Crossbow (video game)

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Crossbow

Crossbow title screen
Developer(s) Exidy
Publisher(s) Exidy, Absolute Entertainment, Atari
Release date(s) 1983
Genre(s) Light-gun games
Mode(s) Up to 2 players, alternating turns
Platform(s) Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari XEGS
Input Light gun, 1 button
Arcade cabinet Upright
Arcade system(s) Exidy 440
Arcade display Raster, 320 x 240 pixels (Horizontal), 256 colors

Crossbow was a video arcade game first released by Exidy in 1983. It was later published by Atari on the Atari 2600 and 7800 in 1987. It was published by Absolute Entertainment on the Commodore 64 and by Atari for the XEGS in 1988.

It is the first game with fully digitized sound and graphics (previously games featured only pre-recorded cassette playback of realistic sound). It also features some of the most advanced graphics of the time. Unlike other gun games like Operation Wolf (released four years later) that used a positional gun, Crossbow featured an optical light gun.

NGI = Nick Ilyin - Lead Programmer

LWH = Larry Hutcherson -Level Programmer

HAI = Howell Ivy - Exidy 440 hardware designer Also designed Death Race

MRK = Mark ???? Hardware design

KEN = Ken Nicholson - Sound Design; Level Design

HEC = Hector Galindo - Art

RAY = Ray ????? - Cabinet artwork

MIK = Mike Craven - Art


[edit] References

"Mean Hamster Software, Inc., announced the acquisition of development rights to the entire line of Arcade game pioneer Exidy. Originally released between 1976 and 1996, Exidy created many innovative titles, which at the time were considered revolutionary. The first title to be worked by MHS is Crossbow, the first game with fully digitized sound and graphics (previous games featured only pre-recorded cassette tape based sounds sound). It also featured some of the most advanced graphics for the time (320x240, 16 color + hardware sprites).

Crossbowâ„¢ will be an upgraded scene for scene remake of the original arcade classic but will feature enhanced 1024x768 resolution graphics, sounds and music for today's high powered PCs and mobile devices."