Vectorbeam was an arcade game manufacturer active in the late 1970s who specialized in vector graphics-based
arcade game
An arcade game or coin-op game is a coin-operated entertainment machine typically installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are presented as primarily games of skill and include arcade v ...
s. It was formed after splitting off from its primary competitor,
Cinematronics, and disappeared after re-merging with them soon after.
Vectorbeam was founded by Larry Rosenthal based on his graduate work from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...
and which he patented for a custom arcade
vector display
A vector monitor, vector display, or calligraphic display is a display device used for computer graphics up through the 1970s. It is a type of CRT, similar to that of an early oscilloscope. In a vector display, the image is composed of drawn li ...
. Vectorbeam was in direct competition with other arcade game manufacturers. The company ceased operations soon after poor sales of its ''
Barrier
A barrier or barricade is a physical structure which blocks or impedes something.
Barrier may also refer to:
Places
* Barrier, Kentucky, a community in the United States
* Barrier, Voerendaal, a place in the municipality of Voerendaal, Netherl ...
'' arcade game, and sold its assets to Cinematronics.
List of Vectorbeam games
*
''Space War'' (arcade game) (1977)
* ''
Barrier
A barrier or barricade is a physical structure which blocks or impedes something.
Barrier may also refer to:
Places
* Barrier, Kentucky, a community in the United States
* Barrier, Voerendaal, a place in the municipality of Voerendaal, Netherl ...
'' (1979)
*
''Speed Freak'' (arcade game) (1979)
* ''
Tail Gunner
A tail gunner or rear gunner is a crewman on a military aircraft who functions as a gunner defending against enemy fighter or interceptor attacks from the rear, or "tail", of the plane.
The tail gunner operates a flexible machine gun or aut ...
'' (1979)
*
''Warrior'' (arcade game) (1979)
KLOV's Vectorbeam entry
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References
Defunct video game companies of the United States
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