Video Game Newsroom Time Machine Karl Kuras

Acorn and Commodore soar, as Coleco and Atari falter
Software takes center stage in PC clone world
UK game prices hit rock bottom
 
These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!
 
This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in April 1984.
As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.
 
Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/
and order his book here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book
 
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
 
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
 
Send comments on Mastodon @videogamenewsroomtimemachine@oldbytes.space
Or
twitter @videogamenewsr2
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videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
 
Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/106448718
 
7 Minutes in Heaven: Atic Atac
Video Version:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-106323507
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atic_Atac
    https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-04-26/page/n1/mode/1up
 
Corrections:
March 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-1984-104469980
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
    
 
1954    
Kefauver hearing puts pressure on comics industry
    https://www.nytimes.com/1954/04/20/archives/comicbook-hearing-to-start-tomorrow.html
    https://www.nytimes.com/1954/04/23/archives/senator-charges-deceit-on-comics-kefauver-says-child-study-groups.html    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estes_Kefauver
 
1964    
IBM announces the 360
    https://x.com/kenshirriff/status/1777022892477239724
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360
 
1974    
Sega becomes American
https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_41/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater
    https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/
 
Mirco Games brings freeplay to video
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_42/page/50/mode/1up?view=theater
    
Sam Stern urges industry to go to 25 cent play
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_43/page/35/mode/1up?view=theater
 
David Gottlieb, RIP
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_43/page/35/mode/1up?view=theater
 
1984
Atari losses fall
    Post Net Income of $30.9 Million, The Associated Press, April 19, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Business News  
    Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Atari in Trouble Again
    https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/19/business/warner-severs-tie-with-ladd-warner-communications.html
 
Banks cut Coleco credit line
    https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/03/business/coleco-says-banks-cut-its-credit.html?searchResultPosition=1
    Coleco reports rebound from last quarter's loss, United Press International, April 17, 1984, Tuesday, BC cycle
 
Commodore sales skyrocket!
    https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/27/business/profit-off-at-xerox-sperry-up.html
    Toy & Hobby World, April 1984 pg. 12
 
Acorn revenues soar!
    https://archive.org/details/AcornUser021-Apr84/page/n8/mode/1up
 
TI turn-around unprecedented
    Newsbytes, April 17, 1984, Texas Instruments Update
 
Milton Bradley returns to profitability
    Milton Bradley Show

Sega previews Saturn at CES,
Commodore warns of bankruptcy &
Doom brings corporate networks to their knees
 
These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!
 
This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in March 1994.
As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.
 
Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/
and order his book here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book
 
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
 
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
 
Send comments on Mastodon @videogamenewsroomtimemachine@oldbytes.space
Or
twitter @videogamenewsr2
Or
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm
Or
videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
 
Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/105189897
 
7 Minutes in Heaven: Mega Turrican
Video Version:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/104910543
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/16645/mega-turrican/
 
Corrections:
February 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/february-1994-103514526
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicktoons
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famicom_Disk_System
 
1994:
Coinop goes BIG!
    Edge March 1994, pg. 16
 
Coinop goes small
    Edge March 1994, pg. 14
    https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2021/03/zool-arcade/
 
Daytona gets new name
    Play Meter, March 1994, pg. 1
 
Irem shuts down arcade division
    Play Meter, March 1994, pg. 1
 
Karaoke goes CD
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox57unse_22/page/38/mode/1up?view=theater
    
US Rating System to be in place by Xmas
    VIDEO-GAME MAKERS WILL SET UP SYSTEM FOR RATING PRODUCTS, WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 7, 1994, Monday, Section: Section B; Page 7, Column 6
 
UK Rating system to start in March
    https://archive.org/details/AmigaFormatMagazine_201902/Amiga_Format_Issue_057_1994_03_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n21/mode/2up
 
3DO issues ratings system
    https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n10/mode/1up?view=theater    
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/1824/hell-a-cyberpunk-thriller/cover/group-13661/cover-30908/
 
Current NextGen falters at CES
    Edge, March 1994, pg. 6
 
Sega Previews Saturn
    https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20056%20%28March%201994%29/page/n57/mode/2up   
    Edge, March 1994, pg. 6
 
Nintendo fools no one with SGi demos
    Edge, March 1994, pg. 6
 
Acclaim The Duel demo details
    https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-03/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater
    Gregory Fischbach Part 2 - Acclaim - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47720122
    Gregory Fischbach Part 1 - Activision - Acclaim - https://www.patreon.com/posts/46578120
 
3D tool makers show wares at CES
    https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/15/mode/1up?view=theater
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavefront_Technologies  
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softimage_3D
    https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1994-03/page/17/mode/1up?view=theater
 
Sega of America announces 32X
    MONIT

Pizza Time goes bust,
Amiga announces a computer &
Nintendo launches the VS
 
These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!
 
