A Rush to Release
In 1982, Atari rushed to release a game adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s hit film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Developer Howard Scott Warshaw was given only five weeks to create the game, an unusually tight deadline for a project of its size.
A Disastrous Debut
When the game hit shelves in December, players were disappointed. Confusing mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and frustrating controls led to widespread frustration.
Mass Burial in the Desert
E.T. was a commercial failure, selling far below Atari’s expectations and contributing to the company’s significant financial losses. In 1983, Atari decided to bury unsold cartridges in a New Mexico landfill.
The Game Uncovered
For years, the burial was considered an urban legend. In 2014, a team of archaeologists confirmed the story when they unearthed thousands of E.T. cartridges in the New Mexico desert, cementing its reputation as the “worst game ever.”
The 1982 Video Game Disaster That Shook Atari 🕹️
A Rush to Release
In 1982, Atari rushed to release a game adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s hit film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Developer Howard Scott Warshaw was given only five weeks to create the game, an unusually tight… pic.twitter.com/snsj5RWRHf— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) September 11, 2024