In this article we dicssus The Terminator developed for the 8-bit Sega Game Gear Console. We can discuss the game play, and also some trvial informaion about the user manual and Cathie A. Bartz-Todd.
Gameplay
The Terminator is known for being a challenging game. In particular, that you only have 1 life to complete the game. Enemies attack you left, right and above. As soon as you elimiate visiable enemies, it doesn’t take long before more appear. This can rapidly degrade you life.
Now, there are some fundimental flaws to the gameplay, which can be used to your advertage.
The first is game gear can only handle a limited number of sprites. Therefore, if you continue moving though the game, without elimiating enemies, then new enenies do not sprawn.
The second is the poor AI. Once you identify patterns in the enimies movements,
Using these tips you can greatly increase your changes to sucessfully complete the game.
I have recorded a video of me plaing The Terminator, and completing in 8 minutes. However, I can complete the game in 6 minutes 39 seconds.
Trivial Information – User Manual
I was reading The Terminator US user manual this morning for the Sega Game Gear and noticed the copyright informaion in the footer on the last page is for Prince of Persia. See picture below
This suggests there was a copy and paste error. However, they both use different developers and publishers. I then checked the EU manual, and this had the correct copyright information.
I then learned the US manual for both The Terminator and Prince of Persia was performed by Lisa Marcinko. So that is the connection between the games leading to the copy and paste error. However, this has uncovered something else. Why is it the Sega Mega Drive manual for The Terminator was credited by Cathie A. Bartz also known as (Cathie A. Bartz-Todd). But the Sega Game Gear Manual was credited by Lyle J. Hall II, who was now performing two roles, producer and the Manual. Did something happen to cause Lyle to cover two roles? After more research, I found that Cathie A. Bartz sadly passed away on the 5th August 1993 after losing control of her motorcycle, which was reported in the LA Times.
I wasn’t sure if this was simply a coincidence having a simular name. Then I then found a list of games dedicated in memory of Cathie A. Bartz-Todd.
I could not find any photos of Cathie online. However, I traced her final resting place at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Orange County, California, 92835 USA. Fortunately, the gravestone has been published online which includes an engraving of her photo.
We can finally put a face to the name Cathie who contributed to so many of the games and manuals that we know. Thank you Cathie and RIP.
California Death Certificate
Catherine Anne Bartz-Todd Game Credits
| Production | ||
| The 7th Guest (1994) | (Mac Version produced by) | |
| Cool Spot (1993) | (Producer) | |
| Fables & Fiends: The Legend of Kyrandia – Boo… (1993) | (Product Coordinator) | |
| Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos (1993) | (Product Coordinator) | |
| Super Caesars Palace (1993) | (Producers) | |
| Warriors of Legend (1993) | (Producer) | |
| Caesars Palace (1992) | (Associate Producer) | |
| Monopoly Deluxe (1992) | (Associate Producer) | |
| Spot: The Cool Adventure (1992) | (Producer) | |
| The Computer Edition of Risk: The World Conquest Game (1991) | (Project Manager) | |
| Quality Assurance | ||
| Warriors of Legend (1993) | (Testing) | |
| Marketing | ||
| Club Racquetball (1992) | (Product Manager) | |
| Deluxe Scrabble for Windows (1992) | (Product Manager) | |
| Heimdall (1992) | (PC Product Manager) | |
| Conan: The Cimmerian (1991) | (Product Manager) | |
| Vengeance of Excalibur (1991) | (Product Manager (Virgin)) | |
| Creative Services | ||
| Cool Spot (1993) | (Manual Written by) | |
| Mick & Mack as the Global Gladiators (1993) | (Manual by) | |
| Super Caesars Palace (1993) | (Manual written by) | |
| Caesars Palace (1992) | (Manual Written by) | |
| M.C. Kids (1992) | (Written by) | |
| Monopoly Deluxe (1992) | (Manual Written By) | |
| The Terminator (1992) | (Manual) | |
| Conan: The Cimmerian (1991) | (Written by) | |
| Vengeance of Excalibur (1991) | (Manual (Virgin)) | |
| Thanks | ||
| The 11th Hour (1995) | (Dedicated in memory of) | |
| The Legend of Kyrandia: Book 3 – Malcolm’s Re… (1994) | (In continuing appreciative memory of) | |
| Cool Spot (1993) | (This game is dedicated to) | |
| Warriors of Legend (1993) | (This Program is Dedicated to the Memory of) | |
| Corporation (1992) | (Special Thanks to) | |
| Greg Norman’s Golf Power (1992) | (Special thanks to) | |
| Jeep Jamboree: Off Road Adventure (1992) | (Special Thanks) | |
| Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator (1992) | (Special Thanks To) |
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