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{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = Pssst
|title = Pssst
|image = Pssst-intro.png
|image = Pssst-zx-spectrum-front-cover.jpg
|caption = Loading screen
|caption = Cover art
|developer = [[Tim and Chris Stamper]]
|developer = [[Tim and Chris Stamper]]
|publisher = [[Ultimate Play the Game]]
|publisher = [[Ultimate Play the Game]]
Line 16: Line 16:
'''''Pssst''''' is an [[action game|action]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Ultimate Play the Game]] that was released for the [[ZX Spectrum]] in June 1983. In the game, Robbie the Robot has to protect his plant (a ''Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil'') as it is attacked by various insects, each of which needs a different repellent to neutralise it. ''Pssst'' was the second game to be released by Ultimate, after ''[[Jetpac]]''.
'''''Pssst''''' is an [[action game|action]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Ultimate Play the Game]] that was released for the [[ZX Spectrum]] in June 1983. In the game, Robbie the Robot has to protect his plant (a ''Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil'') as it is attacked by various insects, each of which needs a different repellent to neutralise it. ''Pssst'' was the second game to be released by Ultimate, after ''[[Jetpac]]''.


The game was written by Chris Stamper and graphics were designed by his brother, Tim Stamper. ''Pssst'' was one of the very few Spectrum games also available in [[read-only memory|ROM]] format for use with the [[ZX Interface 2|Interface 2]], allowing "instantaneous" loading of the game (the normal method of cassette loading could take several minutes).<ref name=interface>{{citation | last=Gilbert |first=John |title=Interface Games are Fast but not Furious |journal=[[Sinclair User]] |issue=24 |pages=54–55 |publisher=[[EMAP]] |date=March 1984 |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-024/SinclairUser_024_Mar_1984#page/n53/mode/2up }}</ref> The game received positive reviews from two publications upon release, with critics mainly praising its presentation and gameplay.  
The game was written by Chris Stamper and graphics were designed by his brother, Tim Stamper. The game received positive reviews from two publications upon release, with critics mainly praising its presentation and gameplay.  


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
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The game is presented from a single, 2D perspective, and revolves around Robbie the Robot's objective to defend his plant from interstellar space [[slug]]s, [[leech]]es and [[midge]]s.<ref name=play>{{citation | title=PSST is this the Ultimate? | journal=[[Personal Computer Games]] | date=June 1983 | issue=1 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-01/PersonalComputerGames_01#page/n6/mode/1up }}</ref> The plant grows from the bottom centre of the screen, and spray cans containing three different [[pesticide]]s are located on ledges on each side of the screen. Bonus items such as fertiliser and fly swatters appear on unoccupied ledges which will increase both the players score and the plant's growth rate.<ref name="HC" />
The game is presented from a single, 2D perspective, and revolves around Robbie the Robot's objective to defend his plant from interstellar space [[slug]]s, [[leech]]es and [[midge]]s.<ref name=play>{{citation | title=PSST is this the Ultimate? | journal=[[Personal Computer Games]] | date=June 1983 | issue=1 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-01/PersonalComputerGames_01#page/n6/mode/1up }}</ref> The plant grows from the bottom centre of the screen, and spray cans containing three different [[pesticide]]s are located on ledges on each side of the screen. Bonus items such as fertiliser and fly swatters appear on unoccupied ledges which will increase both the players score and the plant's growth rate.<ref name="HC" />


There are three types of coloured parasite, and three types of pesticide, which will either kill, stun, or have no effect on the parasites. The player can only carry one type of pesticide at a time; during the early stages of the game the lethal pesticide can be carried at all times, but later stages have more than one type of parasite on screen at once, making the choice of pesticide more tactical.<ref name="play" />
There are three types of parasite, and three types of coloured pesticide, which will either kill, stun, or have no effect on the parasites. The player can only carry one type of pesticide at a time; during the early stages of the game the lethal pesticide can be carried at all times, but later stages have more than one type of parasite on screen at once, making the choice of pesticide more tactical.<ref name="play" />


As the plant grows it may sprout leaves; these increase the growth rate but also vulnerability to the parasites. Once the plant reaches a predetermined height it flowers and the player advances to the next level. A life will be deducted whenever the plant dies or the player makes contact with a parasite.
As the plant grows it may sprout leaves; these increase the growth rate but also vulnerability to the parasites. Once the plant reaches a predetermined height it flowers and the player advances to the next level. A life will be deducted whenever the plant dies or the player makes contact with a parasite.
Every fifth level when completed reveals a female version of Robbie on the flower and grants an extra life.


