# Bit Pilot

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bit_Pilot.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_Pilot
> Source revision: 1330150915
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{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](/source/Zach_Gage)
| publisher = Zach Gage
| platforms = [iOS](/source/iOS)
| released = March 4, 2010
| genre = [Bullet hell](/source/Bullet_hell)
| modes = [Single-player](/source/Single-player)
| composer = [Sabrepulse](/source/Sabrepulse)
| alt = A pixel art illustration of a grey asteroid
}}

'''''Bit Pilot''''' is a 2010 [bullet hell](/source/bullet_hell) video game created by [Zach Gage](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/game_over).<ref name="148A" /> Pill-shaped [power-ups](/source/Power-up) occasionally spawn and give the player [bonus points](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Zach_Gage), a New York City-based [indie](/source/Indie_game) developer. ''Bit Pilot''{{'s}} soundtrack was composed by [Sabrepulse](/source/Sabrepulse), and its leaderboards were run by [OpenFeint](/source/OpenFeint).<ref name="148A" /> It was released for [iOS](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Austin_Film_Festival) in September 2011 and the [Hayden Planetarium](/source/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](/source/Game_Developer_(website))}}</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](/source/Vice_(magazine)) |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](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Metacritic](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Asteroids_(video_game))''.<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](/source/replay_value),<ref name="148A" /><ref name="Edge" /> and Tracy Erickson of ''[Pocket Gamer](/source/Pocket_Gamer)'' and Kyle Vanhemert of ''[Wired](/source/Wired_(magazine))'' 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](/source/Edge_(magazine))'' 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](/source/Edge_(magazine))}}</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+](/source/GamesRadar%2B)'' 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+](/source/GamesRadar%2B) |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](/source/Wired_(magazine)) |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](/source/Pocket_Gamer)}}</ref><ref name="Wired" /> while a reviewer from ''[The A.V. Club](/source/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](/source/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

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bit Pilot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_Pilot) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_Pilot?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.