January 1984

Jack Tramiel leaves Commodore, Apple advertises the Mac & Amstrad enters the home computer market   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 January 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 Alex's Humble Bundle Inclusion: https://www.humblebundle.com/books/game-architecture-worldbuilding-and-ai-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: Complete Links for this episode can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/100014130   7 Minutes in Heaven: Moon Dust Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/100007281 https://www.jaronlanier.com/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/47859/moondust/   Corrections: December 1983 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/december-1983-98325214 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/     1974: D&D is released https://twitter.com/GameResearch_E/status/1751283969583141097?t=_dYbQapJicUWEGYRO-0Q8g&s=03 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons   Blue Sky operators catch Pong fever https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-blue-sky-oper/94003918/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-independent-fraudulent-order/94006031/   Atari sells Syzygy https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_30/page/53/mode/1up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari   Odyssey begins to get noticed https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-magnavox-odyssey/81646620/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-magnavox-odyssey-profile/94005725/ The Times-Picayune, January 5 1974, Section 1, pg. 9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnavox_Odyssey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_(1968_TV_program)   Despite funding cuts, high schools continue to add computers https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/16/archives/computers-flourish-as-classroom-tools-by-victor-k-mcelheny-high.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer   HP introduces programmable pocket calculator https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/17/archives/hewlettpackard-markets-pocket-calculator-doing-computers-job-many.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-65   Watson Jr. steps down Computerworld Jan 9, 1974, pg. 1,2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Watson_Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Watson   Japan braces for oil embargo triggered downturn https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/06/archives/in-japan-oil-may-expose-ills-of-growth-japan-haunted-by-growth-ills.html   Computer animation conference to feature at 2nd Annual New York animation festival https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/09/archives/screen-2d-animation-festival-begins.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCxCZNkQ9E   1984 meets suburban gridlock in kids book https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/13/archives/three-novels-one-by-an-american-from-england-by-dee-wells-285-pp.html https://archive.org/details/endlesspavement00jack/mode/2up?view=theater   Travelers Insurance Co adopts SSNs Computerworld Jan. 16, 1974 pg. 1   1984: Chuck E Cheese grows up https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_Volume_2_Number_04_1984-01_Pumpkin_Press_US/page/n13/mode/2up https://chucke.fandom.com/wiki/Wolfman_Zapp   Chuck E Cheese isn't Bushnell's only restaurant edeavor https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/07/us/restaurantf-has-recipe-for-multimillion-dollar-computer-deals.html https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/12/19/silicon-valleys-power-restaurant-lion-compass-closing-after-35-years/   Unlicensed arcade shutters after killing https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/06/nyregion/a-video-arcade-the-city-fought-suddenly-closed.html   Nintendo sees profits drop (January 17, 1984). The Japan Economic Journal. https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:3S8H-23K0-000H-H02Y-00000-00&context=1516831.   As the smoke clears, the realities of the year of the Crash begin to emerge... https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/sigh-of-relief-on-video-games.html https://youtu.be/lE3OqJdzP74?si=mipAfE5i-E2OqcWT   Game Retailers hit hard https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/sigh-of-relief-on-video-games.html   Mattel takes second place in list of biggest stock market losers of 1983 https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/03/business/memorable-83-market-moves.html https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/20/business/market-place-gains-losses-in-new-issues.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Milken   Mattel reports further losses Toys Hobbies & Crafts January 1984   Industry predicts Mattel's exit https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/sigh-of-relief-on-video-games.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckCtXK2Gdh0&t=1s   Murdoch announces intent to buy big stake in Warner https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/04/business/new-warner-try-by-murdoch.html https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/08/business/the-battle-for-survival-at-warner.html https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-rupert-murdoch-att/69260875/ https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_30/page/n7/mode/1up?q=murdoch https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-rupert-murdoch-att/69260894/ https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/19/business/warner-2-way-tv-cutbacks.html   Coleco announces losses https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/4th-quarter-loss-seen-by-coleco.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleco_Adam   MB closes GCE Toy and Hobby World, January 1984. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectrex   Imagic turns freelance computer entertainer page 152 https://www.mobygames.com/game/3929/star-wars/credits/atari-2600/   game cancelations continue to mount computer entertainer page 147   Sega signs deal with Broderbund (January 17, 1984). Sega and Broderbund form software team. The Japan Economic Journal. https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:3S8H-23K0-000H-H01R-00000-00&context=1516831. https://www.mobygames.com/game/243/lode-runner/screenshots/sg-1000/   Video tape and compact discs wow at CES https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/09/business/company-news-in-electronics-optimism-and-worry.html https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_30/page/n6/mode/1up   Commodore introduces the 264 and 364 https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/09/business/computer-makers-new-mood.html https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_Plus/4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_16   Jack resigns https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/14/business/founder-of-commodore-resigns-unexpectedly.html https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-19/mode/2up?view=theater https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/16/business/commodore-executive-rift-denied.html https://archive.org/details/forbes131janforb/page/n355/mode/2up?view=theater   Marshall Smith named new head of Commodore https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-26/mode/1up   Game selling terminal competition heats up https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/12/business/technology-new-software-delivery-ideas.html https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/atari2600/meltdown_draft.pdf   Palmtex launches PVS https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-26/page/n4/mode/1up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmtex_Portable_Videogame_System https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_11_1984-01_Reese_Communications_US/page/n17/mode/2up   1984 won't be like 1984 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(advertisement)   Sinclair Introduces the QL https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-12 https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-19/mode/1up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-19/page/n13/mode/1up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_68008   Amstrad announces home computer https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-05   Inmos promotes their Transputer https://archive.org/details/eu_BYTE-1984-01_OCR/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transputer   Sierra teases 3rd generation adventure game computer entertainer page 151 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest   Warner buys into First Star computer entertainer page 151 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Star_Software https://www.mobygames.com/game/4632/boulder-dash/   Developers eager for the PCJr give Adam the cold shoulder computer entertainer page 151 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PCjr   MECC goes Commodore Ahoy Jan. 1984 pg. 13 https://www.mobygames.com/game/company:936/platform:c64/sort:-date/page:1/   Ahoy! magazine premieres Ahoy Jan. 1984 CPU Jan. 1984 - http://www.kultmags.com/mags.php?folder=Q1BVLzE5ODQ=   Baby Bells are coming for you, modem users https://archive.org/details/kilobaudmagazine-1984-01/page/n25/mode/1up   SCOTUS hears "Beta Max" case https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_30/page/n13/mode/1up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Corp._of_America_v._Universal_City_Studios,_Inc.   Nintendo beats Universal https://archive.org/details/cashbox46unse/page/31/mode/1up (JANUARY 6, 1984, FRIDAY). UNIVERSAL APPEALS VIDEO GAME TRADEMARK CASE AGAINST NINTENDO. Copyright 1984 Jiji Press Ltd.Jiji Press Ticker Service. https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:3SJD-P2P0-001B-N0JD-00000-00&context=1516831. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_City_Studios,_Inc._v._Nintendo_Co.,_Ltd. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074751/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2   Software copyright debate heads to showdown in Japan (January 24, 1984). CLASH WITH MITI THAT ADVOCATES 'PROGRAM RIGHT' LAW; Copyright law can protect programmings: Cultural Agency. The Japan Economic Journal. https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:3S8H-23F0-000H-H51C-00000-00&context=1516831.   Former Atari employees sue https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_11_1984-01_Reese_Communications_US/page/n17/mode/2up   Computer Trade Association files stolen https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-01-05/page/n4/mode/1up   The Great White North will teach yanks about computers, eh? https://www.youtube.com/@bitsandbytestvo https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/30/arts/12-lessons-for-novices-in-computers.html   Atari signs deal with Androbot https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/atari-licensing-pact.html   Learning with Leeper cover art sets Sierra standards https://archive.org/details/CreativeComputingbetterScan198401/page/n108/mode/1up   Barbera spills the beans on Pacman TV show https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_11_1984-01_Reese_Communications_US/page/n17/mode/2up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Man_(TV_series)   Mattel airlifts toys Playthings, January 1984   TSR gets new management https://archive.org/details/MicroAdventurer03-Jan84/page/n5/mode/1up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gygax#Leaving_TSR http://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/   Quotes of the Month: William Grubb, chairman of Imagic at CES told the NYT: "For this industry, 1983 was the year of humility." https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/sigh-of-relief-on-video-games.html   Arnold Greenberg, president of Coleco at CES, told the NYT, when discussing defective Coleco Adams: "You still hear a few horror stories but they are almost all about machines that were shipped a while ago and just recently put on the shelves." https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/10/business/4th-quarter-loss-seen-by-coleco.html   A spokeswoman for CBS Electronics, when asked about the massive number of unsold carts still sitting in the retail pipeline: "We hope retailes can be rid of most of their excess inventory by the first quarter of 1984. Overall retailers reported an excellent Christmas season adn hopefully this will help towards a fresh start in 1984." Toy and Hobby World, January 1984.     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