==Development==
==Development==
''Pssst '' is one of the few Spectrum games also available in [[read-only memory|ROM]] format for use with the [[ZX Interface 2|Interface 2]], allowing instantaneous loading of the game when the normal method of cassette loading could take several minutes.<ref name=interface/><ref>{{cite journal|title = ZX Interface 2 direct by mail|journal = Popular Computing Weekly|date = 6 October 1983|volume = 2|issue = 40|page = 1|url = https://archive.org/stream/popular-computing-weekly-1983-10-06/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1983-10-06#page/n0/mode/2up|access-date = 30 September 2015}}</ref> The game used the common technique of [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] and allowing them to be placed atop each other, which often overlapped colours on the screen causing [[attribute clash]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Game Design|journal=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]]|last=Stafford|first=Graham|date=June 1986|url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/29/game_design.htm|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> ''Pssst'' was also able to run on the 16K version of the Spectrum.<ref name=play/>
''Pssst '' is one of the few Spectrum games also available in [[read-only memory|ROM]] format for use with the [[ZX Interface 2|Interface 2]], allowing instantaneous loading of the game when the normal method of cassette loading could take several minutes.<ref name=interface>{{citation | last=Gilbert |first=John |title=Interface Games are Fast but not Furious |journal=[[Sinclair User]] |issue=24 |pages=54–55 |publisher=[[EMAP]] |date=March 1984 |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-024/SinclairUser_024_Mar_1984#page/n53/mode/2up }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title = ZX Interface 2 direct by mail|journal = Popular Computing Weekly|date = 6 October 1983|volume = 2|issue = 40|page = 1|url = https://archive.org/stream/popular-computing-weekly-1983-10-06/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1983-10-06#page/n0/mode/2up|access-date = 30 September 2015}}</ref> The game used the common technique of [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] and allowing them to be placed atop each other, which often overlapped colours on the screen causing [[attribute clash]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Game Design|journal=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]]|last=Stafford|first=Graham|date=June 1986|url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/29/game_design.htm|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> ''Pssst'' was also able to run on the 16K version of the Spectrum.<ref name=play/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = ''Home Computing Weekly''
| rev1 = ''Home Computing Weekly''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=HC/>
| rev1Score = 5/5<ref name=HC/>
| rev2 = ''[[Your Computer (British magazine)|Your Computer]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Your Computer (British magazine)|Your Computer]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=YC>{{cite journal|title=Pssst|journal=Your Computer|date= August 1983|volume=3|issue=8|page=51|url=https://archive.org/details/YourComputer_198308|access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref>
| rev3Score = 4/5<ref name=YC>{{cite journal|title=Pssst|journal=Your Computer|date= August 1983|volume=3|issue=8|page=51|url=https://archive.org/details/YourComputer_198308|access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''ZX Computing''
| rev4 = ''ZX Computing''
| rev3Score = 27,5/30<ref name=ZXC />
| rev4Score = 27,5/30<ref name=ZXC />
| rev4 = ''[[Personal Computer News]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Personal Computer News]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=pcw>{{cite journal|last1=Gerrard|first1=Mike|title=Pssst|journal=[[Personal Computer News]]|date=7 July 1983|volume=3|issue=18|page=51|url=http://everygamegoing.com/landing/mag_articles/pcn/html/018/personal_computer_news_018_gameplay_spectrum_16k_pssst.html|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709173711/http://everygamegoing.com/landing/mag_articles/pcn/html/018/personal_computer_news_018_gameplay_spectrum_16k_pssst.html|archive-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev2Score = 4/5<ref name=pcw>{{cite magazine|last1=Gerrard|first1=Mike|title=Pssst|journal=[[Personal Computer News]]|date=7 July 1983|volume=3|issue=18|page=51|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=4676&page=51|access-date=11 June 2025|publisher=VNU}}</ref>
}}
}}


