Editing Defender (1981 video game) (section)

== Impact and legacy ==
Players have competed to obtain the highest score at the game and the longest play time on a single credit.<ref name="Fever"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3846&vi=17 |title=Defender High Score Rankings |publisher=[[Twin Galaxies]] |access-date=2009-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072512/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3846&vi=17 |archive-date=2008-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release| url = http://games.ign.com/articles/876/876688p1.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604161841/http://games.ign.com/articles/876/876688p1.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = June 4, 2011| title = Join Guinness World Records for Four Days of Classic Game Record-Breaking Mayhem| publisher = Funspot Family Entertainment Center| date = 2008-05-27| access-date = 2009-10-28}}</ref> Competitive playing for the longest play time was popularized by Mario Suarez from Atlantic City, who played ''Defender'' for over {{nowrap|21{{frac|2}} hours}} in 1982 at the Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.<ref name="Fever"/><ref name="Time-119-3">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]| publisher = [[Time Inc.]]| volume = 119| issue = 3| first = John| last = Skow |author2=Peter Ainslie | author3-link = Jeff Melvoin|author3=Jeff Melvoin |author4=Steven Holmes|title = Games That Play People| date = 1982-01-18| pages = 50–58}}</ref> It was authenticated by the facility and the many witnesses that watched along with the press of Atlantic City; the media attention spurred other players to attempt the same feat.<ref name="Fever"/> Expert players exploited [[software bug]]s to extend the length of their play time. ''Defender'' was the focus of the first [[Twin Galaxies]] video game contest. Players in 32 cities simultaneously competed on the weekend of April 3–4, 1982. Rick Smith was the victor with a score of 33,013,200 which took 38 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.twingalaxies.com/scores.php?player=10146|title=Scores of Rick Smith|website=Twin Galaxies Forum|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robotron2084guidebook.com/defender/players/ricksmith/|title=RickSmith|date=4 September 2014|website=robotron2084guidebook.com|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413044041/http://www.robotron2084guidebook.com/defender/players/ricksmith/|url-status=dead}}</ref> One bug, related to how the game keeps track of scoring, allows players to earn a large number of "extra lives". Players can then use the extra lives to leave the game unattended while they rest.<ref name="Arc-Treasure-1"/> Other bugs allow the ship to avoid damage from the enemies, also prolonging the length of play.<ref name="RG-55"/>

''Defender'' is considered the first [[side-scrolling]] [[shoot 'em up]], predating ''[[Scramble (video game)|Scramble]]'' by two months.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Santos |first1=Wayne |last2=Lip |first2=Khang |title=Twitch on Live: Xbox Live Arcade Games |magazine=GameAxis Unwired |issue=38 |date=October 2006 |pages=30–1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EekDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30 |publisher=SPH Magazines]}}</ref> Professor Jim Whitehead described ''Defender'' as a breakthrough title for its use of full 2D motion, multiple goals, and complex gameplay that provides players with several methods to play.<ref name="lecture">{{cite web| url = http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/classes/cmps080k/Winter07/lectures/shmups.pdf| title = Game Genres: Shmups| first = Jim| last = Whitehead| publisher = [[University of California, Santa Cruz]]| date = 2007-01-29| access-date = 2009-12-06| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629170751/http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/classes/cmps080k/Winter07/lectures/shmups.pdf| archive-date = 2011-06-29| url-status = dead}}</ref> James Hague of Dadgum Games called ''Defender'' a landmark title from the 1980s.<ref name="Halcyon"/> Stearny said that the game's use of scrolling helped remove design limitations associated with the screen.<ref name="Joystik1-2"/> Cuciz stated that ''Defender''{{'}}s use of scrolling introduced the "first true 'gaming environment'". He further said that though the game's mini-map feature had been introduced before, ''Defender'' integrated it into the gameplay in a more essential manner.<ref name="GS-Hall"/> Stearny described it as the most important space game in the early 1980s. He commented that its realism and technological advances pushed developers to create more popular games, citing ''[[Gorf]]'' and ''[[Phoenix (1980 video game)|Phoenix]]'' as examples.<ref name="Joystik1-2"/> Vince listed the game as a classic title that introduced new technology, specifically scrolling.<ref name="CompAni"/> Ellis stated that prior to ''Defender'', companies designed video games to have a balanced challenge. They believed games should be easy enough to attract players but difficult enough to limit play time to a few minutes; anything too challenging would dissuade players.<ref name="PriceGuide-1"/> Loguidice and Barton commented that ''Defender''{{'}}s success, along with ''[[Robotron: 2084]]'', illustrated that video game enthusiasts were ready for more difficult games, which spurred developers to create more complex game designs.<ref name="Gamasutra-Defender"/><ref name="Gamasutra-Robotron">{{cite web| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4099/the_history_of_robotron_2084__.php| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090807123527/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4099/the_history_of_robotron_2084__.php| url-status = dead| archive-date = August 7, 2009| title = The History of Robotron: 2084 - Running Away While Defending Humanoids| first = Bill| last = Loguidice|author2=Matt Barton| website = [[Gamasutra]]| date = 2009-08-04| access-date = 2009-10-15}}</ref>

