Space Encounters
Space Encounters is an arcade video game released by Bally Midway in 1980. The game recreates the trench flying scene from Star Wars but with the player in a TIE fighter. The player's ship shoots at waves of enemies flying down from the top. The moving background graphics provide the illusion of an isometric 3D view, but the action is in 2D and plays like a fixed shooter.
This was the first Midway game to be released in a cabaret-sized cabinet, what they referred to as their "mini myte" line.
Gameplay
The game takes place in a U-shaped playfield known as the "Space Channel" representing a trench inspired by the Death Star. Normally grey, the walls and floor of the trench periodically incorporate black bands running horizontally that move down the screen to provide the illusion of rapid forward motion over the trench. Most versions include a color gel over the screen to provide color to the playfield. A red lamp and a strobe light at the top of the cabinet are used for additional effects.The player commands the "Assault Ship" which starts near the bottom of the screen. Waves of enemy ships appear at the top of the screen, outside the playfield area. In small groups, they move into the trench where they become active. The enemies periodically fire down the screen at the player, while the player shoots upward. The player's shots can hit the enemies or their shots. When an enemy is hit, it turns into a broken ship that then tumbles down the screen towards the player, bouncing off the trench walls. The tumbling ships have to be avoided or shot; if shot they produce another score. Periodically a target appears, like the Death Star's thermal exhaust port, giving a bonus score if the user hits it within the five seconds it remains on screen.
The game is on a timer, typically 90 seconds, but adjustable at the arcade for 45, 60, 75 or 90 seconds. If the player's ship is hit or contacts the trench walls, it tumbles out of the trench in a fashion similar to Darth Vader at the end of Star Wars. After a brief delay it regains control and flies back into the trench to continue the action. If the player has any bonus ships the action continues after the timer elapses until they have all been hit. Scoring is based on the number and type of enemies killed, any bonus targets, as well as a speed score based on the player's position up the screen. Up to three bonus ships can be awarded at adjustable scores, typically 4000, 8000 and 16000 points. The speed score is added at the end of the game and does not contribute to the bonus ships.