RCA Studio II GOLD MINE! An interview with the Studio 2 Production Manager!

[TLD1985]

I am guessing it is Dan McIntyre then.

 

Because of this:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?72720-RCA-Studio-II-bingo&p=1069588&viewfull=1#post1069588

[Blazing Lazers]

I am guessing it is Dan McIntyre then.

 

Because of this:

http://www.digitpres...l=1#post1069588

 

Ah yes, the infamous "I found it at a flea-market with a whole bunch of other games" post. Tempest said he saw it at the show itself, but the post from some guy named Dan indicates that this is another copy. And the DP Guide indicates that only a few copies have ever been found. Hmm, perhaps this Dan guy did find such a thing at a flea market, and then decided to display it at the PC2K1, which would also explain why he would be reluctant to sell it, as he seems so excited to have a game that is unlisted in the DP Guide. Dan might be the guy Tempest saw at the show, then. This may be a huge break in the Bingo cold case.

 

Now, there's still some questions:

how did the game get to be listed in the DP Guide and all the other lists from the late 90's/early 2000's?

who is Dan MacIntyre, anyways? Anyone remember him, have contact with him, know who does, ect? Unfortnately, Dan MacIntyre is not at all a unique name.

Besides this Dan guy, who else would have copies? Joe Santulli, maybe? Al Backiel? (I've contacted Al, btw, am awaiting a response)

 

Beyond Bingo, there's also the issue of the test and Demo carts that have also never been seen in pictures or been dumped if they do exist. I'm of the opinion that they do- Fauxscot confirmed that there was at least one sort of testing cart used down at the Swannanoa facility where the Studio II's and the games were manufactured. Presumably, there might've been others. As to if any have survived and who would have one, who knows, for now.

 

The Democart is also unconfirmed, despite the DP Guide. Nobody seems to know who might have one, but I've contacted the author this article:

http://www.fruitlesspursuits.com/2012/02/video-game-system-i-trashpicked-from.html

He did confirm that there was some sort of demonstration cartridge in the trash along with the other games that he just stumbled upon and decided to save, and that the demonstration cartridge he found came in a white box. He says they've almost certainly since been lost in flood/hurricane that hit his basement. Last I heard from him, he said he'd look into if he still had them. If only I could find stuff like that in the trash....

[TLD1985]

Well this "find" post was made after the first PC, before anyone saw it at the 2nd PC.. so it does add up time wise.

 

In the usenet thread linked in that post. The Dan guy apparently also has Demo cart that he was displaying at the show.

 

I think the diagnostics cart was also a cart that you could buy from RCA for repairing your system.

[Blazing Lazers]

Here:

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20030523072832/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/software.asp?c=728&st=1

 

Is the software page for the Studio II section from May 23, 2003. It doesn't mention Bingo at all, nor does anything from before that point. It does list a "Demonstration cart" and a "Tester 1 (Diagnostic cart)", though no images of either, even though the other games and carts do have pictures there. And it credits Paul Robson and Jack Spencer Jr. and their Studio II FAQ as the source. So, somebody message Jack and Paul, as their FAQ seems to be the the source behind the old-computers site.

 

On a related note, "Tester1" sounds exactly like the sort of thing that might be written on a diagnostic cart, and may be the actual name of the cart. And going by the use of the number 1, there might have been other numbered carts as well. I find it unlikely that they would all be the same and that the cart that happened to be numbered as 1 would be the one that would find its way to Paul and/or Jack. We need to confirm with them if either of them ever actually saw the Tester 1 or Demonstration carts...

[Blazing Lazers]

Well this "find" post was made after the first PC, before anyone saw it at the 2nd PC.. so it does add up time wise.

 

In the usenet thread linked in that post. The Dan guy apparently also has Demo cart that he was displaying at the show.

 

I think the diagnostics cart was also a cart that you could buy from RCA for repairing your system.

 

We need to find this Dan guy, then. Perhaps whoever wrote the cafepress site that mentioned him as attending would know him?

