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Protector (Atari Jaguar video game)

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This article is about the Atari Jaguar game. For the home computer game, see Protector (1981 video game).
Protector
Developer(s)Bethesda Softworks
Publisher(s)Songbird Productions
Producer(s)Christopher Weaver
Todd Howard
Designer(s)Jørgen Bech
Platform(s)Atari Jaguar
Release
  • WW: November 27, 1999
  • WW: April 30, 2002 (SE)
  • WW: October 23, 2014 (Resurgence)
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Protector is a scrolling shooter video game developed by Bethesda Softworks for the Atari Jaguar. The game was released in 1999, with the enhanced edition Protector: Special Edition released in 2002 and the Atari Jaguar CD expansion pack Protector: Resurgence released in 2014. Set in a future where an interstellar war broke out when alien forces arrived on Earth, the player controls the Starblade ship to defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting the inhabitants of Haven-7.

Protector was designed by Danish developer Jørgen Bech, who joined Bethesda and was initially tasked with porting a sports game to Jaguar. As Bech had no experience with 3D programming, the staff decided that he should work on an adaptation of Datastorm, but planned not to do a direct conversion and wanted to make a game closer to Defender (1981). Bethesda found out about Defender 2000 and Atari did not want to publish it, while Christopher Weaver refused to publish it as a Bethesda release since the Jaguar platform was in decline and cancelled it.

Protector was published after the Jaguar was declared as an open platform by Hasbro Interactive under Songbird Productions. Songbird Productions was founded by Carl Forhan after licensing several unreleased games with former Atari developers to support Atari consoles including Jaguar. Protector and the special edition earned critical acclaim; Reviewers praised its graphics, sound, controls, and gameplay, but some were divided regarding the difficulty curve. The game proved popular and was estimated to have sold at least 100 copies in the first year, while the special edition had sold over 500 copies by 2002, making it Songbird Productions' best-selling Jaguar title. In the years following its release, gaming publications celebrated Protector: Special Edition as one of the best games for the Jaguar.

Gameplay

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The Starblade ship evades enemy bullets and shoots down an enemy while Landers try to pick up humans

Protector is a scrolling shooter game similar to Defender (1981) and Defender 2000.[1][2][3] The story is set in a future where an interstellar war erupts after alien forces arrive on Earth. The inhabitants of a nearby planetoid called Haven-7 are left to fend for themselves, with the Starblade ship as their only defense.[3][4][5] The player commands the Starblade, protecting Haven-7 against waves of invading aliens.[1][5][6] The Starblade can fly from left to right, with a radar showing both dangers and humans across the level.[1][5][7] Enemy landers pick up humans and attempt to transport them to the top of the screen for mutation, but the player can interrupt this by shooting them down.[4][5] The player's ship has a standard laser fire and smart bombs capable of obliterating enemies caught within its blast radius.[1][5][8]

Defeating enemies allows the player to advance to the next level.[4][8] There are over 40 levels in total.[1][2][9] On certain levels, the player must survive a meteor shower or fight a boss.[1][7] Enemies sometimes drop red orbs, which the player can spend at a shop between levels, allowing them to purchase items such as shields, bombs, extra lives, and rapid fire.[5][6][10] Some enemies instead drop green pods, offering power-ups such as energy, hyperspace jumps, or "Protectors" that block enemy landers from kidnapping humans.[5][6][10] The player can endure three hits before losing a life, forcing them to restart the level with only their basic firepower.[5][6] The game also has a multiplayer option that allows two players to play alternately.[5]

Production

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Protector began as a test project in 1994 but it was not published until 1999, after the Atari Jaguar was declared as an open platform by Hasbro Interactive

Protector was developed by Bethesda Softworks, a Maryland-based game developer founded by Christopher Weaver in 1986, best known for The Elder Scrolls series.[6][11][12] It was co-produced by Weaver and Todd Howard.[13][14] The game was designed by Danish developer Jørgen Bech, who worked on Globulus for the Amiga, Spider-Man for the Sega Master System, and several other titles for the ZX Spectrum.[9] Bech had left the video game industry after his negative experience working at Innerprise Software, but took a job at Bethesda after an acquaintance connected him with the company.[9][15] Betheseda received free Atari Jaguar game development kits from Atari and Bech was initially tasked with converting NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four 2 to Jaguar, but he had no experience with 3D programming and the staff decided he should spent time becoming familiar with the hardware and work a port of Datastorm as a solo test project in 1994.[9][15]

