# Space Ace

> 1984 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1081894](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1081894)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Ace)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-ace

## Summary
Space Ace is a 1984 interactive film video game developed by RDI Video Systems and published by Cinematronics. It is a science fiction laserdisc-based arcade game where players control the hero Ace in a quest to rescue his girlfriend Kimberly from the evil alien Borf.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1984 by RDI Video Systems
- Developed by Cinematronics, an arcade game developer founded in 1975
- Genre: Interactive film and science fiction video game
- Available on multiple platforms including Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Philips CD-i, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Apple IIGS, Sega Genesis, Microsoft Windows, Android, and iOS
- Single-player game mode
- Designed by Don Bluth, a renowned animator
- Features joystick and touchscreen input devices
- Distributed digitally through Steam, PlayStation Now, Google Play, and PlayStation Store
- Available in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish languages

## FAQs
### Q: What type of game is Space Ace?
A: Space Ace is an interactive film video game that uses laserdisc technology to present animated sequences. Players make timing-based decisions to guide the hero Ace through various challenges and battles.

### Q: Who created Space Ace?
A: Space Ace was developed by RDI Video Systems and published by Cinematronics. It was designed by Don Bluth, a famous animator known for his work in traditional animation.

### Q: On which platforms can I play Space Ace?
A: Space Ace is available on numerous platforms including arcade systems, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Philips CD-i, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Apple IIGS, Sega Genesis, Microsoft Windows, Android, and iOS devices.

## Why It Matters
Space Ace represents a significant milestone in the evolution of video games as it pioneered the use of laserdisc technology to deliver cinematic-quality animation in an interactive format. Released in 1984, it demonstrated the potential for combining traditional animation techniques with video game mechanics, creating a more immersive and visually impressive experience than what was possible with contemporary hardware limitations. The game's success helped establish the viability of interactive movies as a genre and influenced the development of future titles that would blend storytelling with gameplay. Space Ace also showcased the talents of Don Bluth and his team, bringing Hollywood-quality animation to the arcade scene and setting new standards for visual presentation in video games.

## Notable For
- One of the earliest and most successful interactive film video games
- Features animation by Don Bluth, a renowned Disney animator
- Pioneered the use of laserdisc technology in arcade gaming
- Available on more platforms than most games of its era
- Combines science fiction storytelling with timing-based gameplay mechanics

## Body
### Development and Release
Space Ace was developed by RDI Video Systems and published by Cinematronics in 1984. The game was designed by Don Bluth, who had previously worked at Disney and was known for his distinctive animation style. The development team created extensive hand-drawn animation sequences that were stored on laserdiscs, allowing for high-quality visuals that were unprecedented in video games at the time.

### Gameplay Mechanics
The game follows a simple but challenging gameplay structure where players must make split-second decisions to guide the protagonist Ace through various animated sequences. Success requires precise timing as players must choose the correct direction or action at specific moments to avoid obstacles, defeat enemies, or progress through the story. The game's difficulty stems from the need for perfect timing and memorization of patterns.

### Technical Innovation
Space Ace utilized laserdisc technology to store and display high-quality animated sequences, representing a significant technological advancement for its time. This approach allowed for cinematic-quality animation that would have been impossible to render in real-time on the hardware available in the mid-1980s. The game's use of pre-recorded animation also enabled more complex visual effects and character movements than contemporary sprite-based games.

### Platform Availability
Originally released as an arcade game, Space Ace was subsequently ported to numerous home platforms including Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Philips CD-i, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Apple IIGS, Sega Genesis, Microsoft Windows, Android, and iOS. This wide availability across different hardware generations demonstrates the game's enduring popularity and the adaptability of its core gameplay mechanics.

### Cultural Impact
Space Ace helped establish the interactive movie genre and influenced the development of similar titles throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. The game's success demonstrated that players were interested in more narrative-driven experiences that combined traditional animation with interactive elements. Its influence can be seen in later titles that would further explore the intersection of cinema and video games.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Space Ace",
  "description": "1984 interactive film video game where players control hero Ace to rescue his girlfriend from alien Borf",
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  "gamePlatform": [
    "Commodore Amiga",
    "Atari ST",
    "Commodore 64",
    "Philips CD-i",
    "Super Nintendo Entertainment System",
    "Apple IIGS",
    "Sega Genesis",
    "Microsoft Windows",
    "Android",
    "iOS"
  ],
  "author": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "RDI Video Systems"
  },
  "genre": "Interactive film",
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Cinematronics"
  },
  "datePublished": "1984",
  "inLanguage": [
    "English",
    "German",
    "French",
    "Italian",
    "Spanish"
  ]
}

## References

1. redump.org
2. Steam
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GOG.com
5. [All PS Now games A-Z](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-now/ps-now-games/#all-ps-now-games)
6. PCGamingWiki
7. Quora
8. RAWG
9. Giant Bomb