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Hey there, I have some answers if you would like. The ET world is a cube to be sure, that is how it was designed. If the boundaries are removed from the pits, then it is still hard to escape the pit in any way other than by leaving the top. I love the idea that if you could dig down throught the bottom of a pit you could find a bunch of burried ET carts. And I think if the Borg showed up it would lose in three sets to the Becker. (this is a joke whose time has past, I hope someone gets it) From the other end of the phone line... Yar's truly, HSW

Hey WP, There is no need to hide the threads. I have no problem having written the worst game of all time. I also wrote Yars which most consider one of the best games so I figure as long as ET holds the bottom I have the greatest range of any designer in history. Besides, how bad can it be if we are still talking about it? Well, maybe that isn't such a clever take on it. Yar pal, HSW

Hey Everybody! (cross post from Classic Gaming General) Here is a link to a holiday gift guide for gamers done by USA Weekend magazine: USA Weekend Gaming Gift Guide I think it is very interesting that OUA is being compared to Desperate Housewives. Although when I really think about what it was like at Atari back in the day, the analogy isn't as absurd as it seems. Yar's truly, HSW

Hey Everybody! Here is a link to a holiday gift guide for gamers done by USA Weekend magazine: USA Weekend Gaming Gift Guide I think it is very interesting that OUA is being compared to Desperate Housewives. Although when I really think about what it was like at Atari back in the day, the analogy isn't as absurd as it seems. HSW

It is totally original. It is a gameplay that I have never seen anywhere in over 20 years. I'm actually surprised no one has done it. It is a simple but fun and phrenetic play. Naturally I can't give the details now, but we'll see what happens. It would be more compelling than Yar's in terms of fast and wild action all over the screen. And the colors and motion would be outstanding. It's a game I'd like to play, which was my main design principle on Yar's. HSW

No, I never thought of doing an update to ET. However I am toying with the idea of a Yar's Revenge sequel. In fact I hvae a pretty thorough design for it already. How does that sound? HSW

Yo Dudes, I just want to say that I've always kind of liked ET being officially held as the worst game of all time. I did Yar's Revenge and that is always hailed as one of the best games of all time, so as long as ET is one of the worst games of all time I have the greatest range of any game maker in history I must say I do find it heartening to hear that the game did generate some enjoyment. That is really the reason I made them in the first place and it always feels good to me to hear that (at least in some cases) that still happened. You made my day, Thanks, HSW

Sad, but too frequently too true. Corporate good should never be confused with public good. Ah well, I just try to make sure my products bring something good to most people (even if it's just something good to criticize) HSW

All I'm saying is I find it *unlikely* that this kind of thing went on as quietly as it is rumored. I am not saying it's impossible, I just think it is very unlikely. Remember that all of this moving and burying costs money. The accounting point is a good one, in that you can't write it off until it's gone. But how much can you afford to spend to trash it before you are losing even more money? And why not donate this stuff to charitable groups as gifts for the underpriviledged? You can still write it off that way and get some lovely press to boot It isn't a great decision to be faced with in the first place, that's for sure HSW

Please accept them with my complements By the way, I believe I have uncovered the occasional 4th episode sound problem. The issue is (drum roll please) ... mono televisions!!!!!! There is nothing wrong with the disk, I repeat: there is nothing wrong with the disk. However, in the fourth episode, the dialogue is on one stereo track and the sound effects are on the other. So, if you play it on a mono TV and only run the effects channel in you won't hear the dialogue. But if you use both stero inputs there is never a problem. However, I am just about to get a new "pressed" run of disks and I remixed the sound for episode four so even mono TV's will be perfect. So any disc that has the sound split in the fourth episode will soon be a collector's item, since that cannot happen anymore as of this run. It will be easy to tell because my multi-talented web thang has redone the art on both the disc and the box, and it's much better So I am happy to say that it's all good, and now even in episode four, I will never have to say again "Can you hear me now?" HSW

Actually, episode 4 ran on PBS years ago, and I have considered shopping it to other cable stations and shall do so soon. Interestingly, I decided recently to do exactly what you are suggesting, to do one continuous 80-90 minute version and submit that to festivals and the lot. I think that is an excellent idea and I am doing just that over the next month or two. I like the way you're thinking HSW

Oldest profession? Hey, I'm open minded, make me an offer. Say... is that your real tail? Oh my!! As for airing on TV, interestingly enough I sent it to G4 and they said they were not interested in airing Once Upon ATARI. I found that rather surprising (as my emoticon indicates). Don't you? I'll be away for a little while, but don't forget the webthang Hatster is ever watchful. And if you get a chance, check out the Calendar Live section of the LA Times for Thursday, November 6. 'nuff said, HSW

Hey Everybody, Here's the deal. I was an ATARI employee at the time, therefore anything I did on their time with their equipment was theirs, straight up. Now this game was never released, and the lagacy rights to ATARI properties has gone through something of a pachinko machine I do not know the legal aspects of rights to unreleased games, I do know that since I worked there I do not hold them, ipso facto. I would also like to say that I read the tempest review of the game and it was the most insightful (and flattering ) review I have read in a long time. It truly nailed the nuances of game play and I do indeed believe it would have been a big hit and it would have appealed to Yars fans with the same kind of action-shooter goodness I put in Yars. After Raiders and ET I was dying to get back to basic shooter games, those were always my favorite. I cannot release anyone on my authority to do anything with it. But if I can help get it out and around, I would love to have more people enjoying it. I thought it was a pretty good game and I would love to hear what true gamers think about it. And by the way, anyone who addresses me in these forums is never annoying me. At the worst I might not see it for a while, but I am always happy to chat enjoyably on the 'Age. HSW

Buck said: "I think it has to do the way the voice audio was mastered in editing. The first three episodes are actually the last ones he edited, the last episode on the dvd is the first one done. " Right on, Buck! Very astute. First let me appologize to anyone who is having problems. I tested this on many systems (players and computers) but obviously missed some. There are many unsettled aspects of DVDology yet, and it is also true that this is a DVD-R and not a pressed DVD. I have decided to do everything I can to make my next run a pressed run and fix the problem. The few people having issues should PM me if they can't enjoy the DVD and I will do my best to update you. I really appreciate those who spoke up for the content. But I want everyone to be happy with their disc, so I will do everything I possibly can to fix it for those who are experiencing any trouble. I am thankful that most people have not had problems, but I give you my word that I will do my best to make *everyone* happy. That was my goal with my games, and that is my goal with Once Upon ATARI (as it is with all my products). Yars truly, HSW PS For those interested, the fact is that Episode 4 was mastered in S-VHS on a cuts-only system and did not have PCM (in-video) audio on the voice tracks because then I woulnd't be able to do insert edits without messing up the speech. This accounts for the different look and visual style. The others were done on a non-linear system (with Premiere). Buck further said: "I suspect that this may be just rapidly aging DVD player tech. Anyhow the quality of the contents outweigh any tech glitches that one has to muddle thru. Again, Great job Howard!" Thanks, Buck.