Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Adventure, Strategy
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): The Atari Game That Crashed the Video Game Industry
Released in 1982, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600 is widely regarded as one of the worst video games ever made. It is often cited as a major contributing factor to the video game industry crash of 1983.
The game was based on the popular film of the same name, and was developed and published by Atari in just five weeks. This rushed development schedule led to a number of problems with the game, including poor graphics, repetitive gameplay, and frustrating difficulty.
The objective of the game is to guide E.T. through various screens to collect three pieces of an interplanetary telephone that will allow him to contact his home planet. However, the gameplay is extremely repetitive and frustrating. E.T. moves slowly and clumsily, and the player must constantly avoid pits and enemies.
The game was also plagued by a number of glitches and bugs. For example, E.T. could sometimes get stuck in the ground, or he could fall off the screen and die. These bugs made the game even more frustrating and difficult to play.
Atari’s aggressive marketing campaign for E.T. raised expectations for the game, but the poor quality of the final product led to widespread disappointment. The game sold poorly, and Atari was forced to bury millions of unsold cartridges in a landfill in New Mexico.
The failure of E.T. had a devastating impact on the video game industry. Atari’s reputation was damaged, and consumer confidence in video games was shaken. The industry crashed in 1983, and it took several years for it to recover.
The Legacy of E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is often cited as the worst video game ever made. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of rushing a game to market, and the importance of quality control.
The game has also become a pop culture icon. It has been featured in numerous books, articles, and documentaries about the video game industry. In 2014, a documentary film about the game, entitled “Atari: Game Over,” was released.
Conclusion
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a fascinating and cautionary tale about the video game industry. It is a reminder that even the most hyped games can fail, and that quality is more important than quantity.
Additional Information
- Developer: Atari, Inc.
- Publisher: Atari, Inc.
- Release date: December 1982
- Genre: Adventure
- Platform: Atari 2600
Review Scores
- IGN: 0/10
- GameSpot: 1/10
- Metacritic: 0/100
Sales
- North America: 1.5 million copies
- Worldwide: 2.5 million copies
Awards
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Video Game (1983)
Trivia
- The game was developed in just five weeks.
- Atari produced 5 million cartridges of the game, but only 1.5 million copies were sold.
- The unsold cartridges were buried in a landfill in New Mexico in 1983.
- The game has been featured in numerous books, articles, and documentaries about the video game industry.
Review Score
0/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
