---
title: Defender
tags:
- horizontal scrolling
- space
years:
- '1981'
params:
  specs:
  - label: year of release
    value: '1981'
  - label: companies
    value: Williams (publisher)
  - label: type
    value: game
  - label: media
    value: arcade cabinet
  - label: systems
    value: Arcade
  - label: number of players
    value: 1 - 2 players (alternate)
  - label: staff
    value: Eugene Jarvis (developper)
  screenshots:
  - title: title screenTitle screen
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Gameplay
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Gameplay
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Gameplay
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Game explanations
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Hiscore table
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Promotional flyer
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: Arcade cabinet
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  machines:
  - /museum/misc-arcade-video-games
  company: /companies/misc
  oc_id: 846
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221204111837/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/software_detail.asp?id=846
    date: '2022-12-04'
---

Defender is an arcade video game developed and released by Williams Electronics in 1981. A horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up, the game is set on an unnamed planet where the player must defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting astronauts. Development was led by Eugene Jarvis, a pinball programmer at Williams; Defender was Jarvis' first video game project and drew inspiration from Space Invaders and Asteroids.

Defender was one of the most important titles of the Golden Age of Video Arcade Games, selling over 55,000 units to become the company's best selling game and one of the highest-grossing arcade games ever. Praise among critics focused on the game's audio-visuals and gameplay. It is frequently listed as one of Jarvis' best contributions to the video game industry and one of the most difficult video games. Though not the first game to scroll horizontally, it created the genre of purely horizontal scrolling shooters. It inspired the development of other games and was followed by sequels and many imitations.