What system was this?

[jhd]

From Fortune Magazine, November 15, 1982 p. 114 “Video Games: Why the craze won't quit”

 

"Perry Odak, President of Atari's consumer products division 'is promising a console and programs designed especially for people over 45'."

 

Any guesses what this console was supposed to have been? Perhaps just marketing hype rather than a real product? The 5200 was already on the market, and development would only have just barely begun on the 7800.

 

I'm intrigued by the idea of a console aimed at older gamers, Their target audience would seem to be people born in the 1930s.

 

ETA: Before anyone asks, this magazine article is NOT available online.

Edited July 28, 2014 by jhd

[Serguei2]

I don't know what the console is about but for kind of games for 45 and older, the games should not have quick moves, more adult oriented (insert adult jokes here).

 

Games like Leisure suit Larry would be fine with choosing options without time limits.

 

Peharps games like Zelda but without killing monsters. just exploring the world and solving quests.

[EricBall]

The 5200 was released in November 1982, so depending upon the timing of when the interview happened and when the article was published, there's a chance Perry was referring to the 5200. But probably not.

 

The 7800 was an oddball - created by GCC in 1983-1984 as part of their post-lawsuit relationship with Atari. It's design mantra seemed to be for better graphics, 2600 compatibility and low cost. So that isn't it either/

 

My guess is the product wasn't anything more than a line item on a future possibilities list - a possible market to be explored and filled. (Especially if they received lots of interest based on the article.)

 

Given that I'm very close to that age, I can't imagine what kind of programs Perry might have been thinking about which are particularly distinct from what the younger than 45 group would be interested in.

[+save2600]

Time frame probably not compatible, but all I can think of is the XEGS or computer keyboard add-on for the 2600 maybe?

XEGS in theory, being a computer, should have appealed to older people in general. But video gamers over 45? Pretty strange concept back in the early 80's. My, times have changed.

[bkrownd]

without a doubt it would play Bridge. various casino games, as well

Edited July 31, 2014 by bkrownd

[CatPix]

Didn't Atari planned to redecorate the Atari 2600 at some point, with wireless controllers integrated, before just going for the Atari 2600 Jr?

 

I wouldn't be surprised for that solution. The 2600 was already old, cheap stuff to make, and many early games would fit the bill for "elder" gamers.

I suppose you could even have some "educational" programs using the keypad controller.

 

Or the 5200 too. After all, the Atari 400 was also aging at the time, and a XEGS styled console would work well for both games and text-based education programs.

The XEGS is really only just an Atari 800XL in a prettier box, but the 800 was out since 1978, so it feel likely that is could be a first project to release a more powerful Atari 5200.

Edited August 5, 2014 by CatPix

[ApolloBoy]

Didn't Atari planned to redecorate the Atari 2600 at some point, with wireless controllers integrated, before just going for the Atari 2600 Jr?

There was the CX2000 "Val" system which had integrated controllers, but that was supposed to be targeted towards kids, not older gamers.