Jarvis's contributions to the game's development are often cited among his accolades.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/eugene-jarvis-to-receive-igda-lifetime-achievement-award| title = Eugene Jarvis To Receive IGDA Lifetime Achievement Award| first = Nich| last = Maragos| website = [[Gamasutra]]| date = 2005-02-17| access-date = 2009-05-12}}</ref><ref name="IGN-Designers">{{cite web| url = http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/807/807871p1.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928192920/http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/807/807871p1.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = September 28, 2011| title = Top 10 Tuesday: Game Designers| author = IGN Staff| date = 2007-07-24| website = [[IGN]]| access-date = 2009-03-16}}</ref> Author John Vince considered him one of the originators of "high-action" and "reflex-based" arcade games, citing ''Defender''{{'}}s gameplay among other games designed by Jarvis.<ref name="CompAni">{{cite book| title = Handbook of Computer Animation| first = John| last = Vince| publisher = [[Springer Science+Business Media]]| pages = 1–2| isbn = 1-85233-564-5| year = 2002}}</ref> Ellis said that Jarvis established himself as an early "hard-core" designer with ''Defender''.<ref name="PriceGuide-1"/> In 2007, IGN listed Eugene Jarvis as a top game designer whose titles (''Defender'', ''Robotron: 2084'' and ''[[Smash TV]]'') have influenced the video game industry.<ref name="IGN-Designers"/> Barton and Loguidice stated that the game helped establish Williams and Jarvis as key figures in the arcade game industry.<ref name="Gamasutra-Defender"/> Sellers echoed similar comments.<ref name="Fever"/> After the success of ''Defender'', Williams expanded their business by building a new facility and hired more employees. Before the expansion, Jarvis could work in isolation. But the influx of people created an environment he was unhappy with. He left Williams along with DeMar to found their own development company, [[Vid Kidz]].<ref name="Halcyon"/> The company served as a consulting firm to Williams and developed two games for them.<ref name="Gamasutra-Defender"/>

=== Remakes and sequels ===
[[File:Defender 3D Gameplay Screen.jpg|thumb|alt=A horizontal rectangular video game screenshot that is a digital representation of a snow-covered planet. Centered in the lower portion is the rear of a grey, triangular spaceship. A green, white, and red icon in the upper right corner partially covers a brown-and-yellow alien creature.|A 2002 remake features 3D graphics.]]

The success of ''Defender'' prompted Williams to approach [[Vid Kidz]], who originally wanted to create a new game. DeMar, however, suggested creating an enhanced version of ''Defender'' to meet Williams' four-month deadline. Vid Kidz titled the game ''[[Stargate (1981 video game)|Stargate]]'' and developed it as a sequel to ''Defender''. It features new elements and improved the original's performance.<ref name="Halcyon"/> Some home ports of ''Stargate'' were released under the title ''Defender II''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/stargate-1981|title=''Stargate'' [''Defender II'']|work=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2024-08-24}}</ref>  Williams released a ''Defender''-themed pinball machine in 1982.<ref name="Arc-Treasure-1"/><ref name="Retro45">{{cite magazine|magazine= [[Retro Gamer]]| publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]]| issue = 45| page = 49| title = A Whole Different Ball Game| first = Stuart| last = Campbell|date=January 2008}}</ref> It has many elements from the original game: sound effects, enemies, waves, and weapons. Williams produced fewer than 400 units.<ref name="Retro45"/>

