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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.

Dear Gregory, Here's the deal Our original thinking was to cut the price for the holiday season until January 1st. However, you raise a very good point and there are many others in the same boat I'm sure. So we decided to extend the price break until February 1st for those who cannot really deal with it until January. We will reassess in February, but you've got $29.95 until Feb 1 for sure! Guaranteed. Thanks for letting me know about this, HSW

Dear Paul, I think your anlysis is spot on! Setting expectations is always key, and in the ET case... keys I like your adventure duck also. HSW

Hey everybody, Just dropped in to say: Here is another signature in ET I haven't heard anyone mention yet... the phone pieces. If you look at them carefully, you will notice that one is an 'H' another is an 'S' and the last one is a 'W' The idea of doing a homebrew is an attractive one. One thought I have had since about 83 is a sequel to Yars that I thought would be a great game, and to this day still I have never seen anyone anywhere do my gameplay idea. It does however require a paddle controller. I wonder how many people have those now? Sabotuer was never "finished" by me, but there was a Yar that would go back and forth very occasionally in the gantry (first) game screen. I wasn't on it long enough to add my other "signature" signatures. Speaking of E.T., would you like to hear what Steven Spielberg said about me and ET in 1983? The incredible webthang (the only other HSW I have ever met, really) has seen fit to post a video clip for your perusal. (the link is in my sig (where else?)) And to all of you who enjoyed the games, remember one thing please... that is why I made them. So thank YOU! Dig you later, HSW

Hello everybody, If anyone is still reading this thread, I would like to say thanks to all of you who enjoyed the game. Here is the thing about ET: At a time when no-one had ever completed a video game in less than 5 months, we needed ET to be done in five weeks. ATARI asked me to do it for several reasons: Speilberg asked for me specifically to do it after I had done Raiders, no one else was crazy enough to even attempt it, and they were confident I could actually get it done. I tried to do a lot with ET, but there is only so much one can do in 5 weeks. That said, let me also say that I know the length of development time on a game is irrelelvant from a player's standpoint. The only thing that counts is fun factor. I tried to make a game with some emotional component to it, some empathetic aspect in addition to a game. Am I crazy for shooting for all that in five weeks on the 2600? Of course I am. That has never changed. What I think I did was create a complete game that is playable and has some very rough edges (the first thing I would do is soften the pit mechanics). With even 4 more days I might have done it too, but I didn't get those days. So it stands as a completed (though not elaborately tuned) game with pretty decent graphics, some nice payoff sequences, and very few bugs. I am satisfied to have done that, but saddened that I didn't get the opportunity to "finish" it, given the standard I set with Yars and Raiders. Realistically, I don't think it is even close to the actual worst game on the 2600, but I do love holding that distinction. In fact, New Media magazine said it was singlehandedly responsible for the fall of the entire business in 83. Well, that is quite an honor indeed! Having done Yars which is one of the best games (according to what I see from all of you) it is a great source of pride to me to also have done one of the "worst" games too. Who else has greater range on the 2600? For a game done in 5 weeks, it wasn't that bad. I mean, hey, 20 years later you're still talking about it. Think of all the other bad games you don't even mention anymore. I sincerely thank all of you for keeping me alive like this ATARI was an amazing time in my life, that is why I did the documentary series Once Upon ATARI, to rekindle the fire for all who were there, and it has. But things like this that take me back there are always great for me and I am indebted to all of you for making my day yet again today. Yars truly, HSW

HSW

Hey there, Actually I got about three easter eggs in E.T., and that only took about two hours to do. Every one of my games has an "HSW" in it and it also has the main character from each of my previous games. So there is a Yar in RAiders, and in ET there is a Yar, and Indiana Jones, and HSW3 (my third game) and it also has a JMD, those are the initials of my graphic artist Jerome Domurat (there is another thread about his around here somewhere ). Got to hit the road, see you all in a few days, HSW

Dear TigerTH, No, I never did see the crystal case, but I did see your sig and I like it very much. By the way, here is a review going up tonight if anyone wants to see it: http://www.thedigitalreview.com/forum/show...s=&threadid=404 Thanks to all again, I'm going to sleep now HSW

Dear All, Thank you very much for these great posts. I always say at the classic gaming expo (and it still rings true) that the best part of making games was to hear from people who enjoyed them. That was the biggest charge from doing them... knowing that they generated some fun and pleasure (there is never enough of that it seems). I really appreciate the things you all are saying and I want to thank you all for making my day today. It still means a lot to me, and I am very grateful. By the way, it only takes a couple of days after the order I believe, so it shouldn't be long now This was very cool, I am very glad I responded. And always remember: a friend of Yars is a friend of mine! HSW

Yes, I am Howard Scott Warshaw, creator and author of Yars Revenge, ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the unreleased (but still bootlegged) A-Team/Saboteur. It's not too personal, I made about 1 million dollars between 1982-1984, and by 1988 I not only had lost that but owed an additional 1.5 million dollars to the IRS. That sucked. But I stayed happy and only had tax trouble for 15 years (regrettably, that is no joke). They could take my money, but they couldn't take my sense of humor (in fact, hardly anyone can!) And they can never take away the rush I get when someone writes me a reply like you did. Thanks for that. Dig you later, I'll be watching... HSW http://www.scottw.com

It would have been late and missed the christmas market...which might have been an improvement. How do I know? Because I wrote the E.T. game, and I did it in five weeks because nobody else would even try it, and I couldn't resist the challenge or some free rides on a lear jet As for burying the carts in the desert? Let me just say this about that: I doubt that happened for two reasons: 1) Do you have any idea how expensive it is to bury millions of carts in the desert? Look at the budget for nuclear waste sites and draw the parallels. The fact is Atari was a failing company, do you really think they could even afford to spend the extra money it would take to bury the carts, rather than cannibalizing them and recycling what they could for other carts they needed to produce? I won't go into the half life of ET (or the half life of this thread for that matter), suffice to say that I'm proud to have single handedly brought down a billion dollar industry with one game 2) I had many friends all over Atari, if the company was burying all these carts someone would have told me. And the moment they did, I would have immediately grabbed a photographer and hopped the next flight out and gotten some great protraits of me standing on the pile. How could I possibly not get that picture as a momento? For these reasons I believe the old "burying the carts" story is an urban myth (and a rather dry one at that, considering the location) Yars truly, HSW http://www.scottw.com

Hello there, this IS Howard Scott Warshaw. My intention is not to shut you all up (in fact, I didn't know this was going on until an hour ago), but as soon as I saw this thread, I needed to respond. The fact is I've put 7 years of my life into this series and I felt 50 bucks wasn't a bad price for some remarkable content in a niche product (as some of you point out). However, the real motivation for producing Once Upon ATARI was to produce a talismen representing one of the most amazing experiences in all our (the people in the documentary) lives. This was indeed a labor of love, and no one ever was interested in funding it so I funded the entire production myself. I'll never recover the time I spent producing Once Upon ATARI, but I would certainly like to recover some of the money. However, it is more important to me to have a larger audience than a larger wallet. So I reduced the price because I concluded that too many people were not gettting the DVD simply because of the price (as others of you point out). Once Upon ATARI is a true look at what really went on at Atari in the hey day. No one else has ever begun to tell the truth of what went on in our department, and I felt it needed to be told... so I told it. If you get it I really hope you enjoy it, because I really enjoyed making it. So there it is, you have spoken, and I have heard you. Now, on with the discussion... HSW http://www.scottw.com