TAPPER

Tapper is an arcade game released in 1983 by Bally Midway, where players assume the role of a bartender serving drinks to an ever-growing crowd of patrons. The game's objective is to serve customers efficiently without letting any of them reach the end of the bar, all while managing multiple counters and collecting empty mugs.

Development Team:

• Programmer: Steve Meyer led the development of Tapper, bringing his experience from previous arcade titles to create a fast-paced and engaging gameplay experience.
• Designer: Scott Morrison contributed to the game's concept and design, ensuring that the mechanics were intuitive and challenging.
• Artist: Rick Tighe was responsible for the game's graphics, crafting the distinctive and colorful visuals that became a hallmark of Tapper.
• Sound: The game's audio, including its memorable tunes and sound effects, was composed by Rick Hicaro, adding to the lively atmosphere of the bar scenes.

Gameplay and Plot: In Tapper, players navigate through various bar settings, including a cowboy saloon, a sports bar, a punk rock club, and a space bar. Each level presents unique challenges and increasingly demanding customers. Players must serve drinks promptly, catch empty mugs, and manage the crowd to progress through the stages. The game also features bonus rounds where players can earn extra points by identifying the one unshaken can among a set of moving cans.

Interesting Facts:

• Tapper was originally sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and featured the Budweiser logo, but due to concerns about promoting alcohol to minors, a family-friendly version called Root Beer Tapper was later released.
• The game was ported to various home systems, including the Atari 400/800/XL/XE, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, each with slight variations in graphics and gameplay.
• Tapper is often praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and has been referenced in various media, including the film "Wreck-It Ralph," where it appears as one of the classic arcade games.

Tapper remains a beloved classic in the arcade genre, known for its challenging gameplay and charming presentation, continuing to entertain players decades after its initial release.