Libsyn Directory

June 1984

Release Date: 09/14/2024

Raymond Yap - Wong's International, Mondex

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

The boom of home computers and electronics in the 1970s and 1980s was as much a success of entrepreneurial endeavor and technological innovation, as it was of the blossoming worldwide supply chain. One of the company's that made it all possible was WONG's International and our guest today, Raymond Yap was their representative in the UK. He helped make sure that the BBC Micro got into UK schools and traveled the world securing suppliers for all manner of electronics. How did that business work? Where did his career lead after this? Raymond tells us of an amazing journey that includes not only...

June 1984

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

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:...

Larry J. Dunlap - The Games Network, Imperial Wars

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

The dawn of the home computer seemed to usher in the death of computing's networked past dominated by dumb terminals connected to mainframes, but a few visionaries foresaw a world in which the microcomputer technology invading millions of homes could be connected and the data networks already in consumer hands, such as cable TV and telephones, could usher in a new way of connecting people and distributing software. Our guest, Larry J. Dunlap, was one such pioneer. The company he cofounded, The Games Network almost brought that dream to the world but tragically came up short. Larry tells us of...

May 1994

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Nintendo and Sega financials dissapoint Sony gets ready for NextGen Venture money goes ga-ga over silliwood 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 May 1994. 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 or get it in the Humble...

May 1984

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Sinclair ships QLs, Atari looks hopeful & Jack is BACK! 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 May 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: and order his book here: or get it in the Humble Bundle here: Get us on your mobile device: Android: iOS: And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to...

Jay Balakrishnan - HESWare, Radical, Dynamics, Solid State Software

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

In the earliest days of the gaming biz, Human Engineered Software was a trailblazer, bringing big names like Jeff Minter to the US. The company's founder, Jay Balakrishnan, is a serial entrepreneur who not only would help create the mass market for software at retail but would also have a long and storied career in games beyond Hes ware with such companies as Radical Entertainment and Dynamics. I spoke to Jay in November and December of 2023, and after a few technical hiccups we finally got a connection going and we jump right into that today, so don't worry that I don't start...

April 1994

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Nintendo bows to Blockbuster, Commodore enters liquidation & Acclaim-Midway divorce gets messy! 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 April 1994. 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: ...

Joneva Barry - Chuck E. Cheese, Kadabrascope

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Nolan Bushnell, the PT Barnum of games, left indellible marks on the industry, some greater than others, and among the big hits like Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, were also many misses and could-have-beens. Our guest, Joneva Barry, was witness to one of them, Kadabrascope, an attempt to use computers to bring down the cost of traditional 2D animation. An accomplished artist and educator, Joneva tells us of those heady days of high tech, great hopes, the comradery with Sente, the fall of Pizza Time Theater and her career in movies and as a school teacher. Recorded: July 2023 Get us on...

April 1984

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Acorn and Commodore soar, as Coleco and Atari falter Software takes center stage in PC clone world UK game prices hit rock bottom 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 April 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: ...

March 1994

Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

Sega previews Saturn at CES, Commodore warns of bankruptcy & Doom brings corporate networks to their knees 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 March 1994. 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: ...

More Episodes

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

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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

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