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''Protector'' was a 1981 computer game for the Atari 8-bit series written by Mike Potter and distributed first by Crystalware and then Synapse Software. The game requires the player to rescue the citizens of a city from an impending volcanic explosion. Graphically the game resembles the contemporary arcade game ''Defender'', although the gameplay was significantly different. The sequel, ''Protector II'', had similar gameplay but was more advanced graphically. ==History== Potter started programming on the Atari in 1980, after graduating from high school. His first product was a set of four games, Imperial Walker, Nim, Gun Fight, and Auto Racer, sold on consignment at local computer stores. While visiting the Electronic Fantasy store in Cupertino, the manager Dave Stillings, mentioned he might want to get in contact with Crystalware in Gilroy. Potter met with Crystalware's owners, John Bell and his wife Patty. Bell outlined a new game and gave Potter a $4,000 advance on its completion. This took seven sleepless nights, and after delivering it in May 1981, Potter delivered another eleven programs for Crystalware between May and October. That month Potter questioned his royalties, and in return received a letter firing him, but returning the rights to ''Protector''.〔Years later a game with Bell and Potter's names surfaced with the Epyx label on it, ''Indiana Jones - Pyramids of Giza''. It is assumed to be a game from the Crystalware era that was later sold to Epyx but never released.〕 In November 1981, Potter met with Ihor Wolosenko of Synapse Software, which at that time was being run from Wolosenko's apartment in Berkley. Wolosenko took the time to test and debug the program before putting it back on the market. Its re-launch received much better reviews. Over the next year, Potter released five games for Synapse, ''Protector'', ''Protector II'', ''Chicken'', ''Nautilus'' and ''Shadow World''. Software piracy was a serious problem, and Potter's royalties shrank. In 1982 Potter moved onto IBM PC development. He continued to develop Atari software as well, publishing under other labels. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Protector (video game)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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