Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

The dawn of the home computer seemed to usher in the death of computing's networked past dominated by dumb terminals connected to mainframes, but a few visionaries foresaw a world in which the microcomputer technology invading millions of homes could be connected and the data networks already in consumer hands, such as cable TV and telephones, could usher in a new way of connecting people and distributing software.

Our guest, Larry J. Dunlap, was one such pioneer. The company he cofounded, The Games Network almost brought that dream to the world but tragically came up short.

Larry tells us of his early days as a musician, a recording entrepreneur, his entry into computing, the spectacular rise of The Games Network, its fall, and life after failure, his reinvention as an online game developer and today, as a novelist.

A fascinating life as told by a true storyteller.

Oh, and TV's Robin, Burt Ward, and D&D co-creator Dave Arnesson also play roles.

Recorded: September 2022

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you can't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/larry-j-dunlap-108388905

https://larryjdunlap.com/

https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_1_Number_05_1983-02_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n69/mode/2up

https://www.discogs.com/artist/822821-Stark-Naked-And-The-Car-Thieves

Replay August 19982, pg. 66

Gordon Walton Part 2 - EA - Origin

https://www.patreon.com/posts/53726080

Gordon Walton Part 1 - Epyx - Konami - Harpoon - Gametek

https://www.patreon.com/posts/52644122

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Arneson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Corporation

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/24/business/briefs-119250.html?searchResultPosition=1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halt_and_Catch_Fire_(TV_series)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Ward

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Popeil

http://imperialwars.com/

http://intelgames.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras

Nintendo and Sega financials dissapoint Sony gets ready for NextGen Venture money goes ga-ga over silliwood

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in May 1994. As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/ and order his book here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book or get it in the Humble Bundle here: https://www.humblebundle.com/books/game-programming-taylor-francis-books

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links: If you don't see all the links, find them here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/110575391

7 Minutes in Heaven: Rebel Assault (SegaCD) Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-may-110535204 https://www.mobygames.com/game/272/star-wars-rebel-assault/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Rebel_Assault

Corrections: April 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/april-1994-107563816 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ 1994-05: Console market in a slump Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 18

Panasonic tries to save 3DO Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 16 https://x.com/blakejharrisNYC/status/1168364212139307008

Nintendo loosens minimum cart order rules in Japan "Nintendo easing iron grip on programmers Video-Game Giant Halves Minimum Cartridge Order, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), May 2, 1994, Section: INDUSTRY; Pg. 8

Nintendo stock keeps dropping Nintendo shares no fun in 1994 - Emiko Terazono on reaction to the gamemaker's revised forecasts, Financial Times (London,England), May 6, 1994, Friday, London; Section: World Stock Markets; Pg. 39, Byline: By EMIKO TERAZONO

Nintendo is a top earner TOYOTA RETURNS AS NO.1 INCOME EARNER IN JAPAN, Jiji Press Ticker Service, MAY 18, 1994, WEDNESDAY,Dateline: TOKYO, MAY 18

Sega profits plunge Sega Enterprises reports 22.7% pretax profit fall, Japan Economic Newswire, MAY 19, 1994, THURSDAY

Sony Computer Entertainment of America formed https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/19/business/company-news-sony-starts-a-division-to-sell-game-machines.html?searchResultPosition=1

3DO shares collapse https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/21/business/company-news-shares-of-3do-fall-by-another-18.html

Nintendo profits plunge... more Nintendo suffers first profit decline in 10 years,Japan Economic Newswire,MAY 23, 1994, MONDAY Nintendo reports solid earnings despite strong yen; outlines exciting new software plans for 1994, Business Wire, May 23, 1994, Monday

THQ sales collapse T-HQ announces first-quarter results, Business Wire, May 11, 1994, Wednesday Absolute Entertainment reports first quarter results, Business Wire, May 10, 1994, Tuesday

EA/Broderbund merger collapses No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, May 9, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK, Vol. 34, No. 19 https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-05/page/n21/mode/1up?view=theater https://www.smoliva.com/2024/08/07/what-the-learning-company-taught-us-about-the-history-of-computer-software/

Davidson & Associates buys Chaos Studios https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-05/page/n17/mode/1up?view=theater Fox Interactive launches Twentieth Century Fox establishes new interactive multimedia division; new division to utilize News Corp. resources, Business Wire, May 20, 1994, Friday

Fall of Park Place profiled https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-05/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

Forbes profiles Id Profits from the underground, Forbes, May 9, 1994,Section: COMPUTERS/COMMUNICATIONS INTERACTIVE MEDIA; Parameters; Commentary; Pg. 176, Byline: BY ANDREW J. KESSLER AOU lacks premieres Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 8

Saturn to become an arcade Titan Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 7 https://segaretro.org/Sega_Titan_Video Play Meter, May 1994, pg. 16 https://segaretro.org/Batman_Forever_(arcade)

Namco consolidates Play Meter, May 1994, pg. 12

Atari links up with Bally Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 13

Virtuality goes to Japan British high-tech game maker to enter Japan, Japan Economic Newswire, MAY 6, 1994, FRIDAY Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakayama_Marina_City#Minor_attractions Play Meter May 1994, pg. 251

Sony delivers devtools Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 13

Sega disses Jupiter for Mars Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 6

DMA signs up with Nintendo Nintendo and U.K.-based DMA design announce Project Reality agreement; 64-bit home games to debut in fall 1995, Business Wire, May 2, 1994, Monday

Nintendo smashes myths https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_058_May_1994/page/n31/mode/1up?view=theater

Howard Lincoln to deliver CES keynote Playthings May 1994, pg. 22

Laseractive drops price Pelican Brief,' Pakula Classics Due From Warner, Billboard, May 7, 1994, Section: HOME VIDEO; Laser Scans; Pg. 96, Byline: by Chris McGowan https://youtu.be/qSdfj5O-N1Q?si=Wx7ZJ_Yvc6MafKSK

NEC taps out of 3D race Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 14

NEC gives PC Engine another lease on life Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 15

Sigma Designs to bring Jaguar to PC Sigma To Make Atari Jaguar Titles Run On PC, Newsbytes, May 3, 1994, Tuesday

Reinventing the Z-Machine is apparently Rocket Science Platform battle, Forbes, May 9, 1994, Section: COMPUTERS/COMMUNICATIONS INTERACTIVE MEDIA; Pg. 168, Byline: By Nikhil Hutheesing

Silliwood gold rush continues... Sillywood, Forbes, May 9, 1994, Section: MANAGEMENT/CORPORATE STRATEGIES; Pg. 46, Byline: By Lisa Gubernick and Nikhil Hutheesing Rocket Science takes off with funding from Sega Enterprises and Bertelsmann Music Group; 10-month-old start up attracts major corporate investors, Business Wire, May 18, 1994, Wednesday

Penn & Teller sign up with Absolute PENN & TELLER, THOSE 'BAD BOYS OF MAGIC,' MAKE THEIR VIDEO GAME DEBUT WITH ABSOLUTE ENTERTAINMENT, Business Wire, May 19, 1994, Thursday CD-i gets John Cleese No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, May 2, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK; Vol. 34, No. 18; Pg. 13 Argonaut working on 3D accelerator Edge 8, May 1994 pg. 19 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARC_(processor)

Sirius introduces 5 ft. 10 pack CD-ROM publishers unite-users benefit; introductory 5 ft. 10 Pak. flies from shelves, Business Wire, May 3, 1994, Tuesday https://worldroms.com/5-ft-10-pak-volume-1-details.html

Commodore advertises CD32.. in the US? https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_058_May_1994/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

Commodore developing RISC CPU https://archive.org/details/amiga-computing-magazine-073/page/n33/mode/2up Commodore shows off CD drive at Cebit Amiga Format 59, pg. 24

C64S launches https://archive.org/details/64er_1994_05/page/n35/mode/1up https://www.c64-wiki.de/wiki/C64s

CPC emulation comes to PC Amstrad Action 104, pg. 8 https://cpc-emu.org/news.html

