Centipede is a classic arcade video game that was released in 1981 by Atari, designed by Ed Logg and Dona Bailey. It is often regarded as one of the pioneering examples of the shoot ’em up genre. In Centipede, players control a small, gnome-like character, called the Bug Blaster, tasked with defending a garden of mushrooms from waves of descending insects, including the iconic segmented centipede.
Ed Logg and Dona Bailey are influential figures in the history of video game design, particularly known for their collaborative work on the classic arcade game Centipede. Ed Logg, an industry veteran, has contributed to the creation of several iconic titles, including Asteroids and Gauntlet[1].
Dona Bailey, on the other hand, made significant strides as one of the few female game developers in the early 1980s. Their partnership on Centipede in 1981 marked a notable collaboration between a seasoned designer and a rising talent, resulting in a game that not only achieved commercial success but also broke gender barriers in the male-dominated gaming industry. Their contributions to Centipede have left a lasting impact on the shoot ’em up genre and are recognized for paving the way for greater diversity in the field of game development.
Dynamite Entertainment started a limited run comic book series based on Centipede in July 2017.
The player moves horizontally at the bottom of the screen, shooting at the centipede and other creatures while avoiding obstacles and enemy fire. Each segment of the centipede becomes a mushroom when shot; shooting one of the middle segments splits the centipede into two pieces at that point. Each piece then continues independently on its way down the screen, with the rear piece sprouting its own head.
If the centipede head is destroyed, the segment behind it becomes the next head. Shooting the head is worth 100 points while the other segments are 10. The centipede starts at the top of the screen, traveling either left or right. When it touches a mushroom or reaches the edge of the screen, it descends one level and reverses direction. The player can destroy mushrooms (a point each) by shooting them, but each takes four shots to destroy.
Centipede appears in the film Pixels[2].
At higher levels, the screen can become increasingly crowded with mushrooms due to player/enemy actions, causing the centipede to descend more rapidly. Once the centipede reaches the bottom of the screen, it stays within the player area and one-segment “head” centipedes will periodically appear from the side.
This continues until the player has eliminated both the original centipede and all heads. When all the centipede’s segments are destroyed, another one enters from the top of the screen. The initial centipede is 10 or 12 segments long, including the head; each successive centipede is one segment shorter and accompanied by one detached, faster-moving head. This pattern continues until all segments are separate heads, after which it repeats with a single full-length centipede.
In 1983, Milton Bradley released a two-player board game based on the video game. Another board game based on Centipede was published by IDW Publishing in 2017.
The player also encounters other creatures besides the centipedes. Fleas drop vertically and disappear upon touching the bottom of the screen, occasionally leaving a trail of mushrooms in their path when only a few mushrooms are in the player movement area;
they are worth 200 points each and take two shots to destroy. Spiders move across the player area in a zig-zag pattern and eat some of the mushrooms; they are worth 300, 600, or 900 points depending on the range they are shot from. Scorpions move horizontally across the screen, turning every mushroom they touch into poison mushrooms. Scorpions are also worth the most points of all enemies with 1,000 points each. A centipede touching a poison mushroom will attack straight down toward the bottom, then return to normal behavior upon reaching it. This “poisoned” centipede can be both beneficial and detrimental to the player;
the player can destroy them rapidly as it descends down, while at the same time, they can be very challenging to avoid, especially if already split into multiple segments.The Bug Blaster is destroyed when hit by any enemy, after which any poisonous or partially damaged mushrooms revert to normal. 5 points are awarded for each regenerated mushroom. An extra life is awarded every 12,000 points. At the time of its release, Centipede received widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay and colorful graphics.
In 2020, The Strong National Museum of Play[3] inducted Centipede to its World Video Game Hall of Fame.
The game’s success can be attributed to its intuitive controls, and engaging mechanics. Centipede was not only a success in arcades but also saw numerous ports to various home gaming platforms. Atari itself released versions for its home consoles, including the Atari 2600 and Atari 5200. The game’s popularity led to adaptations for other systems such as the Commodore 64,
Atari 8-bit family, and the Apple II. Over the years, Centipede has been re-released on multiple platforms, including modern consoles and mobile devices, ensuring its continued presence in the gaming community. Its influence can be seen in subsequent shoot ’em up games and its enduring status as a classic in the history of video games.
Footnotes
- Asteroids, released by Atari in 1979 and designed by Ed Logg, stands as a pivotal classic in video game history. A vector graphics arcade game, Asteroids has players control a triangular spaceship tasked with destroying incoming asteroids and UFOs while avoiding collisions. Its minimalist design and innovative controls contributed to its success and enduring influence on the arcade gaming landscape. On the other hand, Gauntlet, released in 1985 by Atari Games and co-designed by Ed Logg, marked a departure from traditional arcade experiences. As one of the first multiplayer dungeon crawl arcade games, Gauntlet allowed up to four players to choose distinct characters (Wizard, Valkyrie, Warrior, or Elf) and embark on a cooperative quest to conquer dungeons, solve puzzles, and defeat hordes of monsters. Both Asteroids and Gauntlet, designed by Ed Logg, have left indelible marks on the gaming industry, shaping the trajectory of arcade and multiplayer gaming. [Back]
- Pixels is a 2015 science fiction action-comedy film directed by Chris Columbus, inspired by Patrick Jean’s 2010 short film of the same name. The movie revolves around an alien race misinterpreting video game signals sent into space as a declaration of war, leading them to attack Earth using classic video game characters as their weapons. To counter the extraterrestrial threat, the United States government enlists the help of former arcade champions, played by Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage. The film combines live-action and computer-generated imagery to bring iconic video game characters like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Centipede to life in a humorous and action-packed storyline. While Pixels received mixed reviews for its plot and humor, it attracted attention for its nostalgic appeal to video game enthusiasts. [Back]
- The Strong National Museum of Play, located in Rochester, New York, is a renowned cultural institution dedicated to the exploration and celebration of play. Established in 1968, The Strong is one of the largest history museums in the United States, with a primary focus on the role of play in shaping human culture. The museum houses an extensive collection of over 500,000 objects, including toys, games, dolls, video games, and other artifacts that span decades and cultures. Notable exhibits include the National Toy Hall of Fame, which honors iconic toys, and the World Video Game Hall of Fame, recognizing influential video games. The Strong is committed to providing a dynamic and interactive experience for visitors of all ages, fostering an appreciation for the importance of play in learning and development. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Centipede (video game)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede_(video_game)
- “Centipede” https://www.museumofplay.org/games/centipede/
- “THE CREATION OF THE ARCADE GAME CENTIPEDE” https://spectrum.ieee.org/centipede-game
- Dona Bailey Interview – Women in Gaming Stories. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyuRKYkL_lk
- Asteroids (video game). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroids_(video_game)
- Gauntlet (1985 video game). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_(1985_video_game)
- “Centipede Pixels” https://www.hotcore.info/babki/Centipede-Pixels.htm
- The Strong National Museum of Play Opens 90,000-Square-Foot Expansion https://www.visitrochester.com/blog/post/the-strong-national-museum-of-play-opens-90000-square-foot-expansion/
- The Strong National Museum of Play. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.museumofplay.org/
- The Strong National Museum of Play. (2021). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.museumofplay.org/about-us
- Pixels (2015 film). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixels_(2015_film)
- Pixels – Official Movie Site. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/pixels