Development

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Bech planned not making a direct conversion, as the Jaguar's capabilities exceed those of the Amiga and wanted to make a game closer to Defender (1981).[15] All code was written in assembly to get the game running at 60 frames per second, while game logic was done by the Jaguar's Motorola 68000, as Bech could not fit it into the GPU's limited memory.[16] Sprites were kept small in size to avoid memory issues with the Jaguar's object processor, while the number of active objects on-screen was maintained by lists indicating how many enemies appeared at once, but some enemies were made more aggressive.[15][16] The graphics and backgrounds were taken from a CD containing royalty-free images, while the hyperspace jump effect was done with Alias PowerAnimator using an SGI workstation and pre-rendered sprites were done by Bech using 3D Studio.[9][15][16] The player's ship and humanoid sprites from Datastorm remained in the game, while the title screen was a cropped scan of the box art for Datastorm.[15][16]

The game, now titled Protector, was fully playable by March 1995 but Bethesda found out about Defender 2000 and Atari did not want to publish it under their label.[9][17][18] Weaver also refused to publish it as a Bethesda title as the Jaguar platform was in decline.[9][17] Bethesda canceled Protector and stopped all work on the Jaguar, prompting Bech's departure the following month.[9][17] Atari proposed using the game's engine for a update of the Atari Lynx game Gates of Zendocon, one of several Epyx titles selected to be remade on Jaguar, but Weaver was not interested.[17][19]

In 1998, Bech discussed about the game on Usenet where Carl Forhan noticed his posts.[9][17][20] Forhan had started researching what it would take to create games in his spare time when Atari dropped support for the Jaguar.[21] He began searching for companies that had worked on unreleased Jaguar games to see if they would be willing to license the games to him.[22][23][24] Forham asked Bech to share the game's source code with him so he could publish it, however, Bech told Forham that he must seek Weaver's consent since Bethesda had the rights to the title.[9][17][20] Forham initially obtained the rights to view the source code for educational use only, but eventually managed to secure a license to publish the game.[9][17][20] In 1999, Forhan founded Songbird Productions after licensing several unreleased games with former Atari developers to support Atari consoles including Jaguar.[21][22][25] That same year, Hasbro Interactive declared the Jaguar as an open platform, releasing the console's patents and rights into public domain after much lobbying from Atari fans, allowing software developers to make and release games for Jaguar without a licensing agreement.[25][26][27] Forham proceeded to finalize the game for release by adding a reworked enemy AI, a power-up scheme, among other improvements.[9][20][23]

Release

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Protector was first showcased at the 1999 Classic Gaming Expo and was playable at JagFest '99, a show dedicated to the Atari Jaguar scene, planning for release in late 1999.[28][29][30] The game was published by Songbird Productions on November 27, 1999, complete with packaging mimicking officially licensed Jaguar releases.[7][31][32]

An enhanced edition called Protector: Special Edition was unveiled at JagFest 2K1.[33][34] The special edition came about when Carl Forhan wanted to add more content and improvements to the game, while also embracing feedback from the Jaguar fan community.[9][20][11] It was initially scheduled for April 10, 2002, but delays in cartridge production postponed the release date to April 30, 2002; however, copies were available to attendees at the PhillyClassic 3 show.[35][36][37] The special edition offers more graphics, new enemies, revised gameplay features and bug fixes.[8][9][34] Concealed within the game are JagFree CD and BJL, program loaders that allow users to play unencrypted Atari Jaguar CD games and load software onto the Jaguar via RAM respectively.[8][9][34] Each copy came bundled with a demo of Native for Jaguar CD.[34]

An Atari Jaguar CD expansion pack for Protector: Special Edition called Protector: Resurgence was first released as a limited edition at the 2014 Classic Gaming Expo in September, followed by a general release on October 23, 2014.[38][39][40] It features new graphics, music, enemies, and gameplay mechanics when the special edition cartridge is attached.[40][41]

