Who Programmed ET for Atari?
The 1982 Atari game, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, is one of the most infamous games in the history of the company. The game was based on the popular movie of the same name and was released during the holiday season of 1982. Unfortunately, the game was widely panned by critics and gamers alike, and it is often cited as one of the main reasons for the decline of the Atari brand.
The Origin of the Game
E.T. was designed and programmed by Howard Scott Warshaw, an American psychotherapist and former game designer. Warshaw worked at Atari in the early 1980s and was tasked with creating a game based on the hit movie. The game was intended to be an innovative adaptation, but it ultimately failed to deliver.
The Development Process
According to Warshaw, the development process for E.T. was rushed and chaotic. The game was developed in just five weeks, which is an extremely short period of time for a game of this complexity. As a result, the game was plagued by bugs and inconsistencies, which made it frustrating to play.
The Game’s Reception
When E.T. was released, it was widely panned by critics and gamers alike. The game was criticized for its poor graphics, confusing gameplay, and numerous bugs. Many gamers felt that the game was not faithful to the spirit of the movie and was instead a lazy, cash-grab attempt to capitalize on the film’s popularity.
The Decline of Atari
E.T. is often cited as one of the main reasons for the decline of the Atari brand. The game’s poor reception, combined with the company’s over-reliance on licensed properties, led to a decline in sales and a loss of credibility with gamers. Atari’s attempt to create a game that would appeal to a broader audience ultimately backfired, and the company never fully recovered from the backlash.
The Legacy of E.T.
Despite its poor reception, E.T. has become a cult classic of sorts, with many gamers and retro gaming enthusiasts seeking out copies of the game. In recent years, the game has been re-released on various platforms, including the Atari Flashback and the Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition.
Interesting Facts
- E.T. was the best-selling video game of 1982, despite its poor reception.
- The game’s development was so rushed that Warshaw has said he didn’t even get to play the game until after it was released.
- E.T. was re-released on the Atari Flashback in 2004, and it sold out quickly.
- In 2014, the game was re-released on the Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition, and it was met with largely negative reviews.
Conclusion
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is often cited as one of the worst games of all time, and its poor reception is a major factor in the decline of the Atari brand. Despite its legacy as a cult classic, the game remains a cautionary tale about the importance of quality and attention to detail in game development.
Table: E.T. Game Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 1982 |
| Developer | Howard Scott Warshaw |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Platforms | Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800 |
| Sales | Over 4 million copies sold |
Bullets List: E.T. Game Facts
• The game was developed in just five weeks.
• The game was widely panned by critics and gamers alike.
• The game was criticized for its poor graphics and confusing gameplay.
• The game was re-released on various platforms, including the Atari Flashback and the Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition.
• The game’s poor reception is often cited as a major factor in the decline of the Atari brand.