Editing Area 51 (1995 video game)

{{Short description|none}}
{{distinguish|Area 51 (2005 video game)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Area 51
| image = Area 51 arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = Mesa Logic{{efn|Ported to PC, PlayStation and Sega Saturn by [[Tantalus Media|Tantalus]] and [[Perfect Entertainment]].}}
| publisher = [[Time Warner Interactive]]<small> (Arcade)</small><ref name="twi"/>{{efn|Published under the Atari Games label.}}{{vgrelease|NA|[[Midway Home Entertainment]]|EU|[[GT Interactive]]}}
| producer = Rob Rowe
| designer = Mike Hally<br />Robert Weatherby<br />Steve Caterson
| programmer = David Mahaffey<br />Charlie Grisafi
| artist = James Webb<br />David Dempsey<br />James Mestemaker<br />Guy Fumagalli<br />Hector Silva
| composer = Jeanne Parson<br />Michael Stein <small>(Uncredited)</small><ref name="A51ah">{{cite web|url=https://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=detail&id=99|title=Area 51 (Arcade)|website=arcade-history.com|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref>
| series = ''[[Area 51 (series)|Area 51]]''
| platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]]
| release = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|November 1995}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 1995}} '''Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Area 51'' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/action/area51/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205005646/http://www.gamespot.com/action/area51/index.html |archive-date=5 February 1997 |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=[[GameSpot]] |quote=Released: 10/96}}</ref>}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|NA|20 November 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recently Released Titles |url=http://sega-saturn.com/software.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961215060114/http://sega-saturn.com/software.htm |archive-date=15 December 1996 |access-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=usurped |website=[[Sega Saturn]]}}</ref>|EU|14 March 1997}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|26 November 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=Available Titles Released in 1996 (172) (222 Total) |url=http://www.vidgames.com:80/ps/software/release.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815065413/http://www.vidgames.com:80/ps/software/release.html |archive-date=15 August 2000 |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}</ref>|EU|1 May 1997}}}}
| genre = [[Light gun shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Atari CoJag]]
}}

'''''Area 51''''' is a [[light gun]] arcade game released by [[Time Warner Interactive]] in 1995.<ref>Matt Cabral, "''Area 51'': A History of Violence," ''[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]]'' 004 (March 2008): 82-83.</ref> It takes its name from the [[Area 51|military facility]]. The plot of the game involves the player taking part in a Strategic Tactical Advanced Alien Response (STAAR) military incursion to prevent [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|aliens]], known as the Kronn, and alien-created zombies from taking over the Area 51 military facility.

Produced as a last-ditch effort to reverse Atari's struggling fortunes, ''Area 51'' largely underwhelmed critics, who compared it unfavorably to contemporary light gun shooters such as ''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'', but was well-liked by players and became a major hit. The game was ported to the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]] and [[personal computer]]s. Atari further capitalized on its success with ''[[Maximum Force]]'', which used the same arcade board and similar graphics techniques and gameplay, and a direct sequel, ''[[Area 51: Site 4]]''.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Area 51 (video game).png|upright|left|thumb|A screenshot showing the player engaging in a battle with multiple opponents.]]
This game takes the player through several sections of the facility, including a warehouse and tunnels. The player character is tasked, along with fellow Special Tactical Advanced Alien Response (STAAR) members Lieutenant Stephanie Grant and Sergeant Major Marcus Bradley, to penetrate Area 51 and activate the nuclear self-destruct sequence. The player must defeat genetically modified zombie soldiers and aliens without harming any allied STAAR team members. If nothing but three STAAR team members are shot, the Kronn Hunter mode is started, taking the role of a Hunter, sent by the Kronn to eliminate the rebels.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 1996|title=Gamer's Edge|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/dc/EGM_US_087.pdf|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=87|page=127}}</ref>

There are five types of weaponry available. While the player is only given a semi-automatic pistol in the beginning, weapon upgrades are available as targets. The pistol can be upgraded to an automatic machine gun, a pump shotgun, and finally an automatic shotgun. The shotgun weaponry allows a greater field of error for targeting an enemy. Both the machine gun and automatic shotgun allow the player to keep the trigger pressed down to unleash rounds. If the player character is hit by the enemy at any time, the weapon is downgraded back to the pistol.

Grenades are hidden in crates and bonus rooms. When used, they destroy most on screen enemies at once. The player can hold a maximum of nine grenades. In addition, yellow boxes and barrels marked with "flammable" warning symbols can be shot to cause fires or explosions that can harm enemies. By shooting certain objects in the correct sequence, players can unlock shooting exercises, weapon stashes, and bonus items that are not available in the main game plot. Other backdoors allow players to warp ahead to later levels instead of following the game's otherwise linear path.