 

I remember hearing that about the Tester 1 cart (I'm calling it that from now on), but what is the source of that claim? Does anyone have any old RCA ordering forms/ads/ any Studio II documentation that could confirm such a claim? Hell, there's so few ads alone for the Studio II...

[ianoid]

Thought I saw Bingo at Philly Classic, when that show was really small. Obviously didn't know what it was. Guy wanted $100 for a whole RCA Studio II set with that, and I didn't have much space to take stuff home. I originally thought it was from Al Backiel, but then it must have been the guy next to him at the show, since Al told me it wasn't him who had Bingo.

 

Someone else interested in RCA bugged me about it recently, and I tried to track down David Winter to ask about that year, but I couldn't reach him.

 

I still can't verify it exists aside from that siting. I remember seeing Tempest there. So our stories corroborate. And I'm happy another guy (Tempest) was stupid enough not to buy it on site. Well, not happy, because it would be nice to have confirmation of it's existence.

Edited August 18, 2013 by ianoid

[Tempest]

I still can't verify it exists aside from that siting. I remember seeing Tempest there. So our stories corroborate. And I'm happy another guy (Tempest) was stupid enough not to buy it on site. Well, not happy, because it would be nice to have confirmation of it's existence.

If I had bought it you'd probably own it by now. Interesting that you remember him being willing to sell it, I recall people making offers and him turning them down.

 

Dan might be the person, if I saw a picture of him back then I might be able to tell. His name doesn't sound familiar and I know most of those other guys on that list. Like I said, it was someone I had never met before.

 

Al retired from the hobby a while ago, but he's still around as far as I know. Joe Santulli or any of the long time members from DP should have his contact info if someone wants to e-mail him (Joe isn't on DP anymore but I think his game store has a webpage). I doubt Al knows who the guy was, but it's worth a shot I suppose. My recollection was that this guy was across from Al's stuff.

 

BTW I think I have David's contact info if you need it. I talked to him not too long ago.

 

Seeing all those old PC photos makes me all misty. Those really were the good ol' days of collecting.

[TLD1985]

Well the guy's partial e-mail address according to the usenet post was:

 

dan...@mindspring.com

 

doing a search for the obvious brings up this page:

 

http://nj.bizdirlib.com/m/business_directory/Dan_McIntyre

 

on that page it lists two websites:

• DANNYANDJENNY.COM (dormant website and it's a different "Danny")
  
• SUSANMCINTYRE.COM (relatives website/business)...
  

The susan mcintyre website redirects to another domain and on the who is info this information is available:

 

 

Technical Contact:

McIntyre, Dan dan@mcintyredirect.com

102 N Hayden Bay Drive

Portland, OR 97217

US

5032869833 Fax: 5032867622

 

So.... there we go.. a lead ... but if someone is going to ring/make contact... say so in here... we don't want to pester the person if it is or isn't the guy we are after...

[TLD1985]

We need to find this Dan guy, then. Perhaps whoever wrote the cafepress site that mentioned him as attending would know him?

 

I remember hearing that about the Tester 1 cart (I'm calling it that from now on), but what is the source of that claim? Does anyone have any old RCA ordering forms/ads/ any Studio II documentation that could confirm such a claim? Hell, there's so few ads alone for the Studio II...

 

From the RCA Studio II service manual:

 

 

Interesting to note is that the cart requires a Power Unit.

 

I'm sure I have seen a b/w photo with the "Demo" cart... in the background... outputting something different on the screen... it might even be on this post.

[TLD1985]

Also found this on this topic whilst trying to find the photo where there is a demo-cart in use.

 

 

So even if all copies of the cart have been lost... at least we know what it did.

Edited August 18, 2013 by TLD1985

[TLD1985]

going back to Dan Mcintyre again... I found the correct old e-mail address and it's:

dan-jen@mindspring.com (searching this just finds other people who tried to find him years ago)

 

Now this is interesting because in my previous post there was a site called DANNYANDJENNY.COM that was linked with Dan Mcintye however the surname was completely different... perhaps this was an alias..or just a coincidence.

 

 

and another usenet post he made after PC2

 

First things first: I want to thank the Philly Classic staff for

another great show. If next year's is no better, it will be a can't

miss.

Now, on with my long story . . . .

I got up a little late Saturday morning, so I didn't make it to the show

until around 10:00AM. First thing I noticed was the attendance size

versus last year. The place was just packed. I'd be interested to hear

what the final head count was. The Storm Trooper guarding the entrance

to the main room was a nice touch. I don't know who was in the suit,

but I'm sure he was plenty warm.

It seems a lot of people came looking to buy a Vectrex. Within minutes

of setting out my BUBU (beat-up backup) Vectrex, I had several

inquires. I sold the thing within 15 or 20 minutes. Now that my spare

is gone, I suppose I'll be looking to score another at the flea markets.

I met a lot of great people at the show: the DP folks, the PhillyClassic

Staff, and a lot of knowledgeable people who's names I never learned.

It was a real treat to talk with John Dondzilla--super nice guy. He

shared some neat info with me about the Studio II. I also lucked into

having two great table neighbors: Curt Vendel (7800 high score cart)

and Al Backiel (DP).

The display stuff was outstanding. Especially noteworthy were the

handheld collection (2 tables wide) and the Intellivison keyboard. I

wish I could remember the name of the fellow who brought the

keyboard--friendly guy. The arcade was impressive. Unfortunately I

didn't have much time to play.

The great thing about the show was that everyone was in the mood to

buy. I brought a load full of "excess stuff" and managed to get rid of

all of it. The proceeds and few trades netted me the following:

- new Vectopia

- new DP Guide

- new PacMan shoe laces for my baby girl :-)

- Cosmic Combat handheld (had one as a youngster)

- boxed 2600 Rampage

- sealed 2600 Summer Games

- boxed River Raid (I've got 120 VCS carts and this is my first River

Raid)

- boxed Bally Basic with cables

- shrink-wrapped Bally Basic

- boxed Bally AstroBattle

- loose Midnight Magic for 2600

- FrontLine keypad cover for ColecoVision

- Space Fury for ColecoVison

- loose River Raid (for a friend)

- loose Kaboom (for a friend

Plus, the outstanding door prizes. This stuff is worth way more than

the cost of my table and ticket.

- Stella Gets a New Brain V2!!!!

- Atari's Greatest Hits Vol 2 for PC

- Mario Kart keychain

- nice coffee mug from the Funspot in NH

- a cool Star Wars laser gun handheld.

I'm happy to say that I left with more cash than I came with--seed money

for the flea markets. I'll be looking forward to next year's show for

sure. Now if Videotopia could only return to the area!

Edited August 18, 2013 by TLD1985

[ranger_lennier]

Cool to finally have a name and (obsolete) e-mail regarding the USA Bingo sighting. I also now know that more people than just Tempest saw it. In that same thread, someone says he did get in touch with Al Backiel.

 

Meant to follow up earlier... I checked with Al, but it's not him, and he can't recall who it was, though he said it was the guy in the booth next to him. He also says Joe was there and might recall, or possibly David Newman (the organizer) might recall.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?72720-RCA-Studio-II-bingo&p=1917729&viewfull=1#post1917729

[ranger_lennier]

 

Dan might be the person, if I saw a picture of him back then I might be able to tell. His name doesn't sound familiar and I know most of those other guys on that list. Like I said, it was someone I had never met before.

 

...

 

Seeing all those old PC photos makes me all misty. Those really were the good ol' days of collecting.

 

Well, between the links in posts #407 and #411 there are a LOT of photos from the show. And the photo that says Dan wasn't in it could narrow it down some. Kind of a tedious task still, but if you do look through them, let us know.

[toymailman]

Updated this list:

 

I still have a Fun With Numbers I can send to someone for dumping if needed.

 

Also, I am now up to 50 donor carts for a multi-cart project.

[Blazing Lazers]

Also found this on this topic whilst trying to find the photo where there is a demo-cart in use.

 

 

So even if all copies of the cart have been lost... at least we know what it did.

 

Well done! Where did you find those two documents, btw? I hadn't seen them before. That is good to confirm the Tester 1 cart, its proper name, and that it has its own power supply, and a part number. Although I do wonder if there was ever a Tester 2 or Tester 3 cart...

[Blazing Lazers]

I still have a Fun With Numbers I can send to someone for dumping if needed.

 

Also, I am now up to 50 donor carts for a multi-cart project.

 

Amazing that all of the MPT-02 carts got dumped before all of the US Studio II carts.... I'll also forward the news of 50 donor shell to Fauxscot.

[slydc]

No no no. I was saying that's NOT the the guy, that was just Al selling some Studio II stuff at the show. I have no idea who the guy with the Bingo cart was, I didn't know him personally.

 

Sorry about this Tempest, thought that you were talking about Al.

 

Here's two pictures i have in my database:

 

 

 

Don't remeber where i got them but these are genuine. So the Demo cart does really exists. Same as the test

cart but never saw a picture of that cart as to date.

 

--- Sly DC ---

[Blazing Lazers]

Sorry about this Tempest, thought that you were talking about Al.

 

Here's two pictures i have in my database:

 

Don't remeber where i got them but these are genuine. So the Demo cart does really exists. Same as the test

cart but never saw a picture of that cart as to date.

 

--- Sly DC ---

 

YOU ROCK!!!! It might've taken over a decade for pictures to surface, but yes, they finally have!!! The Bingo and Tester 1 carts can't be far away! I know this is pushing the luck we've had, but do you know who has one of any of these carts?

[ranger_lennier]

Well done! Where did you find those two documents, btw? I hadn't seen them before. That is good to confirm the Tester 1 cart, its proper name, and that it has its own power supply, and a part number. Although I do wonder if there was ever a Tester 2 or Tester 3 cart...

 

I think it's actually "Tester I" (Roman numeral). This fits in with the pattern RCA named their cart series. I don't think the use of a number necessarily indicates that there was a Tester II. For example, some Blackjack carts/manuals/boxes are labeled "TV Casino I", even though there was no "TV Casino II" when it came out. I have seen Bingo referred to as "TV Casino II", however. I actually have two variations of the Blackjack box. One says "TV Casino I", and the other just says "TV Casino Series". I'm not sure which is older.

[ranger_lennier]

Well done! Where did you find those two documents, btw? I hadn't seen them before. That is good to confirm the Tester 1 cart, its proper name, and that it has its own power supply, and a part number. Although I do wonder if there was ever a Tester 2 or Tester 3 cart...

 

I originally assumed this came from the scans I uploaded, but I actually didn't find this exact passage. I did, however, find two similar descriptions of the Tester I cartridge. One is in the Studio II Service manual, available here:

 

http://www.mediafire.com/?7jod7m8a63za1n9

 

The other is in a book chapter scanned by Peter Trauner (PeT). I'm not actually sure what the book is, but you can get his scans here:

 

http://www.mediafire.com/?ojxprk04sqwfihf

[ranger_lennier]

Haha, just did a search and realized that Dan had the Demonstration cart as well.

 

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?113201-Can-we-please-remove-bingo-from-the-quot-offical-release-quot-RCA-Studio-II-library&p=1324690&viewfull=1#post1324690

[ranger_lennier]

I still have a Fun With Numbers I can send to someone for dumping if needed.

 

I own one, but it will be a few months before I can get it back and get it dumped. So if anyone is able to do it beforehand, that's cool. The guy who dumped mine lives in California, USA. Someone on the MESS forums also talked about sending him a cart (there was one cheap on eBay), but I'm not sure if that's happening or not.

[TLD1985]

Well I've had a hunt and I can't find the photo I am thinking of..

 

It was a black/white photo... I think from a newspaper of an RCA being demonstrated.. and I'm sure it had the demo program/cart running...

 

Although maybe I never saw this photo and I am thinking of something else.

[ranger_lennier]

There were some Studio II newsletters--see this post for example:

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/8863-rca-studio-ii/#entry85297

 

I don't think they've ever been scanned, though. Does anyone know where to find these? They might have some more information for us.

[Tempest]

I had a bunch of them, but they were copies not originals (maybe one was an original, I don't remember). I sold all my Studio II stuff though, newsletters included. I thought the new owner said they would scan them though.