How many E.T. cartridges were buried?

The Great E.T. Cartridge Burial: A Lesson in Failure

In September 1983, the video game industry was sent reeling with the news of a massive failure. Atari, a gaming giant at the time, had buried an estimated 728,000 game cartridges in a New Mexico landfill site. The cartridges, which were largely unsold copies of the much-hyped E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game, marked the beginning of the end for Atari.

How Many E.T. Cartridges Were Buried?

The figure of 728,000 is often cited as the number of E.T. cartridges buried, but was this truly the case? In a 2014 excavation, a team led by gamers and filmmakers Alamo Drafthouse uncovered a cache of Atari 2600 games, including E.T. The findings suggested that the actual number of E.T. cartridges buried was significantly lower than the original estimate.

The excavation team found that 1,300 cartridges were buried, including not only E.T. but also other games and prototypes. While this number is still lower than the estimated 728,000 E.T. cartridges buried, it highlights the staggering scale of Atari’s failures.

Why Were E.T. Cartridges Buried?

The E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game was widely panned by critics and players alike. The game’s poor graphics, frustrating gameplay, and lack of explanation made it a critical and commercial failure. With an estimated 5 million copies produced, the game became a massive white elephant, and Atari was left with a huge stockpile of unsold cartridges.

The burial of E.T. cartridges was part of Atari’s efforts to clear its inventory and stem the losses. The move was also seen as an attempt to distance the company from its failed product, hoping to salvage what remained of its reputation.

The Fallout of the Great E.T. Burial

The burial of E.T. cartridges marked a turning point for Atari and the gaming industry as a whole. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1984, and the loss of trust in Atari led to a decline in consumer confidence. The industry took years to recover, but the E.T. fiasco remains a cautionary tale of the dangers of poor product development and unsustainable business practices.

The Legacy of E.T.

The E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game may be widely remembered as a failure, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of quality and innovation in the gaming industry. The story of E.T. cartridges buried in a New Mexico landfill site has become an urban legend, symbolizing the excesses of the 1980s video game craze.

The excavation of the E.T. cartridges in 2014 also sparked a new wave of interest in Atari and the early days of gaming. The discovery highlighted the company’s struggles and the significance of its legacy in the gaming industry.

Conclusion

The E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game may be a cautionary tale, but it is also a reminder of the power of innovation and quality in the gaming industry. The story of the 728,000 cartridges buried, later found to be closer to 1,300, serves as a lesson in the dangers of failure and the importance of adaptation. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, we can learn from the successes and failures of the past, including the infamous E.T. game and its burial.