June 1984

The home computer market implodes,  Atari announces 7800 & Console software dries up. 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 June 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/112063864 7 Minutes in Heaven: Summer Games Video Version:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-111922026     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Games_(video_game)     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Summer_Olympics Corrections: May 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/may-1984-108363601 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/     https://forums.atariage.com/topic/283473-coleco-industries-inc-annual-quarterly-reports-1981-to-1986/     https://www.mobygames.com/company/1181/ientertainment-network-inc/     https://www.mobygames.com/company/56/imagic/      1954:     MIDAC and MIDSAC premiered     Electronic Brain Shoots Dice, Plays Mean Game, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · 27 Jun 1954         https://www.retrogamedeconstructionzone.com/2021/07/midsac-pool-simulator.html        https://www.masswerk.at/nowgobang/2019/michigan-pool 1974:     Is Pong gambling?     While Pondering Decision, A Look at Evidence The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida) · 04 Jun 1974, Tue Grand Trak 10 cracks 1000         https://archive.org/details/cashbox36unse_1/page/37/mode/1up?view=theater     https://archive.org/details/cashbox36unse_2/page/35/mode/1up US coinop exports boom         https://archive.org/details/cashbox36unse_3/page/38/mode/1up Smithsonian displays coinop machines     https://archive.org/details/cashbox36unse_3/page/39/mode/1up 1984: Home computer boom busts     https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/04/business/the-expected-boom-in-home-computers-fails-to-materialize.html?searchResultPosition=1 Atari HQ gets mass layoffs     Atari Layoffs Start At Home Office, The New York Times, June 1, 1984, Friday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 3, Column 5; Financial Desk      https://books.google.de/books?id=wS4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA78&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false Commodore raises prices     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n1/mode/2up Top Commodore Execs go to Tramel     Computer market is Commodore's battleground, Financial Times (London,England), June 8, 1984, Friday, Section: SECTION II; International Companies; Pg. 17, Byline: BY LOUISE KEHOE IN SAN FRANCISCO Philips announces new division     https://archive.org/details/happycomputer-magazine-1984-06/page/n7/mode/2up Coleco returns to profitability     No Headline In Original, The Associated Press, June 14, 1984, Thursday, PM cycle, Section: Business News Hasbro buys MB     Playthings June 1984, pg. 9 Mattel gets financial boost     Playthings June 1984, pg. 9         BUSINESS PEOPLE ;Mattel, Solely in Toys,Combines Management, The New York Times, June 7, 1984, Thursday, Late City Final Edition,Section: Section D; Page 2, Column 5; Financial Desk, Byline: By Kenneth N. Gilpin General Instruments revenue 66% down     No Headline In Original, Communications Daily, June 13, 1984, Wednesday, Section: NOTEBOOK; Vol. 4, No. 115; Pg. 8 More hardware companies fail     AT&T to introduce personal computer; Kaypro mystery; UNIX-ability; Thinking ahead, The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 25, 1984 Monday, Section: BUSINESS; Pg. C-11, Byline: Dan Berger, Staff Writer More Software companies fail     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater Argus buys Quicksilva     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-07/mode/1up?view=theater Gillette buys into Datasoft     https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_4.3/page/n15/mode/2up     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillette Smaller publishers find strength in numbers     https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_4.3/page/n15/mode/2up     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamix Marketing will save us!     Orwell, Chaplin and the high-tech hype; U.S. personal computers, Financial Times (London,England), June 14, 1984, Thursday, Section: SECTION I; The Management Page: Marketing; Pg. 20, byline: BY LOUISE KEHOE Atari announces 7800     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_7800     Still looking for a niche; Gearing up for battle with Apple and IBM, Industry Week, June 25, 1984, Section: NEWS ANALYSIS; Home Computers; Pg. 16, Byline: By MICHAEL A. VERESPEJ Atari introduces MindLink at CES     "Retailers, Manufacturers View Gadgets At 4-Day Show, The Associated Press, June 3, 1984, Sunday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Mindlink         Video Explosion On the Way For Buyers, U.S. News & World Report, June 18, 1984, Section: Pg. 56. Byline: By MARY GALLIGAN Atari announces more expensive computer for Q4     No Headline In Original, The New York Times, June 4, 1984, Monday, Late City Final Edition,Section: Section D; Page 5, Column 1; Financial Desk       https://www.atari-computermuseum.de/1450xld.htm Commodore unveils Plus/4     No Headline In Original, The New York Times, June 4, 1984, Monday, Late City Final Edition,Section: Section D; Page 5, Column 1; Financial Desk Rick Dyer shows off Halcyon!     