From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Notable events of 1983 in video gaming. See also history of computer and video games.
[edit] Events
- A major shakeout of the video game industry begins. By 1986, total video games sales will decrease from US$3.2 billion to US$100 million.[1]
- MCA Universal files suit against Nintendo, claiming that the latter company's video arcade hit Donkey Kong violated Universal's copyright on King Kong. After a brief trial, the judge determined that the rights to the original Kong had passed into the public domain. The case was dismissed, and MCA Universal paid $1.8 million USD in damages to Nintendo.[2]
- Atari files suit against Coleco, claiming violation of Atari's patents on the Atari 2600 video game console. The previous year, Coleco released a peripheral device that made it possible for Atari 2600 game cartridges to be run on the ColecoVision console.[3]
- Infogrames Entertainment SA is established by Bruno Bonnell and Christophe Sapet in Lyon, France.[4]
- Origin Systems is founded by Robert, Richard, and Owen K. Garriott and Chuck Bueche in Austin, Texas; Richard will become better known by the name of his fictional character, Lord British.[5]
- Interplay Productions is founded by Brian Fargo in southern California.[6]
- Navarre Corporation is founded.[7]
- Amusement Developing Section 8 (later known as Sega-AM2), a research and development department of Sega, is established under the supervision of Yu Suzuki in Tokyo, Japan.[8]
- According to Nintendo, total video game sales for 1983 are $3.2 billion USD.[1]
[edit] Notable releases
[edit] Arcade games
[edit] Personal computer and console games
- Mattel Electronics publishes World Series Baseball by Don Daglow and Eddie Dombrower, the first video game to use multiple camera angles, for the Intellivision.[13]
- Origin Systems publishes Ultima III: Exodus by Richard Garriott, better known as Lord British. Ultima III was the first computer role-playing game to feature tactical, turn-based combat, for the Apple II, Atari 800, Commodore 64, and IBM PC.[5]
- Electronic Arts publishes Dan Bunten's M.U.L.E., an influential multiplayer strategy game, for the Commodore 64.[14]
- Electronic Arts publishes Bill Budge's Pinball Construction Set, the first example of the "builder" (or "construction set") computer and video game genre, for the Apple II, Atari 800, and IBM PC.[15]
- Bug-Byte releases Matthew Smith's Manic Miner, an influential early platform game, for the ZX Spectrum.[16]
- Ultimate Play The Game, later known as Rare, releases its first video games, Jetpac and Atic Atac, for the ZX Spectrum.[17]
[edit] Hardware
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Liedholm, Marcus and Mattias. The Famicom rules the world! – (1983–89). Nintendo Land. Retrieved on 2006-02-14.
- ^ 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming / Universal Goes Ape. GameSpy.com (2003). Retrieved on 2006-02-14.
- ^ Atari and Coleco. New York Times (1983). Retrieved on 2006-02-14.
- ^ Atari – 1972–2004. Atari – Official Corporate Site. Retrieved on 2006-02-14.
- ^ a b GameSpot Staff (2000). 15 Most Influential Games of All Time / Ultima III: Exodus. GameSpot. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Ackerman, Kyle (2002). The Saga Behind the Sagas: Interplay and the Business of Gaming. Frictionless Insight. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Navarre Corporation Completes $12.5 Million Private Placement. Navarre Corporation (2003). Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ SEGA-AM2 Co., LTD.. MobyGames. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Spy Hunter. KLOV.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Dragon's Lair. KLOV.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Star Wars. KLOV.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Gyruss. KLOV.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Classic Gaming Expo - Don Daglow. Classic Gaming Expo (2005). Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Underdogs. M.U.L.E.. Home of the Underdogs. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Cassidy, William (2002). Hall of Fame / Pinball Construction Set. GameSpy.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Broad, Andrew (2006). Manic Miner/Jet Set Willy. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Fragmaster. Game of the Week / E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. ClassicGaming.com. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Sega SC-3000 / SG-1000. Obscure Pixels. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Klein, Eric S.. Coleco Adam. Eric Klein's Vintage Computers. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
- ^ Player 3 Stage 3: Contender to the Throne. The Dot Eaters. Retrieved on 14 February, 2006.
