«Atari Superbike», racing game in development for Atari 8-bit | Video
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Stunning graphics and remarkably fluid animation are the highlights of the preview of "Atari Superbike", a motorcycle racing game for the Atari 8-bit, currently in development by Mariusz "Mq" Ejchsztet of Poland.
A video posted on the Retro Borsuk YouTube channel in late September gave a sneak peek of the game's features. These include multiple tracks, opponents scaled according to their distance from the player, and detailed collisions. The design calls for a championship mode with a points system, as well as a checkpoint-based arcade mode, offering options for different play styles.One of the highlights is the attention to realism. Ejchsztet has fine-tuned the acceleration of the bikes to match the real thing, as well as taking care of the proportions of the road and the vehicles. The sense of speed is meticulously achieved through details such as moving strips on the sides of the track, shadows cast by the bikes – something rare in 8-bit games – and the rider’s lean in the corners. The interface includes a tachometer that reaches speeds of over 300 km/h, a lap counter, and a race position indicator, providing essential information on screen.
The sound is not far behind. The game already features the characteristic roar of the motorcycle engine and the screeching of the tires as they hit the edges of the track, increasing the immersion in each race. Wojtek "Bocianu" Bocianski, a prominent programmer in the Atari scene, told Atariteca: “Mq has been a motorcyclist all his life, so he knows a lot about the subject. He is the right person to carry out this project.” Bocianski also stressed that this is an individual project, similar to his previous work, "Dude Story".
Technically, Atari Superbike uses the ANTIC 4 graphics mode, with five colors in a 40x24 character resolution. The side stripes and the road are made up of sprites, while the motorcycles and their opponents are designed from fonts. These elements, combined with advanced techniques such as the use of interrupts to optimize processor cycles, aim to offer a fluid and visually striking experience.
Ejchsztet himself has stated that his inspiration comes from classic titles such as "Speed King" (Mastertronic, 1986). In the current development, functional curves have already been incorporated, and work is being done on the animation of the opponents, showing significant advances compared to the video presented.
It's clear that Atari Superbike has the potential to become one of the brightest jewels of the Atari XL/XE platform, as well as one of the most ambitious and anticipated releases of the current retro scene.
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