Sega Channel to launch in Japan Sega to provide to provide videogames on cable TV, Report From Japan, May 3, 1994,Section: Business

Silicon Graphics founder teams up with Mosaic devs https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/07/business/new-venture-in-cyberspace-by-silicon-graphics-founder.html?searchResultPosition=8

Lexis Nexis to get SEC filings https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/11/business/company-news-agreement-to-utilize-sec-data.html?searchResultPosition=18

Computer biz to dominate Akihabara Akihabara shifting to 'computer town' amid recession, Japan Economic Newswire, MAY 4, 1994, WEDNESDAY, Byline: Hisa Miyatake

Rewritable carts coming to Blockbuster Sega and NewLeaf to test video game software delivery system that eliminates retailer stock-outs, Business Wire, May 31, 1994, Tuesday https://segaretro.org/Game_Factory

Copying goes legit in the UK with EDOS https://commodore.software/downloads?task=download.send&id=15005:commodore-format-issue-44&catid=721 pg. 22 https://blog.amigaguru.com/edos-the-software-on-demand-of-the-80s/ http://amigaguru.com/Games/EDOS_MAGAZINE_1991-1992__ENGLISH.pdf https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/63955/EDOS/ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC121687/filing-history?page=1 Psytronik keeps the C64 alive https://commodore.software/downloads?task=download.send&id=15005:commodore-format-issue-44&catid=721 pg. 8 https://www.psytronik.net/

Lieberman picks IDSA over SPA SENATORS WARN ON GAME RATINGS, Consumer Electronics, May 9, 1994, Section: THIS WEEK'S NEWS, Vol. 34, No. 19

Alpex faces off against Nintendo in court https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/16/business/patents-108332.html?searchResultPosition=30 https://itlaw.fandom.com/wiki/Alpex_Computer_v._Nintendo

Japanese Copyright change scuttled https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/19/business/japan-likely-to-retain-curb-on-software-raiding.html?searchResultPosition=33 Jean-Claude Van Damme to headline Street Fighter movie https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_058_May_1994/page/n171/mode/1up?view=theater

Multimedia-centric horror film captures Zeitgeist https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/movies/film-taking-the-children-like-your-mom-said-beware-sweet-serial-ads-931985.html?searchResultPosition=4

Virgin to release Music compilation CD Billboard previews music's digital future In The Brave New Technological World, Music Uses And Publishing Possibilities Seem Endless, Billboard, May 7, 1994, Section: MUSIC PUBLISHING; Spotlight; Pg. 76, Byline: BY MARILYN A. GILLEN

Green Jelly wants to ooze all over multimedia Green Jelly's Land Of Ooz: Zoo Act Opens Vid Facility, Billboard,May 21, 1994,Section: Pg. 1,Byline: BY DEBORAH RUSSELL

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

30 years ago: #Nintendo and #Sega financials disappoint, #Sony gets ready for NextGen & Venture money goes ga-ga over #Silliwood

These stories and many more on the VGNRTM!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/110575391

Sinclair ships QLs,

Atari looks hopeful &

Jack is BACK!

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in May 1984.

As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/

and order his book here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

or get it in the Humble Bundle here:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/game-programming-taylor-francis-books

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected]

Or

twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you don't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/108363601

7 Minutes in Heaven: Rescue on Fractalus

Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/108357926

https://www.mobygames.com/game/11726/rescue-on-fractalus/

Corrections:

April 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/april-1984-106448718

Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_42/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.quora.com/What-was-Alan-Kays-experience-like-working-at-Apple

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_TopView

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalltalk

1974:

New York Court rules pinball is a game of skill

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_45/page/51/mode/1up?view=theater

Atari opens another Game Center

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_45/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater

https://web.archive.org/web/20191123025509/https://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/documents/press_kits/atari_leisure_time_game_center.pdf

Bally buys Alladin's Castle

https://archive.org/details/cashbox36unse/page/43/mode/1up

1984:

Morgan predicts profitability by July 1

Atari expects to return to surplus this year. Financial Times (London,England), May 22, 1984, Tuesday, Section: SECTION II; International Companies; Pg. 21, Byline: BY LOUISE KEHOE IN SAN FRANCISCO

National News in Brief, United Press International, May 22, 1984, Tuesday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Dateline: SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Ross predicts Warner profitability

No Headline In Original, The Associated Press, May 24, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Business News

Atari confirms negotiations with Philips

Discussions with Philips; ATARITEL TO DELAY ENTRY INTO HIGH-TECH PHONE MARKET, Communications Daily, May 29, 1984, Tuesday, Section: Vol. 4, No. 104; Pg. 2

Atari announces more layoffs and plant closing

"Computer Giant Furloughs Middle Managers, The Associated Press, May 31, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Dateline: SUNNYVALE, Calif.

Atari to end Hong Kong venture, Financial Times (London,England), ,May 31, 1984, Thursday, Section: SECTION II; International Companies; Pg. 19, Byline: BY LOUISE KEHOE IN SAN FRANCISCO"

Alan Kay goes to Apple

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/03/business/key-atari-scientist-switches-to-apple.html?searchResultPosition=1

Jack is back

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-17/mode/1up?view=theater

Tramel Technology founded

https://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/tramel_technology.html

Commodore exec exodus continues

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-24/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Gulf and Western sells Sega

"COMPUTER SERVICES OBTAINS 70 PCT STAKE IN SEGA ENTERPRISES, Jiji Press Ticker Service, MAY 21, 1984, MONDAY, Dateline: TOKYO, MAY 21

No Headline In Original, PR Newswire, May 21, 1984, Monday"

Bally profits plummet

https://archive.org/details/cashbox46unse_15/page/29/mode/1up?view=theater

Mattel secures new financing

Mattel Agrees To Give Up 45 Percent of Its Voting Stock, The Associated Press, May 4, 1984, Friday, AM cycle, Section: Business News

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/04/business/mattel-sets-restructuring.html?searchResultPosition=1

Coleco issues new debt

Troubled Game Manufacturer Rasing $50 Million With Debentures, The Associated Press,May 9, 1984, Wednesday, AM cycle, Section: Business News

Coleco backlog is enormous

Toy and Hobby World, May 1984, pg. 8

Coleco gets new ad agency

Ketchum Scores Coleco; Demands Cash Up Front From Shaky ClientADWEEKMay 21, 1984, Eastern Edition, Byline: By Debbie Seaman

Hasbro buys Milton Bradley

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/05/business/rival-gets-milton-bradley.html?searchResultPosition=1

Toys R Us sales grow, but not thanks to games

No Headline In Original, PR Newswire, May 2, 1984, Wednesday, Dateline: ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., May 2

Japanese Coinop makers go after North American Pirates

https://archive.org/details/cashbox46unse_16/page/30/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/cashbox46unse_17/page/n29/mode/1up

Century's CVS gets new lease on life

Play Meter May 1, 1984, pg. 21

https://www.arcade-museum.com/company/crown-vending

Bankers learn not to finance games

Selling Repossessed Items Is a Banker's Nightmare; Want to Buy a Trawler, Bordello, or Video Game?, The American Banker, May 30, 1984, Wednesday, Section: BACK PAGE; Pg. 24, Byline: Special to the American Banker, Dateline: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

Activision sales collapse

No Headline In Original, United Press International, May 3, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Financial, Dateline: MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.

Video Games aren't DEAD!

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-2/page/30/mode/1up

Atari announces 7800

Atari Unveils Video Game Expandable into Computer, The Associated Press,May 21, 1984, Monday, BC cycle,Section: Business News

ATARI; Unveils advanced video game that is expandable to introductory computer, Business Wire, May 21, 1984, Monday

Adam owner frustration grows

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-2/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

MSX adopts 3.5 inch disks

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-31/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Activision signs deal with Pony

ACTIVISION; Signs licensing agreement with Pony Inc. for Japanese markets, Business Wire, May 30, 1984, Wednesday, Dateline: MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.