There are many types of aliens/alien zombies including ones that shoot, punch, fire rockets, and throw things like bricks, grenades, and barrels. Purple alien/alien zombies require more hits than other targets.

== Development ==
[[File:Area51Arcade.jpg|upright|right|thumb|An Area 51 arcade cabinet.]]
In 1994, Atari Games was in desperate need of a hit, having gone years without a single profitable game and losing most of their most talented developers to rival publisher [[Electronic Arts]]. As such, they directed [[Ed Logg]] to create a [[light gun shooter]], which was one of the most popular game genres in arcades at the time.<ref name="RetroPierce">{{cite magazine|last=Drury|first=Paul |date=December 2016 |title=Mark Pierce Q&A |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=163|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|page=49}}</ref> However, Logg also left to join Electronic Arts while the game, ''Bounty Hunter'', was still unfinished.<ref name="RetroPierce"/> At this point executives at Atari Games felt it would be safer to entrust development to an external team, and approached Mesa Logic head Robert Weatherby about his team (Hector Silva, James Mestemaker, Guy Fumagali and James Webb) taking over ''Bounty Hunter''. After playing ''Bounty Hunter'' and finding it underwhelming, Weatherby asked for a few months to come up with and develop a pitch for his own gun game concept, to which Atari agreed.<ref name="RetroMaking">{{cite magazine|last=Drury|first=Paul |date=December 2016 |title=The Making Of: Area 51 |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=163|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|pages=48–53}}</ref>

Weatherby received the inspiration for the ''Area 51'' concept from an article in ''[[Popular Science]]'' called "Searching for the Secrets of [[Groom Lake]]".<ref name="RetroMaking"/>

Originally the data from the game was to be streamed from a CD player using [[Cinepak]] for compression, but since this could only produce a [[letterboxing (filming)|letterboxed]] display, lead programmer Charlie Grisafi opted to instead run the game on a COJAG (a modified [[Atari Jaguar]] used in arcade games) interfaced with a [[hard disk drive]] and using Grisafi's own custom compression software.<ref name="RetroMaking"/> Grisafi recalled: {{blockquote|The amount of rendering required was a huge obstacle. It was originally done by Robert [Weatherby]'s team in Texas but as time went on, the raw horsepower required to do it all became more than they had. I realized that the [[Silicon Graphics]] workstations of all the different teams at Atari in California could be a huge resource for doing this. Atari helped us coordinate getting access to all of the systems in the building after hours when the other teams weren't using their systems, so every night we would take over and turn all the SGI systems at Atari into a large render farm.<ref name="RetroMaking"/>}}

The game uses [[digitization|digitized]] video stored on the on-board hard disk, and [[Gib (video gaming)|gibs]] into which every enemy blows apart when shot, in exactly the same way. While enemies, civilians, and explosions are 2D digitized video sprites, the levels and vehicles are [[Pre-rendering|pre-rendered]] in 3D.

While the STAAR members were rendered with [[motion capture]], the assorted enemies were created with [[stop motion]] animation by [[Sneaky Pete Kleinow]].<ref name="RetroMaking"/><ref name="C+51">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=6626&album=oui|title=Arcade – Area 51|magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]|issue=51|publisher=[[:fr: M.E.R.7|M.E.R.7]]|date=February 1996|pages=146–148|lang=fr}}</ref>

== Ports ==
In 1996, the game was ported to the PlayStation, Saturn, and PC. The arcade game was released in 1995 under the Atari Games label by [[Time Warner Interactive]], a short-lived merger between [[Time Warner Interactive Group]], Atari Games, and the latter's subsidiary [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=April 12, 1994 |title=Technology: Time Inc. said Monday that Cable... |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-12-fi-45111-story.html |access-date=July 9, 2024 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Atari Games was purchased by [[WMS Industries]] the following year; as a result, ports for PlayStation, Saturn, and Windows were released in 1996 by WMS's [[Midway Home Entertainment]] subsidiary.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 1996 |title=News Bits |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_094_Volume_08_Number_07_1996-07_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n17 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |page=17 |issue=94}}([[Wayback Machine]] [[PDF]])</ref> It was re-released on the PlayStation in 2001 by Midway as part of their Midway Classics range.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} [[Tiger Electronics]] later released a handheld version of the game with an [[LCD]] screen and small light gun.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

The PlayStation version supports fullscreen play, while the Saturn version has a border covering about 15% of the screen. The Saturn version supports all of the console's light guns. The PlayStation version supports the [[Konami Justifier]], but not the Namco [[GunCon]].

