'Space Invaders' to alight on U.S. soil
Last modified: December 5, 2003, 9:15 AM PST
By Reuters
Japanese game machine maker Taito said Friday that it plans to restart
sales of "Space Invaders" in the United States, almost 25 years after
the video game first appeared in arcades.
The classic arcade game centers on a fleet of invading aliens that are
looking to take over the Earth, but they must first deal with a lone
gunner--the player--who's holed up behind a fragile set of shields. It
has been one of the most popular video games of all time since it was
developed in 1978.
"There has been a rebirth of classic video games in America," Taito
spokesman Kengo Naka said. "We thought it would coincide nicely with the
25th anniversary of its debut in the U.S."
Taito aims to sell 10,000 of the standalone game machines at $2,772 a
unit.
Although the game itself will not change, inflation has taken its toll.
One play will now cost 50 cents, compared with 25 cents a generation
ago.
Because Taito no longer has operations in the United States, the game
machines will be made through an OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
agreement with game software maker Namco.
Namco, which also has it own classic video game, "Pacman," will handle
sales of "Space Invaders" in the United States.
Story Copyright © 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