MSX coming to UK

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-24/mode/1up?view=theater

Dragon to announce MSX machine

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-31/mode/1up?view=theater

https://tromax.webnode.es/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_MSX

Philips and Thompson want to set new standard

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-03/mode/1up?view=theater

Amstrad development fracas revealed

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-03/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Acorn announces ABM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_Business_Computer https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-03/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

First QL's go out to customers

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-03/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Popular Computing Weekly gets their QL!

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-10/page/n4/mode/1up

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-17/page/n15/mode/1up

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-31/page/n22/mode/1up?view=theater

Sir Clive passes on Delorean plant

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-24/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Computer games take CES by storm

https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-05/page/n135/mode/1up?view=theater

Mac software arrives

https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-05/page/n207/mode/2up?view=theater

First Origin games get tested

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-2/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Lucasfilm Games Premieres

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-2 Lucasfilm ''force'' enters video game market, United Press International, May 9, 1984, Wednesday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By JOHN M. LEIGHTY

British devs embrace C64

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-31/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

USGold launches with Aztec Challenge and Forbidden Forest

https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-031/page/n15/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-031/page/n32/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-031/page/n41/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-031/page/n59/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/CommodoreHorizonsIssue051984May300dpi/page/n23/mode/2up?view=theater

Evil Dead coming to the C64

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-17/mode/1up?view=theater

Leisure Games wants you to go to Jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-05-03/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/company/2715/leisure-genius/

Games Network warns that Bankruptcy is looming

Computer Taken by Creditor; GAMES NETWORK INSOLVENT, SAYS BANKRUPTCY IS NEAR, Communications Daily, May 17, 1984, Thursday,Section: Vol. 4, No. 97; Pg. 2

Adam Magazine to arrive

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-2/page/25/mode/1up

Australia recognizes Copyright

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC NEWS IN BRIEF, Copyright 1984 Jiji Press Ltd.Jiji Press Ticker Service, MAY 30, 1984, WEDNESDAY

Sanders income booms while royalty revenue dips SANDERS-ASSOCIATES; Financial resultsBusiness WireMay 21, 1984, Monday, Dateline: NASHUA, N.H.

Battlefield Earth gets a soundtrack

https://archive.org/details/cashbox46unse_15/page/n31/mode/1up?view=theater

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

In the earliest days of the gaming biz, Human Engineered Software was a trailblazer, bringing big names like Jeff Minter to the US. The company's founder, Jay Balakrishnan, is a serial entrepreneur who not only would help create the mass market for software at retail but would also have a long and storied career in games beyond Hes ware with such companies as Radical Entertainment and Dynamics. I spoke to Jay in November and December of 2023, and after a few technical hiccups we finally got a connection going and we jump right into that today, so don't worry that I don't start things off with my traditional chronology obsessed focus, we'll wrap around and cover the whole story as we go along. Enjoy!

Recorded: November-December 2023

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Engineered_Software https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Minter https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Becker https://archive.org/details/ArticleHESWARESignsNimoy https://archive.org/details/HESWARESpokesmanLeonardNimoyAndJayBalakrishanAt1984CES https://www.mobygames.com/game/76/shamus/ https://archive.org/details/HESWARENewInvestmentsPressRelease https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisiCalc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizastar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_Entertainment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WildTangent https://www.mobygames.com/person/27385/jay-balakrishnan/credits/ https://www.straight.com/article-87384/indies-may-just-take-over-the-gaming-world https://www.straight.com/article/hollywood-touch-may-be-too-much-for-games https://www.bcbusiness.ca/industries/general/vancouver-gaming-industry-digital-warfare/ https://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-interview-285-jay-balakrishnan-hesware https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybalakrishnan

Copyright Karl Kuras

Nintendo bows to Blockbuster,

Commodore enters liquidation &

Acclaim-Midway divorce gets messy!

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in April 1994.

As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/

and order his book here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected]

Or

twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you don't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/107563816

7 Minutes in Heaven: Rocko's Modern Life

Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-107343911

https://www.mobygames.com/game/37843/rockos-modern-life-spunkys-dangerous-day/

Corrections:

March 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-1994-105189897

Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

https://x.com/chrisgr93091552

1994:

Ataris settle with Nintendo

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/26/business/company-news-time-warner-increases-its-stake-in-atari.html

Nintendo and Atari Games reach settlement in long-running court case; litigation settlement ends five-year court battle and restores Atari's status as Nintendo licensee, Business Wire, March 24, 1994, Thursday

ATARI CORP. AND NINTENDO REACH SETTLEMENT IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT CASE, PR Newswire, March 24, 1994, Thursday - 19:44 Eastern Time

Atari Corp. falsely characterizes Nintendo/Atari settlement, Business Wire, March 25, 1994, Friday

https://archive.org/details/AtariCorporationAnnualReport1992/page/n12/mode/1up

https://archive.org/details/AtariCorporationAnnualReport1993/page/n33/mode/1up

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4445114A/en

Nintendo gives in to rentals

Nintendo Reverses Stand, Will Play The Rental Game, Billboard, April 30, 1994, Section: Pg. 6

Nintendo finally pays Galoob

GALOOB TO RECEIVE $16.1 MILLION PAYMENT FROM NINTENDO TODAY, PR Newswire, April 11, 1994, Monday - 09:11 Eastern Time

EA and Broderbund to merge

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

Pearson buys Software Toolworks

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/01/business/pearson-enters-multimedia-software-arena.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/12/business/market-place-the-choices-are-few-for-investing-in-software-aimed-at-children.html?searchResultPosition=17

Paramount teams up with Davidson & Associates

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/13/business/the-media-business-software-plan-for-paramount.html?searchResultPosition=18

https://www.avid.wiki/Davidson/Simon_%26_Schuster

Warner consolidates

https://archive.org/details/cashbox57unse_29/page/30/mode/1up?view=theater

TSR and SSI call it quits

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_117/page/n11/mode/2up

WMS to buy Tradewest

BUSINESS BRIEFS: WMS INDUSTRIES INC TO ACQUIRE TRADEWEST IN HOME-VIDEO PUSH, WALL STREET JOURNAL, April 6, 1994, Wednesday, Section: Section B; Page 4, Column 5

WMS Industries to acquire Tradewest Inc., Business Wire, April 5, 1994, Tuesday

Acclaim signs deal for Batman Sequel

WARNER BROS. AND ACCLAIM ANNOUNCE 'BATMAN FOREVER' PACT; Blockbuster Motion Picture to be Released in 1995, Business Wire, April 26, 1994, Tuesday

SEGA SELECTS ACCLAIM AS FIRST U.S. PUBLISHER TO USE PROPRIETARY TITAN TECHNOLOGY FOR COIN-OP GAMES AND HIGH-END SEGA HOME HARDWARE PLATFORMS, Business Wire, April 7, 1994, Thursday

Big Movers in the Stock Market, The Associated Press, April 7, 1994, Thursday, AM cycle

MGM signs up with Sega

MGM, SEGA TO DEVELOP INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAMES, Extel Examiner, April 29, 1994, Friday - 03:15 Eastern Time

Could Disney buy a major games publisher?

Will Disney Chart More Adventurous Course in Wells' Absence?, The Associated Press, April 11, 1994, Monday, PM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By E. SCOTT RECKARD, Associated Press Writers

Living Books buys Dr. Seuss rights

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/22/business/the-media-business-dr-seuss-rights-are-sold.html?searchResultPosition=34

US announces Special 301 trade action against China

NINTENDO OF AMERICA STATEMENT ON SPECIAL 301 ACTION BY USTR, PR Newswire, April 30, 1994, Saturday - 19:04 Eastern Time

Japan misses chip import target

Newsbyte, US Japan Chip Wars Heat Up - Again! 01/03/94, WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1994 JAN 3 (NB)

Japanese toy wholesale system under pressure

Big stores rile small retailers with bargain toy price strategy, Industry's retail pricing structure said to have been undermined, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), April 18, 1994, Section: INDUSTRY; Pg. 9

AFTRA signs deal with EA

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Sega disses Summer CES

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Dedicated cabs rule UK ATEI show

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/8/mode/1up?view=theater

American Laser goes CDRom

Play Meter, April 1994, pg. 14 & Acme 13

Midway takes page from Capcom's playbook

https://archive.org/details/cashbox57unse_28/page/30/mode/1up?view=theater

AMOA teams up with Ross Perot's EDS

Play Meter, April 1994, pg. 1, 66A

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claw_(video_game)#Development

EDS' EARNINGS RISE 13 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER, PR Newswire, April 27, 1994, Wednesday - 16:29 Eastern Time

Saturn to launch with Jupiter

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/6/mode/1up?view=theater

Jaguar UK launch botched

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/13/

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/17/

3DO prospects in Japan look good

So far, 3DO multiplayer living up to hype, Matsushita Claims It Sold 40,000 Of Long-Awaited Machines In First 3 Days, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), April 4, 1994,Section: INDUSTRY DIGEST; Pg. 9, Byline: BY MASATO ISHIZAWA Staff writer

https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_games

3DO licenses tech to Toshiba for GPS

3DO. TOSHIBA TIE UP ON NAVIGATION SYSTEM, Jiji Press Ticker Service, APRIL 12, 1994, TUESDAY

3DO kicks off US ad campaign

3DO Kicks Off National Advertising Campaign, Business Wire, April 25, 1994, Monday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W67sqPQ9u0

MSU gives Konix Multisystem a second go

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/14/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.konixmultisystem.co.uk/index.php?id=archive

https://www.konixmultisystem.co.uk/index.php?id=msu

Japanese devs not waiting for Nintendo

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/13/mode/1up?view=theater

Capcom to support 3DO and PSX

https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_057_April_1994/page/n159/mode/1up?view=theater

Virgin to support CDi

https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_057_April_1994/page/n159/mode/1up?view=theater

Tower Records ditches CDi and Gameboy

Tower Video Dumps CD-I; VSDA Adds Game Seminars, Billboard, April 30, 1994, Section: HOME VIDEO; Shelf Talk; Pg. 72

Lethal Enforcers comes to the SNES

https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_057_April_1994/page/n171/mode/1up?view=theater

Nintendo censorship strikes again

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Sega announces MegaJet is coming home!

https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20057%20%28April%201994%29/page/n63/mode/2up

https://consolemods.org/wiki/Master_System:Master_System_Model_Differences#Master_System_Super_Compact/Master_System_Girl_(1994)

Commodore pulls out of World of Commodore-Amiga show

https://archive.org/details/amiga-computing-magazine-072/page/n13/mode/1up

Commodore announces liquidation

Commodore Scuttles Ship, The Associated Press, April 29, 1994, Friday, AM cycle

IBM agrees to make Cyrix chips

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/15/business/ibm-agrees-to-make-chips-designed-by-cyrix.html?searchResultPosition=19

EA sees big upswing in CDRom sales

Company Results Roundup, Newsbytes, April 29, 1994, Friday

Could CDRom usurp video games?

PC GAMES COULD CAPTURE SEGA, NINTENDO CUSTOMERS, WALL STREET JOURNAL,April 27, 1994, Wednesday, Section B; Page 1, Column 5, Byline: BY JOSEPH PEREIRA

Argonaut, Cirrus and Diamond team up for PC 3D API standard

3-D GRAPHICS ALLIANCE FOR PC GAMES ANNOUNCED BY DIAMOND COMPUTER SYSTEMS, CIRRUS LOGIC AND ARGONAUT SOFTWARE, PR Newswire, April 25, 1994, Monday - 09:02 Eastern Time

https://blazingrender.net/

3Dlabs and Creative team up for PC 3D API standard

3Dlabs announces alliance with Creative Technology; Customized GLiNT processor to bring interactive 3D graphics to multimedia desktops, Business Wire, April 18, 1994, Monday

Spectrum Holobyte bets on fractals

Fractals to put the squeeze on the game industry, Business Wire, April 13, 1994, Wednesday

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal_compression#Implementations

Microprose dumps Adventure engine

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_117/page/n11/mode/2up

Maxis wants to turn SimCity into a sandbox

https://archive.org/details/game-developer-april-1994/page/n5/mode/1up?view=theater

Doom leaves Edge unimpressed

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/60/mode/1up?view=theater

Newscorp buys Kesmai

Murdoch's News Corp. to acquire Kesmai Corp; Global media company positions Delphi to deliver the next wave of online interactive multimedia, Business Wire, April 25, 1994, Monday

AOL swamped by new signups

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-04/page/n15/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/edge-007-april-1994/page/92/mode/1up?view=theater

Game Developer magazines debuts

https://archive.org/details/game-developer-april-1994/page/n3/mode/1up

Second round of video game violence hearings lack fireworks

Play Meter, April 1994, pg. 12

Data East beats Capcom in court

Play Meter, April 1994, pg. 1

Ads in software patented

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/08/business/company-news-patent-dispute-brewing-on-software-use-of-ads.html

https://medium.com/swlh/how-i-screwed-a-patent-troll-out-of-a-billion-dollars-2849cb3e248a

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ed/d8/f2/387782f38818da/US5105184.pdf

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/08/business/us-revokes-cotton-patents-after-outcry-from-industry.html

Study finds no link between video violence and juvenile delinquency

Offenders do not watch more violence, The Times, April 11, 1994, Monday, Section: Home news, Byline: Alexandra Frean, Media Correspondent

Middlesex University offers Gaming degrees

https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-04/page/n13/mode/2up

https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CVG_UK_149.pdf pg. 14

RIP 3' disks

https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-103/page/n7/mode/2up

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

Nolan Bushnell, the PT Barnum of games, left indellible marks on the industry, some greater than others, and among the big hits like Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, were also many misses and could-have-beens. Our guest, Joneva Barry, was witness to one of them, Kadabrascope, an attempt to use computers to bring down the cost of traditional 2D animation. An accomplished artist and educator, Joneva tells us of those heady days of high tech, great hopes, the comradery with Sente, the fall of Pizza Time Theater and her career in movies and as a school teacher.

Recorded: July 2023

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links:

Chuck E Cheese's The Christmas That Almost Wasn't - https://youtu.be/irSesKa1-Zo?si=dg5HBc7-lbRDFU17 http://platypuscomix.com/darkvault/misfits/misfit52.html https://www.donnacohen.com/ciriculum-vitae https://jeffcummins.wixsite.com/jeff https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/ptt/ptt_pizzatimes3-1.pdf https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/ptt/ptt_pizzatimes3-2.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixar#Early_history

Copyright Karl Kuras

Acorn and Commodore soar, as Coleco and Atari falter

Software takes center stage in PC clone world

UK game prices hit rock bottom

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in April 1984.

As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/

and order his book here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected]

Or

twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you don't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/106448718

7 Minutes in Heaven: Atic Atac

Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-106323507

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atic_Atac

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-26/page/n1/mode/1up

Corrections:

March 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-1984-104469980

Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

1954

Kefauver hearing puts pressure on comics industry

https://www.nytimes.com/1954/04/20/archives/comicbook-hearing-to-start-tomorrow.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1954/04/23/archives/senator-charges-deceit-on-comics-kefauver-says-child-study-groups.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estes_Kefauver

1964

IBM announces the 360

https://x.com/kenshirriff/status/1777022892477239724

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360

1974

Sega becomes American

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_41/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater

https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/

Mirco Games brings freeplay to video

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_42/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater

Sam Stern urges industry to go to 25 cent play

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_43/page/35/mode/1up?view=theater

David Gottlieb, RIP

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_43/page/35/mode/1up?view=theater

1984

Atari losses fall

Post Net Income of $30.9 Million, The Associated Press, April 19, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Business News

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Atari in Trouble Again

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/19/business/warner-severs-tie-with-ladd-warner-communications.html

Banks cut Coleco credit line

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/03/business/coleco-says-banks-cut-its-credit.html?searchResultPosition=1

Coleco reports rebound from last quarter's loss, United Press International, April 17, 1984, Tuesday, BC cycle

Commodore sales skyrocket!

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/27/business/profit-off-at-xerox-sperry-up.html

Toy & Hobby World, April 1984 pg. 12

Acorn revenues soar!

https://archive.org/details/AcornUser021-Apr84/page/n8/mode/1up

TI turn-around unprecedented

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Texas Instruments Update

Milton Bradley returns to profitability

Milton Bradley Shows Profit in First Quarter, The Associated Press, April 20, 1984, Friday, BC cycle, Section: Business News

Toy Maker Talking About 'Business Combination' With Another Company, The Associated Press, April 26, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Dateline: SPRINGFIELD, Mass.

Pizza Time Losses continue to mount

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, In Brief

Atari closes last California factory

Newsbytes, April 3, 1984, Atari Lay-Off

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/07/business/atari-to-cut-550-jobs-at-2-plants.html

Alan Kay leaves Atari

Newsbytes, April 10, 1984, A week of resignations

5200 Software drought

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/12/mode/1up

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/15/mode/1up

German court squashe Unimex duplicator

https://binarium.de/unimex_duplicator_sp280

https://archive.org/details/happycomputer-magazine-1984-04/page/n7/mode/1up

Sinclair misses another QL deadline

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-05/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews057-14Apr1984/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews056-07Apr1984/page/n5/mode/1up

Sinclair finds QL workaround!

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews059-28Apr1984/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-26/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Hannover Fair sees flood of PCs

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews058-21Apr1984/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Commodore unveils PC clone

Newsbytes, April 3, 1984, Speaking of Clones

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/05/business/2-machines-challenge-ibm.html

IBM looks to shut down clones

Newsbytes, April 3, 1984, More IBM, by Paul Richter

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews056-07Apr1984/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

IBM buys additional Intel shares

Newsbytes, April 3, 1984, In Brief

PCJr sales still dismal

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews059-28Apr1984/page/n5/mode/1up?view=theater

Apple ][ forever!

Newsbytes, April 10, 1984, Apple II Forever

https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/Apple_II_Forever

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Mac-Update

Apple holds its own with IBM

Newsbytes, April 10, 1984, Apple vs. IBM

Tomy drops out of US market

Toy & Hobby World, April 1984 pg. 12

HP introduces the ThinkJet

https://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/museum/imagingprinting/0011/

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-04-rescan/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Moves to Asia continue

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Stealing some thunder

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/26/nyregion/thursday-april-26-1984-international.html

Bill Gates on Time cover

https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19840416,00.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/22/business/the-heady-world-of-ibm-suppliers.html

IBM working on GUI

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-04-rescan/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_TopView

3rd parties abandon Adam

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/8/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/10/mode/1up?view=theater

Imagine changes course on price cut

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews056-07Apr1984/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater

UK game prices hit 1 pound 99!

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews057-14Apr1984/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews057-14Apr1984/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

PC Write shareware model a success

Newsbytes, April 10, 1984, Betting on Piracy

Wordstar hits hard times

Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Software Snafus

Atari Program Exchange shuttered

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Atari introduces AtariLab

PRESS CONFERENCE, PR Newswire, April 4, 1984, Wednesday

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AtariLab

Broderbund announces Print Shop

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-1/page/6/mode/1up?view=theater

HESWare hires Nimoy

https://archive.org/details/Ahoy_Issue_04_1984-04_Ion_International_US/page/n7/mode/2up

Empires redefines pass-and-play

https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews057-14Apr1984/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/9706

Synapse withdraws from UK market

https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-030/page/n19/mode/1up

Random House enters software biz

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/11/business/advertising-random-s-software-account.html

64er launches

https://archive.org/details/64er_1984_04/mode/2up

France goes online

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/30/business/computer-linkups-spurred-by-france.html

Games Network signs up additional franchises

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-12/page/n18/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-26/page/n12/mode/1up?view=theater

Videotext gone took 'r jawbs!

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/29/arts/tv-view-a-corporate-look-into-the-near-future.html

MITI throws in the towel

MITI GIVES UP PLAN TO SUBMIT SOFTWARE BILL TO DIET, Japan Economic Newswire, APRIL 21, 1984, SATURDAY

REVIEW-SOFTWARE: JAPAN, U.S. REMAIN APART ON SOFTWARE PROTECTION, Japan Economic Newswire, APRIL 19, 1984, THURSDAY

CalTech students hack Rose Bowl scoreboard

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-04-rescan/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.edn.com/forget-touchdowns-engineers-score-with-pranks/

RCA axes Video disk

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/12/arts/tv-review-viewer-controls-screen.html?searchResultPosition=1

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/06/business/rca-defends-timing-of-videodisk-canceling.html

Licensing business explodes

Children's Characters Stir Big Sales, The Associated Press, April 25, 1984, Wednesday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By ROBERT WADE, Associated Press Writer

Takara pens deal with Hasbro

US firm permitted to use characters, The Japan Economic Journal, April 17, 1984, Section: SERVICE/LEISURE/FOOD; Pg. 18

Toy & Hobby World, April 1984

D&D scare hits the UK

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-12/page/n1/mode/2up

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

sega

nintendo

atari

coleco

acorn

commodore

c64

spectrum

sinclair

ql

microsoft

windows

vision

gottlieb

chuck e cheese

pizza time

pcjr

shareware

pulsonic

imagine

mastertronic

ultimate

aticatac

apple

macintosh

appleii

40 years ago:

#Acorn and #Commodore soar, as #Coleco and #Atari falter,

Software takes center stage in PC clone world &

UK game prices hit rock bottom

These stories and more on the VGNRTM!

#c64 #zxspectrum #ql #mastertronic #sega

Sega previews Saturn at CES,

Commodore warns of bankruptcy &

Doom brings corporate networks to their knees

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in March 1994.

As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/

and order his book here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected]

Or

twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you don't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/105189897

7 Minutes in Heaven: Mega Turrican

Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/104910543

https://www.mobygames.com/game/16645/mega-turrican/

Corrections:

February 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/february-1994-103514526

Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicktoons

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famicom_Disk_System

1994:

Coinop goes BIG!

Edge March 1994, pg. 16

Coinop goes small

Edge March 1994, pg. 14

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2021/03/zool-arcade/

Daytona gets new name

Play Meter, March 1994, pg. 1

Irem shuts down arcade division

Play Meter, March 1994, pg. 1

Karaoke goes CD

https://archive.org/details/cashbox57unse_22/page/38/mode/1up?view=theater

US Rating System to be in place by Xmas

VIDEO-GAME MAKERS WILL SET UP SYSTEM FOR RATING PRODUCTS, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 7, 1994, Monday, Section: Section B; Page 7, Column 6

UK Rating system to start in March

https://archive.org/details/AmigaFormatMagazine_201902/Amiga_Format_Issue_057_1994_03_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n21/mode/2up

3DO issues ratings system

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/game/1824/hell-a-cyberpunk-thriller/cover/group-13661/cover-30908/

Current NextGen falters at CES

Edge, March 1994, pg. 6

Sega Previews Saturn

https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20056%20%28March%201994%29/page/n57/mode/2up

Edge, March 1994, pg. 6

Nintendo fools no one with SGi demos

Edge, March 1994, pg. 6

Acclaim The Duel demo details

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

Gregory Fischbach Part 2 - Acclaim - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47720122

Gregory Fischbach Part 1 - Activision - Acclaim - https://www.patreon.com/posts/46578120

3D tool makers show wares at CES

https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/15/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavefront_Technologies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softimage_3D

https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/17/mode/1up?view=theater

Sega of America announces 32X

MONITOR, The Irish Times, March 15, 1994, CITY EDITION, Section: EDUCATION & LIVING; Pg. Supplement Page 12

