Atari revives Asteroids as a sandbox base-builder?

By Will Fulton Published February 11, 2015

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Atari has announced a revival of its 1979 arcade shooter classic, Asteroids. Developed by Salty Games, Asteroids: Outpost is coming soon to Steam early access on unspecified PC platforms.

Building on the original game’s straight forward, asteroid-blasting action, Outpost incorporates it into a larger framework of open world, sandbox survival. You are a space prospector, exploring a dangerous asteroid field in order to collect materials, craft tools, build a base, and defend it. You have to contend with both the natural hazards in the unforgiving void of space and the schemes of other players, vying to control the most valuable territory.

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“We’re paying homage to the original Asteroids by incorporating classic features such as asteroid blasting capabilities, while introducing a completely new premise and gameplay,” said Atari CEO Fred Chesnais. “Asteroids: Outpost will appeal to both fans of the classic Asteroids as well as enthusiasts of immersive survival games and expansive MMOs.”

Developer Salty Games is a new, Los Angeles-based studio composed of AAA veterans who have worked on major franchises like Call of Duty. It is owned by the Arktos Entertainment Group, which also purchased Hammerpoint Interactive, developer of Infestation: Survivor Stories (formerly The War Z).

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

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The new Atari 400 Mini takes that to another level, even if it comes with some trade-offs. The new retro system takes the NES Classic Edition route, shrinking the original 8-bit Atari computer down to an adorable size. And though it's a shame that it doesn’t include a fully functional membrane keyboard like the real Atari 400, it includes one key emulation feature that every retro system like this should have.
Changing the past
While the 2600 is Atari’s most iconic system, gaming history buffs tend to have a soft spot for the 400. Originally released in 1979, the home computer was home to a host of out-there games. It featured a built-in membrane keyboard with virtually no tactile feedback, as well as onboard reset, start, and select buttons. Those extras allowed for developers to make games with slightly more complex controls than the one-button Atari CX40 joystick allows for.

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How Digital Eclipse redefined the remaster in 2023 with The Making of Karateka

Key art for The Making of Karateka.

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Gaming

How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

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Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it