Where is Atari Buried? The Story Behind the Infamous Game Cartridge Graveyard
The question isn’t necessarily metaphorical, but rather a literal inquiry: Where is Atari buried? The answer lies in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This isn’t a burial of the company itself, but rather a reference to the infamous mass disposal of Atari video game cartridges in 1983, a moment that has become a legendary, almost mythical, tale in gaming history. The site, now partially excavated, remains a potent symbol of the video game industry’s boom and bust cycles. This event wasn’t just about a company’s misfortunes, it also speaks to the rapid innovation and subsequent market saturation that defined the early days of video games.
The Great Game Burial: A Monument to Mismanagement
In September of 1983, Atari, once the undisputed king of the video game world, found itself drowning in a surplus of unsold game cartridges. Faced with the logistical nightmare and financial burden of storing these unwanted games, the company decided on a rather drastic solution: they would bury them. The location chosen was a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico, far away from their El Paso, Texas warehouse where they were being stored. This choice wasn’t made out of a lack of space, but rather, to prevent scavenging, protecting the company’s image and avoiding the possibility of the games being resold at discounted rates.
The most commonly cited reason for the surplus was the spectacular failure of the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game for the Atari 2600. This game, infamous for its rushed development and poor gameplay, is often considered the worst video game ever made, and contributed significantly to Atari’s financial woes. However, while E.T. was a significant part of the problem, the burial wasn’t solely comprised of this title, many other games, including even some successful ones and also non-functioning parts were also discarded.
The legend grew over the following decades. Whispers of millions of cartridges buried in the desert were told and retold, often with no actual evidence to verify the rumors. This event cemented itself in gaming folklore as a monument to the industry’s tendency towards overproduction and the swift and ruthless disposal of unsuccessful products. For years, the exact location of the landfill was lost to time, further adding to the mystery and myth surrounding the burial.
Unearthing the Truth: The 2014 Excavation
The truth behind the legend was finally unearthed in 2014, when a team of documentary filmmakers, along with former Atari manager James Heller, received permission to excavate a portion of the landfill. This dig unearthed over 1,300 cartridges, and according to Heller, this was only a small part of the 728,000 games and other spare parts that were buried at the site. This excavation not only confirmed the veracity of the legend but also shed light on the scale and complexity of the problem Atari was facing at the time.
The unearthed games included not only E.T. cartridges but also many copies of other titles, proving that the burial was a consequence of overproduction rather than just the failure of one disastrous title. The event attracted global attention, highlighting the lasting fascination and curiosity about this notorious moment in gaming history. The recovery of the buried cartridges became a powerful reminder of the volatility of the video game market.
The excavation not only verified the truth behind the legend but also allowed for the historical and archaeological examination of the site. It offered a real, tangible connection to a key moment in the history of video games and allowed people to learn about the boom and bust of the early gaming industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Atari Burial
Here are some frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of the Atari burial:
What prompted Atari to bury their games?
Atari was facing a severe overstock of unsold game cartridges and sought to prevent them from being scavenged, which could have further hurt their already plummeting sales. Additionally, the cost of storing the inventory was becoming a significant financial burden.
Did Atari bury 3.5 million game cartridges?
The long-standing legend claimed that Atari buried millions of cartridges, sometimes as many as 3.5 million. However, the 2014 excavation revealed the actual number to be closer to 728,000 cartridges and spare parts. The original claim was highly exaggerated, however, the number is still quite substantial, especially considering this was only a portion of what was believed to be buried.
What game was primarily buried in the landfill?
While E.T. is widely considered the main culprit, the landfill also contained copies of many other games. The overproduction was widespread, not limited to just one specific title. The excavated cartridges revealed a broad variety of titles in addition to a large number of non-functional game parts.
Why was the E.T. game such a failure?
The E.T. game’s rushed development schedule, coupled with poor gameplay, led to massive unpopularity and a huge surplus. It’s often cited as a prime example of how not to develop a video game and remains one of the most notorious games in history.
Did other companies bury games like Atari?
While other game companies have had their share of unsold inventory, no other case rivals the sheer scale and notoriety of the Atari burial. It is considered a uniquely extreme response to a business problem, and has become a significant part of the gaming history.
How much money did Atari lose due to the E.T. fiasco?
While E.T. was a significant factor, Atari lost a staggering $539 million in the year following its release, due to multiple factors and mismanagement in addition to the failure of E.T. The E.T. game contributed substantially to the financial collapse of the company.
What were some other factors that led to Atari’s downfall?
Besides E.T., Atari also faced issues of overproduction, increased competition, and internal management problems. They also arguably flooded the market with too many consoles and game titles. Atari also granted too much freedom to third-party developers which was also a major reason for their collapse
How much did Atari sell for after the collapse?
Atari was sold in 1998 to Hasbro Interactive for just $5 million, a drastic drop from its initial value. This sale came after several ownership changes following the initial financial losses.
What happened to Atari after the 1983 crash?
The company was split into several divisions, with the consumer division being sold to Jack Tramiel and rebranded as Atari Corporation. The remaining parts of the company was renamed Atari Games Inc. which would eventually be shut down in 2003.
Does Atari still exist today?
The Atari brand is currently owned by the French company Atari SA (formerly Infogrames) and operates through the subsidiary Atari Interactive. While the company is no longer the same as its 1980s counterpart, the legacy remains a strong one.
What was the last Atari 2600 game released?
The last licensed Atari 2600 game released in North America were Ikari Warriors, MotoRodeo, Sentinel, and Xenophobe in 1991. The final licensed games in Europe were Klax and Acid Drop in 1990 and 1992 respectively.
Which game is considered the best-selling on the Atari 2600?
The best-selling game on the Atari 2600 is Pac-Man, which was a port of the original arcade game. Despite some criticisms of its gameplay, it sold very well due to its name recognition.
Was the Dig Dug game made by Atari?
Dig Dug was originally developed by Namco in 1981, but it was distributed in North America by Atari, Inc. in 1982. The game was a successful title for both Namco and Atari.
What rare Atari game was discovered at Goodwill?
A very rare copy of the game “Air Raid” was discovered at a Goodwill store and later auctioned off for over $10,000. This find illustrates the continued demand for rare and collectible Atari games.
How much are the buried E.T. cartridges worth today?
Unearthed copies of E.T. cartridges from the landfill have become collectors’ items, with some auctions netting over $108,000. Despite being labeled as the worst game of all time, the association with the legend has given the game a strange kind of value.
The Atari burial site, therefore, is not merely a landfill, but a historical site, a tangible testament to the highs and lows of a groundbreaking industry, and a lesson on the pitfalls of overproduction and mismanagement. It continues to fascinate and serve as a reminder that even the biggest names in technology can fall.