Paul Liptrot of ''Home Computing Weekly'' praised the graphics, stating them as overall "smooth-moving" and colourful, as well as praising the "addictive" gameplay.<ref name=HC>{{cite journal|last1=Liptrot|first1=Paul|title=Pssst review|journal=Home Computing Weekly|date=12 July 1983|issue=19|page=33|url=https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-019/Home_Computing_Weekly_019#page/n31/mode/2up|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> ''ZX Computing'' considered the game as very professionally written and produced, with excellently smooth and detailed graphics. In addition, the review stated originality, addictivity and enjoyability of ''Pssst''.<ref name=ZXC>{{cite journal|title=Pssst – Ultimate|journal=ZX Computing|date=October 1983|issue=10|page=21|url=https://gopherproxy.meulie.net/gopher.meulie.net/I/WorldofSpectrum/sinclair/magazines/ZXComputing/Issue8310/Pages/ZXComputing831000021.jpg|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162542/https://gopherproxy.meulie.net/gopher.meulie.net/I/WorldofSpectrum/sinclair/magazines/ZXComputing/Issue8310/Pages/ZXComputing831000021.jpg|archive-date=25 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Paul Liptrot of ''Home Computing Weekly'' praised the graphics, stating them as overall "smooth-moving" and colourful, as well as praising the "addictive" gameplay.<ref name=HC>{{cite journal|last1=Liptrot|first1=Paul|title=Pssst review|journal=Home Computing Weekly|date=12 July 1983|issue=19|page=33|url=https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-019/Home_Computing_Weekly_019#page/n31/mode/2up|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> ''ZX Computing'' considered the game as very professionally written and produced, with excellently smooth and detailed graphics. In addition, the review stated originality, addictivity and enjoyability of ''Pssst''.<ref name=ZXC>{{cite journal|title=Pssst – Ultimate|journal=ZX Computing|date=October 1983|issue=10|page=21|url=https://gopherproxy.meulie.net/gopher.meulie.net/I/WorldofSpectrum/sinclair/magazines/ZXComputing/Issue8310/Pages/ZXComputing831000021.jpg|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162542/https://gopherproxy.meulie.net/gopher.meulie.net/I/WorldofSpectrum/sinclair/magazines/ZXComputing/Issue8310/Pages/ZXComputing831000021.jpg|archive-date=25 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>


''Pssst'' reached number 10 in the [[Media Research Information Bureau|MRIB]] Top 30 software charts in July 1983 while ''Jetpac'' was still at number 1.<ref name='pcncharts11aug'>{{cite magazine |title=Top Thirty|magazine=Personal Computer News|issue=23|publisher=VNU|date=11 August 1983|page=8|url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews023-17Aug1983/page/n11|access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> In the fourth issue of ''Personal Computer Games'', ''Pssst'' was nominated for a 1983 game of the year list on account of Ultimate's "famous graphics". According to the reviewer, other attributes of the game included its "originality" and "fun" in comparison to other Ultimate titles that were released in 1983.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Search hots up for game of 1983|journal=Personal Computer Games|url=https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-04/PersonalComputerGames_04#page/n23/mode/2up/search/pssst|date=September 1983|issue=4|page=25|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> In a retrospective review, a reviewer of ''Retro Games! Now'' summarised that the game "was not the best" of Ultimate's releases for the ZX Spectrum, despite considering it to be "less lauded" than the others. However, they considered ''Pssst'' to be a "taste of things to come" and a significant improvement over the "clunky" and "jumpy" animation of previous games for the ZX Spectrum.<ref name="spec">{{cite web|title = Pssst – retrospective review|url = http://www.retrogamesnow.co.uk/pssst-for-the-zx-spectrum-an-ultimate-review/|publisher = Retrogameshow|access-date = 30 September 2015|date = 16 August 2011}}</ref>
''Pssst'' reached number 10 in the [[Media Research Information Bureau|MRIB]] Top 30 software charts in July 1983 while ''Jetpac'' was still at number 1.<ref name='pcncharts11aug'>{{cite magazine |title=Top Thirty|magazine=Personal Computer News|issue=23|publisher=VNU|date=11 August 1983|page=8|url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews023-17Aug1983/page/n11|access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> In the fourth issue of ''Personal Computer Games'', ''Pssst'' was nominated for a 1983 game of the year list on account of Ultimate's "famous graphics". According to the reviewer, other attributes of the game included its "originality" and "fun" in comparison to other Ultimate titles that were released in 1983.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Search hots up for game of 1983|journal=Personal Computer Games|url=https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-04/PersonalComputerGames_04#page/n23/mode/2up/search/pssst|date=September 1983|issue=4|page=25|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref>  
 