Despite the arcade version running on a modified Atari Jaguar, it was never ported on to the system itself. According to Atari Games, by the time of ''Area 51''{{'}}s release the company no longer saw the Jaguar as a viable platform.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Halliwell |first=Clay|url=http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|title=Atari Games on Area 51 |magazine=Jaguar Explorer Online|volume=1|issue=2|publisher=White Space Publishers |date=July 1, 1997|access-date=2019-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202933/http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/archive.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{rating|4.5|5}} (ARC)<ref name="AllGArc"/><br />{{rating|2.5|5}} (PS1)<ref name="AllGPS"/><br />{{rating|4|5}} (SAT)<ref name="AllGSat"/>
| CVG = 1/10 (PS1)<ref name=CVG>{{cite web|last=Fulljames|first=Stephen|title=Area 51 Review (PlayStation)|url=http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=7834|website=[[Computer and Video Games]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011085057/http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=7834|archive-date=October 11, 2007|date=August 15, 2001}}</ref>
| EGM = 5.675/10 (SAT)<ref name=EGM91>{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Area 51 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=91|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=February 1997 |page=58}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.1/10 (SAT)<ref name=GSSat>{{cite web |last=Kitts |first=Jeff |title=Area 51 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/area-51-review/1900-2532873/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=6 August 2018 |date=December 17, 1996}}</ref>
| IGN = 7/10 (SAT)<ref name="IGNSat"/>
| rev1 = ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]''
| rev1Score = {{rating|2|5}} (PC)<ref name="CGM96"/>
| NGen = {{rating|3|5}} (ARC)<ref name="NGen12"/><br />{{rating|2|5}} (PS1)<ref name=NGen27>{{cite magazine |title=Area 51 |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=27|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=March 1997 |page=84}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev3Score = 72% (SAT)<ref name=SSM18>{{cite magazine|last=Nutter|first=Lee |title=Review: Area 51|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=18|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=April 1997|pages=62–63}}</ref>
}}
''Area 51'' was a major hit in the arcades, selling over 20,000 cabinets.<ref name=RetroMaking/> It was cited as the first step in a comeback for Atari Games which brought the company from the brink of financial collapse to being a major force in the arcade industry over just a little more than a year.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 1997|title=NG Alphas: Atari Comes Alive|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_35/page/n79/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=35|page=78}}</ref> Executive producer Mark Pierce recalled that the home versions had above average sales by the standards of console light gun games (which typically did not sell as well as other arcade ports, since players could not get the full experience without purchasing a light gun for the console).<ref name=RetroPierce/>

''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]''{{'}}s review of the arcade version stated that "''Area 51'' provides shooters with what they want", noting in particular the dark and varied levels, realistic and graduated scenery, intriguing story themes, and fun power-ups. Despite this, the reviewer concluded that the game "stands up better against shooters of the past like ''[[Virtua Cop|Virtua Cop 1]]'' and ''[[Mad Dog McCree]]'', and not the current crop."<ref name="NGen12">{{cite magazine|date=December 1995|title=Area 51|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-012/page/n201/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=12|page=201}}</ref> The game took the number one slot in the December 1995 "Player's Choice" chart of ''RePlay Magazine''.<ref name="twi">{{cite magazine|last=Webb|first=Marcus|date=March 1996|title=Time Warner Interactive is for Sale|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-015/page/n23/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=15|page=23}}</ref>

The Saturn port received middling reviews. Critics typically commented that the game is good fun on its own terms but does not compare well to ''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'', which was released for the Saturn at roughly the same time.<ref name=EGM91/><ref name="IGNSat"/><ref name=SSM18/><ref name=GP101/> The graphics received mixed remarks due to the graininess of the FMV and the presence of screen borders,<ref name=EGM91/><ref name="IGNSat"/><ref name=SSM18/><ref name=GP101/> and like most console light gun games it was criticized as having very low longevity.<ref name=EGM91/><ref name=IGNSat/><ref name=SSM18/><ref name=GP101/>

The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' also found the game too easy, though they praised the retention of all the secret rooms from the arcade version.<ref name=EGM91/> Lee Nutter summarized in ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'', "As shoot 'em ups go ''Area 51'' is not a bad effort, but outclassed by the [Virtua] Cop games in every conceivable way."<ref name=SSM18/> ''[[GamePro]]'' gave ''Area 51'' one of its more positive reviews, praising its frenzied pace and concluding, "''Area 51''{{'}}s sizzling action easily overcomes its sizable flaws. It's a must for diehard shooters and a superb rental for everyone else."<ref name=GP101>{{cite magazine|author=Air Hendrix|date=February 1997|title=Saturn ProReview: Area 51|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_101_Volume_09_Number_02_1997-02_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n81|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=101|page=80}}([[Wayback Machine]] [[PDF]])</ref>

