Those Prototype Codes Again...

[Tempest]

I was looking over my prototypes again to try and decipher those cryptic codes you sometimes see on them, and I may have found a link.

 

My 5200 Vanguard prototype says 033-2 on the outside, but inside the EPROM's say 2-2-83.

 

So my question is what do 033-2 and 2-2-83 have in common? I'm still trying to figure this one out, but we're getting closer. Anyone have a theory?

 

Tempest

[Tempest]

EUREKA!!! I think I've figured it out! The first number is the number of days starting from the begining of the year (33 days from Jan. 1st would be Feb. 2).

 

It seems to make sense and would support the large range of numbers I've seen (everything from 033 to 207). So now I need to figure out what that second number means (the -0X). Not all carts have that number, and all the carts that do are WIP so it may be some kind of prototype version code. I've never seen it go past 06 though.

 

So close!!! Well, at least part of the mystery has been solved.

 

Tempest

[Tempest]

Ok,I've gone through all my prototypes that have those codes and here's what I came up with:

 

Atari 5200

----------

Berzerk 152-06 = June 1st

Frisky Tom 185-07 = July 4th (hmm...)

Vanguard 033-02 = Feb. 2nd (matches EPROM dates 2/2/83)

Kangaroo 021 = Jan. 21st

 

Atari 2600

----------

Jungle Hunt 056-02 = Feb. 25th

Pole Position 166-06 = May 15th

Battle Zone 132 = May 12th

Joust 222 = Aug. 10th

 

Moon Patrol 166-06 = June 15th

Moon Patrol 207-07 = July 26th

Moon Patrol 212 = July 31st

Moon Patrol 214 = Aug. 2nd

 

 

I still don't know what the dash numbers mean, but I'll figure it out. Also, I'm not sure on the copyright year on some of these so if it was made in 1984, add 1 day for the Leap Year.

 

Tempest

[Tempest]

Say what you will, but I'm putting this one down as solved. Of course I'll still be investigating the -0x numbers. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of prototype version number. Possibly the number of variations they made on that day (ie. a -03 may mean that it's the 3rd version they made that day).

 

I'm heading over to Sean Kelly's house at the end of this month. He has a ton of prototypes I can examine. Hopefully that will be a large enough sampling for you.

 

I'm not trying to be mean or anthing, but your definetly harshing my mellow.

 

Tempest

[Tempest]

I suppose you could be right, but then again loko at the way the carts were dated. They used the same type of system except they used weeks instead of days. Also, I may only have a small sample of numbers, but I've seen others and a few of them were above 222 (I don't remember what they were exactly).

 

It could be a big coincidence, but I highly doubt it. I've talked to some other prototype people and they think I'm onto something.

 

Why all the doubt?

 

Tempest

[rich_vcs]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tempest:

I'm heading over to Sean Kelly's house at the end of this month. He has a ton of prototypes I can examine.

---

 

Huh? I think you're mistaken. Sean doesn't have a ton of prototypes (a couple maybe). He has a ton of rom images including prototypes which is where you could be confused.

 

Rich

[Tempest]

Actually last time I was there there were a quite a few (ok, maybe not tons), including a stack of them in his Garage. I specifically remember playing Brett Hull Hockey on the Jag (of course I didn't know it was a prototype at that point).

 

Even if Sean doesn't have many, there will be others there that will. It will be sufficient to conduct my research.

 

Tempest

[Blackjax]

Tempest - if your theory is right, those dates are called "julian dates"

 

it's basically just another way of looking at the calender - all days are numbered 1 through 365 in a normal year and 1 through 366 in a leap year

 

we use those all the time here where I work for authorization numbers for different work provided to companies. I mean, if GE uses them, who's to say Atari didn't?

[Tempest]

Yes your right. I've never seen the day used, but I've seen the week used frequently. Of course when your working with prototypes versions change daily, not weekly.

 

I wonder how close I am with my other theory? I think the -0x number is the number of versions they made that day. If you think about it, if they made a bunch of changes in a day and didn't have that second number they wouldn't have any way of telling what version it was. That would also explain why they always seem to be WIP.

 

Of course Pitfall is right, I haven't seen any in the 300 range (maybe once), but I think that's just my dumb luck.

 

Anyone out there have some more codes for me? Marco? Marc? Curt? Anyone?

 

Tempest