Atari 2600 book recommendations (especially for games/reviews)

[Atari 2600 book recommendations (especially for games/reviews)]

Yes, I am still around. My book on videogame history, Phoenix, is now in its 4th edition. And all of my articles can be found at thegamescholar.com. 

[Pro Golf --(16 K 2600 ASM) Completed]

19 minutes ago, easmith said:

pdf of manual attached . 
Thanks to Leonard Herman for designing it . 

ProGolf2600.pdf 2.02 MB · 4 downloads

Thanks for posting the manual, Edward. Because of problems with the printer, the manual that was supplied with the game was much smaller in dimensions than how it was designed, so it made it much harder to read.

[Pro Golf --(16 K 2600 ASM) Completed]

On 8/22/2019 at 7:36 PM, easmith said:

Boxes are being made also for PRGE .    Cart only for Desert Course and Augusta .  Desert Course and Augusta have male players only.  Original course has female option.

I’m writing a manual, which will be included with the boxed versions.

[Phoenix the fall and rise of video games 3rd edition]

I think that was me. It's worth chasing e-book buyers -- at least from my perspective -- as I'm personally done with print books.

I believe it was you also. I think it was in a PM which I can't get to from the phone. I'll check the next time I'm on a computer

[Phoenix the fall and rise of video games 3rd edition]

 

Too bad the Kindle version isn't in color (unless I overlooked something).

 

Scratch that, I was looking at the wrong link. The Kindle version does appear to be in color.

Truthfully, I don't know if the Kindle edition is in color or not. The file sent was in color, but I have an old monochrome Kindle so there's no way for me to find out. Personally, I'm not a fan of ebooks.

 

Which leads me to other ebook formats. Since I don't read ebooks, I'm not familiar with the different formats. Kindle was easy because Amazon did all the work. Someone sent me information on other formats several months ago but I was too busy to look into it at the time. I guess I should revisit that post.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Coleco strong-arming homebrew publishers and fan sites]

 

I personally would have liked to meet Tim Lapetino in person and congratulate him on the Art of Atari book

Tim is cool. We writers all went out to dinner last night and had a great time together. We figure we'll have a great time today whether anyone shows up or not

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Odyssey 5000]

Sorry, can't help you with this one. David Winter may know.

 

Out of curiosity, do you know where the Magnavox Odyssey systems were manufactured? I'm my own attempts to look into the history of video gaming I'd love to find people who worked on the original Odyssey whether that was in manufacturing, engineering, marketing, sales, etc.

 

[Odyssey 5000]

I got it from an ad sheet that David Winter sent me. By the way, what do you think of the book? I haven't received the hardcover edition yet.

 

PS: It's actually on page 38

[Phoenix the fall and rise of video games 3rd edition]

Wow, congrats on that! Any plans for an ebook version?

I'm working on it and it should be done soon. I'm working on a Kindle version but will explore other formats. I still don't know if it will work because the size of the file may be too large for a Kindle to handle.

[Phoenix the fall and rise of video games 3rd edition]

The cover certainly looks sexier than the 3rd edition., which I got via StoryBundle a while back. What are the main differences between the 4th edition and the prior ones?

 

Phoenix IV has been completely rewritten and has chapters up to the year 2015 (major events of 2016 are mentioned in the endnotes.).

 

Japanese and European history is included.

 

Over 1000 high-res B&W photos.

 

828 pages.

 

The book is available from Amazon in North America and Europe.

https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-IV-History-Videogame-Industry/dp/1539031292/ref=s9_simh_gw_g14_i1_r?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=FCHP5R7VQDSAF56A8EF6&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=a6aaf593-1ba4-4f4e-bdcc-0febe090b8ed&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

An autographed copy could be purchased from www.rolentapress.com (U.S. only)

 

A deluxe color edition will be available soon.

[Coleco Chameleon .... hardware speculations?]

It's ironic that this happened today, on Ralph Baer's birthday, since he was responsible for getting Coleco into the videogame business in the first place.

[Coleco Chameleon - what you think?]

