{{Short description|2010 video game}} {{Good article}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox video game | image = Cover art of Bit Pilot, Zach Gage, 2010, transparent background.png | caption = App icon | developer = Zach Gage | publisher = Zach Gage | platforms = iOS | released = March 4, 2010 | genre = Bullet hell | modes = Single-player | composer = Sabrepulse | alt = A pixel art illustration of a grey asteroid }}
'''''Bit Pilot''''' is a 2010 bullet hell video game created by Zach Gage. The player controls a spaceship and must continuously dodge incoming asteroids and lasers for as long as possible. Released on March 4, 2010, for iOS devices, it was praised for its graphics and soundtrack but faced a mixed reception for its gameplay and controls.
== Gameplay == alt=Pixelated asteroids crowd the screen. A dot representing the player's rocket is near the center.|thumb|The player must maneuver a ship to dodge incoming asteroids and lasers.
''Bit Pilot'' is a bullet hell game.<ref name="AppSpy" /> In it, the player controls a spaceship and must avoid incoming lasers and asteroids.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=August 4, 2011 |title=In ''Bit Pilot'', You Actually Are Going ''In'' To an Asteroid Field |url=https://kotaku.com/in-bit-pilot-you-actually-are-going-in-to-an-asteroid-5827596 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109205023/https://kotaku.com/in-bit-pilot-you-actually-are-going-in-to-an-asteroid-5827596 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Engadget">{{Cite web |last=Schramm |first=Mike |date=July 27, 2011 |title=TUAW's Daily iPhone App: ''Bit Pilot'' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-07-27-tuaws-daily-iphone-app-bit-pilot.html |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Engadget |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109064838/https://www.engadget.com/2011-07-27-tuaws-daily-iphone-app-bit-pilot.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The player can control the speed and direction of the spaceship by swiping on the screen with two thumb controls.<ref name="AppSpy" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=October 11, 2013 |title=Valve video shows Steam Controller working with a variety of games |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/10/valve-video-shows-steam-controller-working-with-a-variety-of-games/ |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=Ars Technica |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109223733/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/10/valve-video-shows-steam-controller-working-with-a-variety-of-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As it progresses, the asteroids increase in size.<ref name=":0" /> When the player comes in contact with an obstacle, the spaceship loses one shield; hitting an asteroid without any shields or touching a laser triggers a game over.<ref name="148A" /> Pill-shaped power-ups occasionally spawn and give the player bonus points or an additional shield.<ref name=":0" /> Gaining enough points unlocks new gameplay modes, music, and themes.<ref name="148A" />
There are two modes: Super Massive and Tunnels. In Super Massive mode, asteroids are smaller and faster,<ref name="GR+" /> but power-ups spawn more frequently and increase the player's size when collected.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Brad |date=June 15, 2011 |title=New Update To ''Bit Pilot'' Yields New Modes, New Levels, And Other New Stuff |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/06/15/new-update-to-bit-pilot-yields-new-modes-new-levels-and-other-new-stuff |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}</ref> In Tunnels mode, the player must evade larger asteroids.<ref name=":1" /> Additionally, the two difficulty modes—Easy and Normal—change the number of asteroids.<ref name="PG" />
== Development and release == ''Bit Pilot'' was developed by Zach Gage, a New York City-based indie developer. ''Bit Pilot''{{'s}} soundtrack was composed by Sabrepulse, and its leaderboards were run by OpenFeint.<ref name="148A" /> It was released for iOS on March 4, 2010,<ref name="AppSpy">{{Cite web |last=Flodine |first=Dave |date=March 9, 2010 |title=''Bit Pilot'' Review |url=https://www.appspy.com/review/3561/bit-pilot-review |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=AppSpy |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109065627/https://www.appspy.com/review/3561/bit-pilot-review |url-status=live }}</ref> and in June 2011, Game Center support and two gameplay modes—Super Massive and Tunnels—were added.<ref name=":1" /> ''Bit Pilot'' was showcased at the Austin Film Festival in September 2011 and the Hayden Planetarium in January 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cifaldi |first=Frank |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Austin Film Festival To Showcase 20+ Indie Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/austin-film-festival-to-showcase-20-indie-games |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=Game Developer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Janus |date=January 24, 2012 |title=Babycastles is Turning the Hayden Planetarium into a Giant Videogame |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/babycastles-is-turning-the-hayden-planetarium-into-a-virtual-spaceship/ |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=Vice |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109153122/https://www.vice.com/en/article/babycastles-is-turning-the-hayden-planetarium-into-a-virtual-spaceship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = 78/100<ref name="MC"/> | AVC = A<ref name="AVC"/> | Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge"/> | PG = 3.5/5<ref name="PG"/> | rev1 = ''148Apps'' | rev1Score = 4/5<ref name="148A"/> | rev2 = ''AppSpy'' | rev2Score = 3/5<ref name="AppSpy"/> | rev3 = ''Slide to Play'' | rev3Score = 3/4<ref name="SlideToPlay"/> }} On the review aggregation website Metacritic, ''Bit Pilot'' has a "generally favorable" score of 78 based on nine critics.