Questions about Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1982 video game)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who wrote the code for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in 1982?

Rex Bradford wrote the code for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in 1982. Parker Brothers published this scrolling shooter for the Atari 2600 that same year.

When did the Intellivision version of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back arrive?

An Intellivision version followed later, arriving in 1983. This title held the distinction of being the first licensed Star Wars video game released to the public before the Intellivision release.

How many hits does it take to destroy a walker on the Atari system compared to the Intellivision version?

The Intellivision version needed thirty hits to destroy a walker compared to forty-eight hits on the Atari system. Walker legs proved ineffective against player fire while head or torso shots caused damage.

What happened when a damaged walker changed colors from black through gray red orange and finally yellow?

A damaged walker changed colors from black through gray red orange and finally yellow when critically hurt. Players could land their damaged speeders to repair them before continuing the fight.

Why did Harlan Ellison write a harsh critique for Video Review magazine about Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back?

Harlan Ellison wrote a harsh critique for Video Review magazine that same month because he blasted the game as a shamelessly exploitative little toy. He focused his dissatisfaction on the game's ending conditions which represented failure states.