Here's how it should have been done.

[MikeFulton]

I worked at Atari Corp. during the ST era. and we put out a version of Star Raiders for the ST, It was a bit of a disappointment, but it was definitely a version of Star Raiders. Anybody who played the original would likely be disappointed by the ST version, but when they turned off the computer, they didn't walk away thinking "That was not Star Raiders"

This latest version cannot make that claim.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the ST version was that there were a few things in the original Atari 800 version that the programmer viewed as bugs or mistakes, so he decided to "fix" them. Most of these changes didn't go over well with users.

Otherwise, the ST version wasn't so different as to be unrecognizable. Perhaps the biggest thing the ST version had going for it was that the ST hardware was not that advanced and did not have 3D accelerated graphics. That meant that the programmer largely reproduced the specific logic of the original 8-bit version on the ST hardware, including the pseudo-3D world space where the game takes place.

Aside from the obvious hardware differences, there are enough gameplay differences in the ST version to make one doubt that the programmer made an attempt to directly adapt the original code to the ST's 68000 CPU. The ST follows the same basic outline of the original 8-bit version but that's about it.

I never really investigated it, but I suspect the project for the ST version did not have a producer overseeing the project and telling the programmer "no" when appropriate.

Here's now a new PC version *SHOULD* be done. First, create a basic shell that has all the menus and option screens that a modern game should have. However, when you eventually hit "Start" then it's time to take the original Atari 800 version and convert it as closely as possible. Don't try to improve or change anything. Just make it work in good old circa 1979 pseudo-3D just like the original.

Once you have that working, you can start trying to update things. Start with anything that is modal like the system map.

Next, start updating the screen layout and your ship's control panel. Don't be stupid and screw with the fundamental operation of things. Always keep in mind that the ultimate goal is that anyone who played the original should be able to sit down with the new version and know how to do everything.

[Lighthope]

How it should have been done was already done in Star Raiders II. Not The Last Starfighter that was just renamed, but the real, legitimate Star Radiers II that was in development and subsequently canceled in favour of Last Star Fighter.

The code and game for this unreleased Star Raiders II was found and put on the internet. I've played it. It's fun even if it is unpolished.

Star Raiders needs a legitimate rework for the 21st century. It was a pioneering game and deserves one.

But not this abomination that is on Steam right now.