The 80's American dominated home console market

[MagicMajenta]

Atari, Intellivision, and Colecovision were the home consoles in the early 80's and the only time when American companies dominated the home console market. Since Nintendo came out, it has been a Japanese dominated industry. Even today with 2 out of the 3 home consoles being Japanese. Yes, yes I know Atari went downhill when Bushnell sold it to Tramiel and Tramiel made a mistake in the mid 80's after moving all of Atari's efforts towards computers and ignoring the home consoles because he thought it was a dying fad. But still there could have been other American companies at that time that could have made a home console couldn't there have been.

Going off on a tangent this is parallel to many industries out there where Americans usually have cornered the market only to have it taken over by the Japanese at a later time like automobiles. American cars were more popular around the world from the post WWII period until '73 when the Oil Crisis came around and American automobiles were never as popular again giving away to Japanese cars which were more practical. The only few main industries the US dominates in now are PC's and military technology. All other consumer electronics are dominated by the Japanese and to a lesser extent the Germans.

All I'm saying is that we start something, but others like the Japanese or even the Germans make it better later on and we lose our dominance in those industries. What's up with that.

Your thoughts!!

[KingCobra]

It is sad, America used to invent alot of stuff. I guess it all comes down to sell'n out for Greed :/

Plus back in the day alot of our electronic technology was stolen, then when they got big in the electronic world it was time to go by the rules. :hmm:

Just look at the new Korean Ford car rip-offs LOL

[poloplayr]

It is sad, America used to invent alot of stuff. I guess it all comes down to sell'n out for Greed :/



Please explain.

[classicb]

It is sad, America used to invent alot of stuff. I guess it all comes down to sell'n out for Greed :/



Please explain.


http://40ouncestofreedom.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kingcobra.jpg

[Ed Oscuro]

American cars were more popular around the world from the post WWII period until '73 when the Oil Crisis came around and American automobiles were never as popular again giving away to Japanese cars which were more practical.
Well, I don't know that US cars were more indigenous than other cars around the world (say in France, home of the Peugeot, or Japan). Indigenous automobile industries the world round were taking off (to varying levels of success), that much is certain. The real reason US manufacturers slipped was that our cars were poorly built and didn't feature many niceties featured as standard in import cars. It wasn't until the late '70s that American cars started offering car radios as standard, for example. Quality over patriotism seems to make sense when you're dealing with something as important as your vehicle.


The only few main industries the US dominates in now are PC's and military technology. All other consumer electronics are dominated by the Japanese and to a lesser extent the Germans.
Well, we dominate in advertising/media, military technology for sure, but I don't know about PCs...India and China are butting in and we won't have our edge for really that much longer. India in particular is a huge contender in that field.

For game systems, though, I see over and over that few American companies seem interested in trying out kid-friendly games, unless they're sitting under a license, and then they don't have exciting new types of gameplay. Too many military shooters, really. I like those, but there's too damn many of 'em. We'll see if the Revolution spurs US game makers to try new game concepts.

[idrougge]

It is sad, America used to invent alot of stuff. I guess it all comes down to sell'n out for Greed :/

Plus back in the day alot of our electronic technology was stolen, then when they got big in the electronic world it was time to go by the rules. :hmm:

The main source for stolen technology has been Germany. Case in point: US/USSR rocket science and Japanese cameras.


Just look at the new Korean Ford car rip-offs LOL

Kia does actually pay for their Ford drawings.

[idrougge]

Going off on a tangent this is parallel to many industries out there where Americans usually have cornered the market only to have it taken over by the Japanese at a later time like automobiles. American cars were more popular around the world from the post WWII period until '73 when the Oil Crisis came around and American automobiles were never as popular again giving away to Japanese cars which were more practical. The only few main industries the US dominates in now are PC's and military technology. All other consumer electronics are dominated by the Japanese and to a lesser extent the Germans.

Post-WW2, American cars were popular because they were large and luxurious, but they were unaffordible. Hence, they were status items, much like the Hummer is today. And just like the hummer, they were gangster symbols. It is also a sad fact that American cars are built for the great wilderness of American deserts, highways and newly-planned suburbs. They were and are totally unwieldy in a traditional European city, not to mention an Asian sprawl. It is no surprise that the only American brand with a notable presence in export markets is Ford, since they have a traditional presence in Germany, producing specifically European models which suit Europeans both when it comes to economy and aestethics. Toyota grasped this a long time ago too, and thus Toyotas look different in each major markets.

[classicb]

are we still talking about video games

http://pickledvellum.com/cge/cge-Images/4.jpg

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't think those would fare very well offroad

[tom]

The 80's American dominated home console market...


...and then you gave it away !!!!!

I never forgive USA for the Nintendo invasion (even CGW had to have a NES section, unbelievable).