Atari Design: Impressions on Coin-Operated Video Game Machines

Atari Design explores the role of Atari's industrial and graphic designers in shaping the video game machine and its impact on everyday visual and material culture. It highlights the company's innovative game design and its success in developing products for various environments, transforming game-play into a ubiquitous social and cultural experience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Atari Design: A Comprehensive Exploration of Atari's Industrial and Graphic Designers' Contributions to the Video Game Machine
Atari Design is a comprehensive exploration of the industrial and graphic designers who contributed to the development of the video game machine. Drawing from deep archival research and extensive interviews, the book reveals how Atari's designers played a pivotal role in shaping the growth of the video game industry.

Innovative game design was a key factor in Atari's success, with games like Pong, Asteroids, and beyond setting new standards for gameplay. However, what set Atari apart from its competitors was its innovative approach to the coin-op machine's cabinet. Atari not only created games but also designed products for various environments, transforming the look and feel of game cabinets for new locations such as fast food restaurants, department stores, country clubs, university unions, and airports. This innovative approach to product design impacted the everyday visual and material culture of the late 20th century, making game-play a ubiquitous social and cultural experience.

Atari's designers were not just focused on creating games; they were also passionate about shaping the interaction between the user and the machine. They overcame styling limitations and generated a distinct corporate identity that set Atari apart from its competitors. This attention to design extended beyond the game cabinets themselves, with Atari's products influencing the overall visual and material culture of the late 20th century.

Design was never an afterthought at Atari. The company's founders recognized the importance of design in creating a successful product, and they invested significant resources in hiring talented designers and engineers. Atari's design philosophy was centered around creating products that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and this philosophy was reflected in every aspect of the company's products.

Atari's designers were not afraid to take risks and experiment with new technologies. They were among the first to use color graphics in video games, and they developed innovative game controllers that revolutionized the way people played games. They also pioneered the use of digital sound in video games, creating immersive and realistic soundscapes that enhanced the gameplay experience.

Despite its success, Atari faced several challenges throughout its history. The rise of personal computers in the 1980s led to a decline in the popularity of arcade games, and Atari struggled to adapt to the changing market. The company was also plagued by financial problems, and it eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1996.

However, Atari's legacy continues to live on. The company's games and consoles have become iconic, and they have inspired countless developers and gamers around the world. Atari's design philosophy has also been adopted by many other companies, and it has been used to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In conclusion, Atari Design is a comprehensive exploration of the industrial and graphic designers who contributed to the development of the video game machine. The book reveals how Atari's designers played a pivotal role in shaping the growth of the video game industry, and it highlights the importance of design in creating a successful product. Atari's legacy continues to live on, and its games and consoles have become iconic, inspiring countless developers and gamers around the world.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 369 x 234 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474284554