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Undid revision 870440115 by TheBraveSFT (talk) this is probably one of the most pointy and contentious edits I've seen in months, if not years. Response on talk page.
Undid revision 870548721 by Chaheel Riens (talk) I'm simply correcting information that's been wrong for over 30 years. I have no idea why you would have a problem with that.
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|title =
|title =
|image =Game start screen for Bubble Bus' ZX Spectrum game Starquake.png
|image =Game start screen for Bubble Bus' ZX Spectrum game Starquake.png
|caption =''Starquake''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s start screen, ZX Spectrum version
|caption =ZX Spectrum Screenshot of ''Starquake''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s start screen
|developer =[[Bubble Bus Software]]
|developer =[[Bubble Bus Software]]
|publisher =[[Bubble Bus Software]]
|publisher =[[Bubble Bus Software]]
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* There are also multiple [[Teleportation|teleport]] booths scattered around the play area, each with its own destination code.
* There are also multiple [[Teleportation|teleport]] booths scattered around the play area, each with its own destination code.



BLOB is able to carry up to four items at once, using a [[FIFO (computing and electronics)|FIFO]] arrangement. Some of the items encountered will be useful to repair the core, while others will need to be exchanged using a Cheops Pyramid for something more useful. There is an [[Access (credit card)|Access credit card]], which can fill in for any of the numbered chips needed to get through security doors, and for using the aforementioned Pyramid. There is also a Key which can be used to open doors.
BLOB is able to carry up to four items at once, using a [[FIFO (computing and electronics)|FIFO]] arrangement. Some of the items encountered will be useful to repair the core, while others will need to be exchanged using a Cheops Pyramid for something more useful. There is an Access card, which can fill in for any of the numbered chips needed to get through security doors, and for using the aforementioned Pyramid. There is also a Key which can be used to open doors.



As well as items needed to repair the core, the Access card and Key, there are items which will top up BLOB's energy, his platform building capacity or his firepower. There is one cylinder like object which will top up whichever level is lowest, and even add a life if BLOB is down to his last. BLOB can also top up his lives by moving into joysticks which are an extra life.
As well as items needed to repair the core, the Access card and Key, there are items which will top up BLOB's energy, his platform building capacity or his firepower. There is one cylinder like object which will top up whichever level is lowest, and even add a life if BLOB is down to his last. BLOB can also top up his lives by moving into joysticks which are an extra life.



Points are scored for shooting the various moving hazardous creatures, worth between 80 and 320 points each, and 10,000 points per core item replaced. 250 points are scored for each time BLOB enters a new screen. There are also other hazards, dangerous spikes and energy fields that will kill BLOB on contact, as will the mines that move around like the creatures.
Points are scored for shooting the various moving hazardous creatures, worth between 80 and 320 points each, and 10,000 points per core item replaced. 250 points are scored for each time BLOB enters a new screen. There are also other hazards, dangerous spikes and energy fields that will kill BLOB on contact, as will the mines that move around like the creatures.



The game features play area of 512 screens. The placement of the objects, and the identities of those needed to fix the core are randomized at the start of the game, the map/screens including locations of teleport booths remain fixed as do their destination codes. There are nine core elements to replace in order to complete the game.
The game features play area of 512 screens. The placement of the objects, and the identities of those needed to fix the core are randomized at the start of the game, the map/screens including locations of teleport booths remain fixed as do their destination codes. There are nine core elements to replace in order to complete the game.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The ZX Spectrum version was ranked 27th in the ''[[Your Sinclair]] Official Top 100 Games of All Time''<ref>{{cite journal|title=Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time|journal=Your Sinclair|date=September 1993}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/letthepeopledecideresults.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308212245/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/letthepeopledecideresults.htm |archivedate=2012-03-08 |df= }}</ref> and 10th in [[Retro Gamer]] magazine's ''Top 25:Spectrum Games''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Top 25:Spectrum Games|journal=Retro Gamer|date=2008|pages=87}}</ref>
The ZX Spectrum version was rated 27th in the ''[[Your Sinclair]] Official Top 100 Games of All Time''<ref>{{cite journal|title=Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time|journal=Your Sinclair|date=September 1993}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/letthepeopledecideresults.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308212245/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/letthepeopledecideresults.htm |archivedate=2012-03-08 |df= }}</ref> and 10th in Retro Gamer's ''Top 25:Spectrum Games''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Top 25:Spectrum Games|journal=Retro Gamer|date=2008|pages=87}}</ref>

==Misc==

Contrary to the claim of various Atari ST sites with database game details on all things ST, the graphics were NOT done by MC Lothlorien, but were in fact done by in-house graphics artist David McLachlan. His name is on the titlescreen and due to its small size and viewed originally on CRT screens was likely confused for MC Lothlorien.

