enter colecovision

[Rudy]

Some interesting research into the cost of computer memory produced this:

 

It was market changes in the cost of memory that made the colecovision possible.

http://thedoteaters.com/?bitstory=colecovision

"Bromleys team is charged to develop a new third-generation home videogame system, one that will set the standard in graphics quality, performance and expandability. Bromley himself had done preliminary work in designing and costing a system several years earlier, but the high cost of RAM kept an advanced console out of reach.

 

By 1981, however, RAM prices have dropped dramatically, so much so that the project is now within range of the target price-point set by Coleco. Bromley and Arnold Greenberg hash out the specs of the new system, giving it the placeholder moniker of ColecoVision until the marketing types can think up a better one. They never do, so the name sticks. The new system is based around an 8-bit 3.58 MHz Z80A CPU with 8K system RAM. Also on-board is the powerful Texas Instruments TMS9918A video controller chip, giving the system 16K of video RAM and allowing a screen resolution of 256×192. It has the capability to display 32 sprites on-screen at the same time, along with a 16 colour on-screen palette out of a total of 32. Three channel sound via the TI SN76489sound generator chip is also thrown into the mix for good measure. The consoles cartridges are 32K, the most memory of any system currently on the market."

 

As for why the price of memory dropped around 1981, it looks like at least part of it was increased supply of memory chips. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/30/business/mostek-rides-high-on-computer-chip.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar

"A flood of new manufacturing capacity, primarily from Japanese chip makers, hit the market just as demand for RAM's dried up during the recession. That drove prices of 16K chips from $4.60 apiece in 1980 to $1.65 in 1981, Mr. Mason said"

[Pixelboy]

It has the capability to display 32 sprites on-screen at the same time, along with a 16 colour on-screen palette out of a total of 32.

I always get a kick out of reading these kinds of inaccuracies.

[Rudy]

I always get a kick out of reading these kinds of inaccuracies.

If I posted something inaccurate I apologize.

[sega_SHARK]

I always get a kick out of reading these kinds of inaccuracies.

15 colors plus "the invisible color?"

[The Usotsuki]

Isn't that because the chip was designed for genlocking?

[Rudy]

My intended point was that market forces in 1981 concerning the cost of computer memory were a key factor in the bringing of the colecovision to market.

Edited July 31, 2014 by Rudy

[NIAD]

That (memory chip price drop) and the Greenberg's finally getting over the Telstar fiasco that nearly bankrupted the company.

[Pixelboy]

If I posted something inaccurate I apologize.

That's alright. The ColecoVision has a fixed 16 color palette.

[Rudy]

That (memory chip price drop) and the Greenberg's finally getting over the Telstar fiasco that nearly bankrupted the company.

Which Coleco/Adam pretty much did anyway given the 1983 crash which I suppose nobody could have foreseen.

[NIAD]

Indeed, the money pit that was known as the ADAM Computer ended up being the reason Coleco got out of the whole videogame and computer industry... not so much the "Crash".

[Rudy]

I thought the ADAM was a significant contributor to the crash.

[Pixelboy]

I thought the ADAM was a significant contributor to the crash.

No, not really. Even during its best years, Coleco was a small competitor compared to the juggernaut that was Atari. When Atari went under, it dragged the entire console gaming industry along with it, mostly because retailers lost confidence in the console gaming medium. So while gamers were reorienting their gaming dollars towards computers (C64, Amiga, etc.), there was a sort of vacuum in the console gaming biz that Nintendo took advantage of. The rest is history.

[Rudy]

No, not really. Even during its best years, Coleco was a small competitor compared to the juggernaut that was Atari. When Atari went under, it dragged the entire console gaming industry along with it, mostly because retailers lost confidence in the console gaming medium. So while gamers were reorienting their gaming dollars towards computers (C64, Amiga, etc.), there was a sort of vacuum in the console gaming biz that Nintendo took advantage of. The rest is history.

Ok that makes sense.

[effingwewt]

Had to register, you guys are teaching me SO much about this stuff! Been reading damn near all day , so thought I'd register and say THANKS A TON!

[NIAD]

I thought the ADAM was a significant contributor to the crash.

Not in the least.

[Osgeld]

coleco had great timing as far as the crashes went, just starting to feel confident they rushed out the adam which had its issues due to lack of robustness and production testing just in time to get hit by the shovelware crash of the consoles and right at the beginning of the 84 shakeout / slowdown of sillicon valley effecting the home computer market, where only the solid companies of the time survived (least as far as USA based companies)

 

kind of a 1-2 "game over man" punch in the crotch

Edited August 3, 2014 by Osgeld