Laser game's creator beams, The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 2, 1984 Saturday, Section: LIFESTYLE; Pg. D-1, Byline: Mark Sauer, Staff Writer        https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-rick-dyer-aftermath-of-c/86522500/ Intellivision won't make it to CES     Computer games galore shown at CES     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater Digital Audio is coming to floppies     https://books.google.de/books?id=vi4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA5&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false      https://tekkiepix.com/compusonics-2 Konami goes to Europe     Konami will tap European market, The Japan Economic Journal, June 26, 1984, Section: SERVICE/LEISURE/FOOD; Pg. 17 Animatronics may save small coinop venues     Replay June 1984, pg. 129     Play Meter June 1, 1984, pg. 43        https://berksnostalgia.com/gadgets-restaurant-berkshire-mall/ Console game releases dry up     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n12/mode/1up      UK computer sales boom     https://archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-066/mode/1up?view=theater QL software drought continues     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-28/mode/1up?view=theater Imagic gets a facelift     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n11/mode/2up        https://www.mobygames.com/company/56/imagic/        https://www.mobygames.com/company/7630/bantam-software/         Spinnaker gets serious about bookware     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater         https://books.google.de/books?id=wi4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA7&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA42#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false      Activision to distribute Gamestar      https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n11/mode/2up      Boulder Dash license worth $1.3 million         https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_4.3/page/n15/mode/2up Thorn EMI gets HESWare rights     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/mode/1up?view=theater       https://www.mobygames.com/company/7034/thorn-emi-computer-software/        https://books.google.de/books?id=wi4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA7&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA14#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false     https://www.mobygames.com/game/9358/dragonfire/cover/group-139555/cover-394849/         https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-28/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater Ultimate snubs move to budget pricing     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-07/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater Imagine sells game library     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-14/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater 20th Century Fox licenses TV shows     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/mode/1up?view=theater        https://www.mobygames.com/game/56197/automan/          https://www.mobygames.com/game/38810/the-fall-guy/ Epyx announces Activity Toys     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n11/mode/2up Epyx lets the Ruskies join in Olympic fever     No Headline In Original, PR Newswire, June 14, 1984, Thursday, Dateline: SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 14 Wizardry gets enhanced     https://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-financial-cookbook_27176.html EA wants to help cook your books     https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-3/page/n3/mode/2up        https://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-financial-cookbook_27176.html Rand McNally wants to search your roads     https://archive.org/details/Ahoy_Issue_06_1984-06_Ion_International_US/page/n5/mode/2up Osborne goes budget     https://books.google.de/books?id=wy4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA5&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperback_Software 64er magazine interviews crackers     https://archive.org/details/64er_1984_06/page/12/mode/2up      BellSouth looking to team up with Commodore     No Headline In Original, Communications Daily, June 18, 1984, Monday, Section: NOTEBOOK; Vol. 4, No. 118; Pg. 7 Mail Order Pro makes payments easier     https://books.google.de/books?id=wS4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA78&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA15#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false     https://books.google.de/books?id=wS4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA78&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false      Telematch gives up on consoles     https://archive.org/details/TeleMatch.N12.Computer.1984.06-KCz.pdf/mode/1up      Dennis D. Groth settles      DENNIS-D-GROTH; Comments on settlement of SEC complaint, Business Wire, June 05, 1984, Tuesday        Atari Executive Settles Stock Sale Charge, The Associated Press, June 6, 1984, Wednesday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News Taito settles with Entex     Replay June 1984, pg. 30 FCC Gives Sanyo go ahead for antenna-less TV     FCC OKs low-cost cable-only TV sets, United Press International, June 15, 1984, Friday, BC cycle, Section: Financial, Byline: By SYDNEY SHAW Tax breaks may be hurting home computer sales     TAX SHIFT MAY AID SALE OF LOW-COST COMPUTERS, The New York Times, June 19, 1984, Tuesday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 13, Column 3; Financial Desk, Byline: By DAVID E. SANGER         https://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v10n1/172_Writing_it_off_how_to_de.php         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deficit_Reduction_Act_of_1984 Computerland to go to China     https://books.google.de/books?id=wy4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA5&dq=infoworld%201984%20june&hl=de&pg=PA15#v=onepage&q=infoworld%201984%20june&f=false      Laserdiscs are coming to Saturday morning     Playthings June 1984, pg. 54 Zap the Rise and Fall of Atari reviewed     https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/24/books/thinking-machines-and-their-people.html?searchResultPosition=1    Steven Spielberg finds permanent home at Universal     The Wizard of Wonderland, Newsweek, June 4, 1984, UNITED STATES EDITION, Section: MOVIES; Pg. 79, Byline: JACK KROLL with DAVID T. FRIENDLY in Los Angeles RIP Dragon 32     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-07/mode/2up?view=theater        https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-28/mode/1up?view=theater          Breaking news!!     Warner negotiating sale of Atari to      Paper Says Warner Negotiating to Sell Atari, The Associated Press, June 30, 1984, Saturday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News 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