''Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory'' is a
platform game
A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
created for
Atari 8-bit computers
The Atari 8-bit computers, formally launched as the Atari Home Computer System, are a series of home computers introduced by Atari, Inc., in 1979 with the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The architecture is designed around the 8-bit MOS Technology 650 ...
by Ron Rosen and published in 1983 by
Datamost
Datamost was an American computer book publisher and computer game company founded by David Gordon and based in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Chatsworth, California. Datamost operated in the early 1980s producing games and other software mainly for th ...
. The music was composed by Gary Gilbertson using Philip Price's ''Advanced Music Processor'', while the title screen was drawn by Art Huff. It was ported to the
Apple II
Apple II ("apple Roman numerals, two", stylized as Apple ][) is a series of microcomputers manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1977 to 1993. The Apple II (original), original Apple II model, which gave the series its name, was designed ...
by Robert McNally
[ and to the Commodore 64.
The gameplay is similar to that of ''Miner 2049er'' (1982).][ The player controls a humanoid robot that must traverse all of the platforms in a factory filled with ladders, conveyor belts, and other gadgetry. There are 22 levels, plus a built-in ]level editor
A level editor (also known as a map, campaign or scenario editor) is a game development tool used to design Level (video games), levels, maps, campaigns and virtual worlds for a video game. An individual involved with the development of game levels ...
.
Gameplay
The robot is moved with either the keyboard or a joystick, and can make it walk side to side, climb up and down, and jump, collecting the white power pills from the platforms in the process. The player begins with four robots, and loses one if it falls too much or touches any of the fireball enemies. When one of the pulsing white rings scattered around the level is collected, the robot becomes temporarily invulnerable and can safely touch the fireballs, destroying them.
In each level the player begins with 100 units of energy and loses units at a rate of about one per second, making quick completion of each level important. When the energy runs out, the player loses a robot.
Points are granted in 10 point increments as the robot advances through the level. Collecting a ring earns 100 points, as does collecting the small musical note at the beginning of the level that turns off the game's sound effects. Dispatching a fireball is worth 500 points. Completing a level earns 100 points per unit of energy remaining on the screen.
Later levels include bombs and magnets. There are a total of 22 levels, not counting the 26 customized levels.
Reception
''Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory'' was reviewed by ''Video
Video is an Electronics, electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving picture, moving image, visual Media (communication), media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, whi ...
'' magazine in its "Arcade Alley" column where it was compared to ''Miner 2049er'' and described as "sufficiently different ..to represent an enthralling new test of skill". The reviewers praised the efforts of programmer Ron Rosen, noting that "the programming skill evidenced in the preparation of ''Mr. Robot'' is awesome" and concluding "what this game lacks in stark originality, it more than makes up for with polish".InfoWorld
''InfoWorld'' (''IW'') is an American information technology media business. Founded in 1978, it began as a monthly magazine. In 2007, it transitioned to a Web-only publication. Its parent company is International Data Group, and its sister pu ...
's Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' cited it as among the best Datamost games.[Mr. Robot and his Robot Factory review in Happy Computer 04/1984, p. 137, ISSN 0344-884]
here
(german)
See also
Other games by Ron Rosen:
*'' Pacific Coast Highway''
*'' Rosen's Brigade''
*'' Nuclear Nick''
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Robot and His Robot Factory
1983 video games
Apple II games
Atari 8-bit computer games
Commodore 64 games
Datamost games
Platformers
Video games about robots
Video games developed in the United States
Single-player video games