This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in March 1984.
As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.
 
Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/
and order his book here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book
 
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:  https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
 
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
 
Send comments on Mastodon @videogamenewsroomtimemachine@oldbytes.space
Or
twitter @videogamenewsr2
Or
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm
Or
videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
 
Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-1984-104469980
 
7 Minutes in Heaven: Dolphin's Rune/Dolphin's Pearl
Video Version:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/104389483
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/21190/the-dolphins-pearl/
    Game Manual: https://archive.org/details/c64man_dolphins-rune
    Ecco the Dolphin 7 Minutes in Heaven: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-80192007



Corrections:
February 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/february-1984-102404099
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-la-pinball-or/145438040/
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-san-francisco/145438150/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance_Electronic_Disc
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/38079/cosmic-chasm/
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/82890/cube-quest/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomy_Tutor
    https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/a/15340
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80186#In_personal_computers
 
1974:
Atari introduces Gran Track 10
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_37/page/58/mode/1up?view=theater    
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_38/page/54/mode/1up?view=theater
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_36/page/52/mode/2up
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYcNvAAeu6k
    https://www.facebook.com/100057102354061/videos/1111919918819701/
 
Wurlitzer ends manufacturing
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_37/page/59/mode/1up?view=theater
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox35unse_35/page/44/mode/1up?view=theater
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer
 
1984:
Laserdisc games galore!
    https://archive.org/details/198403VideoGamesExpress/mode/1up   
    Play Meter 15th, 1984, pg. 56
    Replay March 1984, pg. 10
    https://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/
 
Centuri turns it around
    No Headline In Original, PR Newswire, March 14, 1984, Wednesday, Dateline: HIALEAH, Fla., March 14
 
The battle begins with Sente vs. VS!
    Replay March 1984, pg. 10
    https://sergiostuff.com/category/nintendo-vs-dualsystem/
    https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/punch-out
 
Exidy goes interchangeable
    Replay March 1984, pg. 10
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exidy#First_Star_Software_games
    https://www.classicarcademuseum.org/exidy-max-a-flex-system
    https://www.a

The history of 80s and 90s game magazines is filled with big names like Computer Gaming World, Weekly Famitsu, Computer and Video Games, Micromania, and, a name that makes German speaking gamers of a particular vintage extremely nostalgic, Power Play.
In this second part of our interview, Michael tells us how he left Power Play to join a major German games publisher, founded a hint guide and magazine publisher of his own making guides of Eidos' Tomb Raider series and Nintendo's Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask, before becoming a freelance producer for games around the world.  We also discuss the ever changing games landscape, evolving business models and his return to  writing about games for the German edition of Retro Gamer magazine and games news website Gamers Global.
Recorded: January-February 2024
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:      https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2
Or
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm
Or
videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
Links
Video version of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/michael-hengst-2-99546529
Michael Hengst Interview Part 1:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/michael-hengst-1-98828923
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomico
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Arts
Das Trickwerk company website - https://web.archive.org/web/20020523194549/http://www.dastrickwerk.de/
Games and More magazine - http://www.kultmags.com/mags.php?folder=R2FtZXMgYW5kIE1vcmU=
Majora's Mask Strategy Guide, German - https://archive.org/details/spieleberater_zeldaMM/page/n2/mode/1up?view=theater
News about Das Trickwerk insolvency - https://kress.de/news/beitrag/64369-grundsolide-sollte-so-eine-auflagenmeldung-sein-und-nicht-wacklig-und-windschief-weshalb-diese-farbige-metapher-nun-es-geht-um-das-segment-der-bauzeitschriften-wolfgang-kriwan-gesch-ftsf-hrer-des-fellbacher-fachschriften-verlags-u-a-quot-bauen-quot-quot-bauen-amp-renovieren-quot-quot-junge-h-user-quot-legte-beim-studium-der-aktuellen-ivw-auflagen-quartalsmeldungen-die-stirn-in-falten-w-hrend-die-fachschriften-zeitschrift-quot-althaus-moderni.html
https://www.mobygames.com/company/1546/jowood-entertainment-ag/
https://www.mobygames.com/person/90376/michael-hengst/
https://www.mobygames.com/company/14422/gameforge-productions-gmbh/
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-and-epic-games-fortnite/
https://www.retro-gamer.de/
https://www.gamersglobal.de/
https://www.gamersglobal.de/meinung/der-fixer#comment-2999823
Copyright Karl Kuras