The game was voted the second best original game at the ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' 1983 [[Golden Joystick Awards]], losing to [[Imagine Software|Imagine Software's]] ''[[Ah Diddums]]''.<ref name='cvg29'>{{cite magazine |title=The Golden Joystick Awards|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=29|publisher=EMAP|date=March 1984|page=15|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=1480&page=15|access-date=11 June 2025}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 11:33, 23 July 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Good article Template:See wt Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "infobox".Template:Italic titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Pssst is an action video game developed and published by Ultimate Play the Game that was released for the ZX Spectrum in June 1983. In the game, Robbie the Robot has to protect his plant (a Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil) as it is attacked by various insects, each of which needs a different repellent to neutralise it. Pssst was the second game to be released by Ultimate, after Jetpac.

The game was written by Chris Stamper and graphics were designed by his brother, Tim Stamper. The game received positive reviews from two publications upon release, with critics mainly praising its presentation and gameplay.

Gameplay

File:Pssst gameplay.png
The player has protected the plant from parasites, causing it to flower and end the level.

The game is presented from a single, 2D perspective, and revolves around Robbie the Robot's objective to defend his plant from interstellar space slugs, leeches and midges.[1] The plant grows from the bottom centre of the screen, and spray cans containing three different pesticides are located on ledges on each side of the screen. Bonus items such as fertiliser and fly swatters appear on unoccupied ledges which will increase both the players score and the plant's growth rate.[2]

There are three types of parasite, and three types of coloured pesticide, which will either kill, stun, or have no effect on the parasites. The player can only carry one type of pesticide at a time; during the early stages of the game the lethal pesticide can be carried at all times, but later stages have more than one type of parasite on screen at once, making the choice of pesticide more tactical.[1]

As the plant grows it may sprout leaves; these increase the growth rate but also vulnerability to the parasites. Once the plant reaches a predetermined height it flowers and the player advances to the next level. A life will be deducted whenever the plant dies or the player makes contact with a parasite.

Every fifth level when completed reveals a female version of Robbie on the flower and grants an extra life.

Development

Pssst is one of the few Spectrum games also available in ROM format for use with the Interface 2, allowing instantaneous loading of the game when the normal method of cassette loading could take several minutes.[3][4] The game used the common technique of sprites and allowing them to be placed atop each other, which often overlapped colours on the screen causing attribute clash.[5] Pssst was also able to run on the 16K version of the Spectrum.[1]

Reception

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Paul Liptrot of Home Computing Weekly praised the graphics, stating them as overall "smooth-moving" and colourful, as well as praising the "addictive" gameplay.[2] ZX Computing considered the game as very professionally written and produced, with excellently smooth and detailed graphics. In addition, the review stated originality, addictivity and enjoyability of Pssst.[6]

Pssst reached number 10 in the MRIB Top 30 software charts in July 1983 while Jetpac was still at number 1.[7] In the fourth issue of Personal Computer Games, Pssst was nominated for a 1983 game of the year list on account of Ultimate's "famous graphics". According to the reviewer, other attributes of the game included its "originality" and "fun" in comparison to other Ultimate titles that were released in 1983.[8]

The game was voted the second best original game at the Computer and Video Games 1983 Golden Joystick Awards, losing to Imagine Software's Ah Diddums.[9]

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

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External links

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