Outlaw (arcade game)

Outlaw
Developer(s)	Atari Inc.
Distributor(s)	Atari Inc.
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release date(s)	North America 1976
Genre(s)	shooter
Cabinet	unique
CPU	discrete
Sound	Amplified Mono (one channel)
Display	Horizontal orientation, raster (black and white), Standard Resolution.

Outlaw is a single-player arcade game by Atari Inc., originally released in 1976. It simulates an Old West fast draw duel between the player and the computer.^[1] Outlaw was a response to Midway's Gun Fight, released the year before.^[2][3]

Technology

The game is housed in a custom cabinet that includes a light gun. The game PCB is composed of discrete technology, with game sprites stored in ROM. Playfield graphics are provided by a screen overlay representing an Old West town street.^[1]

Gameplay

Players can select one of two characters: Half-fast Pete or Billy-The-Kid. Pete is more accurate while Billy can draw faster. An outlaw appears somewhere in the town, the object being to fast draw your gun as soon as he draws his. Shooting him before he shoots you scores points, with points counting toward end-of-game ratings such as "Dude", "Greenhorn", and "Top Gun".^[1]

Atari 2600 Port

Outlaw on the Atari 2600

A home console port was developed for the Atari 2600 by then-Atari employee David Crane. This version is more directly comparable to Midway's Gun Fight,^[2] allowing two players to engage in a shoot-out using the 2600's joysticks. There are also multiple types of game play, that differ slightly from the arcade version, in this Atari 2600 port. Among these game types include target practice and versions with obstacles that must be shot around or shot through.

The Atari 2600 version was also made available on Microsoft's Game Room service for its Xbox 360 console and for Windows-based PCs on March 24, 2010.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Outlaw Killer List of Video Games Entry". http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8942. Retrieved 2007-12-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "The Dot Eaters: Draw (those pixels)!". http://www.thedoteaters.com/p2_stage1.php. Retrieved 2007-12-27. 
3. ^ "1976: Coin-Op Business". http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2000/the_history_of_atari_19711977.php?page=12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.