Midway's 1991 ''[[Strike Force (video game)|Strike Force]]'' is an update and indirect sequel to ''Defender''. Jarvis and DeMar assisted with the game.  Atari Corporation released ''[[Defender 2000]]'' in 1995 for the [[Atari Jaguar]].<ref name=gamedev>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-history-of-i-defender-i-the-joys-of-difficult-game|title=The History of ''Defender'': The Joys of Difficult Games|last=Loguidice|first=Bill|work=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=2009-07-13|accessdate=2024-08-24}}</ref> It was developed by [[Jeff Minter]], who had previously updated ''[[Tempest (video game)|Tempest]]'' as ''[[Tempest 2000]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-011/page/n52/mode/1up|title=Special: 75 Power Players|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|pages=48–76}}</ref>  A [[Defender (2002 video game)|2002 remake]], published simply as ''Defender'', uses [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]] and a third-person viewpoint. It was released for the [[Xbox]], [[GameCube]], and [[PlayStation 2]].<ref name=gamedev/>  The original game is included in the 1996 compilation ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/26/williams-arcades-greatest-hits|title=''Williams Arcades Greatest Hits''|author=<!-- Staff -->|work=[[IGN]]|date=2018-12-12|orig-date=1996-11-26|accessdate=2024-08-24}}</ref> and the 2003 compilation ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/midway-arcade-treasures-review/1900-6083823/|title=''Midway Arcade Treasures'' Review|last=Tracy|first=Tim|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=2004-01-16|accessdate=2024-08-24}}</ref>  In 1997, [[Tiger Electronics]] released a handheld edition of ''Defender'' with a grayscale [[LCD]] screen, which doubles as a [[keychain]] ornament.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Gotta Hand it to Ya |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=101 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 1997 |page=228}}</ref>

===Influenced games and clones===
Home games that copied ''Defender''{{'}}s design include ''[[Gorgon (video game)|Gorgon]]'' (1981)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=''Gorgon''|last=Callamaras|first=Peter V.|magazine=[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]]|date=December 1981|volume=6|issue=12|pages=90–100|url=https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1981-12/page/n91/mode/2up}}</ref> and ''[[Repton (1983 video game)|Repton]]'' (1983)<ref name=gamedev/> for the Apple II; ''Alien Defense'' (1981) for the TRS 80 Model III;<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Games: ''Alien Defense''|last=Knight|first=Tim|magazine=[[80 Micro|80 Micro's Review Guide]]|page=83|year=1983|url=https://archive.org/details/80-microcomputing-magazine-review-guide/page/n97/mode/2up}}</ref> ''[[Chopper Command]]'' (1982) for the Atari 2600; ''[[Protector II]]'' (1983) and ''[[Dropzone]]'' (1984) for the Atari 8-bit computers;<ref name=gamedev/> and, for the BBC Micro, ''Defender'' (1982) was renamed to ''Planetoid'' (1984) to avoid litigation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Classic Videogame Hardware Genius Guide|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|chapter=BBC Computer: Perfect 10 Games|at=8. Planetoid|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QZS_gXpshd4C&pg=PT37|page=<!-- ebook; no pages -->|isbn=978-1-908222-22-0 }}</ref>  It influenced [[Jeff Minter]]'s ''Andes Attack'' for the VIC-20 home computer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andes Attack|url=https://llamasoftarchive.org/8bitgames/andes-attack/|website=Llamasoft Baachive}}</ref> ''[[StarRay]]'' (1988) was retitled ''Revenge of Defender'' in the US.<ref name=gamedev/>  Some games, such as ''[[The Tail of Beta Lyrae]]'' (1983) and ''[[R-Type]]'' (1987), were influenced more by ''Defender''{{'s}} side-scrolling action than the gameplay itself.<ref name=gamedev/>  Later games influenced by ''Defender'' include ''[[Datastorm]]'' (1989) for the Amiga and ''[[Fantasy Zone]]'' (1986) for arcades and a variety of [[Home video game console|home consoles]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ishii |first1=Yoji |title=Fantasy Zone – 2014 Developer Interview |url=https://shmuplations.com/fantasyzone/ |website=shmuplations |access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref>