Editing Robotron: 2084 (section)

== Legacy ==
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 |title=Top 10 Tuesday: Game Designers |author=IGN Staff |date=2007-07-24 |website=IGN |access-date=2009-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214133512/http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/807/807871p1.html |archive-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> Vince considered him one of the originators of "high-action" and "reflex-based" arcade games, citing ''Robotron: 2084''{{'}}s gameplay among other games designed by Jarvis.<ref name="CompAni"/> In 2007, IGN listed Eugene Jarvis as a top game designer whose titles (''[[Defender (video game)|Defender]]'', ''Robotron 2084'', and ''[[Smash TV]]'') have influenced the video game industry.<ref name="IGN-Designers"/> ''[[GamesTM]]'' referred to the game as the pinnacle of his career.<ref name="gamesTM-36"/> Shane R. Monroe of RetroGaming Radio called ''Robotron'' "...the greatest twitch and greed game of all time".<ref>''Passenger Seat Radio'', Episode 2008-08-07 3:24</ref> The game has also inspired other titles. The 1990 arcade game ''[[Smash TV]]'', also designed by Jarvis, features a similar design—two joysticks used to shoot numerous enemies on a single screen—as well as ideas he intended to include in sequels.<ref name="Retro60"/><ref name="GameDesign">{{cite book |title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design |first1=Andrew |last1=Rollings |first2=Ernest |last2=Adams |page=283 |publisher=[[Pearson Education|New Riders]] |isbn=1-59273-001-9 |year=2003|title-link=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design}}</ref> In 1991, [[Jeff Minter]] released a [[shareware]] game titled ''[[Llamatron]]'' based on ''Robotron: 2084''{{'}}s design.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.llamasoft.co.uk/lc-16bit.php | title = Llamasoft – 16 Bit | publisher = Llamasoft | access-date = 2009-03-16}}</ref> Twenty years later, Minter released an upgraded version titled ''Minotron: 2112'' for [[iOS]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://minotaurproject.co.uk/blog/?p=43 | title = I have been a busy ox. Again. | publisher = Llamasoft | first = Jeff | last = Minter | date = 2011-02-24 | access-date = 2011-03-04}}</ref> In 2017, Soiree Games released ''Neckbeards: Basement Arena'', which is heavily inspired by Robotron.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soiree.info/neck.html|title=Soiree Games|website=Soiree.info|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref> Because of its popularity, the game has been referenced in facets of popular culture: the [[Beastie Boys]]' song "The Sounds of Science" on the album ''[[Paul's Boutique]]'', [[Lou Reed]]'s song "Down at the Arcade" on his ''[[New Sensations]]'' album, and the comic strip ''[[Bob the Angry Flower]]''.<ref name="Fever-1"/><ref>{{Cite AV media | people = [[Lou Reed]] (Singer) | title= Album: [[New Sensations]] Song: Down at the Arcade | date = April 1984 | publisher = [[RCA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.angryflower.com/robotr.html | title = Robotron 2083 | publisher = Stephen Notley | work = [[Bob the Angry Flower]] | date = 2006-03-10 | access-date = 2009-03-16}}</ref> Players have also competed to obtain the highest score at the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3681&vi=1455 | title = Robotron: 2084 High Score Rankings | publisher = [[Twin Galaxies]] | access-date = 2009-07-28}}</ref>

Bill Loguidice and Matt Barton of Gamasutra commented that ''Robotron''{{'}}s success, along with ''Defender'', illustrated that video game enthusiasts were ready for more difficult games with complex controls.<ref name="Gamasutra-History">{{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 | first1= Bill | last1= Loguidice | author2= Matt Barton | website = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2009-08-04 | access-date = 2009-10-15}}</ref> Though not the first to implement it,<ref group="Note">The two-joystick control scheme was previously used in Taito's ''[[Gun Fight]]'' (1975) as well as Artic Electronics' ''Mars'' (1981).</ref> ''Robotron: 2084''{{'}}s use of dual joysticks popularized the design among 2D shooting games, and has since been copied by other arcade-style games.<ref name="Retro60"/><ref name="Retro54"/><ref name="Coin-OpFavs"/><ref name="20Control">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design-essentials-20-unusual-control-schemes | title = Game Design Essentials: 20 Unusual Control Schemes | first = John | last = Harris | website = Gamasutra | date = 2007-12-06 | access-date = 2009-05-12}}</ref> The control scheme has appeared in several other titles produced by Midway Games:<ref group="Note">Williams Electronics purchased Midway in 1988, and later transferred its games to the Midway Games subsidiary.</ref> ''Inferno'', ''Smash TV'', and ''[[Total Carnage]]''.<ref name="20Control"/> Many shooting games on [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[PlayStation Network]] use this dual control design.<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date=November 2007 | issue = 221 | title = Online Scene: Robocopied | first = Michael | last = Donahoe | page = 50}}</ref><ref name="Retro49">{{cite journal | journal = [[Retro Gamer]] | title = Retro Rated: Omega Five | author = Retro Gamer Staff | publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]] | issue = 49 | date=April 2008 | page = 88}}</ref><ref name="Retro55">{{cite journal | journal = [[Retro Gamer]] | title = Retro Rated: Commando 3 | author = Retro Gamer Staff | publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]] | issue = 55 | date=October 2008 | page = 89}}</ref> The 2003 title ''[[Geometry Wars]]'' and its sequels also use a similar control scheme.<ref name="20Control"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21377 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081225041941/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21377 | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 25, 2008 | title = Gamasutra's Best Of 2008: Top 10 Games Of The Year | author = Gamasutra Staff | website = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2008-12-23 | access-date = 2009-05-12}}</ref> The input design was most prominent in arcade games until video games with [[3D computer graphics|three-dimensional (3D) graphics]] became popular in the late 1990s. Jarvis attributes the lack of proliferation in the home market to the absence of hardware that offered two side-by-side joysticks. Most 3D games, however, use the dual joystick scheme to control the movement of a character and a camera. Few console games, like the 2004 title ''[[Jet Li: Rise to Honor]]'', use two joysticks for movement and attacking.<ref name="Gamasutra-History"/>

From 2012 through 2019, the Church Of Robotron <ref>{{cite web | url = https://churchofrobotron.com/ | title = CHURCH OF ROBOTRON | access-date = 2022-12-13}}</ref> deployed a traveling multimedia installation and performance. Participants played Robotron: 2084 while being assaulted with distracting sensory events including smoke, loud noises, vibrations, and electric shocks. Other elements included live and recorded sermons, religious pamphlets, and street preaching outside of the events. Events were at the Toorcamp<ref>{{cite web | url = https://hackaday.com/2012/08/20/toorcamp-the-church-of-robotron/ | title = Toorcamp: The Church Of Robotron | first = Eric | last = Evenchick | date = 2012-08-20 | website = Hackaday | access-date = 2022-12-13}}</ref> hacker camp, PDX Makerfaire 2019, and other venues.

=== Remakes and sequels ===
[[File:RobotronX-gameplay.jpg|thumb|''Robotron X'' has gameplay similar to the original, but with 3D graphics.]]

Vid Kidz developed an official sequel, ''[[Blaster (video game)|Blaster]]'', in 1983. The game is set in the same universe and takes place in 2085 in a world overrun by Robotrons.<ref name="Retro60" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7145 | title = Blaster Videogame by Williams (1983) | publisher = [[Killer List of Videogames]] | access-date = 2009-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3055 | title = Blaster - Overview - allgame | publisher = [[Allgame]] | first = Earl | last = Green | access-date = 2009-03-17 | archive-date = 2009-07-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090701004255/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3055 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Jarvis planned to develop other sequels, but the [[video game crash of 1983]] halted most video game production for a few years.<ref name="Retro60"/> Williams considered creating a proper sequel in the mid-1980s as well as a film adaptation.<ref name="Arc-Treasure-3">{{cite video game | title= [[Midway Arcade Treasures]] | developer= [[Backbone Entertainment|Digital Eclipse]] | publisher= [[Midway Games]] | date= 2003-11-18 | platform= [[PlayStation 2]] | level= Joust 2 Interview Clip #2}}</ref><ref name="Arc-Treasure-4">{{cite video game | title= [[Midway Arcade Treasures]] | developer= [[Backbone Entertainment|Digital Eclipse]] | publisher= [[Midway Games]] | date= 2003-11-18 | platform= [[PlayStation 2]] | level= The Inside Story On Joust}}</ref>

