Tempest

Overview

Dave Theurer wanted to create a Space Invaders nightmare—enemies climbing out of the screen toward you. Tempest realised that vision with vector graphics, a rotary controller, and tube-shaped playfields. The result was intense, hypnotic, and unlike anything else in arcades.

Fast facts

Developer: Atari.
Designer: Dave Theurer.
Release: 1981.
Display: Colour vector.

Visual innovation

Feature	Achievement
Pseudo-3D	Depth perspective
Vector graphics	Sharp, scalable
Colour vectors	Vibrant display
Tube geometry	Unique playfield shapes

Controls

Input	Function
Rotary dial	Move around tube rim
Fire	Shoot into tube
Superzapper	Emergency screen clear

The spinner allowed precise, fast movement.

Gameplay

Element	Design
Position	Rim of geometric tube
Enemies	Climb from tube depth
Objective	Destroy before reaching rim
Progression	Increasingly complex tubes

Enemy types

Enemy	Behaviour
Flippers	Climb and flip on rim
Tankers	Split when destroyed
Spikers	Leave deadly spikes
Fuseballs	Travel along rim
Pulsars	Electrify lanes

Tube designs

Sixteen different shapes:

Circles
Squares
Triangles
Figure-eights
Open shapes
Irregular geometry

Level transitions

Between levels:

Zoom through completed tube
Avoid spikes left by Spikers
Visual spectacle
Brief respite

The Superzapper

Emergency weapon:

Clears all enemies once per level
Second use only destroys one
Strategic conservation
Panic button

Difficulty curve

Level range	Challenge
1-16	Learn enemy types
17-32	Increased speed
33+	Maximum intensity

Legacy

Tempest influenced:

Tube shooter subgenre
Tempest 2000 (Jeff Minter)
Geometric shooter aesthetics
Vector game appreciation

Tempest 2000

Jeff Minter’s 1994 update:

Atari Jaguar
Enhanced visuals
Techno soundtrack
Cult classic status

Vector tube shooter