Shark Jaws

Infobox VG
title= Shark Jaws


caption=
developer= Atari Inc./Horror Games
distributor= Atari Inc./Horror Games
released= ^{North America} February, 1975
genre= sport
platforms=Arcade
input= 8 way joystick
cabinet= unique
cpu= discrete
sound= Amplified Mono (one channel)
display= Horizontal orientation, raster (black and white) with color overlay, Standard Resolution.

"Shark Jaws" is a 1 player arcade game by Atari Inc. under the name of Horror Games, originally released in 1975. An unlicensed tie-in to the movie Jaws, it was created to do a game about sharks eating people.cite web
last = Fulton
first = Steve
publisher = Gamasutra
date = 2007-11-06
title = The History of Atari: 1971-1977; 1975: Innovate Or Die
url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2000/the_history_of_atari_19711977.php?page=10
accessdate = 2008-01-25 ] . Atari head Nolan Bushnell originally tried to license the Jaws name for the game, but was unable to secure a license from Universal Pictures. Deciding to go ahead with the game anyways, it was retitled Shark JAWS, with the word Shark in tiny print and JAWS in large all caps print to create greater prominence. Bushnell also created a second hidden subsidiary corporation, Horror Games - the previous being Kee Games, to help isolate Atari from possible lawsuit.cite web
last = Bogost
first = Ian
publisher = Kotaku
date = 2007-11-13
title = Film Adaptation: The First Film License
url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/film-adaptation/the-first-film-license-321910.php
accessdate = 2008-01-25 ] According to Bushnell, the game was successful enough to sell a couple thousand units.

Technology

The game is housed in a custom cabinet that includes a single joystick and start button. The cabinet bezel uses blue and green colors, and portrays sharks swimming around along with a solitary swimmer. The game PCB is composed of discrete technology, and although the game was released under Horror Games the PCB clearly states Atari. cite web
last = Welburn
first = Andy
publisher = Andys-Arcade
title = Andy's Arcade Bronzeage Info Resource
url=http://www.andys-arcade.net/personal/bronzeage/sharkjawspcb.jpg
accessdate = 2008-01-25 ] .

Gameplay

You are a deep-sea diver trying to catch small fish while avoiding a great white shark that is trying to eat you. Points are scored by running over the fish to catch them.cite web
title = Shark JAWS Videogame by Atari (1975)
url=http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9509
accessdate = 2008-01-04 ]

References