Ex-Microsoft dev shares synthwave-pounding Tempest AI dashboard

Dave Plummer, the developer behind Task Manager and Windows Pinball, shared on Twitter a modern dashboard for his Tempest AI. He wrote, "This is probably what Task Manager would look like (and sound like) if I were still around. Which is why it's a good thing I knew to stay in my lane, design-wise :-)" The dashboard features a smattering of graphs, two speedometer-style gauges, and an almost Cyberpunk-style theming.

It's a bit messy, and perhaps the best/worst part is the music — a pounding synthwave/rave/glitch track. Tempest is published by Atari, and it launched in 1981. It used the then-budding QuadraScan vector technology and emulated 3D movement, which made it rather difficult.

Plummer said last year, "You might wonder why I chose Tempest for this AI project. It's not because Tempest is an easy game. Far from it. Tempest is a beast to master with fast-paced action and complex patterns. Its spinning 3D playfield and relentless enemies make every second a test of skill and reflexes.

dave plummer, task manager, windows pinball, tempest ai, tempest, atari, quadrascan, synthwave, dashboard, gauges