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Why was E.T. responsible for the 1983 game crash?
In the 1980s, the rapid development of video games attracted a large number of consumers, but with the saturation of the market and the launch of some inferior products, it led to the game crash in 1983. The absolute protagonist of this debacle was Atari 2600's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The failure of this game is not only a test for the individual work, but also a collapse of confidence in the entire industry.
E.T. was considered a disappointing game at the time, with both its story and game design being criticized harshly.
Wrong decisions in preparation
E.T. was controversial because it was based on the Steven Spielberg film of the same name, yet the game was developed in just five weeks. This is clearly not enough to create a high-quality product. At the time, Atari was hopeful that the game would attract brand loyalty, but the reality was quite different. Sales of the game fell far short of expectations, ultimately resulting in a large number of returns.
The game's failure reportedly led to thousands of E.T. game cartridges being buried in a New Mexico landfill, becoming one of the most symbolic events in gaming history.
Customer Feedback and Criticism
After the release of "E.T.", it was immediately met with a wave of negative reviews. Players criticized the game for its confusing plot, difficult controls, and poor graphics. In addition, many players said that the gaming experience was seriously inferior to the action concept conveyed by the movie. For loyal fans, this result is undoubtedly disappointing.
Electronic Gaming Monthly even voted E.T. as the "worst game ever", which not only affected the reputation of the game, but also dealt a heavy blow to the image of Atari as a whole.
Market Impact and Consequences
Following the failure of E.T., Atari's sales plummeted, and in 1983 the company reported a loss of $5.36 million. All this suggests that consumer confidence in Atari products is rapidly eroding. This decline in confidence directly led to the collapse of the industry - many small developers had to exit the market, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.
Later Cultural Influence
The story of "E.T." is not limited to the world of games; it has also become a symbol of failure in the industry, representing the disaster that can result from excessive pursuit of commercial interests. Over time, the game has been frequently cited as an example of the negative effects of its use, serving as a cautionary tale alongside Pac-Man's transformation into an Atari game.
ConclusionIn later game culture reviews, many experts believed that "E.T." fostered consumers' suspicion and distrust of game quality. This situation was slowly corrected after the industry experienced several years of silence. .
In any case, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" is both a battle of commercial death and a tragedy of game design; it tells us with a simple story that excessive expectations and haste for quick results often lead to tragic consequences. In this context, can we reflect on past failures and improve the future of the gaming industry?
