Christian Oberth
Christian Oberth | |
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Born | May 17, 1953 |
Died | July 14, 2012 59)[1] | (aged
Known for | Game programmer |
Christian H. "Chris" Oberth (May 17, 1953 – July 14, 2012)[1] was a game programmer who created early titles for the Apple II family of personal computers, handheld electronic games for Milton Bradley, and games for coin-operated arcade machines published in the early 1980s. Though not a hit in arcades, Oberth's 1982 Anteater for Stern Electronics was an influential concept, cloned by a number of developers for 8-bit home computers, including Sierra On-Line (as Oil's Well). The following year he wrote his own home version as Ardy the Aardvark (Datamost, 1983).
Oberth's first commercial games, Phasor Zap (1978) and 3-D Docking Mission (1978) for the Apple II, were published by Programma International, a company which also published games from future arcade game designers Bob Flanagan and Gary Shannon as well as rejecting the first effort from Mark Turmell.[2] His next thirteen Apple II games, in addition to Phasor Zap and 3-D Docking Mission, were published by The Elektrik Keyboard, a musical instrument and computer store in Chicago where Oberth was head of the computer department.[2]
Games
Programma International [3][4] The Elektrik Keyboard 1978-79 [3][4]
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Stern Electronics 1981-83 [3][4]
Datamost 1983 Microlab 1984
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Epyx 1985 Mindscape 1987-88, 1990 [4]
Gametek 1992 Incredible Technologies 1995-1997 [4]
Electronic Arts 2001 |
Unreleased
- Crypt (Stern, 1983) [6]
References
- 1 2 "Christian H. Oberth Obituary: View Christian Oberth's Obituary by Chicago Tribune". Legacy.com. 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- 1 2 Smith, Keith. "Programma International - Coin-Op Breeding Ground". The Golden Age Arcade Historian.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers". Dadgum.com. 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Interview with Programmer Christian Oberth (Part 3)". Retrogaming Times Monthly. No. 27. My.stratos.net. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- 1 2 "Interview with Programmer Christian Oberth (Part 2)". Retrogaming Times Monthly. No. 24. My.stratos.net. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ "Crypt". Gaming History.