Nolan Bushnell Appointed to Atari Board

[Curt Vendel]

Funny you should mention that... did you also know Nolan put together a porn movie to help finance things at Atari? Seriously, you can't make this up. We are actively seeking the 8mm film to transfer to PC video - perhaps a youtube post in the future? Ya never know...

 

 

 

Curt

 

I think we can all agree on one thing here. That picture of Nolan in the hot tub on the front page has to go! It's mega creepy, it's like he's giving you 'the eye'.

 

Tempest

Yeah!Anyone notice Nolan has a striking resemblance to sleazy "SCREW MAGAZINE"editor in chief,Al Goldstein?I remember seeing the same kind of pic of Al in a hot tub with a cigar and later confusing it with the Nolan one.

[Curt Vendel]

From a "fun" standpoint - probably Nolan, but fun doesn't equal a good business man, the company was teetering on bankruptcy constantly under Nolan.

 

Ray - a textile guy running a hi-tech company? If it wasn't for Warner's injection of cash and the huge amount of marketing, Ray would've failed a lot earlier - once the 2600 took over (thankfully Nolan didn't cancel the 2600 and Warner prevailed) - Atari was on autopilot, as Mr. Scott said from Star Trek 3 "A Chimpanzee and two trainee's could run her"

 

From a business standpoint - Jack did the best job of them all. He put out new product in record breaking time, made the company solvent - repaid Warner in just 2 1/2 years - brought the company public and really turned things around. He wasn't big on advertising and he focused more on his computers then on video games and that was a fault he had, but overall, while under Jacks control (until Sam took the reigns) Atari did remarkably well.

 

 

Curt

 

I asked some questions over at the Atari forums but I don't think MartyG saw them - Do you guys think Harrison, Gardner and Blozak were ousted for the sake of Nolan? I mean it seems like a bad decision to replace three experts in modern gaming with someone who has not been involved on the scene for more than twenty years... Also Marty or Curt - who do you think ran Atari the best, Nolan, Ray or Jack?

[Curt Vendel]

Yeah I loved that one - its like anything that happens at Atari - Nolan pop's up and is like "yeah we put a lot of time and vision into it, made it really run and innovative"...

 

ummmm, errr... small problem there Nolan - that game wasn't even a doodle in someones notebook for a year AFTER you got the boot from Atari...

 

I've really grown tired of Nolan taking the credit for everything and anything successful at Atari when he had NOTHING to do with it and in many instances - like Missile Command - he wasn't even with Atari anymore.

 

Look at Sente in 1983 (which was Videa) - Nolan's Triumphant return into arcade games... a string of flops, the games all sucked. It wasn't until 1987 under Midway that Sente finally had a good game - Hat Trick...

 

 

 

Curt

 

The title of the thread shows an incredible bias against Nolan

 

I'll look forward to Nolan's repsonses on all the new allegations (one by one) when the books come out.

 

I'll look forward to Nolan backing up his own claimns. I'd like to see exactly how he was "involved" in the arcade version of Missile Command as he claims, when its initial proposal wasn't written until the year after he'd left the company.

 

People taking credit for other people's work pisses me right off. As a manager myself I make sure I go out of my way to allocate credit to the proper folks, always. Douche bag liars do the opposite.

[carmel_andrews]

Something that has stumped me though, concerning the whole pong/tele tennis thing, It has been said that when Nolan went to this demo of magnavox's gaming system (I guess it was somewhere in CA), He was quoted as saying 'that the built in game was NOT interesting to play, unlike his game Computer Space'

 

Question is, if this tele tennis game "wasn't interesting to play" then why did Nolan waste his time (and probably some of Atari's profits) in adapting that game for coin op play (though Mr Alcorn did the actual adapting), i can somewhat liken it to someone adapting a game like ET (and we all know what most people think about THAT game) and getting someone to adapt it for coin op play

 

Or was Nolan that devoid of any 'interesting' ideas (like the driving game that Bally had contracted him to design)

 

 

 

In relation to curts point about Tramiels time at Atari, the only 2 things I would give Tramiel credit for is Putting Atari on a more international footing and not focusing solely on atari's core market (i.e united states) and also improving 3rd party software support for some of atari's products (before tramiel, in markets outside the United States, 3rd party software support was practically non existant, especially in europe/UK)

Edited April 22, 2010 by carmel_andrews

[Cebus Capucinis]

These wont be allegations - these will be direct facts based on highly scrutinized information obtained from personal notes and memo's that we supplied through close sources, interviews and notes and memo's of close top management, and pieces of Nolan's own court testimony. We're only presenting facts, this is not an op-ed.

