1984 crash: some info

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Hi people!, i´m writing an article about the 1984 crash, and i need some info, ´cos in internet there´s not too much. Any help will be great for me.

Thanks in advance.

[gepeto]

I googled the great video game crash and came up with alot of info companies, theorys etc. What type of info are you looking for?

[Haoie]

Read Steve Kent's 'The Ultimate History of Video Games'. A little old now [published in 2000 or 2001], but still very useful.

Look for the chapter called 'The Crash', and those chapters before and after it.

[NeoZeedeater]

Yeah, I recommend Kent's book. There's info in Herman's Phoenix and Sheff's Game Over as well. All three books are excellent and must read material for those interested in gaming history.

You have to keep in mind that these books focus mostly on the console and arcade sides of video gaming though. When talking about the "crash" and gaming history in general, including computer gaming is necessary for an accurate picture of events.

It was strictly console gaming that crashed at that time, and we're only talking North America. Far too many gamers (especially ones that weren't there) are under the impression that that video games died off during this period. This wasn't the case at all. There were tons of great and innovative games on closed architecture personal computers, and in the arcades during this period. It was as good a time as any to be a gamer, and it made sense to buy a Commodore 64 over the consoles released in 1982.

So, what I'm saying is please don't make the mistake of saying gaming as a whole disappeared. :) Some of what's written on the crash out there can give that impression. Just look at IGN's recent top franchises article. They actually had the ignorance to say none of us would be playing games today if not for Super Mario Bros., as there weren't tons of games on the market when the NES came out.

[Ed Oscuro]

Look here: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78029
Hmm, Aswald got the last word...

In response to his last post: Gaming would look just like it does today, for the most part. Some franchises would be different, but that's all. No American development monopoly, no amazing products that baffle the analysts.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Thanks a lot guys!

...oh, and sorry for the delay (i went out for holidays and i recently return)...

[Policenaut]

Hey Matias, long time no see fella! How about the hollidays? I will look for info on that too, I am willing to help you out with the report.

[ganondorf]

Read Steve Kent's 'The Ultimate History of Video Games'. A little old now [published in 2000 or 2001], but still very useful.

Look for the chapter called 'The Crash', and those chapters before and after it.


agreed. this has alot of info in it.

[j_factor]

It was strictly console gaming that crashed at that time, and we're only talking North America.

Didn't Europe have a console crash too? Master System didn't come out until 1987, Colecovision died in 1984, and everybody was playing on C64s or Spectrums (or Amstrads).