[https://www.video-games-museum.com/en/screenshots/Atari%20ST/1/16416-title-Starquake.png Starquake Title Screen for the Atari ST with Artists credit]


Albeit 30 years late, the Commodore Amiga version of Starquake gets released on November 16th 2018.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=74573


It is a reverse engineered hack of the original Atari ST version with the full blessing of original designer, Stephen Crow.

A limited box run of 100 copies was made for a Kickstarter campaign.

http://www.indieretronews.com/2018/05/starquake-amiga-port-gets-first.html


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 16:07, 25 November 2018

ZX Spectrum Screenshot of Starquake's start screen
Developer(s)Bubble Bus Software
Publisher(s)Bubble Bus Software
Designer(s)Stephen Crow
Programmer(s)Stephen Crow
Platform(s)Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Tatung Einstein
Release
Genre(s)Arcade adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Starquake is an arcade adventure, platform and maze game written by Stephen Crow and published by Bubble Bus Software in 1985. It was released for Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit family, Tatung Einstein (all 1985), the BBC Micro (1987)[1] and IBM Compatible and Atari ST (both 1988).

Plot

The player controls BLOB (Bio-Logically Operated Being), whose mission is to penetrate the unstable core of a rogue planet which has appeared from a black hole. If the core is not repaired within the set time limit it will implode causing a chain reaction which will destroy the entire universe. The planet is inhabited by various primitive creatures, all hazardous to the touch, and the remnants of a previous civilisation which provides the items needed to rebuild and stabilise the planet core.

Gameplay

Within the game, there are multiple ways to get around;

  • Running is the default.
  • Hover platforms can be used to fly. Items that BLOB can carry cannot be picked up while on a hover platform.
  • BLOB can build his own short-lived platforms to reach high places.
  • BLOB can get through some trap like doors by making short-lived platforms then dropping onto them when they will disappear.
  • There are some tube shaped lifts which will lift BLOB upwards to the top. BLOB cannot enter these whilst on a hover platform.
  • There are also multiple teleport booths scattered around the play area, each with its own destination code.


BLOB is able to carry up to four items at once, using a FIFO arrangement. Some of the items encountered will be useful to repair the core, while others will need to be exchanged using a Cheops Pyramid for something more useful. There is an Access card, which can fill in for any of the numbered chips needed to get through security doors, and for using the aforementioned Pyramid. There is also a Key which can be used to open doors.


As well as items needed to repair the core, the Access card and Key, there are items which will top up BLOB's energy, his platform building capacity or his firepower. There is one cylinder like object which will top up whichever level is lowest, and even add a life if BLOB is down to his last. BLOB can also top up his lives by moving into joysticks which are an extra life.


Points are scored for shooting the various moving hazardous creatures, worth between 80 and 320 points each, and 10,000 points per core item replaced. 250 points are scored for each time BLOB enters a new screen. There are also other hazards, dangerous spikes and energy fields that will kill BLOB on contact, as will the mines that move around like the creatures.


The game features play area of 512 screens. The placement of the objects, and the identities of those needed to fix the core are randomized at the start of the game, the map/screens including locations of teleport booths remain fixed as do their destination codes. There are nine core elements to replace in order to complete the game.

Reception

The ZX Spectrum version was rated 27th in the Your Sinclair Official Top 100 Games of All Time[2] and 10th in Retro Gamer's Top 25:Spectrum Games.[3]

Misc

Contrary to the claim of various Atari ST sites with database game details on all things ST, the graphics were NOT done by MC Lothlorien, but were in fact done by in-house graphics artist David McLachlan. His name is on the titlescreen and due to its small size and viewed originally on CRT screens was likely confused for MC Lothlorien.

Starquake Title Screen for the Atari ST with Artists credit


Albeit 30 years late, the Commodore Amiga version of Starquake gets released on November 16th 2018.

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=74573


It is a reverse engineered hack of the original Atari ST version with the full blessing of original designer, Stephen Crow.

A limited box run of 100 copies was made for a Kickstarter campaign.

http://www.indieretronews.com/2018/05/starquake-amiga-port-gets-first.html

References

  1. ^ Reeder, Dave (July 1987). "The Arcade: Starquake". A & B Computing. Argus Specialist Publications. p. 55. Bubble Bus Software, Model B/Master, Disc/tape £11.95/£9.95
  2. ^ "Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time". Your Sinclair. September 1993."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2012-02-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Top 25:Spectrum Games". Retro Gamer: 87. 2008.
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