Released in 1983, Art Master is not a game in the traditional sense, but more of a vector-based version of Paint. It’s a genuine creative tool… the interactive art program included with the Light Pen, the special light-sensitive stylus made specifically for the console. This fascinating software transforms the screen into a glowing canvas where you can draw, connect dots, and even animate your own creations. A unique offering in video game history, it allows the Vectrex to explore personal creativity on a vector display.
Art Master
Developer : GCE (General Consumer Electronics)
Year: 1983
Genre: Artistic Creation / Graphic Tool
Modes: Single-player (requires the Light Pen)
Three Modes for Infinite Creativity
Art Master offers three distinct modes, each providing a playful and creative approach to image-making.
Sketch mode
The main mode lets the player freely draw on the screen. Using the Light Pen, the player moves a crosshair and positions it as desired. Once in place, they can draw lines, create fan patterns, stretch segments, or erase entire sketches.
Be mindful, though: each creation is limited to a small number of vector lines, encouraging simplicity and visual efficiency. The style is minimalist, but the tool remains surprisingly expressive.
Connect Mode
Here, players draw by placing points. Once the shape is outlined, a simple button press connects all the dots with lines, revealing a complete drawing. It’s perfect for playing “guess what I drew” with friends or for crafting more stylized geometric shapes. Each press of the button toggles between just the points and the connected lines, creating a fun “before/after” effect.
Animate Mode
The animation mode allows you to create up to 9 successive frames, each limited to 31 lines. Between frames, you can review the previous one, tweak it, or transform it. Once the sequence is complete, press “Play” and watch your drawing come to life on the vector screen! While the animations are simple, the result is hypnotic. A walking figure, a growing plant, a spaceship in motion, anything is possible, within the technical limits. You can even adjust the playback speed for different effects.
When the Vectrex Becomes an Interactive Art Studio
Far from the usual arcade or reflex-based titles, Art Master is a unique, almost meditative experience. It appeals to both children and curious adults; anyone who enjoys drawing, inventing, or experimenting.
Bundled at the time with the Light Pen and a small manual, Art Master was the first tangible demonstration of the Vectrex’s artistic potential. It’s not a game in the conventional sense, but rather a personal creative workshop on-screen, at the crossroads of technology and imagination.
For a console released in 1982, offering an interactive program with drawing and animation via a light-sensitive pen was a true technical feat. It also pioneered direct screen interaction, a feature now standard in modern touchscreens, and helped introduce the concept of specialized accessories, a trend later popularized by devices like the Nintendo DS.
Some Light Pen Creations
What Stands Out
✅ Strengths :
- A unique creative tool for a console.
- Three different modes for variety.
- The Light Pen enables direct and playful interaction with the screen.
❌ Weaknesses :
- Limited number of lines: creativity must work within constraints.
- No way to undo a specific line.
A Different Way to Play
Art Master isn’t a game to win, it’s a game to create. A quiet moment amidst the Vectrex’s fast-paced titles. The console becomes an interactive sketchbook, a platform for personal expression, and even an educational toy. With Art Master, the Vectrex proves it can also be a home for imagination.
All images in the “Some Light Pen Creation” section are from Erin Plays, watch her video:
