PCs get upgraded,
MSX comes to Europe &
Coinop goes cartridge
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 August 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
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Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/127470165
7 Minutes in Heaven: Impossible Mission
Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-127469932
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Mission
http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/interview/caswell.htm
Corrections:
August 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/august-1984-121143199
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namco
https://archive.org/details/game_machine_magazine_jp
https://machinerobo.fandom.com/wiki/Machine_Robo:_Revenge_of_Cronos
1964:
Libraries of the future are online
Popular Electronics Sept. 1964, pg. 28
1974
Atari buys Kee
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-09-21.pdf pg. 36
Fred introduced in PCC
https://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/co/1974/08/020031/13rRUB7a13N
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSMAC_ELF
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Weisbecker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSlDY6ZPIvY
1984
Toy stocks rally
Traditional toys soar as electronic games flash 'Tilt', The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 2, 1984, Section: Business, Pg 1-8, Byline: Don Bauder
Plastic robots from Japan changing the shape of the toy market, Christian Science Monitor (Boston, MA), September 21, 1984, Friday, Section: Business; Pg. 19, byline: Francine Kiefer
Nintendo preps for cartridge future
Replay September 1984, pg. 3
Williams enters new production year with caution
Replay September 1984, pg. 3
https://www.mobygames.com/game/17500/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi/
Coin op revenue hit over drinking age laws
Replay September 1984, pg. 7
https://www.wgbh.org/podcasts/the-big-dig
https://youtu.be/7zr4RBw5un4?si=euu-naPtomBbqME3
Tower of Druaga gets write up in Super Soft
Super Soft Magazine, September 1984, pg. 2
https://www.mobygames.com/game/19625/the-tower-of-druaga/
Save the 7800 campaign started
https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/page/93/mode/1up?view=theater
https://fanlore.org/wiki/History_of_Star_Trek_Fan_Campaigns
Atari renegotiating Lucasfilm deal
https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/page/88/mode/1up?view=theater
Chip maker feels video game fall
"GOULD'S WOES SPUR STOCK DROP, The New York Times, September 7, 1984, Friday, Late City Final ,Edition, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 6; Financial Desk, Byline: By ERIC N. BERG
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gould_Electronics"
Atari Japan to close
Atari Inc. planning to pull out of the Japanese market, The Japan Economic Journal, September 25, 1984, Section: SERVICE/LEISURE/FOOD; Pg. 17
No mention of video games in Playthings
Playthings, September 1984
Upgrade your PC
Creative Computing September 1984 pg. 125
Commodore and Atari target the middle
Commodore, Atari Spar in Mid-Price Fight, ADWEEK, September 3, 1984, Eastern Edition, Byline: Gail Belsky
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater
Computer Entertainer doesn't believe Atari can deliver
https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/mode/1up?view=theater
Sinclair financials dissapoint
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/mode/1up?view=theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_QL
Byte reviews the QL
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Byte/80s/Byte-1984-09.pdf pg. 415
Amstrad disk drive announced
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC
Europe to get MSX'd
MSX home computers to be shipped to Europe, The Japan Economci Journal, September 4, 1984, Section: Information Processing, Pg. 14
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/mode/1up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater
Philips ready to launch MSX machine
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philips_VG_8000
Plus 4 delays will limit supply
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/mode/2up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n21/mode/1up?view=theater
The C16 kills the Vic20 in Europe
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/mode/2up?view=theater
Currys gives up on PC market
Company Briefing: Currys cuts its Micro-C losses / Micro computer shops closed, The Guardian (London), September 4, 1984
Elite released
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n67/mode/1up?view=theater
Deus Ex Machina brings multimedia home
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
Complete Playthrough: https://youtu.be/WhtI3BEgZwE?si=18V8aCTW6H6ek52l
The Mimi travels to the Apple II
'Voyage of the Mimi'' Beckons Youngsters to Science Careers, The Associated Press, September 10, 1984, Monday, PM cycle, Byline: By LEE MITGANG, AP Education Writer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_the_Mimi
https://archive.org/details/VoyageOfTheMimi4amCrack/Voyage%20of%20the%20Mimi%20-%20Rescue%20Mission%20title%20screen.png
Find the treasure... using your computer!
Paperback Picks, United Press International, September 4, 1984, Tuesday, BC cycle, Section: Lifestyle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure:_In_Search_of_the_Golden_Horse
Melbourne returns to Middle Earth
https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n21/mode/2up?view=theater
https://www.mobygames.com/group/7319/the-tolkien-software-adventure-series/
Ultimate announces "the first step in a new generation of computer adventure simulation developments."
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater
Beach Head to get Speccy port
https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n23/mode/2up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n25/mode/2up?view=theater
Activision licenses to Japan
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater
Synapse sues Atari
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater
IBM enters office suite market and shoots down Kmart. p Jr rumor
IBM in Merger Talks With Rolm / Unveils New Software, The Associated Press, September 25, 1984, Section: Business News, Byline: James F. Peltz
Software Toolworks cooking book
No Headline in Original, PR Newswire, September 25, 1984
PC Paintbrush announced
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Byte/80s/Byte-1984-09.pdf pg. 9
SEC goes digital
S.E.C. inaugurates computer filing system, The New York Times, September 25, 1984, Section D, Page 1, Column 1, byline: Kenneth B. Noble
https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/25/business/sec-inaugurates-computer-filing-system.html
NABU on the ropes
In Danger of Folding, The Associated Press, September 19, 1984, Section: Business News, Byline: Norman Black
Viewdata still not catching on..
Futures (Micro Guardian): How the Post Office failed to deliver / Prestel, The Guardian (London), September 13, 1984
https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compunet
Viewtron user profile
No Headline in original, PR Newswire, September 14, 1984, Dateline: Miami, Sept. 14
Publishing
Computer Magazine boom busts
Bloom Fades in Computer Magazine Market, The Associated Press, September 30, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By SKIP WOLLENBERG, AP Business Writer
Computer makers prep for Xmas ad blitz
Dreaming of a Byte Christmas, ADWEEK, September 3, 1984, All Editions, Section: Special Report; Fall Preview 1984; Computers, Byline, Gail Belsky
Scott Cohen's Zap! released
Business Today; Will Atari be brought back with needed combination of creativity and
pragmatism, September 27, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Financial, Byline: By GAIL COLLINS, UPI Business Writer
https://archive.org/details/zaprisefall00cohe
FCC helps fight coinop piracy
Play Meter, September 1. 1984, pg. 12
Electronic smuggling on the rise in Brazil
Contraband of Electronic Components Grows in Brazil, The Associated Press, September 22, 1984, Saturday, BC cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Writer
Activision sues Revco
Activision; Amending lawsuit against Revco, Business Wire, September 26, 1984
Psychics didn't see crash coming...
No Headline In Original, United Press International, September 13, 1984, Thursday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/09/13/The-psychic-consulting-firm-Delphi-Associates-must-not-have/1212463896000/
https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/articles/russell-targ
Video Games go ART!
HORIZONS-Art; Nuclear disarmament art exhibit premieres, United Press International, September 30, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By DAN SUSSMAN
https://www.vdb.org/titles/mike-builds-shelter
https://www.mobygames.com/game/73468/mike-builds-a-shelter/
https://rhizome.org/editorial/2015/jun/16/mike-builds-shelter/
CAD CAM computervision
Market Outlook; All agree CAD/CAM sales will soar, Industry Week, September 17, 1984, Section: INFORMATION, Management; Pg. 111, Byline: John Teresko
1981: How COMPUTER GRAPHICS Will Change the World | Horizon | Retro Tech | BBC Archive https://youtu.be/W8-54-9J9ns?si=uB01CAs8znTVmZfx
Senior's test their skills on Crystal Castle
ELDERLY TEST COORDINATION WITH VIDEO GAME, The New York Times, September 9, 1984, Sunday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section 1; Part 2; Page 56, Column 2; Metropolitan Desk, Byline: AP, Dateline: PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 8
Nolan is back!
"AXLON-GAMES; Nolan Bushnell returns to game business with new firm, Business Wire, September 24, 1984, Monday
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/2242/axlon
https://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Axlon
Dragon's Lair debuts on Saturday morning
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon%27s_Lair_(TV_series)
Mylstar RIP
Coke unit to close video game maker, United Press International, September 24, 1984, Monday, BC cycle, Section: Financial
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb
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
