September 1984

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 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/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