How long did E.T. take to make for Atari?

How Long Did E.T. Take to Make for Atari?

The 1982 game E.T. for the Atari 2600 is often referred to as one of the worst games ever made. Its poor reception was due to its rushed development and lack of quality. In this article, we’ll explore how long it took to make E.T. for Atari and the factors that contributed to its disappointing outcome.

Direct Answer:

E.T. for Atari was developed in just five weeks, with programmer Howard Scott Warshaw working around the clock to meet the deadline. This extreme rush job led to numerous gameplay quirks, crashes, and poor design decisions that ultimately resulted in a game that was not well-received by players and critics alike.

Rushed Development

Warshaw, who was relatively new to game development, was tasked with creating a game based on the popular 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The project was given a tight deadline of just five weeks, which is extremely short for developing a game of this complexity. Warshaw has since spoken about the immense pressure he felt during this time, stating that he was working 12-hour days, 7 days a week, to meet the deadline.

Lack of Playtesting

Due to the rushed development schedule, there was little time for playtesting and quality assurance. This lack of testing led to numerous bugs and glitches in the game, including the infamous "E.T. gets stuck in the tree" problem. Players would often become stuck in the game, unable to progress further due to a combination of poor level design and programming errors.

Poor Design Decisions

Warshaw has also spoken about the numerous design decisions that were made without proper consideration. For example, the game’s infamous " flying saucer" levels were designed to be challenging, but ultimately proved to be frustrating and poorly balanced. The game’s lack of a "pause" feature also made it difficult for players to take breaks or adjust their difficulty level.

The Impact of E.T.

The poor reception of E.T. for Atari had a significant impact on the gaming industry. The game’s failure led to a crash in the video game market, with many developers and publishers struggling to recoup their investment. The Atari 2600, which was once a dominant force in the gaming market, saw its sales decline significantly, and the company ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 1984.

The Legacy of E.T.

Despite its poor reception, E.T. for Atari has become a cultural phenomenon, with many considering it one of the worst games ever made. The game’s infamy has led to numerous parodies, references, and jokes in popular culture. In 2014, a group of archaeologists and game developers even went on a quest to find the remains of the game in a New Mexico landfill, where they discovered hundreds of unsold copies of the game.

Conclusion

E.T. for Atari was developed in just five weeks, with programmer Howard Scott Warshaw working under immense pressure to meet the deadline. The game’s rushed development, lack of playtesting, and poor design decisions led to a game that was not well-received by players and critics alike. Despite its poor reception, E.T. has become a cultural phenomenon, with many considering it one of the worst games ever made.