Entity - 20th Century FOX, for Atari 2600
Game tagline: "What you can't see CAN hurt you!"

4K game.
There are 8 different game variations:
1, 4 Beginner
2, 5 Advanced
3, 6 Expert
4, 8 Easy

Games 1-4 have a visible Entity
Games 5-8 have an invisible Entity

Left Difficulty switch:
A - constant speed containment walls
B - accelerating speed containment walls

The Right Difficulty and TV Type switches have no effect.

The objective of the game is to force the Entity to move to the highest possible level of existence, through portals in horizontal barriers that continually keep scrolling down. This must be done as fast as possible to prevent the Entity from being pushed into the vat of liquid helium at the base of the screen.

At the top of the screen is your score. Below that are 2 meters. The top (red) one indicates your reserve energy (a full meter equals 4 chances). Each time the Entity is pushed into the vat, your energy will decrease by 25%. Every 50th barrier that's cleared will increase this by 25%. The blue meter indicates how much liquid helium you have - each tap of the fire button sprays some on the Entity to slow it down (cutting its speed roughly in half), but it will regain its speed as it thaws. Every 10th barrier that's cleared will replenish your helium. The current plane of existence is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

The joystick controls 2 vertical containment walls. You must move the walls to the edges of the portal. When a wall is in position, it locks in and turns red; when both sides are locked, the Entity will pass through the portal. When you lock the first wall, the Entity will then sense that you are about to trap it, and it also turns red and speeds up. This makes it harder to lock the other side! A good strategy is to get one wall as close to the edge of the portal w/o locking it, and then locking the opposite barrier first. You also have the option to unlock a barrier, by pushing the joystick down. It takes a second or two for this to happen (during which you'll hear a rising tone), so on higher levels it's only wise to do this if you have time to spare. Note that every 5th wall has an opening that is not fixed, which offers more of a challenge. The Entity will increase speed each time it is transferred to a higher plane, which causes it to be more resistant to your containment efforts! If you can't contain it by the time it moves to the bottom of the screen, it will be frozen in the liquid helium. If there's any energy in reserve, it will re-materialize at a slower (cooled down) speed.

Your score is based on the number of walls cleared, and the faster you can get past a barrier (and the closer you can keep the Entity at the top of the screen), the more points it's worth. Each portal you pass through is worth 100 points; every 10th portal is worth 500 points. If you play long enough, the Entity will reach its top speed, but it's still possible to continue by using the above strategy, and by sparing use of the helium.

Can you avoid the Entity's chilling destruction before running out of energy?

ENTITY will be available for purchase for the very first time ever, anywhere, at Classic Gaming Expo 2003.

Promo materials: click for a larger view!