Atari Announces a Sequel To PONG! The Trailer Teases The Secrets Behind The Arcade Legend
So here’s a bit of video game news that I never expected to see! Atari has announced a sequel to Pong titled Qomp2. They even released a trailer, and it actually looks pretty cool.
Atari describes Qomp2 as "a creative sequel to the seminal classic Pong that asks the question, 'what would happen if the pong ball escaped the paddles?'"
The brief description reads: “Break free and go on the journey of a Pong ball as you navigate your way through industrial mazes and dangerous obstacles. The follow-up to the surprise indie hit, Qomp, adds a new ability that opens up the way you play. Will you make it to the end?”
The trailer teases, “What if there was more to the story?” and “Explore the secrets behind an arcade legend.” It’s explained that “Qomp2 captures the simplicity of Pong by giving players only two buttons to navigate a series of labyrinthine levels packed with ‘harder than they look’ challenges. Stepping into the spherical body of the renegade runaway, players will ping-pong their way through the dangerous, minimalistic world of qomp2. With a variety of enemies and bosses helping to mark the journey, the escapee will adventure through 30 challenging levels across four distinct worlds.”
The game is said to tell an enigmatic story of doubt, fear, and self-acceptance. Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari said in a statement: “It’s been over 50 years and the simple, joyful gameplay of Pong still captivates players and game developers. With qomp2, I am glad we’re able to continue the creative and thoughtful storytelling that qomp introduced.”
Coming to PC, PlayStation 4 / 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, Atari VCS, and iOS and Android mobile platforms in 2024. Check out the trailer below and I included additional details below. It’s pretty wild that after all these years we’re getting a sequel to Pong!
Key Features of qomp2:
Cerebral Puzzling: The simple, two-button controls belie complex and compelling gameplay. Use your reflexes to think ahead and master 30 tricky levels. Hidden collectibles on the map push you to explore every inch of the creatively rich minimalist environment.
Bounce Between Emotions: qomp2 is an enigmatic story of doubt, fear, and self-acceptance, told wordlessly with simple animations, effects, and the game mechanics themselves — a surprising twist based on the classic Pong.
Surprises Galore: If the game’s premise doesn’t raise an eyebrow, just wait until you dive into the challenges, which get increasingly difficult as you master new aspects of gameplay. And don’t worry, death is not the end in this arcade-inspired world. Quick respawn makes sure you’re back in the action in seconds.
Bountiful Bosses: Four bosses block your escape at the end of each world. Use your newfound skills to master their attacks and defenses in order to move on. Much like a real game of Pong, you must be prepared to defend your position!