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E.T. Excavation Documentary "Atari: Game Over" Debuts With Rough Cut At Comic Con 2014


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Posted
Microsoft offered Comic Con attendees an early look at Atari: Game Over the upcoming documentary ostensibly about the fabled Atari 2600 E.T. game.

 

Though much has been made about the unearthing of buried Atari cartridges in the New Mexico desert, it does not prove to be the film's most prominent focus. While the burial is present throughout, the film goes on to tell a larger story of the incredible rise and fall of Atari, once the fastest growing company in American history.

 

The documentary mostly follows the story of Howard Scott Warshaw who serves as the film's protagonist. Warshaw was the designer responsible for some of Atari's best selling cartridges like Yars' Revenge, but has always been remembered as the man who created the much maligned E.T. for the Atari 2600 - completing it in just under two months at Atari's behest, in time to have the E.T. cartridge in stores by Christmas 1982.

 

Other interviews include former Atari executives such as Manny Gerard, the man responsible for discovering, acquiring, and overseeing Atari for Warner Communications; and Nolan Bushnell who co-founded Atari in 1972. The film's director Zak Penn is present throughout the film as he attempts to uncover Atari's history in the New Mexico desert.

 

The documentary is being produced as part of Microsoft's "Xbox Entertainment Studios" project (recently announced to close up shop in coming months) to bring exclusive content to Xbox Live subscribers. Director Zak Penn was in attendance at Comic Con to answer questions and introduce the film. Joining him was Howard Scott Warshaw who received a roaring standing ovation from the crowd.

 

The film is set to be released Fall 2014 to Xbox Live Gold subscribers.

 

You can view this article on the Blog here: http://www.atari.io/?p=1894

 


Posted

Very interesting. How many games were actually unearthed?

881 sold

23 to museums

100 to film company

297 on hold for next film

1301 total

 

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/unearthed-e-t-atari-games-sell-for-108-000-at-auction-20150830#ixzz3kJut8JOc

Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew

author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne

Posted

297 on hold for next film?

They are planning a second documentary film .......... just when it will be done is the question......... 

Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew

author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne

Posted

297 on hold for next film?

Operational Consultant Joe Lewandowski, "There's 297 we're still holding in an archive that we'll sell at a later date when we decide what to do with them," he said. "I might sell those if a second movie comes out but for now we're just holding them." In a previous Daily News article, Lewandowski stated that he is still planning on making a second film but has not made anything official.

"I have a bunch of stories in this story book I hope to use some day and I have all their addresses and contacts. If it works out it would be fun to cruise around with a movie camera and film all these people," he said. Lewandowski said he does not have a title for the film yet but is also looking for the ripple effect of the Atari burial.

http://archive.alamogordonews.com/alamogordo-news/ci_28718697/final-atari-sale-is-no-urban-legend

 

Who knows IF there really will be a second film???

Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew

author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne

Posted

An Open Letter to Atari, SA and the State of New Mexico

 

http://archaeogaming.com/2015/10/27/an-open-letter-to-atari-sa-and-the-state-of-new-mexico/

Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew

author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne

Posted

Brian Matherne - owner/curator of "The MOST comprehensive list of Atari VCS/2600 homebrews ever compiled." http://tiny.cc/Atari2600Homebrew

author of "The Atari 2600 Homebrew Companion" book series available on Amazon! www.amazon.com/author/brianmatherne

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