When was Space Invaders released in a Tokyo arcade?
Space Invaders was released on the 19th of April 1978 in a Tokyo arcade. Tomohiro Nishikado designed the game at Taito and it became a cultural phenomenon within months of its launch.
Questions about Space Invaders
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who designed the hardware and sound for Space Invaders?
Tomohiro Nishikado designed the custom hardware using the Intel 8080 microprocessor and Michiyuki Kamei contributed to the audio. Kamei reused components from other games including a 556 timer integrated circuit to create the iconic marching sound.
How many Space Invaders machines were installed in Japan by the end of 1978?
Taito had installed over 100,000 Space Invaders machines in Japan by the end of 1978. The demand was so high that the number of units doubled and then tripled as production struggled to keep up with sales.
What was the financial impact of Space Invaders by 1982?
Space Invaders grossed $2 billion by 1982 with a net profit of $450 million. This made it the highest-grossing entertainment product of its time surpassing the film Star Wars.
Why did the game speed up as aliens were destroyed?
The game sped up because the Intel 8080 microprocessor had more cycles to render frames as the number of aliens decreased. Tomohiro Nishikado kept this unintended mechanic to increase tension and difficulty.
When was Space Invaders inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame?
Space Invaders was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2016. The game also inspired the establishment of the Space Invaders Museum in Akihabara, Tokyo to celebrate its legacy.