SEGA TO ENTER 32-BIT VIDEO GAME MARKET IN FALL WITH PRICE BREAK ON HARDWARE, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 15, 1994, Tuesday, Section: Section B; Page 6, Column 4, Byline: BY DON CLARK

PSX shown to UK Devs

Edge, March 1994, pg. 13

3DO announces new licensees and PC add-on card

No Headline In Original, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 11, 1994, Friday, Section: Section B; Page 5, Column 4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3DO_Interactive_Multiplayer#Licensed_systems

Microsoft WON'T provide an OS for Saturn

Microsoft plays down Sega video game role, Financial Times (London,England), March 10, 1994, Thursday, London, Section: International Company News; Pg. 30, Byline: By LOUISE KEHOE and MICHIYO NAKAMOTO

Crystal Dynamics signs on for Saturn development

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/game/company:1281/platform:sega-saturn/sort:-date/page:1/

CD32 haralds CD revolution in UK

MONITOR, The Irish Times, March 15, 1994, CITY EDITION, Section: EDUCATION & LIVING; Pg. Supplement Page 12

Nintendo announces Super Gameboy

NINTENDO UNIT UNVEILS DEVICE, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 15, 1994, Tuesday, Section: Section C; Page 6, Column 6

Nintendo still smug, despite share price collapse

Nintendo still at the top of its game, Despite sagging shares, firm outscores rivals in efficiency, profitability, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), March 28, 1994, Section: INDUSTRY; Pg. 9, Byline: BY ASAKO ISHIBASHI Staff writer

Nintendo profits expected to fall by 40%

Nintendo group's pretax profit to fall 40%, daily says, Japan Economic Newswire, MARCH 31, 1994, THURSDAY, Dateline: TOKYO, March 31 Kyodo

Sega Enterprises to raise dividend, skip share split, Japan Economic Newswire, MARCH 10, 1994, THURSDAY, Dateline: TOKYO, March 10 Kyodo

Acclaim reports record earnings!

Playthings, March 1994, pg. 10

NBA Jam launch to match Mortal Kombat

NBA Jams' Wins Acclaim; TriStar's New Cover Girl, Billboard, March 19, 1994, Section: HOME VIDEO; Shelf Talk; Pg. 68, Byline: by Elleen Fitzpatrick

Midway dumps Acclaim

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/31/business/company-news-nintendo-licensing-deal-rocks-acclaim-s-stock.html https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/18/business/stocks-advance-on-good-inflation-news.html

NINTENDO'S PROJECT REALITY GAME SYSTEM GETS LIFT IN ACCORD WITH WMS INDUSTRIES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 31, 1994, Thursday, Section: Section B; Page 7, Column 1, Byline: BY JIM CARLTON

Sega shows off Virtua Racing on Genesis

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n87/mode/1up?view=theater

Playmates Toys gets into games

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1481/playmates-interactive-entertainment-inc/games/

Playmates revenue drops

Playmates sales fall 10pc to $ 1.42b in saturated market, South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), March 22, 1994, Section: Business; Pg. 3, Byline: By CARRIE LEE

EA signs Shaq and Jordan

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n25/mode/1up?view=theater

Commodore Australia closes down

IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM FOR COMMODORE; COMPUTER VISION, Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), March 21, 1994 Monday, Late Edition, Section: COMPUTERS; Pg. 50

Commodore warns of imminent bankruptcy

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/26/business/company-news-computer-pioneer-signals-bankruptcy-near.html?searchResultPosition=1

https://archive.org/details/amiga-computing-magazine-071/page/n11/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/amazing-computing-magazine-1994-03/page/n81/mode/2up

VFX1 brings VR home

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/12/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VFX1_Headgear https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-03/page/n19/mode/2up

New World bought by NTN

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_116/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

MCA announces game studio

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1982/universal-interactive-inc/

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

Broderbund signs up affiliates

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

Rocket Science goes full Siliwood

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_116/page/n14/mode/1up?view=theater

Microsoft's got game

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

Newton gets games

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater

Sierra goes big on CGI

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

Tsunami wants to inject you into a game

https://www.mobygames.com/game/1478/blue-force/trivia/

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Dragon's Lair comes to CDRom

https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n18/mode/1up?view=theater

Shareware confusion rises

https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-03/page/n25/mode/2up?q=shareware

https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1994.03/page/n5/mode/2up

Company networks get Doom-ed!

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_116/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater

Microsoft announces Microsoft Network

Microsoft to test PC network, Financial Times (London,England), March 14, 1994, Monday, London, Section: International Company News; Pg. 19

IBM and Videotron team up

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/12/business/company-news-videotron-and-ibm-to-explore-interactive-technology.html

https://techmonitor.ai/technology/ibm_previews_its_powerpc_403ga_emebedded_microcontroller_chip

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC_400#PowerPC_403

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gJaSV-oulLE

https://books.google.ca/books?id=aeQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62&dq=videoway+popular+mechanics&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwixn-r1wrTpAhWPbs0KHbhTC6AQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=videoway%20popular%20mechanics&f=false

https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/groupe-videotron-lte

Japanese recession hits Akihabara

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/05/world/tokyo-journal-electronics-district-hits-hard-times.html?searchResultPosition=1

Survey reveals some winners amid chilly business climate, The Daily Yomiuri, March 28, 1994, Monday

https://www.triptojapan.com/blog/akihabara-exploring-tokyo-s-electric-town

Discounting takes Japanese retail by storm

Cheap and cheerful: Changing patterns of Japanese retailing, Financial Times (London,England), March 15, 1994, Tuesday, London, Section: Pg. 24, Byline: By EMIKO TERAZONO

Rhino Group grows

Enlarged Rhino advances to Pounds 2m, Financial Times (London,England). March 4, 1994, Friday, London, Section: UK Company News; Pg. 24, Byline: By PAUL TAYLOR

UK mag publisher Impact calls it quits

THE GAMES OF CHANCE; You don't need to live in the metropolis to make a million from mags, The Guardian (London), March 10, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN FEATURES PAGE; Pg. 17

https://archive.org/details/zzap64-magazine-106

https://archive.org/details/amiga-force-16/page/n11/mode/2up?view=theater

https://segaretro.org/Impact_Magazines

Dark Horse Comics gets into games mag business

https://archive.org/details/max-overload-01/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/AmigaFormatMagazine_201902/Amiga_Format_Issue_057_1994_03_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n19/mode/2up

Move over cover disks...CDs are here!

https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/9/mode/1up?view=theater

Multimedia Porn becomes harder to ignore

https://archive.org/details/AcornUser140-Mar94/page/n21/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_116/page/n9/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/amiga-computing-magazine-071/page/n29/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-03/page/n17/mode/2up

McGraw Hill publishes Best of Byte

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/01/science/peripherals-the-bytes-of-the-past-emerge-as-a-book.html?searchResultPosition=1

https://archive.org/details/bestofbyte0000rana

Japan buys more chips abroad

Japan, U.S. emphasize 3 sectors for foreign chips Tokyo Relieved No Guarantee Sought, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), March 28, 1994, Section: ECONOMY; Pg. 2, Byline: BY HIROSHI NAKAMAE Staff writer

Girls need to get into games

A TOOL FOR WOMEN, A TOY FOR MEN: VIDEO GAMES HELP BOYS GET A HEAD START, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 16, 1994, Wednesday, Section: Section B; Page 1, Column 6, Byline: BY WILLIAM M BULKELEY

Carmen Sandiego goes around the world

https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/8/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_in_the_World_Is_Carmen_Sandiego%3F_(game_show)#International_versions

Magic the Gathering takes gaming market by storm

Playthings, March 1994, pg. 18

Linux launched

https://twitter.com/WeAreRSGroup/status/1768186561227538885/photo/1

RIP John Candy

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/05/obituaries/john-candy-comedic-film-star-is-dead-of-a-heart-attack-at-43.html?searchResultPosition=7

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

Pizza Time goes bust,

Amiga announces a computer &

Nintendo launches the VS

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in March 1984.

