AtariQuest is an interactive novel based mostly on 400-plus Atari 2600 video games

AtariQuest is an interactive novel based mostly on the retro gaming development, as it’s set on the earth of Atari 2600 console video games.

The Atari 2600 period lasted from the introduction of the console in 1977 till 1993, and the console lives on within the Atariverse for the reason that video games are playable on some trendy {hardware} in addition to emulators on the web.

In terms of fan fiction, that is fairly implausible. Melvin Missile, the pseudonym for the gamer who created AtariQuest, mentioned in an interview with GamesBeat that it’s based mostly on all 400-plus first-party and third-party video games that had been printed in the course of the lifespan of the Atari 2600 sport console.

The novel could have 444 chapters (some chapters cowl the identical sport greater than as soon as), with one chapter devoted to every sport. Not solely does it present followers with a chapter devoted to the gameplay of every sport, it additionally poses a gameplay problem. Gamers can resolve these challenges enjoying on Atari 2600-capable techniques, such because the Atari VCS, working 2600 techniques, or Atari 2600 emulators.

Above: Fishing Derby is the primary sport in AtariQuest.

Picture Credit score: Melvin Missile

And every chapter has a problem the place the participant has to add a video of the finished achievement within the sport. And that unlocks a brand new chapter. Thus far, gamers are on chapter two, however ultimately they’ll have the ability to unlock all of the chapters, Melvin Missile mentioned. It comes out to about 400,000 phrases, which the creator mentioned is maybe two-thirds of the size of The Lord of the Rings.

“I’ve been a lifelong fan of Atari Video games,” mentioned Melvin Missile. “Over time, I began amassing them.  After I was a child, I by no means actually considered them as separate video games. It was all the time like one related universe in my thoughts. And I simply type of abstractly thought of it that manner.”

Melvin Missile added, “And as I acquired older, I all the time discovered myself ideally excited about methods to attach them up. And I thought of on and off for years.”

About 4 years in the past, Melvin Missile began pondering extra critically about it and began engaged on the interactive novel.

Above: E.T. The Further-Terrestrial could have been the worst sport of all time.

Picture Credit score: Melvin Missile

The sheer breadth of data that this takes is what’s unbelievable about it. Not solely did Melvin Missile have to gather and personal every of the 400 or so video games printed for the Atari 2600 (and there’s a proof for what certified), however the creator additionally needed to have performed and overwhelmed these video games with a purpose to write the chapters and provide you with the gameplay challenges. The theme is about recovering your reminiscence, significantly of the outdated video video games that you just performed prior to now.

And right here’s what can also be distinctive. It’s an act of pure fan fiction, as there are not any advertisements on the net web site and there’s no charge for accessing the novel. The followers who publish the movies are eligible to be listed within the leaderboard for the website. The primary three individuals to publish that they’ve accomplished a problem can be on the leaderboard. It appears like the competition within the plot of the novel Prepared Participant One.

Melvin Missile mentioned, “I need to discover a method to get this on the market for anyone who cares to have interaction with it. It’s actually simply an artwork venture that I’m hoping individuals will like. The half I’m actually proud about is all of the enjoyable methods the video games are related collectively.”

The prologue reads like an outdated textual content journey (in “second particular person” utilizing “you” because the character), describing what you see as a customer to a yard sale filled with outdated issues. The first chapter takes you into the world of the Atari 2600, as a pixelated avatar. It introduces you to the character Melvin Missile after which asks you to plug your Fishing Derby sport into your console. Every chapter thus far is fairly quick, only a web page or so of studying. The second chapter strikes on to Breakout.

For the Breakout sport, right here’s the problem: “Place the Breakout cartridge into your Atari 2600. Set the Coloration/BW change to BW. Use sport choice 1, and set the left problem change to b. Play till you might have 864 factors. Put up a hyperlink to a video within the feedback part of your self finishing the problem.”

I requested Atari’s present chief what he thinks of this fan fiction. (Atari doesn’t know who’s creating it.)

“It’s all the time inspiring to see the inventive methods during which our followers honor the Atari legacy and assist their favourite video games reside on in new and creative methods,” mentioned Atari CEO Wade Rosen, in an e-mail to GamesBeat. “Not solely is AtariQuest inventive however it encaptures the spirit of Atari with its considerate storytelling and give attention to enjoyable.”

Above: Atlantis on the Atari 2600.

Picture Credit score: Melvin Missile

Melvin Missile mentioned the challenges are for anybody who considers themselves to be strong retro avid gamers.

“Should you can beat all of those challenges, you’re undoubtedly the final word Atari fan,” Melvin Missile mentioned. “The entire thing is definitely playable.

If followers discover some issues are lacking, that’s intentional. A lot of the video games give attention to these printed within the U.S., reasonably than titles that had been printed solely in smaller territories. Clone titles aren’t included nor are titles printed after the period of the Atari 2600. And the bizarre X-rated titles aren’t included.

“It’s fan fiction, technically,” Melvin Missile mentioned. “It’s a type of unusual fan fiction as a result of it spans so many issues. I simply love the Atari video games.”

Admittedly, a few of the video games are horrible. However the story must be distinctive for each participant, as will probably be based mostly on their very own playthroughs. Like me, Melvin Missile felt like enjoying via a online game was like creating your individual story, as you had been the one one who performed the sport a sure manner. And that’s why Melvin Missile requested individuals to add movies of how they beat a problem.

In enjoying so many video games, Melvin Missile discovered some issues, like how usually unusual orange helicopters present up within the video games. Melvin Missile discovered all in regards to the “Easter eggs,” or secret surprises that builders embedded within the video games. For example, E.T. the Further-Terrestrial sport, has a shocking variety of Easter eggs contemplating it’s considered as one of many worst video games of all time.

Above: Greater than 400 video games got here out for the Atari 2600.

Picture Credit score: Melvin Missile

Melvin Missile hopes the novel spreads in a viral manner amongst Atari followers. Whereas only a few individuals know in regards to the website thus far, followers have already unlocked the second chapter.

There are not any prizes for the leaderboard.

“I’m primarily excited by attracting individuals who care about this for the sake of the video games,” Melvin Missile mentioned. “I felt just like the the enjoyable of enjoying and the glory of being immortalized on the leaderboard could be inducements sufficient for the precise individuals.”