Overview
Look through the viewfinder, see the wireframe world. Battlezone created the first arcade tank combat simulation, rendering a 3D battlefield in glowing green vectors. The distinctive cabinet with its periscope viewer made players feel genuinely inside a tank, hunting enemies across a geometric landscape.
Fast facts
- Developer: Atari.
- Designer: Ed Rotberg.
- Technology: Vector display, first-person 3D.
- Cultural note: US Army licensed it for training.
Technical innovation
| Feature | Achievement |
|---|
| 3D rendering | Real-time vector graphics |
| First-person view | Inside-vehicle perspective |
| Horizon line | Sense of depth |
| Radar display | Tactical awareness |
Gameplay elements
| Element | Function |
|---|
| Tanks | Primary enemy |
| UFOs | Flying targets |
| Missiles | Guided threats |
| Obstacles | Geometric cover |
Cabinet design
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|
| Periscope viewer | Immersive view |
| Dual sticks | Tank controls |
| Green phosphor | Military aesthetic |
| Hood | Blocks ambient light |
Military version
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|
| Name | ”Bradley Trainer” |
| Purpose | Infantry fighting vehicle training |
| Designer reaction | Ed Rotberg refused to work on it |
| Historical note | One of first military game adaptations |
Legacy
| Influence | Area |
|---|
| First-person shooters | Genre foundation |
| Tank simulations | Established conventions |
| VR gaming | Early immersion concept |
| Vector aesthetics | Lasting visual style |
See also