Beyond Gauntlet: The Evolution of Social Gaming
The Dawn of Shared Gaming Experiences
The journey of multiplayer arcade games is a fascinating tale that begins in the early days of the arcade era. While many associate the rise of multiplayer experiences with mid-80s titles, it's essential to recognise the contributions of earlier games that set the stage for communal play.
1980: Warlords
One such pioneer is "Warlords," released by Atari in 1980. This game was groundbreaking for its time, offering a four-player competitive experience that was relatively rare in the early days of arcades. "Warlords" combined elements of break-out and medieval warfare, where players defended their castles from a bouncing ball capable of destroying their walls. Each player controlled a shield that could be used to deflect the ball away from their walls and towards their opponents. The game's competitive nature and the requirement for four players to gather around a single cabinet made it a unique social experience, emphasising direct competition and strategy.
Someone Shot the Food!
The mid-1980s saw a significant evolution in multiplayer gaming with the release of "Gauntlet" in 1985. Unlike "Warlords," which was competitive, "Gauntlet" introduced cooperative gameplay for up to four players. This dungeon crawler allowed players to work together, each choosing a character with unique abilities, to navigate mazes and battle foes. "Gauntlet" marked a pivotal moment in the history of arcade games, showcasing the potential of cooperative multiplayer experiences.
Konami's Golden Age
Following the success of "Gauntlet," Konami seised the multiplayer mantle in the late 1980s and early 1990s with iconic releases such as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1989) and "The Simpsons" (1991). These games expanded on the cooperative multiplayer format, allowing up to four players to engage in beat 'em up action. By leveraging popular cultural franchises, Konami's games attracted a wide audience, further cementing the appeal of multiplayer arcade experiences.
Throughout the 1990s, the arcade scene flourished with a variety of multiplayer games. "NBA Jam" in 1993 allowed up to four players to experience over-the-top basketball action, featuring real NBA teams and players. "Captain America and The Avengers" (1991) and "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs" (1993) offered their unique takes on the beat 'em up genre, each supporting multiple players in cooperative gameplay.
Six Players?
Konami pushed the boundaries even further in 1992 with the release of a six-player version of "X-Men." This game featured a massive cabinet with a multi-screen setup, accommodating more players than most arcade games at the time. "X-Men" was not only a technical marvel but also a testament to the growing ambition and scale of multiplayer arcade games.
Sizeable Costs
The evolution of multiplayer arcade games brought with it larger and more expensive cabinets, especially as titles like "X-Men" aimed to support more players. The cost of acquiring these larger, more complex cabinets was significantly higher than their simpler predecessors. For example, a standard two-player arcade machine might have been a considerable investment in itself, but deluxe four or six player machine s represented a much larger financial commitment. This increase in cost was not just in the purchase price but also in maintenance and repair expenses, given the more complex electronics and larger physical structures that were more prone to wear and tear.
Link Up Play
The introduction of linked cabinets for racing games like "Daytona USA" marked another evolution in multiplayer arcade experiences. These setups allowed multiple cabinets to be connected for competitive races, offering a pseudo-online multiplayer experience before the widespread adoption of internet gaming.
In the modern era, while traditional arcades have waned in popularity, the legacy of multiplayer arcade games lives on through re-releases and adaptations for home consoles and online play. New technologies have enabled these classic experiences to be enjoyed not just locally but also over the internet, broadening the concept of multiplayer gaming.
The Modern Resurgence
The tradition of multiplayer arcade games has continued into the modern era, blending nostalgia with new technology. "Pac-Man Battle Royale," released in 2011, took a different approach by transforming the solitary experience of the original "Pac-Man" into a competitive multiplayer game. Up to four players navigate a maze, eating pellets and power-ups, with the twist being that players can eat each other once powered up, adding a competitive edge to the classic formula.
In 2017, Raw Thrills released a new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" arcade game, reminiscent of Konami's classic but updated with contemporary graphics and gameplay. This four-player beat 'em up allowed a new generation of fans to experience the excitement of fighting alongside team mates as the iconic turtles.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Communal Play
The history of multiplayer arcade games, from the competitive battles of "Warlords" to the cooperative adventures in "Gauntlet" and beyond, showcases the enduring appeal of social gaming experiences. These games have laid the foundation for the multiplayer games we enjoy today, embodying the spirit of community and competition that continues to drive the evolution of gaming.
