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GameLine

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The CVC GameLine (Control Video Corporation) was a cartridge for the Atari 2600 which could download games using a telephone line.

In the early 1980s a cable pioneer named William von Meister was looking for a way to use his innovative modem transmission technology, which previously was acquired in ill-fated attempts of sending music to cable companies. Legal issues caused cable providers to step away from the service, leaving Von Meister with a delivery tool and no content.

He then converted his variable speed adaptive modem technology to download games from central servers to individual households. This allowed users to call up a system and, for a fee, download games to their GameLine modules. The game would typically work for 5-10 plays, after which the user would have to connect to GameLine again and pay for another download.[1]

Physically, the GameLine looked like an oversized silver Atari cartridge, it had a phone jack on the side that was used to link the GameLine with the CVC computers. The GameLine module was able to transmit with pulse or tone dialing, this allowed the unit to be versatile in the field.[2] The games on GameLine were all from third-party gamemakers, the largest of which was Imagic. GameLine tried, but failed to obtain licensing agreements from the largest game makers, such as Atari, Activision, Coleco, Mattel, and Parker Brothers.[3]

Membership benefits

When a user registered with the service they were given a PIN. This PIN was used to log into the central CVC computer and download the requested games. One of the benefits of registering was that users were given free games on their birthday.

GameLine provided players an opportunity to compete in contests with selected games, where they could upload a high score. Prizes would be awarded to regional (and supposedly national) champions. One such regional prize was a GameLine windbreaker.

Each subscriber to GameLine also received a professionally printed magazine called GameLiner. GameLiner consisted of information about new games added to the service, questions and answers, advice on better gameplay, and a list of all currently available games on GameLine.[4]

Potential spinoffs and demise

GameLine was originally envisioned to not provide just games, but also news (NewsLine), stock quotes (StockLine), sports reporting and scores (SportLine), electronic mail (MailLine), online banking (BankLine), online forums (OpinionLine), and a wide variety of information including airline schedules, horoscopes, and classified ads (InfoLine). GameLine ceased operations before any of these expanded services were offered, though StockLine and SportsLine were reportedly near full implementation.

GameLine was one of many smaller companies that went bust in the video game crash of 1983.

Industry impact

Even though the GameLine died, the investors and founding members of CVC went on to start a new company that would continue to use the technological infastructure they had built. The company, called Quantum Computer Services, was created by Steve Case, among others. This company created a service called Quantum Link which linked together Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 users offering many of the expanded services originally envisioned for GameLine. Quantum Computer Services eventually became America Online in October 1991,[5] which went on to be extremely successful during the 1990s, and was eventually merged with Time Warner in 2001. Though the company still (technically) exists, support for the GameLine does not.[6]

The GameLine is remembered for its pioneering vision and its unique selection of games like Save The Whales. This game was exclusive to the GameLine and although it was never released on a cartridge, a prototype was found in early 2002.

Game list

GameLine offered the following games:

4

See also

References

  1. ^ "CVC GameLink". The Metal Misfit. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  2. ^ Dean Gillett (May 15, 2011). "Opinion: DLC isn't the devil". Gaming HUD. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  3. ^ Skelton, Dan. "Remembering the Gameline". AtariAge. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  4. ^ Dean Gillett (May 15, 2011). "Opinion: DLC isn't the devil". Gaming HUD. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  5. ^ Andrew Liszewski (July 20, 2011). "CVC's GameLine Atari Cart Was A Lot Like Xbox Live – Except Back In 1983". OhGizmo.com. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  6. ^ "CVC GameLink". The Metal Misfit. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
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