As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/

and order his book here:

https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected]

Or

twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links:

If you don't see all the links, find them here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-1984-104469980

7 Minutes in Heaven: Dolphin's Rune/Dolphin's Pearl

Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/104389483

https://www.mobygames.com/game/21190/the-dolphins-pearl/

Game Manual: https://archive.org/details/c64man_dolphins-rune

Ecco the Dolphin 7 Minutes in Heaven: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-80192007

Corrections:

February 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/february-1984-102404099

Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-la-pinball-or/145438040/

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-san-francisco/145438150/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance_Electronic_Disc

https://www.mobygames.com/game/38079/cosmic-chasm/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/82890/cube-quest/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomy_Tutor

https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/a/15340

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80186#In_personal_computers

1974:

Atari introduces Gran Track 10

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_37/page/58/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_38/page/54/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_36/page/52/mode/2up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYcNvAAeu6k

https://www.facebook.com/100057102354061/videos/1111919918819701/

Wurlitzer ends manufacturing

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_37/page/59/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_35/page/44/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer

1984:

Laserdisc games galore!

https://archive.org/details/198403VideoGamesExpress/mode/1up

Play Meter 15th, 1984, pg. 56

Replay March 1984, pg. 10

https://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/

Centuri turns it around

No Headline In Original, PR Newswire, March 14, 1984, Wednesday, Dateline: HIALEAH, Fla., March 14

The battle begins with Sente vs. VS!

Replay March 1984, pg. 10

https://sergiostuff.com/category/nintendo-vs-dualsystem/

https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/punch-out

Exidy goes interchangeable

Replay March 1984, pg. 10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exidy#First_Star_Software_games

https://www.classicarcademuseum.org/exidy-max-a-flex-system

https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/boulder-dash--data

Bills pile up at Pizza Time

Company Deferring Some Debts, The Associated Press, March 9, 1984, Friday, PM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By LORETTA NOFFSINGER, Associated Press Writer

Bankruptcy Threat Issued, The Associated Press, March 16, 1984, Friday, AM cycle

Pizza Time Theater enters Chapter 11

Curtains for the Pizza Time Theatre, Financial Times (London,England), March 30, 1984, Friday, Section: SECTION I; Pg. 18, Byline: By Louise Kehoe in San Francisco

Joneva Barry - Chuck E. Cheese, Kadabrascope - https://www.patreon.com/posts/joneva-barry-e-101938460

Roger Hector - Atari, Disney, Sega, Namco, Sente - https://www.patreon.com/posts/72058794

Owen Rowley - Chuck E Cheese, Autodesk - https://www.patreon.com/posts/owen-rowley-88533133

Bally buys Sente

BALLY-MANUFACTURING; Acquires Sente Technologies Division of Pizza Time Theatre Inc., Business Wire, March 29, 1984, Thursday

Chip shortage looms

Play Meter March 1st, 1984, pg. 16

Jay Balakrishnan - HESWare, Radical, Dynamics, Solid State Software - https://www.patreon.com/posts/jay-balakrishnan-103071267

Goldman Sachs quantifies the Crash

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/182/mode/1up?view=theater

Battle for Warner is over...

Warner buys back Murdoch's stake with aid from Chris-Craft, Financial Times (London,England), March 19, 1984, Monday, Section: SECTION I; Pg. 16, Byline: BY WILLIAM HALL IN NEW YORK

https://archive.org/details/masterofgamestev00bruc

Atari cuts another 200

Atari cuts jobs in restructuring, Financial Times (London,England), March 21, 1984, Wednesday, Section: SECTION II; International Companies; Pg. 19, Byline: BY LOUISE KEHOE IN SAN FRANCISCO

A Year After Layoffs, Atari Foresees Better Times in '84, The Associated Press, March 11, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle

Coleco losses dwarf expectations

COLECO LOSES $35 MILLION IN QUARTER, The New York Times, March 8, 1984, Thursday, Late City Final Edition, C, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 3; Financial Desk, Byline: By DAVID E. SANGER

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/08/business/coleco-loses-35-million-in-quarter.html

Coleco announces massive layoffs

No Headline In Original, The Associated Press, March 28, 1984, Wednesday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By S.W. BELL, AP Business Writer, Dateline: AMSTERDAM, N.Y.

Massive losses can't bring Mattel's spirits down

Mattel, Despite $171 Million Loss, Optimistic About Future, The Associated Press, March 15, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Byline: By ROGER GILLOTT, AP Business Writer

Mattel reaches new financing agreement with creditor banks, Financial Times (London,England), March 15, 1984, Thursday, Section: SECTION II; International Companies; Pg. 27, Byline: BY PAUL TAYLOR IN NEW YORK

Intellivision reborn!

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/179/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revco

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellivision#INTV_Corporation_(1984%E2%80%931990)

2600 goes to Turkey

ATARI; Signs agreement with Turkish firm to manufacture and distribute video game products in Turkey, Business Wire, March 20, 1984, Tuesday https://www.reddit.com/r/TheCinemassacre/comments/1afkuz2/the_first_atari_2600_commercial_in_turkey_80s/

http://www.atariboxed.com/index.php?go=output&sort=T1.Modul_Complete_Title,%20T1.Modul_Complete_Model,%20T1.Modul_Complete_TV,%20T1.Modul_Complete_Label&dir=DESC&rows_per_page=50&select_system=1&select_company=49

Odyssey RIP

Pioneer Home Video Game Is Dropped, The Associated Press, March 20, 1984, Tuesday, AM cycle, Byline: By TOM EBLEN, Associated Press Writer First Home Video-Game Maker Calling It Quits, The Associated Press, March 21, 1984, Wednesday, PM cycle, Byline: By TOM EBLEN, Associated Press Writer

Nintendo may show off console at summer CES

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/182/mode/1up?view=theater

Goodbye Video Game Update including Computer Entertainer...

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/electronic-fun-with-computers-and-games-volume-2-number-5-march-1984/page/4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_12_1984-03_Reese_Communications_US/page/n5/mode/2up

Julian 'Jaz' Rignall - Computer and Video Games, ZZAP!64, Mean Machines, Future Publishing, Virgin, IGN - https://www.patreon.com/posts/julian-jaz-and-97565043

Jerry Wolosenko - Synapse - https://www.patreon.com/posts/42014024

Amiga announces 68000 based home computer

Infoworld March 26, 1984, pg. 13

Infoworld March 19, 1984 pg. 20

https://www.landley.net/history/mirror/atari/museum/mickey.html

https://theretrohour.com/amstrad-cpc-40th-anniversary-with-roland-perry-pt-1-the-retro-hour-ep425/

Mac distribution widens

Infoworld March 26, 1984, pg. 11

Infoworld March 26, 1984, pg. 16

Apple IIx rumors begin

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/184/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_IIGS

https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-03/page/n43/mode/2up

Intel licenses chip designs to Sanyo

BOTH 8- AND 16-BIT MODELS; Tokyo Sanyo will make Intel-compatible MPUs, The Japan Economic Journal, March 13, 1984, Section: ELECTRICALS & ELECTRONICS; Pg. 9

Commodore and IBM become Intel licensees

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/10/business/ibm-is-licensed-to-makeintel-chip.html?searchResultPosition=1 https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-15/mode/1up?view=theater

Don Greenbaum - Commodore - https://www.patreon.com/posts/don-greenbaum-67077078

Commodore goes brit

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHJ6vVxJLlQ

IBM slashes PC prices in Europe

Infoworld March 26, 1984, pg. 11

Creative Computing reviews the TS 2068

https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-03/page/n93/mode/2up

Timex calls it quits

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-01/mode/1up?view=theater

InfoWorld March 19, 1984 pg. 16

Sinclair admits QL is a mess

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-08/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-15/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/page/n31/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-22/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

QL peripheral makers multiply

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Developers abandon QL for CPC

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-15/mode/1up?view=theater

Sir Clive's portable TV impresses

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/page/n15/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV80

