Au (location test)

Players control aquatic characters in this two-player shooter from Tehkan, released in 1983 under the title Au. Originally conceived as a conversion kit for the earlier game Swimmer, Au was showcased at several industry events and underwent location testing before its development concluded. The gameplay involves navigating underwater environments while confronting various obstacles and enemies—specific details of these challenges remain largely undocumented due to the game’s unreleased status. While never formally released, Au holds significance as a precursor to Tehkan's later title, Star Force, hinting at shared design elements or technological innovations. The game marked the final release under the “Tehkan” name for the company. Given its limited exposure and incomplete history, Au represents a rare glimpse into a potential direction for Tehkan’s arcade development in the early 1980s.