Did Atari Bury ET in the Desert?
The legend of Atari burying millions of unsold copies of E.T. in the New Mexico desert has been a topic of fascination for many years. The story goes that the company, facing financial difficulties and a huge inventory of unsold games, decided to bury the games in a landfill to get rid of them. But is this story true? Let’s dive into the facts and separate myth from reality.
The Origins of the Legend
The story of Atari burying E.T. in the desert originated from a 1983 article in the New York Times, which reported that the company had indeed buried thousands of cartridges in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The article was based on an anonymous source, and it sparked a flurry of speculation and debate about the true extent of the burial.
The Search for the Truth
In 2013, a documentary crew from Fuel Industries set out to investigate the legend and uncover the truth. They excavated the landfill and found several hundred copies of E.T. and other Atari games, including some that were still sealed in their original packaging. The crew also spoke to former Atari employees and industry experts, who provided insight into the company’s financial struggles and the decision to bury the games.
The Evidence
So, did Atari bury E.T. in the desert? The answer is yes. The documentary crew found evidence of the burial, including photos and videos of the excavated games, as well as testimony from former employees. Additionally, the company’s financial records and industry reports from the time confirm that Atari was facing significant financial difficulties and was struggling to sell its games.
The Scale of the Burial
But just how many games were buried? According to Ray Kassar, Atari’s CEO at the time, the company produced around 4 million copies of E.T. for the Atari 2600 console. However, the game was a commercial failure, and the company only managed to sell around 1.5 million copies. This means that around 2.5 million copies of E.T. were left unsold and were eventually buried in the desert.
The Significance of the Burial
The burial of E.T. has become a symbol of the video game industry’s struggles in the early 1980s. The game was widely panned by critics and players, and its failure was seen as a major blow to the industry. The burial of the games has also become a cautionary tale about the dangers of overproduction and the importance of market research.
The Legacy of E.T.
Despite its commercial failure, E.T. has become a cult classic and a symbol of the early days of the video game industry. The game’s failure has also led to a fascination with the story of its burial, and it has become a popular topic of discussion and debate among gamers and industry experts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Atari burying E.T. in the desert is true. The company did indeed bury thousands of copies of the game in a landfill in New Mexico, and the story has become a symbol of the industry’s struggles in the early 1980s. While the game was a commercial failure, it has become a cult classic and a reminder of the importance of market research and careful planning in the video game industry.
Table: Atari’s Financial Performance
| Year | Revenue | Net Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | $550 million | $150 million |
| 1983 | $400 million | $200 million |
| 1984 | $300 million | $250 million |
Bullets:
• Atari produced around 4 million copies of E.T. for the Atari 2600 console.
• The game was a commercial failure, and the company only managed to sell around 1.5 million copies.
• The company buried around 2.5 million copies of E.T. in a landfill in New Mexico.
• The burial of E.T. has become a symbol of the video game industry’s struggles in the early 1980s.
• The game’s failure has also led to a fascination with the story of its burial, and it has become a popular topic of discussion and debate among gamers and industry experts.