 

 

Curt

 

 

This statement may get you into trouble Curt. Of course I am no lawyer, but this statement could be considered libel. It is one thing to call things allegations, it is another to call things "Facts". Have you ever noticed that in talk radio, or even the news they almost always say the word "Allegedly"? Do you know why that is? It is because if they use the word "Fact" Like you just used they open themselves up for a lawsuit. See Fact is a very, very strong word. A fact is the sun rises in the morning, and 2+2 is 4. A fact is 100 percent provable. So for your sake I hope you have all your T's crossed, and all your i's dotted. I have a feeling that if Nolan ever does go after you for libel he will use this post as his center of contention, and build from there.

 

Of course again I am not a lawyer, it just reeks of something that a lawyer would jump on though.

 

Dude, did you seriously just say that Nolan Bushnell could use FACTUAL INFORMATION to sue someone for libel? The whole point of libel is that it is NOT factual and is, in fact, false representation geared toward defaming someone's character.

 

"Nolan Bushnell was forced out of Atari due to X, Y, Z [documentation provided as proof and cited]" is a FACTUAL STATEMENT.

"Nolan Bushnell was forced out of Atari for having sex with goats on his desk" is a LIBELOUS STATEMENT, although if they find that porno it might turn into a factual statement.

 

The reason they use "allegedly" is because typically in talk radio and the like they're sputtering nothing more than mere opinions and they know it. When is the last time you heard someone cite actual solid, verifiable sources of information on talk radio? To the best of my knowledge and everything Curt & Marty have said so far, everything they are putting in the book is verifiable through internal documentation, interviews, court testimonies, etc. That is why it is FACTUAL information.

 

See, the funny thing about libel is that if you can prove it is a FACT, such as saying "The sky is blue", the plaintiff has absolutely no leg to stand on. The simple fact that they are citing public records and internal company documents proves beyond doubt that these books could not be considered anything other than factual, historical record. You can cry until the cows come home to put the Preparation H on your sore ass cheeks because someone states a FACT that makes you look bad, but since it's a FACT and not an OPINION there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

 

I know you're really, really trying very hard to not let your childhood dream of rainbows and unicorns with Nolan Bushnell giving you lollipops get shattered, but you need to have some sort of fundamental grasp on legal terms before you spew out crap like that. More than anything else, if you're going to spew legalistic nonsense by defining what someone does, it generally helps if you don't define it by stating the exact OPPOSITE of what that term means. It doesn't matter whether you "say" it is a fact or not, if it's written word and it defames someone's character, it is libelous. But if it IS a fact, then it's not.

 

Here's a fun little game that you can play at home to learn the difference!

http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/

 

Though in all fairness, you do have a point. The Nolan Bushnell PR Train can't be derailed by something like a book coming out showing factual information about the reality. I would be prepared for a frivolous lawsuit from the Bushnell Reality Distortion Team if I were you guys. He's built a lot of his career around this house of cards, and I'm sure he'll be damned if something like a legitimate factual book will let that house of cards fall. It may only be in court for 5 minutes, but a lawsuit (as stated a very frivolous and stupid one) may be brewing.

[desiv]

Dude, did you seriously just say that Nolan Bushnell could use FACTUAL INFORMATION to sue someone for libel? The whole point of libel is that it is NOT factual and is, in fact, false representation geared toward defaming someone's character.

 

So, what your saying is... something about Nolan and goats???

 

desiv

[Cebus Capucinis]

Dude, did you seriously just say that Nolan Bushnell could use FACTUAL INFORMATION to sue someone for libel? The whole point of libel is that it is NOT factual and is, in fact, false representation geared toward defaming someone's character.

 

So, what your saying is... something about Nolan and goats???

 

desiv

 

Just wait until they release the tapes, then we'll all find out.

