History of video games/Platforms/Vectrex

History thumb|The Vectrex logotype. Development and Launch thumb|The Vectrex game Blitz Development of the system began in 1980, as a way for the company Smith Engineering to use surplus one inch cathode ray tube displays that several employees found at an electronics store while out for lunch. Initially a handheld, the system was redesigned in 1981 to have a nine inch display and be a tabletop unit. Debuted at CES in 1982 and received positively, the console launched in November of that year at a cost of $199.History of Consoles-Vectrex (1982) Gamester 81 https://gamester81.com/history-of-consoles-vectrex-1982/ 23 October 2020Vectrex by GCE – The Video Game Kraken http://videogamekraken.com/vectrex 23 October 2020 Crash Initially the system sold well, which lead to it being acquired by Milton Bradley, and further leading to the price of Milton Bradley stock doubling. The Vectrex saw its national launch in Spring of 1983. Due to the Video game Crash of 1983 sales suffered. In 1983 price of the system was reduced twice, once to $150, and then again to $100. These issues were compounded by poor sales of the Vectrex internationally.Milton Bradley Expects Deficit https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/15/business/milton-bradley-expects-deficit.html 7 August 2021 The New York Times 15 November 1983 Discontinuation Most histories cite the discontinuation date of the Vectrex as 1984A History of Gaming Platforms: The Vectrex https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3117/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_the_.php 23 October 2020 www.gamasutra.com en following the large costs the system incurred on Milton Bradley, about 16.5 million dollars, and their subsequent 1984 merger with Hasbro. Some sources claim that it was Hasbro who made the decision to discontinue the system. However two articles in the New York Times of early 1984 claim it was discontinued prior to the acquisitionJones Alex S. RIVAL GETS MILTON BRADLEY https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/05/business/rival-gets-milton-bradley.html 7 August 2021 The New York Times 5 May 1984 in late 1983.Wiggins Phillip H. TAKEOVER RUMORS SPUR MILTON BRADLEY STOCK https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/05/business/takeover-rumors-spur-milton-bradley-stock.html?searchResultPosition=4 7 August 2021 The New York Times 5 April 1984 Other contemporary sources seemingly paint a different picture, though perhaps not a mutually exclusive one, with at least one late 1984 magazine article discussing the recent discontinuation of the system, and a then current demand for remaining stock.Worley Joyce Farewell to the Vectrex Electronic Games Monthly September 1984 A January 30th, 1984 Wall Street Journal article reported the Vectrex had been discontinued recently.Milton Bradley posts fourth-quarter loss and closes GCE unit. The Wall Street Journal Eastern Edition January 30th, 1984 Renewed Interest thumb|An association football (Soccer) game running on the Vectrex, an example of the vector graphics the system was capable of. Following the discontinuation of the Vectrex, Smith Engineering regained the rights to the system and attempted to redevelop it as a handheld in 1988.Home Page https://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg80-vectrex.htm#page=reviews Video Game Console Library 23 October 2020 The revised system was scrapped due to a price exceeding $100. A surviving and operational portable system system exists at the National Videogame Museum in Frisco, Texas.Gallagher Danny NVM Finds a Portable Gaming Console You've Never Heard of Unless You Worked for Vectrex https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-national-video-game-museum-in-frisco-has-a-mini-vectrex-11465106 23 October 2020 Dallas Observer 16 January 2019Mini Vectrex Prototype Restored By National Videogame Museum https://hackaday.com/2018/11/28/mini-vectrex-prototype-restored-by-national-videogame-museum/ 23 October 2020 Hackaday 29 November 2018 Jay Smith required the rights to the system in 1996 and released the rights to the Vectrex to the public for non profit use in 1996. Hobbyists created upgrades for the system, such as a 2017 project that adds a 32 bit coprocessor expansion to improve system graphics.32-Bit Processing For The Vectrex Arcade System https://hackaday.com/2017/04/12/32-bit-processing-for-the-vectrex-arcade-system/ 23 October 2020 Hackaday 12 April 2017 In early May 2020, an open source clone of the Vectrex called Scopetrex was designed, and can to be used with an oscilloscope as a vector display.Scopetrex Is A Game Console… For Your Oscilloscope! https://hackaday.com/2020/05/07/scopetrex-is-a-game-console-for-your-oscilloscope/ 9 February 2021 Hackaday 7 May 2020schlae/scopetrex https://github.com/schlae/scopetrex/commits GitHub 9 February 2021 en Technology The Vectrex CPU was a Motorola 68A09 clocked at 1.6MHz. The Vectrex had 1 kilobyte of RAM, split across two four bit chips. Software cartridges contained 8 kilobytes of ROM. The built in display is a monochrome Samsung 240RB40, which has a size of 9 inches by 11 inches.vectrexmuseum.com - Dedicated to Vectrex Arcade Game System http://vectrexmuseum.com/vectrexsystem.php vectrexmuseum.com 23 October 2020 A General Instrument AY-3-8912 is used for audio. A prototype for Vectrex with a monitor capable of displaying one of three different colors at a time was made, but never released on the market.Hawken Kieren 10 Unreleased Video Game Consoles You Never Knew Existed https://whatculture.com/gaming/10-unreleased-video-game-consoles-you-never-knew-existed?page=7 5 February 2021 WhatCulture.com 9 May 2016 enColor Vectrex prototype https://vectrex.fandom.com/wiki/Color_Vectrex_prototype Vectrex Wiki 5 February 2021 en The Vectrex was the first home console to use an analog controller. The joystick was self centering.OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=2&c=1018 www.old-computers.com 23 October 2020 An optional second controller could be used. An optional light pen and 3D Glasses were released for the system.Loguidice Bill A History of Gaming Platforms: The Vectrex https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/a-history-of-gaming-platforms-the-vectrex 3 May 2022 Game Developer 17 December 2007 enBarton Matt Loguidice Bill Gamasutra - A History of Gaming Platforms: The Vectrex https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3117/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_the_.php?print=1 3 May 2022 www.gamasutra.com Notable games thumb|A Starhawk Vectrex cartridge. 28 games were released for the system during its production. 1982 Armor Attack Mine Storm Rip Off Scramble Solar Quest 1983 Spike - Featured voice synthesis and a mascot character. 3D Crazy Coaster Mr. Boston's Clean Sweep A limited production game meant to promote liquor, with only 4 or 5 copies known to exist.10 Rarest Console Exclusive Games (& How Much They're Worth) https://www.thegamer.com/rarest-console-exclusive-games-how-much-worth/ 20 May 2021 TheGamer 2020-05-11Notte Jason 10 Classic Video Games Still Raking In Cash https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/10-classic-video-games-still-raking-in-cash-11746012 20 May 2021 TheStreet en-us Gallery Console Controller Internals References Vectrex Vectrex 2100%__NOTOC__