Atari helped close last summer with a surprising reveal, a reboot for the classic arcade-shooter Tempest is in development. Legendary game designer Jeff Minter heads development at Llamasoft, ensuring Tempest 4000 faithfully adheres to what makes the original so beloved. The action-packed gameplay of the arcade days returns, alongside new features, and finally has a release date. Tempest 4000 arrives in digital and retail stores on July 18 for $29.99 USD.
As one of the first video games to employ 3D vector graphics, Tempest quickly cemented itself as pivotal to Atari’s legacy. Further evidence of this is apparent in its influence across popular culture, notable in works such as Ernest Cline?s novel, Ready Player One. Tempest’s impact, and that of arcade gaming, also manifests in the consoles of today. Jeff Minter, says of the reboot, ?modern home consoles are the descendants of arcade gaming. We wanted to bring the classic arcade experience into players? homes, so both franchise legacy fans and new gamers can test their mettle.? Todd Shallbetter, Chief Operating Officer of Atari, adds,
?Much of Atari?s legacy is tied to console games, and we want to continue this tradition with the PlayStation and Xbox launch of Tempest 4000. The original Tempest is one of our most beloved titles, so it was only a matter of time before we brought this iconic arcade classic to modern consoles with today?s technology.?
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