Reception

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Protector and the special edition received critical acclaim.[6][42][43] GameFan's Eric Mylonas felt the game was a standard but solid Defender-style shooter in its own right.[4] Video Games' Ralph Karels lauded its gameplay and smooth performance, but noted that the game's visuals may not impress.[1] The Atari Times' Bruce Clarke found the game to be a very good Defender clone and praised its graphical quality, soundscapes, controls, intense gameplay and fluid frame rate, but criticized the unbalanced difficulty level.[7] Author Andy Slaven highlighted the game's audiovisual presentation, controls, and old-school playability.[44]

In the years after its release, gaming publications celebrated Protector: Special Edition as one of the best Atari Jaguar games.[41][45][46] GamesTM considered it one of the most fun Jaguar titles, citing its audiovisual department, solid controls, gameplay and difficulty curve.[45] Retro Gamer found the game better than Defender 2000 and praised it for having some of the best 2D graphics on the Jaguar, as well as its audio and frenetic action.[11][46] Reviewing the special edition in 2009, neXGam commended its simple graphics, sound effects, intuitive controls, fast-paced gameplay, consistent frame rate and extra content.[8] PCMag called it the definitive version of Protector, while Time Extension deemed it better than the original release due to its new features and content.[47][41]

According to Carl Forhan, Protector proved popular and was estimated to have sold at least 100 copies in the first year, while the special edition had sold over 500 copies by 2002, making it Songbird Productions' best-selling Jaguar title.[48][49][50]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Karels, Ralph (September 2000). "Jaguar-Special: Die Raubkatze lebt! - Protector". Video Games [de] (in German). No. 106. Future Verlag. pp. 92–93.
  2. ^ a b "AGH Jaguar Preview: PROTECTOR". Atari Gaming Headquarters. 1998. Archived from the original on 1999-02-18. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  3. ^ a b Rovi Games; Hoogland, Mark (2007). "Protector - Overview". AllGame. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  4. ^ a b c d Mylonas, Eric (November 1999). "The Graveyard: Protector". GameFan. Vol. 7, no. 11. Shinno Media. p. 113.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Protector (Game Manual) (International ed.). Songbird Productions. 1999.
    Protector: Special Edition (Game Manual) (International ed.). Songbird Productions. 2002.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Dolce, Mike (2001). "Jaguar Reviews: Protector". Jaguar Front Page News. GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2002-06-15. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  7. ^ a b c d e Clarke, Bruce (December 2001). "Jaguar Reviews: Protector — Songbird resurrects another classic shooter". 2001 Year End Issue. The Atari Times. pp. 8–24. Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Nils (December 27, 2009). "Protector SE im Test". neXGam (in German). Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Protector; Protector SE". Jungle Guide. No. 1. Songbird Productions. 2003. pp. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14.
  10. ^ a b Manne, Kevin (April 2, 1999). "Updates". Protector Playtester Page. Jagu-Dome. Archived from the original on 1999-10-13. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  11. ^ a b c Hawken, Kieren (July 18, 2013). "Minority Report: Jaguar Special - Protector: Special Edition". Retro Gamer. No. 118. Imagine Publishing. p. 46.
  12. ^ Ramsay, Morgan (2012). "Chapter 15: Christopher Weaver (Founder, Bethease Softworks)". Gamers at Work: Stories Behind the Games People Play. Apress. pp. 281–295. ISBN 978-1-4302-3351-0.
  13. ^ Bethesda Softworks (November 27, 1999). Protector (Atari Jaguar). Songbird Productions. Level/area: Credits.
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  21. ^ a b Zjaba, Tom (September 20, 1999). "Ponx and Carl Forhan, the Interview!". Retrogaming Times. Vol. 3, no. 25. Tomorrow's Heroes. Archived from the original on 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2024-05-11. (Transcription Archived 2004-06-26 at the Wayback Machine).
