CNN: Space Invaders game set for new U.S. invasion

[Goldberg74]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/fun.games/12/05/space.invaders.reut/index.html

Japanese game machine maker Taito Corp said on Friday it plans to restart sales of "Space Invaders" in the United States, almost 25 years after the game first appeared in video arcades.

The classic arcade game centers on a fleet of invading aliens looking to take over earth, but they must first deal with a lone gunner -- the player -- 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," said Taito spokesman Kengo Naka. "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 stand-alone game machines at 300,000 yen (U.S. $2,772) a unit.

While the game will not change in this latest offering, inflation has taken its toll. One play will now cost 50 cents, compared with 25 cents a generation ago.

50¢ for a game of Space Invaders!? You gotta be kidding me!

[Dan Average]

Where the hell are they getting 50 cents from? Once they've paid for the machine, the operator can charge whatever they damn well want.

[muggins]

That seems just wrong...$0.50 a play, for a game that is older than I am?!

[Trigger]

Their economy makes no sense.

[RichardW]

Hell, for 50 cents, you can get the Atari 2600 cartridge and get a "variety" of Space Invaders games.

[vd0man]

All right. . .

It's Saturday night. I have no date, a two-liter bottle of Shasta and my all-Rush mix-tape.

Let's rock.

[Dan Average]

Where is CNN getting this 50 cents thing from? Once they've paid for the game the arcade operator can charge whatever they want for it. This is the way it's worked pretty much since the beginning of time. I don't see how the price could be fixed at 50 cents.

[Outlaw]

Everything in japan is expensive. If you've been (or are) there, its the first thing you notice. :(

[tommy28]

all-Rush mix-tapehttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gifhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/lachen/laughing-smiley-014.gif

[Dan Average]

Everything in japan is expensive. If you've been (or are) there, its the first thing you notice.

But the article is talking about the U.S. rollout.