[Dan Iacovelli]

for the last time we are talking about what happened in the past we don't know if nolan has changed or not and even this is apr stunt or not.

So I say let it go, or as William Shatner said on the one snl skit about trekies at a convention: Get a Life.

[+wood_jl]

These wont be allegations - these will be direct facts based on highly scrutinized information obtained from personal notes and memo's that we supplied through close sources, interviews and notes and memo's of close top management, and pieces of Nolan's own court testimony. We're only presenting facts, this is not an op-ed.

 

 

Curt

 

 

This statement may get you into trouble Curt. Of course I am no lawyer, but this statement could be considered libel. It is one thing to call things allegations, it is another to call things "Facts". Have you ever noticed that in talk radio, or even the news they almost always say the word "Allegedly"? Do you know why that is? It is because if they use the word "Fact" Like you just used they open themselves up for a lawsuit. See Fact is a very, very strong word. A fact is the sun rises in the morning, and 2+2 is 4. A fact is 100 percent provable. So for your sake I hope you have all your T's crossed, and all your i's dotted. I have a feeling that if Nolan ever does go after you for libel he will use this post as his center of contention, and build from there.

 

Of course again I am not a lawyer, it just reeks of something that a lawyer would jump on though.

 

Wow dude. Just "Wow." It is unbelievable how far you're willing to go to defend Nolan Bushnell. I strongly suspect that you have the same amount of information as I: NONE!!!!!

 

I don't know if it's possible to evaluate someone's fondness for "Atari" or not - but if it is, I'd have to put Curt waaaaaaaaay at the top of the list, perhaps even at the top. This dude has the Atari museum, designs Atari stuff, goes to Atari shows, has a bunch of the original Atari property. I mean, I think it would be fair to call this guy "Mr. Atari." Under those circumstances, and seeing as how he's in a position to have much more detailed information than you (or I), I don't understand your attempt to defend Bushnell - with no information but just some jaded childhood fantasy. You're not a personal friend of Bushnell. Do you think he'd give a squirt of piss to help you? I'm not in a position to criticize anybody, including Bushnell. I'm just shocked at your adamant refusal to even consider that there could even be the slightest impropriety on the part of Bushnell. That's really weird, dude. You neither know the guy nor have any information; Curt, evidently, is in a position of both. I can not personally vouch for Curt's information, but I find it unbelievable that you ignore his credentials and credibility on "Atari" in maintenance of some childish fantasy; that you not only ignore relevant information but resort to "threats" in defense of your uninformed fantasy (that you'll argue to no end), is so preposterous that I'm not sure if it's laughable, or merely worthy of pity.

[+swlovinist]

Interesting thread. I for one think that Atari only has one place to go...up. A year ago there was question if they were even going to be around at all. Here is to hoping that Nolan will help Atari remember its roots and make products that do the company justice.

 

*fingers crossed*, but not expecting miracles.

Edited April 22, 2010 by swlovinist

[Cebus Capucinis]

Here is to hoping that Nolan will help Atari remember its roots and make products pornos that do the company justice.

 

*fingers crossed*, but not expecting miracles.

 

Fixed for you.

[+remowilliams]

Wow dude. Just "Wow." It is unbelievable how far you're willing to go to defend Nolan Bushnell. I strongly suspect that you have the same amount of information as I: NONE!!!!!

 

Homer really needs to pass that shit he's smoking. Powerful stuff!

[carmel_andrews]

I think you need to ask Nolan Remo...he smokes the same wacky baccy

[+wood_jl]

I think you need to ask Nolan Remo...he smokes the same wacky baccy

 

So it's not tobacco in that pipe he's smoking in the hot tub? It's leftover "ghanja" from the last Atari board meeting he attended?

[Retro Rogue]

A year ago there was question if they were even going to be around at all.

 

Where? I think you're confusing back in 2007/2008 when Atari Inc. was delisted and it's future was in jeopardy. Only that wasn't Atari, it was one of several companies using the Atari brand name from Infogrames SA (now Atari SA). The only actual Atari (Atari Interactive Inc. which actually holds the brand name and properties) has been just fine and around since 2003. And Nolan joined the board for Atari SA in France, not Atari Inc. in New York. Atari Inc. doesn't have a board since it became a full subsidiary.

