Gravitar/Thrust

[joeybastard]

Anybody who has played the 2 knows the gameplay is similar on both so I got to wondering about their connection. Gravitar came out in the arcades in 1982 and I think Thrust on the C64 was about 1986 or so. It almost seems like Thrust could be considered the continuation of Gravitar. Are they linked in anyway? For instance did the same guy come up with the concept or do the programming? I can't find much info on the original version of Thrust(not the excellent VCS port by Thomas). I'm guessing Gravitar was just the inspiration for Thrust but maybe there's more to it.

 

So anybody got any info or want to tell me I'm nuts in finding them them very similar?

[Rob Mitchell]

So anybody got any info or want to tell me I'm nuts in finding them them very similar?

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Um .. they both have gravity .. at times you have to hover in place ... and you have to explore strange planets or caves ..

 

Both Gravitar and Thrust have been ported to the Vectrex: Gravitrex and Thrust.

 

Great games on the 2600 and the Vectrex .. especially when using the Starplex controller! I have not played the C=64 version.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Flojomojo]

It's a clone. Like OIDS. I wish I could remember the name of the brilliant black and white Macintosh game with the built-in editor. What fun!

[Mayhem]

I believe Jeremy Smith (RIP sadly) who programmed the C64 version of Thrust was a big fan of Gravitar. I'm sure there's some article about him somewhere, might have been Edge.

 

He also did the (sadly vastly under-rated) game Exile for BBC and C64.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Jeremy Smith (RIP sadly)

I didn't know. When?

[Mayhem]

A few years ago I believe. I can't remember exactly when or how though, it was in the same article I was talking about above as they were talking to Peter Irvin (who co-wrote Exile with him).

[Thomas Jentzsch]

A few years ago I believe. I can't remember exactly when or how though, it was in the same article I was talking about above as they were talking to Peter Irvin (who co-wrote Exile with him).

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I only found this quote from William Reeve:

I regard Peter [and Jeremy, RIP] as one of the true 'craftsmen' in the historic sense. He was a great guy to work with ad an inspiration to me at the time.

But that's the absolutely only hint I was able to find. Strange.

 

Though it could be true, the latest game release from him was in 1995.

 

UPDATE: According to this unconfirmed source Jeremy committed suicide.

Edited November 30, 2005 by Thomas Jentzsch

[RickHarrisMaine]

You can use the Starplex for Gravitar? I just got one of those and also got a silver Gravitar too. The game is really fun, too, so much better than the one I played with on the plug and play Atari joystick!

[Flojomojo]

On a happier note, I remembered the name of the brilliant early Macintosh game that resembles Thrust, Gravitar, Oids, and others ...

 

Continuum. There's more about it here, including an emulator to play it on modern hardware.

 

[Rob Mitchell]

You can use the Starplex for Gravitar?  I just got one of those and also got a silver Gravitar too.  The game is really fun, too ..

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Yes .. Give it a try! 5 button goodness!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA