Orbit

Orbit is a two-player space shooter developed by Atari in 1978, inspired by the earlier vector game Spacewar!. Players pilot starships navigating around a central sun, dodging asteroids and firing at each other while managing fuel and ordnance. A key feature of Orbit is its extensive customization system; before or during gameplay, players can select from ten distinct levels that affect ship speed and projectile behavior, as well as toggle eight different options like bounce-back boundaries, negative gravity, space stations for refueling and repairs, and even a black hole effect. The game’s design aimed to address frustrations with earlier games where choices were permanent, allowing players to adjust settings mid-game if desired. Space stations orbit the sun realistically, governed by the game's physics engine – a detail that developers rigorously tested for extended periods. Players control their ships using a unique button layout, including thrust, fire, rotation controls, and a hyperspace maneuver. Hidden within Orbit’s code are initials representing early Atari employees, originally intended to be displayed via a special sequence but likely removed by the company during development.