix" combines a Mondrian-
influenced game board with Etch-A-Sketch strategy.
It even features a "fast" and "slow" draw instead of a
traditional fire button. Home video programs let
people create their own games.
Like it or not, video games are truly a new artform, •
and deserve to be recognized as such.
"The Tempest,"• John Holstrom. Reprinted from Heavy Metal
Magazine.
Mwphy's Law #408
Identical units which test in an identical
fashion will not behave in an identical
fashion in the field.