The world goes ga-ga over game violence;
Sega reports horrible losses &
Doom redefines PC gaming!
These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM
This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in February 1994. 
As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.
Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/
and order his book here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:      https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
Send comments on Mastodon @videogamenewsroomtimemachine@oldbytes.space
Or
twitter @videogamenewsr2
Or
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm
Or
videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/103514526
7 Minutes in Heaven: Batman The Animated Series
Video Version:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/103482653
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/5525/batman-the-animated-series/
Corrections:
January 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/january-1994-100523595
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
    https://ko-fi.com/post/PC-FX-Sales-W7W1SYM97
    https://archive.org/details/AtariCorporationAnnualReport1994

1994:
Atari launches showcase 33
    https://archive.org/details/cashbox57unse_18/page/33/mode/1up
Taito goes 3D
    Sanyo Links With Taito On 3-D Video Game System, Newsbytes News Network, February 23, 1994
Aussie's launch game regulations
    CRACKDOWN ON VIDEO GAMES, COURIER-MAIL, February 15, 1994 Tuesday
British politicians target sex and violence in games and anime
    British politicians try to curb Japanese 'manga', Japan Economic Newswire, FEBRUARY 17, 1994, THURSDAY
Knesset bill calls for game censorship
    KNESSET BRIEFS, The Jerusalem Post, February 17, 1994, Thursday, NEWS; Pg. 14
Singapore moves to ban games
    Ban on video games with too much violence and sex, Agence France Presse -- English, February 19, 1994 08:02 Eastern Time
Video game violence scare reaches China 
    JOJO MOYES reports on recent allegations linking brutality and pornography in video games and real life violence., South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), February 20, 1994, Sunday Edition; Pg. 4
Sega takes the lead!
    Sega gains in key video-game segment, United Press International, February 14, 1994, Monday, BC cycle
Sega enters electronics market
    Sega to break into electronic notebook market, Japan Economic Newswire, FEBRUARY 14, 1994, MONDAY    
    Sega Moves Into Electronic Toys;  Lead Item Is a Learning Aid, Pico, A Hit Among Japanese Preschool Set ADWEEK, February 14, 1994, All Southeast EditionSouthwest EditionWestern Advertising News Edition, Section: CLIENT NEWS    
    https://segaretro.org/IR_7000_Communicator
Howard Lincoln becomes Chairman of the Board
    Howard Lincoln appointed chairman of the board of Nintendo of America, Inc., Business Wire, February 15, 1994, Tuesday     
    NINTENDO NAMES NEW CHIEF IN COMEBACK BID, Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), February 16, 1994, Wednesday, Section: News; Pg. P2D
    Nintendo plots leap over Sega, USA TODAY, February 16, 1994, Wednesday, FINAL EDITION, Section: MONEY; Pg. 1B
Sega drops forecasts
    Nikkei closes week on a higher note, Financial Times (London,England), February 19, 1994, Saturday, London; Section: World Stock Markets (Asia Pacific); Pg. 19    
    Sega blames s

The history of 80s and 90s game magazines is filled with big names like Computer Gaming World, Weekly Famitsu, Computer and Video Games, Micromania, and, a name that makes German speaking gamers of a particular vintage extremely nostalgic, Power Play.
Michael Hengst was a mainstay at the mag and gives us a fascinating insight into how the business worked, how games were reviewed, and sets up a career in the industry that lasts to this day.
Recorded: January-February 2024
 
Get us on your mobile device:
Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
iOS:      https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine
 
And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM
 
Send comments on twitter @videogamenewsr2
Or
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm
Or
videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com
 
Links
Video version of the interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/michael-hengst-1-98828923
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Power_Play
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markt%2BTechnik_VerlagDungeon Master Walkthrough - https://amr.abime.net/issue_1951_pages  pg. 47
Michael's first issue of Power Play, March 1989 - http://www.kultmags.com/mags.php?folder=UG93ZXIgUGxheS8xOTg5
Advanced Military Commander write-up - https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=7179 https://www.mobygames.com/game/44860/advanced-daisenryaku-doitsu-dengeki-sakusen/screenshots/
German "Index" explained - https://usk.de/en/the-usk/faqs/what-is-the-index/
Super Mario All Stars Review - https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=4091&s=2 
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Bild_Spiele
 
Copyright Karl Kuras