[[Atari Corporation]] and Williams announced plans to develop an update of ''Robotron'' intended for the [[Atari Jaguar]] but this project was never released.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dayes|first=Albert|url=http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|title=Digital Briefs - Industry News - Atari News - Atari & Williams Join Forces|magazine=Atari Explorer Online|volume=3|issue=12|publisher=Subspace Publishers|date=October 9, 1994|access-date=2019-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202933/http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_066.pdf&page=230|title=ProNews: Williams Makes Jaguar, Ultra 64 Plans|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=66|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1995|page=85|access-date=2018-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191619/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_066.pdf&page=230|archive-date=2018-07-28|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, the company released a sequel with 3D graphics titled ''[[Robotron X]]'' for the Sony [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] (''Robotron 64'' on the [[Nintendo 64]] in 1998,) and personal computers.

''Robotron: 2084'' has been included in several multi-platform compilations: the 1996 ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits]]'', the 2000 ''[[Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits]]'', the 2003 ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]'', and the 2012 ''[[Midway Arcade Origins]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2356 |title=Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits - Overview - allgame |publisher=[[Allgame]] |first=Brett Alan |last=Weiss |access-date=2009-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701003623/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2356 |archive-date=2009-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25340 | author = All Game Staff | title = Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits: Vol. 1 - Overview - allgame | publisher = [[Allgame]] | access-date = 2009-03-18 | archive-date = 2009-07-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090701003624/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25340 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/433/433090p1.html | title = Midway Arcade Treasures | first = Craig | last = Harris | date = 2003-08-11 | website = IGN | access-date = 2009-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review|title=Midway Arcade Origins Review |website=Ign.com|date=14 November 2012}}</ref> In 2000, a web-based version of ''Robotron: 2084'', along with nine other classic arcade games, were published on [[Shockwave.com]] (a website related to [[Adobe Shockwave]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2565653.html |title=Midway Coming Back At You |first=Sam |last=Parker |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=2000-05-05 |access-date=2009-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827023427/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2565653.html |archive-date=2009-08-27}}</ref> Four years later, [[Midway Games]] also launched a website featuring the Shockwave versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/midwayarcadetreasures/news.html?sid=6108563 |title=Midway Arcade Treasures Web site goes live |first=Chris |last=Kohler |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=2004-09-24 |access-date=2009-03-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102235547/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/midwayarcadetreasures/news.html?sid=6108563 |archive-date=2013-01-02}}</ref>

In 2004, Midway Games planned to release a plug and play version of ''Robotron: 2084'' as part of a line of TV Games, but this was never released.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gear.ign.com/articles/492/492930p1.html | title = Midway's TV Games | first = Craig | last = Harris | date = 2004-02-17 | website = IGN | access-date = 2009-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/games.html#midwaytv | title = Jeff Vavasour's Video And Computer Game Page | first = Jeff | last = Vavasour | date = 2009-02-16 | access-date = 2009-05-01}}</ref> ''Robotron: 2084'' became available for download via [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox Live Arcade]] in November 2005. This version included high-definition graphics and two-player cooperative multiplayer with one player controlling the movement and another the shooting. Scores were tracked via an online ranking system.<ref name="XBLA">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/robotron2084/review.html |title=Robotron: 2084 Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=2005-12-20 |access-date=2009-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130011017/http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/robotron2084/review.html |archive-date=2006-11-30}}</ref> In February 2010, however, Microsoft removed it from the service citing permission issues.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/robotron2084/news.html?sid=6250999 | title = Midway XBLA games pulled | website = GameSpot | first = Brendan | last = Sinclair | date = 2010-02-17 | access-date = 2011-02-15}}</ref>

''Robotron: 2084'' is playable in the ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'' ''Midway Arcade'' level pack.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |title=Lego Dimensions delivers a playable video game museum with Midway Arcade |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/24/11296570/lego-dimensions-midway-arcade-interview |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324165824/https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/24/11296570/lego-dimensions-midway-arcade-interview |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |date=March 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>