How many games did Atari bury?

How Many Games Did Atari Bury?

Atari, a pioneer in the video game industry, has a fascinating and somewhat infamous history. In the early 1980s, the company produced a massive quantity of games, many of which failed to sell well. In an effort to clear out inventory and prevent scavenging, Atari buried hundreds of thousands of unsold games in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico. But just how many games did Atari bury, and what were the reasons behind this unusual decision?

The Burial

In 1983, Atari’s fortunes were dwindling. The company had invested heavily in the development of its 2600 console, but the market had become saturated with similar devices from competitors. Atari’s stockpile of unsold games was growing, and the company was struggling to find a solution. Amidst this crisis, the decision was made to bury the excess games in a landfill.

The Amount of Games Buried

According to James Heller, a former Atari manager, the company buried 728,000 cartridges. This staggering number represents the majority of Atari’s unsold inventory, including games like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which has become infamous for its supposed role in the company’s downfall.

Why Atari Buried the Games

Atari buried the games for several reasons:

• To prevent scavenging: Scavengers were reportedly rummaging through the company’s waste, looking for valuable items to sell. By burying the games, Atari aimed to prevent this theft and protect its intellectual property.
• To reduce costs: Burying the games was a cost-effective solution compared to shipping and storing them. Atari would have had to incur significant expenses to dispose of the inventory, and the landfill option was seen as a more affordable solution.
• To clear inventory: The burial was also a way for Atari to clear out its inventory and make room for new, more successful games.

The Legacy of the Burial

The Atari burial has become a symbol of the company’s struggles during the early 1980s. While it’s difficult to estimate the exact financial impact of the burial, it’s clear that the decision had significant consequences for the company. The burial also contributed to Atari’s decline, as it failed to adapt to the changing market and was ultimately surpassed by competitors.

What Happened to the Buried Games?

In 2014, a team of excavators from the University of Central Florida and the Alamogordo Museum of History conducted an excavation at the landfill, uncovering several hundred thousand buried games. The excavated games were then auctioned off, with proceeds going to the museum and the University of Central Florida.

Conclusion

Atari’s decision to bury hundreds of thousands of unsold games in a landfill is a fascinating and somewhat bizarre footnote in the company’s history. While the exact number of buried games is unknown, it’s clear that the decision had significant consequences for the company. As the video game industry continues to evolve, the Atari burial serves as a reminder of the importance of adapting to changing market conditions and the potential consequences of failing to do so.

Table: Atari’s Most Famous Buried Games

Figure: Atari’s Financial Decline

Note: The financial data is based on publicly available information and may not reflect the company’s exact financial performance during this period.