Alpha Beam with Ernie
Encyclopedia
Alpha Beam With Ernie is an edutainment
video game released for the Atari 2600
by Atari
in 1983. It was developed in conjunction with the Children's Computer Workshop. The game was programmed by Michael Callahan
and Preston Stuart.
s Ernie
pilot a small shuttle, collect fuel tanks (marked by a letter of the alphabet), and return them to his space ship so that he can return to Earth.
The game was marketed as a family-friendly game that could teach children pre-reading skills such as identifying and matching letters. Alpha Beam was compatible with the Atari Kid's Controller, which was sold separately, although the regular keyboard controller was also compatible.
Edutainment
Edutainment is a form of entertainment designed to educate as well as to amuse.-Overview:...
video game released for the Atari 2600
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
in 1983. It was developed in conjunction with the Children's Computer Workshop. The game was programmed by Michael Callahan
Michael Callahan
Michael Callahan is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...
and Preston Stuart.
Gameplay
The object of Alpha Beam is to help Sesame StreetSesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
s Ernie
Ernie
Ernie is a fictional character, a Muppet on the Public Broadcasting Service's long-running children's television show, Sesame Street. He and his roommate Bert form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve troublemaker and Bert the world-weary foil...
pilot a small shuttle, collect fuel tanks (marked by a letter of the alphabet), and return them to his space ship so that he can return to Earth.
The game was marketed as a family-friendly game that could teach children pre-reading skills such as identifying and matching letters. Alpha Beam was compatible with the Atari Kid's Controller, which was sold separately, although the regular keyboard controller was also compatible.