Sinclair EV to be made by Hoover

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-08/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Imagine begins Bandersnatch and Psyclapse ad blitz

https://archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-029/page/n153/mode/2up

Imagine bungles deal

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-08/mode/1up?view=theater

http://redparsley.blogspot.com/2016/08/input-magazine-retrospective.html

https://archive.org/details/Input_Vol_1_No_01_1997_Marshall_Cavendish_GB

Imagine announces price cut

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-08/page/n2/mode/1up?view=theater

https://archive.org/details/Big_K_Issue_03_1984_Jun/page/n15/mode/2up

Bug Byte won't give up on Miner Willie

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-22/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/mattie-goes-mining/

Novotrade details

First All-Hungarian Stock Corporation Ventures Into Video Gaming, The Associated Press, March 3, 1984, Saturday, BC cycle, Byline: By ROLAND PRINZ, Associated Press Writer

https://www.stayforever.de/2024/04/ddr-computer-sft-14/

https://www.ddr-museum.de/de/blog/2020/genex-geschenkdienst

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genex

https://archive.org/details/genexhauptkatalog1986

Hudsonsoft goes Speccy

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/game/company:1360/platform:zx-spectrum/sort:-date/page:1/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/19608/cannon-ball/

Geoff Crammond takes to the skies

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVNAippFbAs

https://www.mobygames.com/person/6244/geoffrey-j-crammond/

Mythos puts Karsten Köper on the map

https://archive.org/details/atari-club-magazin-1984-3/page/6/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/atari-club-magazin-1984-3/page/10/mode/2up

http://thethalionsource.w4f.eu/Artikel/Mythos.htm

XOR brings Football Manager to the gridiron

Infoworld March 12, 1984, pg. 22

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1848/xor-corporation/

Palace software to leverage movie licenses

https://archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-052

Enter the 'bookware'

https://archive.org/details/Acorn_User_Number_020_1984-03_Adn-Wesley_GB/page/n7/mode/2up

https://worldofspectrum.net/publisher/11213/

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-08/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Addison-Wesley launches line of games for girls

Infoworld March 26, 1984, pg. 20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgYqUjtPj8

https://www.mobygames.com/company/23943/rhiannon-software/

https://www.wearelivinginthefuture.com/p/space-girls-gaming-obsolescence

https://archive.org/details/wozaday_Lauren_of_the_25th_Century

Angelsoft founded

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/190/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1107/angelsoft-inc/

Synergistic abandons publishing

https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_12_1984-03_Reese_Communications_US/page/n13/mode/2up

Lotus goes for integration

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-03/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Symphony_(MS-DOS)

http://oldvcr.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-commodore-plus4-3-plus-1-and.html

https://archive.org/details/Ahoy_Issue_03_1984-03_Ion_International_US/page/n9/mode/2up

Egghead Softwear is slashing prices

https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-03/page/n205/mode/2up

Comptiq brings US games to Japan

Comptique will market U.S.-made game packages, The Japan Economic Journal, March 13, 1984, Section: SPECIAL U.S. SECTION; Pg. 13

https://www.mobygames.com/company/6942/comptiq/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comptiq

MSX looks to be a dud

https://archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-052/page/n31/mode/2up

Sega to export 70,000 SC300's

Personal computers, The Japan Economic Journal, March 6, 1984, Section: NEWS PACKAGE; Pg. 18

MAX RIP

Commodore withdraws from toy business, The Japan Economic Journal, March 13, 1984, Section: SERVICE/LEISURE/FOOD; Pg. 18

Robotron ships with dual controller holder

https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-2-12/page/184/mode/1up?view=theater

https://forums.atariage.com/topic/166814-robotron-dual-controller-holder/

Violence in Gaming debate comes to the C64

https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_2_Number_06_1984-03_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n77/mode/2up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqPymlvBrSA

Alladin's Castle finally beats Mesquite

Play Meter 15th, 1984, pg. 13

Computer hacking laws proposed

https://archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-053/page/n15/mode/2up

Piracy has Apple in a tizzy

No Headline In Original, United Press International, March 10, 1984, Saturday, PM cycle

Japanese Industry backs MITI

KEIDANREN SUPPORTS MITI'S SOFTWARE PROTECTION BILL, Copyright 1984 Jiji Press Ltd.Jiji Press Ticker Service, MARCH 13, 1984, TUESDAY

https://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/profile/pro001.html

Video Nasties Bill gets games amendment

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-22/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Recordings_Act_1984

UK Libraries clash with software publishers

https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/mode/1up?view=theater

Are computer graphics art?

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/27/science/colorful-graphics-aren-t-for-everybody.html

https://blisscast.wordpress.com/2023/10/17/mindset-computer-vyper-game/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindset_(computer)

Smart devices invade homes

A Year After Layoffs, Atari Foresees Better Times in '84, The Associated Press, March 11, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/08/garden/the-digital-revolution-breeds-smart-new-appliances.html

Seiko introduces the smartwatch

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-03/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater

https://www.namokimods.com/en-eu/blogs/namokitimes/seiko-originals-the-uc-2000-a-smartwatch-from-1984

RIP Mike Kogan

Replay March 1984, pg. 10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kogan

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

chuck e cheese

atari

commodore

commodore 64

ecco

dolphin's pearl

dolphin's rune

nintendo

nes

famicom

vs

amiga

appleii

palace

retro

video games

alladins castle

robotron

commodore max

addison-wesley

rhiannon software

bookware

thalion

geoff crammond

novotrade

hudsonsoft

spectrum

ql

amstrad

imagine

sinclair

timex

intel

pc clones

odyssey

magnavox

coleco

intellivision

exidy

laserdisc

dragon's lair

The history of 80s and 90s game magazines is filled with big names like Computer Gaming World, Weekly Famitsu, Computer and Video Games, Micromania, and, a name that makes German speaking gamers of a particular vintage extremely nostalgic, Power Play.

In this second part of our interview, Michael tells us how he left Power Play to join a major German games publisher, founded a hint guide and magazine publisher of his own making guides of Eidos' Tomb Raider series and Nintendo's Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask, before becoming a freelance producer for games around the world. We also discuss the ever changing games landscape, evolving business models and his return to writing about games for the German edition of Retro Gamer magazine and games news website Gamers Global.

Recorded: January-February 2024

Get us on your mobile device:

Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2

Or

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm

Or

[email protected]

Links

Video version of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/michael-hengst-2-99546529

Michael Hengst Interview Part 1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/michael-hengst-1-98828923

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomico

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Arts

Das Trickwerk company website - https://web.archive.org/web/20020523194549/http://www.dastrickwerk.de/

Games and More magazine - http://www.kultmags.com/mags.php?folder=R2FtZXMgYW5kIE1vcmU=

Majora's Mask Strategy Guide, German - https://archive.org/details/spieleberater_zeldaMM/page/n2/mode/1up?view=theater

News about Das Trickwerk insolvency - https://kress.de/news/beitrag/64369-grundsolide-sollte-so-eine-auflagenmeldung-sein-und-nicht-wacklig-und-windschief-weshalb-diese-farbige-metapher-nun-es-geht-um-das-segment-der-bauzeitschriften-wolfgang-kriwan-gesch-ftsf-hrer-des-fellbacher-fachschriften-verlags-u-a-quot-bauen-quot-quot-bauen-amp-renovieren-quot-quot-junge-h-user-quot-legte-beim-studium-der-aktuellen-ivw-auflagen-quartalsmeldungen-die-stirn-in-falten-w-hrend-die-fachschriften-zeitschrift-quot-althaus-moderni.html

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1546/jowood-entertainment-ag/

https://www.mobygames.com/person/90376/michael-hengst/

https://www.mobygames.com/company/14422/gameforge-productions-gmbh/

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-and-epic-games-fortnite/

https://www.retro-gamer.de/

https://www.gamersglobal.de/

https://www.gamersglobal.de/meinung/der-fixer#comment-2999823

Copyright Karl Kuras