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  25. ^ a b Engel, Douglas; Santora, Mark; Wukovitz, Stephanie (June 3, 1999). "Jaguar Tackboard: Announcements and Press Releases – Hasbro Frees Jaguar!; BattleSphere News: 4Play Marches On". Jaguar Explorer Online. Vol. 3, no. 1. White Space Publishers. Archived from the original on 2001-04-28. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
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  30. ^ Forhan, Carl; Halliwell, Clay; Manne, Kevin; Rowe, Micah; Krueger, Lee (November 19, 1999). "Jaguar Tackboard: Announcements and Press Releases; JagFest '99: The Aftermath; CGE '99: A Classic Games Enthusiast's View". Jaguar Explorer Online. Vol. 3, no. 2. White Space Publishers. Archived from the original on 2001-01-21. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
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  32. ^ "Classic Gamer Newswire: "Protector" for the Jaguar Now Shipping". Classic Gamer Magazine. Vol. 1, no. 2. Winter 1999–2000. p. 9.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  33. ^ Loosen, Dan; Forhan, Carl; Rowe, Micah; Thompson, Clint; Mosley, Kevin; Femrite, Randy; Rusniak, Ted (November 30, 2001). "Jaguar Tackboard: Announcements and Press Releases; JagFest 2001: The Aftermath". Jaguar Explorer Online. Vol. 5, no. 1. White Space Publishers. Archived from the original on 2002-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  34. ^ a b c d "NEW JAGUAR AND LYNX GAMES ON THE PROWL IN 2002". Songbird Productions. Atari Gaming Headquarters. January 10, 2002. Archived from the original on 2002-02-11. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  35. ^ Raukamp, Thomas (April 9, 2002). "Protector: SE ab Ende April" (in German). ST-Computer [de]. Archived from the original on 2024-05-12. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  36. ^ Raukamp, Thomas (April 26, 2002). "Protector SE kurz vor Auslieferung" (in German). ST-Computer [de]. Archived from the original on 2024-05-12. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  37. ^ Yarusso, Albert; Grand, Joe (April 26–27, 2002). "Features: PhillyClassic 3". AtariAge. pp. 1–4. Archived from the original on 2004-09-05. Retrieved 2024-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  38. ^ "CGE: MERCHANDISE". Classic Gaming Expo. CGE Services Corp. July 11, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  39. ^ Verdin, Guillaume (July 18, 2014). "Protector: Resurgence revient pour défendre la Jaguar". MO5.com [fr] (in French). Association MO5.COM. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  40. ^ a b "News: Resurgence Takes Protector Special Edition To The Next Level". Songbird Productions. October 23, 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  41. ^ a b c McFerran, Damien (July 7, 2023). "Best Atari Jaguar Games - Roar-some 64-bit power". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  42. ^ "Test: Protector (Jaguar)". ReVival (in French). No. 9. ABCD Dire. Spring 2000.
  43. ^ "Test: Protector Special Edition". ReVival (in French). No. 19. ABCD Dire. December 28, 2002.
  44. ^ Slaven, Andy; Barnes, Lucus (2002). "JAG - Atari Jaguar". Video Game Bible, 1985-2002. Vol. 1. Trafford Publishing. pp. 47–53. ISBN 9781553697312. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  45. ^ a b "Retro - Classic Machine: Atari Jaguar - Six of the Best". GamesTM. No. 23. Highbury Entertainment. September 2004. p. 146. (Transcription Archived 2004-12-04 at the Wayback Machine).
  46. ^ a b Szczepaniak, John (June 22, 2006). "Perfect 10: Atari Jaguar - Perfect Ten Games". Retro Gamer. No. 26. Imagine Publishing. pp. 54–55. (Transcription Archived 2017-01-19 at the Wayback Machine).
  47. ^ Edwards, Benj (February 11, 2017). "7 Forgotten Atari Jaguar Classics". PCMag. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  48. ^ Kretzinger, Boris (February 22, 2023). "Afterlife". Clipped Claws: The Atari Jaguar Story (ebook) (1st ed.). pp. 294–305. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  49. ^ Wallett, Adrian (February 22, 2019). "Carl Forhan (Songbird Productions) – Interview". Arcade Attack. Archived from the original on 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  50. ^ Hill, Mark (March 12, 2021). "The Hobbyists Making the Hottest New Virtual Boy and Atari Jaguar Games". Fanbyte. Archived from the original on 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
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