Shaggy the Atarian

Space Invaders Frenzy is pretty big, although I think that the Super Deluxe version of Halo: Fireteam Raven beats it out in overall mass. Although there was the Terminator Salvation Super Deluxe that came with a 100" screen, looks like per the location dimensions that it was even bigger than Halo (that cabinet is what the Wreck-It Ralph animators based the Heroes Duty game cabinet on) But the largest, best I know, is probably the Sega Super Circuit. Although I suppose that might be "cheating," (using multiple cabinets attached to a giant track) so if it didn't count, then the Galaxian 3 Theater/Ridge Racer Full Scale as a single game cabinet (I think the two used the same or very similar form factor...Ridge Racer might eek out the G3 due to using the full sized car). Sega's Virtua Formula was only sold as a single piece as I ever saw, although I think you could separate each one out ito it's own operable game, so while it might be considered "cheating" due to that, I think it would still count in the running. There is also Sega's Initial D Arcade Stage 4 Limited, which was enormous as it used 4 full-sized (or 3/4th size) cars, but I think that wasn't something that anyone except Sega had access to.

IIRC, when Atari posted Chapter 11 back in 2012 or so, they were offering the Atari logo and a number of 1970's game creations (Pong, Tank, Breakout, several others that don't carry the weight of an Asteroids and such) for $2 million. That was when they sold off several IP, including BattleZone to Rebellion for $250,000. I don't see how anything they've done since 2012 has improved the value of the brand, although they would probably use the $3m collected from IGG to say that it's at least worth that much now (despite the growing firestorm of hatred that they are self-inflicting on the brand thanks to the VCS and some other things they've been doing). Along those lines, I don't know how popular this blog is, but here's a retro focused blog now openly wondering when a class action lawsuit might be launched against Atari over the VCS (my guess is if December comes and goes without a word about units shipping to backers): http://8-bitcentral.com/blog/2019/atariClassAction.html

It only looks that way from the photos, but I think it's much smaller than it appears. Then again, I guess it depends on what you consider to be huge. From a collector's perspective, these are certainly big, but it's pretty average for commercial arcades nowadays. The industry is currently obsessed with games that are really tall, as the bigger/flashier they are, the more that they earn. If it's too small, it gets lost in the sea of bigger games. BB is sitting next to an Injustice cabinet, which is 100″ x46″ x33″. Judging by that, it is taller, but it's hardly the tallest cabinet out there. Compare that to the Halo:Fireteam Raven Super Deluxe, those things are 118″x137″x119″. While BB is much bigger than old 80s and 90s games, no one releases games in those small sizes anymore, in part due to demand, also due to the earnings thing. I have a new TMNT cab which is almost exactly the same form factor as IJ, and it's easy to work with, doesn't take up that much space. Of course, I have 14' tall ceilings, so I don't have to worry about much. Overall they could release a much smaller cabinet - I don't mind seeing those, as we could use compact cabs for space-limited locations - but the first focus will be on something that can sell to Dave & Busters and the like. Also, I've found that they are trying to come up with 7" trackballs, to make it feel like you're pushing a bowling ball instead of a tiny thing.

Yeah, after I posted that, it became clear that all GCC had was the rights to royalty payments. Still, it leaves the whole thought of Ms. Pac-Man in a litigated mess. And Namco has no qualms about suing over MPM to protect their IP. Might be one reason why Atari tried to downplay/remove the e3 video, since it showed it and they know they don't have any right to be implying that MPM will be on the VCS. In my opinion, you should switch over to developing for the Intellivision Amico. Then you can say that the game was in development for the VCS, until something much better came along that is better for fans of classic gaming. That wouldn't be inaccurate, and it would further bolster the Amico's support, while giving you some attention. I'm guessing that the Amico will have a much larger userbase after launch than the VCS will (this is in the fantasy world of assuming the VCS even ships by Oct. 2020), so getting in on the initial software launch could be like when the Switch first came out...there was nothing on the eShop really, so people bought everything that came out. Of course, now the eShop is saturated too...

Asking legitimate questions about Atari's own lies & obfuscations apparently constitutes a personal attack against them and is very profane

On one hand this feels like those made up "My 3 year old elucidated his/her thoughts to me on world politics today..." statements, but on the other hand, it's got enough details that could be legit. If the latter, then his wife is definitely more savvy than he is. But this line is just bizarre: "But how can I convince her to think like us and know?" Seriously, any of you VCShills need to listen to how you sound and get help. That isn't normal; it's insanity.

Atari had better be careful the next time they show Ms. Pac-Man in their demos...Bandai Namco is suing AtGames after the latter company apparently was working quietly behind the scenes to acquire the rights to that one from GCC. Today, AtGames announced they own Ms. Pac-Man now; I'd be amazed if Namco doesn't fight this. Either way, this is something that will probably be fought out in court for the next few years (that said, I imagine that AtGames wanted to offer MPM as an exclusive for their Legends Ultimate Arcade machine): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atgames-acquires-ms-pac-man-related-rights-300925773.html

According to this press release issued today. In case you hadn't heard, Bandai Namco sued AtGames earlier this week over a breach of contract stemming from the involvement of Ms. Pac-Man. Today, AtGames says that they have acquired the rights to the iconic IP. The rights have always been in a weird spot, with GCC owning said rights. I don't know how they've personally felt about Namco, but since Namco never bought them, it's possible there was enough bad blood there to keep them from selling. Did Namco really sue to try and stop AtGames from acquiring them? Guess we'll have to wait and see: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atgames-acquires-ms-pac-man-related-rights-300925773.html

We all know who Nolan Bushnell is, but what has his family been up to? Seems the Bushnell boys are all into the arcade industry these days. One is a part of the Two Bit Circus "micro theme park"/arcade in LA; another is developing the Polycade for home and coin-op, and the other is getting into the business of making new games. The first arcade game he's involved with is called King of the Road; the next one is called Battle Bowling: https://arcadeheroes.com/2019/09/23/...in-crew-games/ Pretty nice to see the family carrying on the legacy like that

At least it's virtual so that no one can be given that special Kool-Aid the next time a comet flies overhead.