 

I just want to state that I hope I don't sound snarky when I offer my opinions or say anything else about anyone else's projects. I only ever aim to offer constructive criticisms, if I ever say anything at all. I support Chris and Mark in their endeavors with the brand that we all love around here, and I sincerely hope I do not contribute to any negative publicity. I know Chris is a really good guy who loves the brand too, and he knows that when we see "Coleco" printed on something, it better be top notch or it will leave a bad taste in the mouths of the faithful. For this reason I'm guilty of being a nit picker when I see the name "Coleco"... I don't want to be excessively anally retentive about it, but that name does have a special meaning to me. While I do wish they took a different approach with their promotions of the brand as a "company", I wish them all the best this weekend in New York, and I hope the Chameleon is a product that lives up to the legacy of the brand. We will all soon find out...

 

I feel the same way. As a historian, I just want to make sure that all of the facts are correct. Nothing irks me more than revisionist history, which is then deemed to be correct.

[Coleco Chameleon - what you think?]

From Page 5:

 

"Founded in 1932, Coleco originally stood for Connecticut Leather Company. Moving away from leather supplies, Coleco turned to items such as dolls and tabletop games. With the success of Atari and Pong, Coleco produced their own home Pong console called the Coleco Telstar and immediately experienced their own success as they designed and produced 9 additional Telstar products."

 

Technically, the Telstar was not a "home Pong console" since Pong was a trademark of Atari. It was a home video tennis console, just like the dozens of others that were available.

[How has this not been posted yet? Retro VGS]

 

Edit: damn it, public is not allowed. Still, the offer stands for anyone who can get in.

 

I'm going to try and get a press pass and attend.

[How has this not been posted yet? Retro VGS]

30 years from now...

 

 

*Many of us will be dead

 

Finally, someone said something I was thinking all along.

[Phoenix IV]

The publication of Phoenix IV is getting near and I would like to get people's opinions on what type of binding they would be interested/

 

Currently, I'm planning two paperback versions:
An 800-page (approximate) b&w book would retail for about $40
A 2-volume (approximately 400 pages each) color edition would retail for about $80.

 

In addition, I learned that an 800 (approx) -page b&w HARD-COVER book could be offered for around $60 and an 800 (approx)-page color Hard Cover version could be offered for about $100. I.m thinking of doing a KickStarter for this one, limiting it 100 numbered and signed copies.

 

Any thoughts?

[Al Alcorn about "Everybody thinks they're a historian"]

Nolan Bushnell is one of the biggest offenders of revisionism history there is. Practically every thing that he had said, which became part of Atari lore, has been frankly contradicted by Ted Dabney. And Bushnell contradicts himself every time he opens his mouth.

 

And in this interview with Alcorn, Alcorn himself is guilty of revising history. Bushnell is constantly referred as the founder of Atari. No, he was the co-founder. Ted Dabney's name is conveniently never mentioned.

[PIGS IN THE CASTLE VCS 2600 PRE ORDERS NOW!]

I came on to order and saw I already did! How quickly we forget!

[Whats your Dragster best time?]

Activision - when Todd sent in for his patch they didnt believe his score. He reproduced it in front of the programmer.

 

 

Thanks for the answer. Only had to wait 12 years

 

BTW: The link to my Dragster certificate in the original ost was wrong. Here is the correct one:

http://www.rolentapress.com/memorabilia/dragster%20certificate.jpg

[PIGS IN THE CASTLE VCS 2600 PRE ORDERS NOW!]

Please add me to the list. Loose cart and Manual only.

[Pre-orders for Endless Snow 2600 now being accepted]

I want to order but I can't seem to get to www.endlesssnow2600.com/

[Interest Check - Desert Bus 2600]

I'll want a boxed copy.

[VideoGame Toribia]

Hey Everyone,

 

I just released an iOS app based on my book "Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Videogames" called "VideoGame Toribia." It's aimed at gamers who want to test their knowledge along with those who want to learn more who haven't had the chance to read books like mine (4th edition coming soon).

This is achieved via 20 question multiple choice/true or false challenges. You're graded by the time it takes you to answer each question and how many you answer correctly. You can share your scores on the leaderboards too.

 

I'd very much appreciate it if you would support this app. If it's successful we will port it to other platforms such as Android.

 

Info about the app can be found at: http://www.rolentapr...ribia/guide.htm

 

The app can be purchased from the App Store or from https://itunes.apple....615865575?mt=8

 

Thanks!

[Atari Inc. - Business Is Fun Now Available!]

The B&N site says that this book was published on September 15, 2012, and that it's the second edition.

[Atari Inc. - Business Is Fun Now Available!]

^{Here's something to look into:}

^{http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/manufacturing/article/53482-ingram-makes-color-print-on-demand-more-economical.html}