Atic Atac

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Atic Atac
Developer(s)	Tim and Chris Stamper
Publisher(s)	Ultimate Play The Game
Platform(s)	ZX Spectrum BBC Micro
Release date	Late 1983 (Spectrum)
Genre(s)	Arcade adventure; Maze
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	N/A
Media	Cassette
System requirements	48K RAM (Spectrum) 32K RAM (BBC)
Input methods	keyboard, joystick

Atic Atac is a ZX Spectrum video game developed and released by Ultimate Play The Game in 1983.^[1] It takes place within a flip-screen castle in which the player,^[2] either a wizard, a knight or a serf,^[3] must seek out the "Golden Key of ACG".^[3] It was written originally by Tim Stamper and Chris Stamper^{[citation needed]}, and later ported to the BBC Micro.^[4]

[edit] Introduction

Typically for an Ultimate release, players are given a tantalising and cryptic introduction :

"I never did believe in Ghosts or Monsters ...

Not until now, not until the Main doors of the Castle closed and locked themselves behind me ...

There's no key here!!! I'm trapped!!!

HELP!!! ... HEELLLPPPP!!! ...

No-one can hear me ... I'm alone ... Why do the doors open and slam shut??!! ... Is anybody there?? ... HHEELLLLPPPP!!! ...

I can see strange shapes materialising on the other side of the room ... Evil eyes glaring at me ... Footsteps ... Something's' coming down the corridor ... Something large ... Something cold ... I must run quickly ...

QUICKLY ... HHEELLLLPPPP!!!! ...

I must escape before it's too late!!!!!"

[edit] Critical reception

Atic Atac was almost universally praised on its release. Micro Adventurer said "this game can be recommended without reservation",^[5] while CRASH said "it is one thing - FANTASTIC!" and rated it at 92%.^[6] Computer and Video Games said it was "the best yet from Ultimate",^[2] and later in 1984 described it as "the favourite arcade adventure amongst computer gamesters".^[3] Personal Computer Games wrote that it was "another blockbuster game",^[7] while Sinclair User said that "the depth of plot and the GAS graphics make it a superb game."^[8]

In 1991, Atic Atac was ranked as the 79th best ZX Spectrum game of all time by Your Sinclair.^[9], while in 2007, Eurogamer described it as "a prime example of what passion can do when properly digitised" and rated in 8/10.^[10]

[edit] Trivia

Atic Atac loading screen

A screenshot from Atic Atac, showing some stairs being used to access a different floor, and the rotting chicken energy meter at the right.

• The game was a major inspiration for the Children's ITV show Knightmare. The wellways accessing different levels were a direct lift from the game, and the 'life force' featuring a disintegrating human face was based on the game's rotting chicken graphic.^[11]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Coming Soon..." (December 1983). Personal Computer Games (2): 7. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "You'll be haunted by Atic Atac" (February 1984). Computer and Video Games (28): 31–32. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Attack Atic Atac" (August 1984). Computer and Video Games (34): 53–59. 
4. ^ Ultimate Play The Game. The BBC Games Archive. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
5. ^ "Hybrid wins the accolades" (January 1984). Micro Adventurer (3): 28. 
6. ^ "Atic Atac" (March 1984). CRASH (2): 34. 
7. ^ "Video horrorshow" (February 1984). Personal Computer Games (3): 4. 
8. ^ "Dangerous castle is highly recommended" (February 1984). Sinclair User (23): 52. 
9. ^ "The YS Top 100 Speccy Games Of All Time (Ever!)" (October 1991). Your Sinclair (70): 31. 
10. ^ Spencer, Spanner (2007-10-10). Atic Atac. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
11. ^ The History of Knightmare. Knightmare Infosite. Retrieved on 2006-09-04.

[edit] External links

• Atic Atac at Ultimate Wurlde
• Atic Atac at World of Spectrum
• Atic Atac at MobyGames
• A walkthrough video of Atic Atac on the ZX Spectrum at Google Video
• Atic Atac remake for the PC

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