Jeff Kitts of ''[[GameSpot]]'' called it "a topnotch shooter". Unlike other reviewers, he found the game's challenge and multiple difficulty levels give it sufficient longevity, and deemed the graphics "superb", citing the constant action and plot development playing out in the photorealistic backgrounds.<ref name=GSSat/> In a 1998 review of the Saturn version, [[IGN]], while remarking that the game lacks sufficient playtime or extras to last long and does not measure up to ''Virtua Cop 2'', found it to be a well-designed and fun experience in both single player and two-player mode.<ref name=IGNSat>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/02/area-51-6|title=Area 51 Review|last=Schneider|first=Peer|author-link=Peer Schneider|date=January 2, 1998|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref>

Steve Bauman of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' gave the PC version two stars out of five and wrote, "This is a perfect example why you don't convert some arcade games to the PC." Bauman called the game "repetitive and boring" because of its lack of the arcade version's light gun.<ref name="CGM96">{{cite web |url= http://www.cdmag.com/action_vault/area_51_review/page1.html|title= Area 51 (PC) Review|last= Bauman|first= Steve|date= 1996|work= [[Computer Games Magazine]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19961220102106/http://www.cdmag.com/action_vault/area_51_review/page1.html|archive-date= December 20, 1996|pages=1{{ndash}}2}}</ref>

The PlayStation version was largely ignored by contemporary reviewers. A ''Next Generation'' reviewer criticized the conversion, but mainly emphasized that ''Area 51'' as a 1997 console game lacked the excitement it had aroused as an arcade game in 1995. He did, however, praise the music and sound effects.<ref name=NGen27/>

In a retrospective review of the arcade version, Brad Cook of [[AllGame]] wrote, "Not only is this game fun, it's not incredibly hard either. [...] The graphics are extremely well done, and it's very fast-paced." He also praised the storyline, [[attract mode]], and varied backgrounds.<ref name="AllGArc">{{cite web|url= http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9515&tab=review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141115122341/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9515&tab=review|title= ''Area 51'' (arcade) Review|website= [[AllGame]]|archive-date= November 15, 2014|first= Brad|last= Cook}}</ref> Anthony Baize of AllGame called the PlayStation version "very exciting." Baize remarked that while the graphics are not as good as the arcade version, they are still solid, and the unlimited continues gives it an advantage over the arcade version.<ref name="AllGPS">{{cite web|url= http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2017&tab=review |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141115122402/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2017&tab=review|title= ''Area 51'' (PlayStation) Review|website=AllGame |archive-date= November 15, 2014|first= Anthony|last= Baize}}</ref> AllGame praised the Saturn version's music and sound, and recommended that players use a light gun instead of a joypad. AllGame also wrote that the graphics were, "Not as crisp as the PS and PC versions but good for the Saturn."<ref name="AllGSat">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1805&tab=review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141115122148/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1805&tab=review|title= ''Area 51'' (Saturn) Review|website= AllGame|archive-date= November 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2001, Stephen Fulljames of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' reviewed the PlayStation version and wrote that it "plays as if it's on rails - the pre-rendered environments offering a totally predictable environment. We challenge anyone not to be bored within a week."<ref name=CVG/>

== Sequel and related games ==
[[File:Mesa Logic Team (1993-94?).jpg|thumb|Mesa Logic Team (1993-94?)]]
In 1997, Atari Games and Mesa Logic released ''[[Maximum Force]]'', a spiritual successor to ''Area 51'' with identical gameplay and aesthetic elements; both games were later re-released in 1998 as one machine called ''Area 51/Maximum Force Duo''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6908|title=Area 51/Maximum Force Duo - Videogame by Atari Games|website=www.arcade-museum.com|access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref> Also in 1998, an arcade sequel titled ''[[Area 51: Site 4]]'' was released.

In 2005, a [[first-person shooter]] [[Area 51 (2005 video game)|which shares the name]] and uses the original as an inspiration was released for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and PC by [[Midway Games]]. It features a more sophisticated storyline and the voices of [[David Duchovny]], [[Marilyn Manson]], and [[Powers Boothe]], and was well-received; the original arcade game makes a brief appearance here as well. In 2007, Midway released ''[[BlackSite: Area 51]]'' to PC, [[Xbox 360]], and [[PlayStation 3]], which was received poorly.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|1990s|Video games|United States}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080725151929/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/196623.asp Area 51] at [[GameRankings]]
* {{moby game|id=/area-51}}

{{Atari Games}}
{{Area 51 series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Area 51 (1995 Video Game)}}
[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Video games about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari arcade games]]
[[Category:Light gun games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Rail shooters]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Tiger Electronics handheld games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in Nevada]]
[[Category:Video games with digitized sprites]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Tantalus Media games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Horror video games|Horror video games]]
[[Category:Perfect Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Mesa Logic games]]
[[Category:Tectoy games]]
[[Category:Time Warner Interactive games]]
[[Category:Video games about Area 51]]