The 1983 North American video game crash has changed home consoles and continues to affect us even today. Are we on our way to a second crash? Console Gamer discusses the implications.
Kelly Bianucci will report to Atari chairman and CEO Wade Rosen in new company role.
Atari has revealed a pack of Namco classics that fans will likely love.
This looks like a fun fusion that collectors and Retro fans may enjoy.
I love how there are matching ghost colors for the controllers. I hope they add a Purple "Sue" controller for the inevitable Ms PacMan double feature cart they are working on. It would seem a crime not to.
That shit looks amazing. If I ever had a "retro room" in my house, this would be 100% needed. The best Atari 2600 design I've ever seen imo, besides the original of course lol
It looks cool, kind of ironic though considering that the port of Pacman for Atari 2600 is notoriously bad.
Myth #1: There was a video game crash in 1984.
Myth #2: E.T. for the Atari 2600 caused that crash.
Myth #3: There will be another video game crash.
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, although I disagree with certain things in this article, the author still make some important and sobering points about the current condition of the video game market.
Concerning the Myths: In 1985 Atari had record console sales. ET was actually released in 1982, and it sold over 2 million copies. Atari just over produced the title. There wont be another crash, but there will be a market adjustment. And somebody is going to drop out to make room for Apple. Always three there are, no more, no less.
One of the main reasons for the crash was that there wasn't any quality control as far as games is concerned. Pretty much anyone could release a cheap game on the Atari. Their was no internet and no reviews for these games.
We are facing a lull, but I doubt we'll ever see a crash. Adults are into video games now, where as before it was adults buying these for there kids and they decided to stop buying. I don't see adults giving up on games, I would say the industry could take a hit if they block used games or go digital only.
Flux would be the word for it.
The main problem with the videogame industry is the economy is still bad. People just aren't buying many games. Funny how they missed that part in their article.
I say the crash is in the process of happening. Several aspects of game making have been crippled on HD consoles, iPad, MMOs and social gaming have further drained creative resources, and the way console gaming now mimes PC gaming leaves no room for development of console gaming.
The crash is in the process of happening, but when its over many aren't even going to be aware of it. The industry will still be there, consoles may even still be there, but gaming itself will have changed.
I don't think we're going to see a crash, but rather a change in focus on the gaming medium as we know it. Think about it, gaming has changed so much in this generation alone. Catering towards a substantially larger audience, a huge focus on online multiplayer experiences and an an ever growing emphasis on mobile gaming via iPad, iPhone and Android powered devices.
I for one am boycotting the rest of this console generation (After Max Payne 3) because I simply do not like what this industry has become. The design focus and philosophy has altered so much and is far removed from what I enjoy about gaming and find myself simply not excited or not liking the vast majority of 'hot' new titles coming out. It's not a 'growing up' thing, I just think games are no longer designed around the philosophy of having FUN. It's all about pleasing everyone, realism and copying what works with little to no innovation. I'm sick of all these so called AAA games being no more than rehashes of what I played last year, or even last generation (Resident Evil 5 springs to mind)
I could go on, but that's not what's being discussed here. I think we're just entering a new 'age' of gaming. One that will usher in a wider range of people, while possibly splitting up those who have been gaming for far longer. If there IS a crash, it won't be for the same reasons as in 1983. It'll be for different reasons and circumstances. And like most things, it will all come down to money and greed.
So screw you modern gamers with your hyper realistic visuals, unoriginal and soulless games. I'm going back to the 90's/early 2000's where games were fun, innovative, and had a unique identity.
Then again, I play games for a reason most will probably disagree with. I play videogames to get AWAY from people, not to participate in a circle jerk online with people across the world. And if I DO want to play with people, they'll be sitting alongside me, on my couch, drinking beer. How it SHOULD be.