<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=''Bit Pilot'' |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bit-pilot/ |access-date=November 8, 2024 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109065014/https://www.metacritic.com/game/bit-pilot/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- Gameplay --> ''Bit Pilot''{{'s}} gameplay was divided among critics. Reviewers praised it as exciting and likened it to retro video games,<ref name="AVC" /><ref name="SlideToPlay" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=January 7, 2013 |title=Get your game on: The Ultimate Smartphone Guide, part IV |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/01/get-your-game-on-the-ultimate-smartphone-guide-part-iv/ |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=Ars Technica |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109153122/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/01/get-your-game-on-the-ultimate-smartphone-guide-part-iv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> specifically ''Asteroids''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="AVC" /> However, ''148Apps'' and ''Edge'' felt that the gameplay, rather than its rewards for gaining points, gave it replay value,<ref name="148A" /><ref name="Edge" /> and Tracy Erickson of ''Pocket Gamer'' and Kyle Vanhemert of ''Wired'' magazine commented on its lack of variety.<ref name="PG" /><ref name="Wired" />
<!-- Controls --> The controls garnered a mixed reception. Although ''AppSpy'', ''148Apps'', and ''Edge'' magazine thought the swiping mechanic was unique and precise,<ref name="AppSpy" /><ref name="148A" /><ref name="Edge">{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2012 |title=''Bit Pilot'' review |url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/bit-pilot-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628020605/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/bit-pilot-review |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Edge}}</ref> ''148Apps'' and ''AppSpy'' criticized how the controls were complicated to learn.<ref name="AppSpy" /><ref name="148A" /> Chris Reed of ''Slide to Play'' stated that he preferred for ''Bit Pilot'' to have a single movement stick,<ref name="SlideToPlay">{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=April 15, 2010 |title=''Bit Pilot'' review |url=http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/bit-pilot-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208125258/http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/bit-pilot-review |archive-date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Slide to Play}}</ref> while Andrew Hayward of ''GamesRadar+'' described them as "the most responsive controls we've experienced to date".<ref name="GR+">{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Andrew |date=October 1, 2011 |title=iPad reviews of the week: ''Katamari Amore'', ''Monsters Ate My Condo'', ''Bit Pilot'', ''Sprinkle'' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ipad-reviews-week-katamari-amore-monsters-ate-my-condo-bit-pilot-sprinkle/2/ |access-date=December 2, 2024 |website=GamesRadar+ |page=2 |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109223539/https://www.gamesradar.com/ipad-reviews-week-katamari-amore-monsters-ate-my-condo-bit-pilot-sprinkle/2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- Graphics and soundtrack --> Critics praised ''Bit Pilot''{{'s}} graphics and soundtrack;<ref name="AppSpy" /><ref name="Engadget" /><ref name="148A">{{Cite web |last=Fanguy |first=Jason |date=March 8, 2010 |title=''Bit Pilot'' |url=https://www.148apps.com/reviews/bit-pilot/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=148Apps |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109065646/https://www.148apps.com/reviews/bit-pilot/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{Cite web |last=Vanhemert |first=Kyle |date=November 8, 2011 |title=''Bit Pilot'' |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/11/bit-pilot-app/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Wired |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109064834/https://www.wired.com/2011/11/bit-pilot-app/ |url-status=live }}</ref> some felt that they complemented its retro theme,<ref name="AppSpy" /><ref name="PG">{{Cite web |last=Erickson |first=Tracy |date=March 25, 2010 |title=''Bit Pilot'' |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/bit-pilot/bit-pilot/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}}</ref><ref name="Wired" /> while a reviewer from ''The A.V. Club'' stated the graphics "[belied] the atrocious challenge at hand".<ref name="AVC">{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Russ |last2=Heisler |first2=Steve |last3=Jones |first3=Scott |last4=Nelson |first4=Samantha |last5=Teti |first5=John |last6=Wolinsky |first6=David |date=March 29, 2010 |title=Sawbuck Gamer: March 29, 2010 |url=http://origin.avclub.com/articles/march-29-2010%2C39602/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912030956/http://origin.avclub.com/articles/march-29-2010,39602/ |archive-date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Reed praised unlocking soundtracks as a reward, writing that they were "far more pleasing" than a leaderboard ranking.<ref name="SlideToPlay" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20160109060059/http://www.bitpilotgame.com/}} (archived)
{{Zach Gage}}
Category:2010 video games Category:Bullet hell video games Category:Indie games Category:IOS games Category:IOS-only games Category:Retro-style video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games designed by Zach Gage Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Video games set in outer space