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February 28, 2025 257 mins

30 years ago:
Computer industry booms as consoles slump,
Nintendo announces Ultra64 &
The internet gets scary

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in August 1994. 
As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/
and order his book here:
https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

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Links:
If you don't see all the links, find them here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/123352781/edit


7 Minutes in Heaven: Cliffhanger (Amiga)
Video Version: https://youtu.be/KZ7J9qEpqxI
    https://www.mobygames.com/game/29830/cliffhanger/

Corrections:
July 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/july-1994-part-1-116538490
        https://www.patreon.com/posts/july-1994-part-2-116538674
Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
    Defunctland Jim Henson Series - https://youtu.be/BVoGf1JTVeI?si=PBwUInz2t7hBe-Eq
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_superhighway
    https://en.namu.wiki/w/RX-78%20Gundam
    https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/SPECIAL
    https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW164    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cook
    Wrestling with Games - XBAND - https://youtu.be/k_5M-z_RUKA?si=tuuDxPGj6GnTPc-B
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)    
    
    

1994:
Canada to get their own ratings
    New VCR proves 6 heads are better than 1, The Toronto Star, August 11, 1994,Thursday, FINAL EDITION, Section: FAST FORWARD; Pg. F2, byline: BY ROBERT WRIGHT TORONTO STARON THE EDGE

California presses forward with video game violence bill
    https://www.retromags.com/files/file/3018-egm2-issue-02-august-1994/   pg. 29  
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-13-mn-45306-story.html

IDSA board selected    

Mattel takes a second look at games
    Mattel Hires Sega Executive, The Associated Press, August 2, 1994, Tuesday, BC cycle

Square goes public
    CORPORATE PROFILE: SQUARE, Jiji Press Ticker Service, AUGUST 5, 1994, FRIDAY

Japanese companies playing with fire
    "As derivatives proliferate, so do worries Companies try to control risks from transactions intended to rein in costs but which can backfire, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), August 15, 1994, Section: FINANCE; Pg. 13, Byline: BY ASAKO ISHIBASHI Staff writer"

Acclaim buys Valiant
    ACCLAIM ACQUIRES VOYAGER COMMUNICATIONS FOR $65 MILLION Marks Company's Diversification into Comic Book Publishing, Business Wire, August 2, 1994, Tuesday
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_collecting#Bust_of_the_speculator_market

UK video rental market embraces games... illegally
    Games Spark Sagging U.K. Vid Biz; But Many Don't Have Licenses To Rent Them, Billboard, August 13, 1994, Section: HOME VIDEO; Pg. 76, Byline: BY PETER DEAN
    Sonic out to zap the 'swapping' boom, The Scotsman, August 23, 1994, Tuesday, Byline: By Chris Mullinger
UK teens tune out to games
     MEDIA GUARDIAN: LUST FOR NASTIES AND HARD NEWS, The Guardian (London), August 8, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN FEATURES PAGE; Pg. T17
    
Sega announces US theme park
    Universal Teams With Sega on Theme Park, Disneyland Annex Scaled Back, The Associated Press,  August 12, 1994, Friday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By E. SCOTT RECKARD, AP Business Writer
    Report: Sega Plan to Open 50 High-Tech Theme Parks in U.S., The Associated Press, August 16, 1994, Tuesday, BC cycle, Section: Business News

Sega buys Data East Pinball
    Sega acquires Data East Pinball, Business Wire, August 26, 1994, Friday

Doom coming to arcades
    DOOM IS ALL AROUND US, Business Week, August 1, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. 72;   
    https://doom.fandom.com/wiki/Trivia    
    https://www.d

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