Live from Atari SA today:

Stefan should know that Lucas wrote the exact same comment on The Register's article. But that would take some brain power to figure out, I suppose. The Register is simply alarming consumers/potential buyers to the facts that Atari SA has some pretty damning stuff to answer for. Just blowing them off as trolls because they back up their uncomfortable facts with humor doesn't change the fact that Atari lies to it's most rabid fans and has broken a whole slew of promises to VCS backers. But boy oh boy will Lucas and Stefan show us up when they eventually get their $400 Atari Vault playing machines in 2022.

I'll give him five of those and a taco. He can't beat that!

These journalists really need to pick up the slack and mention the only place that really matters for VCS discussion, and that's the mightiest of taco threads.

That was probably me. I agree that this is not how you do it, but my assumption is that they thought it'd be a brilliant way to create perceived value, as they could tout millions collected in pre-orders and who like Microsoft or Apple or Google wouldn't even blink at spending a few million to own the Atari name? Fred mentions at almost every investor meeting (that I've seen a record of) getting bought out. It's definitely something the guy is occupied with My imagined scenario as to how this whole thing came up: [Emergency company meeting sometime in late 2016/early 2017] "I really want to zell this company, as I keep zeeing these startups get bought out for billions of dollars, and that Notch guy made $2B for one stupid game and we've got lots of popular stupid games! Zo tell me, what's the best way for us to look more valuable than we really are?" "Get into the taco business?" "You might have something zhere, but I'd have to hire a chef. Next" "Well, the Atari 2600 was iconic, how about a 2600 Classic?" "Hello McFly!? <derogatory chuckle> We have the Flashbecks. Zhose cretins at Nintendo stole our thunder. Next." "Hey Fred, I know you like crowdfunding, so how about we shoot our wad on Indiegogo with something "better" than the Flashback. It'll be the Ouya, but shaped like a 2600. That'll create so much hype, we'll get bought out before we have to worry about actually making something." "Now we're talking! I like it, I like very much! But what if vwe aren't bought out in time?" "I still think my taco idea is best, but there's the Gameband that we quietly killed. We'll just do the same to the VCS and sue more people that use the Atari name until Google notices us." "Taco guy, I like your enthusiasm. You're in charge of the new Ataribox project." "I'll call the guy doing the Gameband. I'm hungry, anyone want tacos from the truck down the street?"

I think that Blakely & Atari SA need this helpful reminder: As whatever they're on is some powerful, reality-altering stuff

Awesome, that's the only cab I've ever seen apart from the listing on System16. Thanks for sharing. I've asked a big retro collector based in Japan if he knows about the production status of it - could've been a prototype with only a few made; a limited release (maybe a few dozen units) or a wide release (100s or 1000s).

<cultist>Your hate has made you all blind! Atari did have a major announcement this summer, that they were going totally PRO GAMER and releasing a bunch of Atari 2600 games on the platform...in the form of the Atari Vault...although they had to delete it all since they used an image that features games that aren't in the Atari Vault... um...JUST KEEP REFILLING MY KOOL-AID UNTIL DECEMBER OR WHENEVER, FRED!</cultist>

To Magmavision2000's point about the cabinet, I've long seen Heavyweight Champ listed on arcade tracking sites like System16, but have never seen a cabinet, never seen a collector post that they have the cabinet, not seen a video of it in action (even among Japanese retro arcade collectors, who tend to have stuff like this). I question whether or not the game really got a wide release - it might have been a prototype. If it did get mass produced, it was probably limited to Japan, but even then this seems to be extremely rare. Beyond that, yeah, it's TTL, so even if one is found the chances of someone simulating it are pretty small

I don't know if the write of this article browses/comments on this thread or not, but it sums up the current state of Atari SA and the VCS pretty well. He also uses the dreaded (for the cultists) V-word http://8-bitcentral.com/blog/2019/newAtariVCS.html

The "joke" (to me) is that Atari has the Asteroids IP, but has not revealed anything in regards to the IP with the VCS, while the Amico is creating a brand new concept based on Asteroids, even though it's not their game. There are two shots of the remake in the Amico Gamescom trailer - one with new age graphics, another with old style vector graphics. The gameplay looks amped up too, like Blasteroids on steroids. Which also shows how incompetent Atari SA has been with their IP - they really have no clue what to do with it...the last time they tried something, it was Asteroids Outpost, which never was released, but still has a webpage pumping it up.

Well at least Clement is keeping his expectations low and realistic

I wonder how long it will take before one of the TRUFANZ ask about BattleZone then freak out when it won't be included

Just a little something I put together this morning for some friendly rivalry between the Amico and the VCS, slightly modified from the taco thread. Based on the old "Genesis Does" ads:

All right, let's ruffle some feathers (Playing on the "Genesis Does What Nintendon't commercials," in case anyone isn't sure what the reference is)