 

 

Here is to hoping that Nolan will help Atari remember its roots and make products that do the company justice.

 

*fingers crossed*, but not expecting miracles.

 

They were remembering their roots just fine before him, and he's not even coming on to the board for that. He's hoping to contribute with Atari's "key growth areas of the games industry" which is the online gaming that SA and Inc have been pushing towards.

[Retro Rogue]

I think you need to ask Nolan Remo...he smokes the same wacky baccy

 

LOL, when the guy who posts the most drug induced acid tripping content on AA tells you to go see Nolan instead of him, that should tell you something.

[moycon]

but just some jaded childhood fantasy.

 

That's just it though. Many of us here have always looked up to Nolan even if most here never even met the guy.

He was the co-founder of VIDEO GAMES and a PIMP!! When he ran Atari it was peaches and cream and when he left it went into the shitter. Many here thought he was Mr. Awesome.

 

Hearing otherwise is a blow.

[Chickybaby]

It takes a while to see fiscal/financial results in a large company as residual policies fade and the new ones are completely followed/enforced.

 

For me though concrete facts take precidence over emotional habits. The products are still the same, your memories with those products still occured and are cherished. It's just we aren't kids chronologically speaking and hero worship, rose titned glasses, or blinders arent in place anymore. We can analyze all facets of a issue etc. It also doesn't mean that we still don't love the games. It's just that particular one mans factual concrete real accomplishments still stand even if as a person it's obviously debatable ie. were just smarter now and we still love our games and can appreciate more aspects of them an dthe history behind them.

[Ransom]

but just some jaded childhood fantasy.

 

That's just it though. Many of us here have always looked up to Nolan even if most here never even met the guy.

He was the co-founder of VIDEO GAMES and a PIMP!! When he ran Atari it was peaches and cream and when he left it went into the shitter. Many here thought he was Mr. Awesome.

 

Hearing otherwise is a blow.

 

Yeah. And sadly, not the type of blow certain hot-tubbing execs would have preferred back in the day.

[moycon]

most of us are just smarter now

 

 

Fixed.

[Chickybaby]

But you like me and we've been friends for many years and you've got Foxy in your front Pocket, so that must make you smart enough on some level. There's hope for you yet!

 

most of us are just smarter now

 

 

Fixed.

[carmel_andrews]

when the guy who posts the most drug induced acid tripping content on AA tells you to go see Nolan instead of him, that should tell you something

 

 

 

 

 

WTF was that in aid of

[Retro Rogue]

when the guy who posts the most drug induced acid tripping content on AA tells you to go see Nolan instead of him, that should tell you something

 

 

 

 

 

WTF was that in aid of

 

 

Humor?

[moycon]

There's hope for you yet!

 

I seriously doubt that.

 

I have decided to write my own book on Nolan however.

This book won't be based on interviews (past or present) It won't be based on records, previous employee's or partners testimonies.

No, this book will be written using the memories and thoughts of video game lovers who grew up playing Atari hours a day.

 

In my book, Nolan single handily comes up with the concept of video games and creates Atari using loose change he found in his sofa looking for munchie money. A year later he's a multi millionaire in change of an army of top notch programmers who program all of his thoughts into video games. (Little known fact from the book, Beat Em and Eat Em was in fact thought up by Nolan after he made the Atari porn movie.) After He eventually got burned out from counting all his money, (that and the cash kept getting wet since he was almost constantly pimping in his hot tub) Nolan decided to sell Atari and move on to greener pastures which he did, later re-inventing pizza and jukeboxes. After Nolan leaves, Atari is slowly ran into the ground, the only high point after he left being the year he came back and programmed Secret Quest (from his hot tub) .

 

The End.

[+jeremiahjt]

I think it's kind of funny that so many people are talking about looking at Nolan without any nostalgia or emotional involvement and then when I read what they are saying it's filled with what seems like hatred and vitriol for Nolan. I'm no expert on Nolan or Atari history, but I do get a sense of bias against the man.

 

And yes I know Marty will respond that there is no bias, he just has all the facts and knows beyond a shadow of doubt what kind of man Nolan is. You may very well "know" what you think you know, that doesn't mean you're not letting some bias into your thoughts and perhaps your books.