Katakis
| Katakis | |
|---|---|
 Cover art of Katakis | |
| Developer(s) | Manfred Trenz (C64) Factor 5 (Amiga) |
| Publisher(s) | Rainbow Arts |
| Platform(s) | Amiga Commodore 64 iOS (ZX Spectrum Collection) |
| Release | 1988 (1989) |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player Multiplayer |
Katakis is a side scrolling shooter style arcade game developed for the Commodore 64 by Rainbow Arts in 1987, and converted to the Commodore Amiga by Factor 5 in 1988. It was re-released as Denaris in 1989. The name Katakis has a Greek origin and was found in a phone book in Gütersloh, Germany. The name Denaris was created by a random name generator, and by coincidence, matches a Greek name as well.[1]
Introductory plot
The game takes place on the planet Katakis, a human colony in deep space. There, scientists developed machinery with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. However, the machines eventually evolved beyond the control of their human creators and overtook the planet. The humans attempted to retaliate through the use of nuclear ballistic missiles, but the machines survived.
The colonists' remaining plan is to use a series of DS-H75 Eagle Fighter space gliders to attack the machines and retake the planet.
Gameplay
Katakis has a very similar theme as the game R-Type, with multiple levels, power-ups and various end-bosses. Players must eliminate enemy opponents to reach various end bosses. One major innovation is the fact that the two-player mode features the second player controlling the Force module. This creates an unusual play strategy of the attacker and the defender, since the main ship is vulnerable to enemy fire and hazards.
Controversy
Activision objected to the similar style of Katakis to their side-scroller arcade game, R-Type. Due to the game's obvious similarity to R-Type, rights holder Activision Europe delivered an ultimatum: either Factor 5 accept a contract to perform the official R-Type conversion for the Amiga home computer, or receive a lawsuit for rights infringement. According to Julian Eggebrecht, this was because "Activision couldn't find any programmers" but the opportunity was "a dream come true".[2]
Hardware platforms
Originally developed for the Commodore 64[3] platform, the game was also ported to the Commodore Amiga. Note that the Commodore 64 version of Denaris should not be confused for the similar space game Denarius, a top-down space scroller game.
References in or from other works
- In Turrican II (also designed by Manfred Trenz) there's plenty of reference to the Commodore 64 version of Katakis. At the end of level 2-2, the main character takes off in a fighter resembling the one from Katakis. During the take-off sequence, the fighter's drone pod can also briefly be seen, hanging from the ceiling. From that point, and for the whole world 3 duration, the game turns from a platform shooter to a scrolling shooter. There's even an easter egg: before level 3-2's end boss, a Katakis bonus container ship appears. If shot down, it reveals a "question mark" (?) bonus (unique in the whole Turrican II gamemap) that, if picked up, makes appear a helicopter walker robot, towing a banner with "KATAKIS LIVES!!!" written on it.
Current status
Factor 5 has released the Amiga version of Katakis as freeware as follows:
- "Katakis, R-Type and BC KID are not provided for the public domain. You are entitled to download and use these games only for non-commercial purposes. All copyrights are retained by their owners. Any distribution of this data through any medium unless specifically permitted by the copyright owners is not allowed."[4]
References
- ^ Katakis on C64-Wiki
- ^ Eggebrecht, Julian (February 23, 1998). "Factor 5 Interview (Part I)" (Interview). Interviewed by Peer Schneider. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ http://hol.abime.net/2549
- ^ Classics for free