Racing the Beam : the Atari Video Computer System - Index of

discuss the explosion of third-party titles and the interaction between
media properties and video games, along with the collapse of the Atari
VCS market that ensued in 1983. Finally, it reveals how much the use of
the VCS platform had escaped from the proprietary hold of Atari and how
much it had advanced during the time period we are considering.
The book concludes with a short chapter. Although our platform
study focuses on the Atari VCS during 1977–1983, this fi nal chapter briefl y
considers some of the high points of the life of the Atari VCS from 1983
to the present, discussing what else has been learned about the platform
and how this platform has interacted with culture during this span of time.
Finally, in an afterword, we look ahead to see what other platforms, and
what other issues, can be addressed by future platform studies, and to
consider what insights this approach can offer as we continue to think
about creative digital media.
1 Stella [17]