Few video games have earned a reputation as infamous as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, it’s often labeled the worst video game ever made. For decades, it has served as a cautionary tale about rushed development and corporate overconfidence. Yet the full story behind the game is more nuanced than the legend suggests.
The title was developed during the height of the early 1980s video game boom. Atari secured the license for Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film and rushed to capitalize on its popularity during the holiday season. What followed became closely tied to the broader video game crash of 1983. To understand its place in history, however, it’s important to separate myth from documented fact.
A Development Cycle Unlike Any Other
One of the most widely cited facts about E.T. is its unusually short development timeline. The game was designed primarily by programmer Howard Scott Warshaw, who had previously created successful Atari titles. He was reportedly given about five to six weeks to complete the project so it could reach stores for Christmas 1982. That timeline was dramatically shorter than typical game development cycles, even by early 1980s standards.
Because of the compressed schedule, the game’s mechanics were ambitious but difficult to refine. Players controlled E.T. as he collected pieces of a phone to “call home” while avoiding government agents and scientists. The open-ended structure and vertical wells that players frequently fell into became a source of frustration. Many critics argue that more testing time might have improved gameplay significantly.
Despite the rushed development, the game was not universally condemned at launch. Some early reviews were mixed rather than entirely negative, and it initially sold in large numbers. Atari reportedly produced millions of cartridges, anticipating massive demand tied to the film’s success. However, high production numbers would later contribute to its troubled legacy.
Sales, Surplus, And The Landfill Story
E.T. did sell millions of copies, but it failed to meet Atari’s lofty expectations. The company manufactured more cartridges than it ultimately sold, leading to significant unsold inventory. Combined with other underperforming titles, this surplus hurt Atari financially during an already unstable period in the industry. The disappointment became symbolic of broader market saturation and declining consumer confidence.
The most famous chapter of the story involves the burial of unsold cartridges in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico. For years, this event was treated as an urban legend, with many doubting whether it truly happened. In 2014, a documentary-backed excavation confirmed that Atari had indeed disposed of unsold games, including copies of E.T. The discovery cemented the game’s place in pop culture history.
It’s important to note that E.T. alone did not cause the 1983 video game crash. The industry collapse resulted from multiple factors, including oversaturation of low-quality games and competition from home computers. However, E.T. became the most visible symbol of the crash because of its high-profile release and dramatic aftermath. Its narrative fit neatly into a story of corporate miscalculation.
Reassessing Its Legacy
In recent years, some players and historians have revisited E.T. with a more balanced perspective. While the game is undeniably flawed, some argue that it attempted innovative design ideas for its time. The non-linear structure and multiple objectives were unusual for early console games. With clearer instructions and more development time, the concept might have been better received.
Howard Scott Warshaw has spoken publicly about the experience, expressing pride in completing a complex project under extreme constraints. His perspective highlights the pressure developers faced during the early console boom. Rather than being a simple case of incompetence, the game’s shortcomings reflect the limitations of technology and the business practices of that era. This context adds depth to what was once a one-dimensional narrative.
Today, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial serves as a historical artifact as much as a punchline. It represents a turning point that forced the gaming industry to rethink quality control and market strategy. Modern developers often cite the crash as a lesson in sustainable growth and consumer trust. In that sense, the game’s impact extends beyond its gameplay.
The truth about E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is more complicated than the label of “worst game ever” suggests. It was the product of an intense deadline, ambitious ideas, and a rapidly expanding industry that lacked guardrails. While it contributed to Atari’s financial struggles, it was not solely responsible for the broader market collapse. Over time, its story has evolved from embarrassment to a historical case study. Appreciating its place in gaming history requires looking past the legend and recognizing the real circumstances that shaped its creation and legacy.
