OVERVIEW:

Quantum is a vertically orientated color vector (X-Y) game, made by Atari in 1982.  When Quantum was released, it had a lot of things about it that had never existed previously.  For starters, it was the first game ever to feature filled color vector graphics and it was also the first that let you actually try the game out without inserting a coin (on one of the attract mode screens you are able to move the sparkler around and try to capture an atom).

It was also the first ever game to let the person who logged the highest score actually "sign" their name using the trackball in addition to entering their initials into the high score table.  Quantum was also Atari's first game (and their only vector game) that they used the Motorola 68000 16-bit CPU with.

Quantum was originally designed by General Computing Corporation, who had infringed on Atari's copyright of Missile Command when they made "Super Missile Attack".  Atari sued, and won, and as part of the settlement General Computing Corp. was mandated to develop 3 games for Atari.  Those 3 games were Quantum, Food Fight, and Nightmare (Nightmare was never released).

It's believed that less than 500 Quantums were made in spite of the fact that some people have Quantums that have serial numbers that are greater than 500.  This is possible because Atari often used non-sequential serial numbers with some of their releases in order hide the true production numbers. 

Quantum was only manufactured as a dedicated upright cabinet.  There were no cocktail, cabaret or cockpit versions ever made.  Additionally, there are two known pre-production models, and prototype (a.k.a. 'sample') artwork was used to make their side art, front art, and control panel overlays.  You can see several pictures of both of the pre-production models, as well as compare how the prototype artwork differs from the production artwork by clicking on this link: QUANTUM ARTWORK COMPARISON.

GAMEPLAY:

Quantum is a one-player or two-player (not simultaneous) game. The game action takes place in a sub-atomic world.  The player tries to capture deadly atomic particles without being destroyed by them.  To capture the particles, the player uses a trackball to control a sparkling comet.  The comet leaves a line-trail behind it.  The player must draw a complete circle around the deadly particle to destroy it, but without touching the particle, and before the comet's trail decays (i.e. disappears).

When a player captures a particle, it explodes and the point value appears on the screen.  If a player captures more than one particle at a time, double points are earned.  The player advances to a new level when all of the NUCLEI have been captured, even if there are other particles are still on the screen.  The comet is destroyed when it hits a particle or the red bonds between nuclei.  The game ends when all the player's comets are destroyed.

Players can select their beginning level (either 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) and receive bonus points if that level is finished (this method was utilized in other Atari titles such as Tempest).  After a player's game ends, the game can be continued starting at the highest ODD-numbered level that they have finished.

Game play becomes more difficult as more and new particles appear and move faster.  Also, the player's comet grows bigger and bigger as the level progresses, making it much harder to maneuver without running into any particles.

PARTICLES:

Additional information can be found at GameArchive and KLOV.

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