The cathode-ray tube amusement device consists of a [[cathode-ray tube]] (CRT) connected to basic [[oscilloscope]] type circuitry with a set of knobs and switches. The device also incorporates very simple [[analog electronics|analog]] circuitry and does not use any digital computer or memory device or execute a program.<ref name="CRTAD_about.com"/> The CRT projects a spot on the display screen, which traces a curved arc across the screen when a switch is activated by the player. This beam spot represents the trajectory of an artillery shell. The curved path is produced by the CRT itself, which is not of conventional design, [[electrostatic deflection|deflecting]] the beam of electrons as the spot moves across the screen.<ref name="CRTAD_CRT game patent"/> Overlaid on the screen are transparent plastic targets representing objects such as airplanes. At the end of the spot's trajectory, the beam defocuses, resulting in the spot expanding and blurring. This represents the shell exploding as if detonated by a [[Artillery fuze#Time fuzes|time fuze]]. The goal of the game is to have the beam defocus when it is within the bounds of a target. Prior to the beam spot beginning its arc, the player can turn the control knobs to direct the beam spot's trajectory and adjust the delay of the shell burst. The machine can be set to fire a "shell" either once or at a regular interval, which is adjustable by the player. This gives the player the goal of hitting one of the overlay targets with the shell burst within a time limit.<ref name="CRTAD_CRT game patent"/> The player was recommended to make the trajectory far removed from a straight line "so as to require an increased amount of skill and care".<ref name="PopMech"/>
