Dear Fruitman...
Ok, back for more mayhem
By FruitmanMay 1, 2002Man, you seem really paranoid about Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft being evil.
Do you really think Atari never used any "questionable" tactics back when it
dominated the industry?You're making yourself look like an idiot. These
things happen in business.Get over it already.
Dear MUKKl69,
You are obviously referring to the conspiracy letter I wrote about.
"Paranoia" is defined as
"Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear
or distrust of others." Sadly, this sounds more like
something you live with every day. Fear of the truth, perhaps?
Sure,
Atari did lots of questionable things, every company does.
However, Atari was much more covert about what they did whereas
Nintendo was (and still is) quite blatant about every tactic they
do. Chip shortages, vaporware CD drives, announcing game systems 3
years before they are released, muscling out the competition in
the major chains to keep their monopoly... These facts are not in
dispute but your mental health seems to be.
If I might quote a bumper sticker I saw the other
day on a rusted out 1978 Toyota Corolla that was spewing out way
too much smoke: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying
attention."
Dear Fruitman...
Where did you get such a cool name?
Jack J. Fruitman
Olympia, Washington, The LA Fruitman’s….
Dear Jack,
Ah, that story could fill an entire volume of
books! But the short version goes like this: After being left by
space aliens on the front door of Mama Fruitman's house, I began
my journey through the depths of humanity. What I've seen so far
has been both grotesque and wonderful all at the same time.
I'd actually be more interested in learning the
history of your last name... Where did the Fruitman's come from?
Where are they going? Do they have family reunions? Why wasn't I
invited? Where's my mom's alimony money? Looks like you and your
family have a lot to answer for!
And I thought for sure that the name "Fruitman"
was totally unique. Alas!
Dear Fruitman...
I was just wondering if you had any official sales figures from Atari for
their Jaguar and Lynx. If not could you give me a rough estimate?
Thanks,
Craig Lutas
Dear Craig,
I
can't think of a single company that has released exact sales
figures. Unfortunately, since Atari was bounced around so many
times, it's not likely we will ever know for sure.
The most common figure I've heard from the video
game rags for the Jaguar was 150,000 sold (and we all know how
"reliable" those guys are concerning the Jaguar.)
However, I have a hard time believing that because the Jaguar was
rumored to have sold 100,000 units when they cost still $250.
Since then, there were tons of price drops. So, it's very unlikely
that the Jaguar only sold another 50,000 units in the 1 1/2 years
that it cost $159 or less.
I'd guess 300,000 for the Jaguar and 750,000 for
the Lynx. Anyone have any solid figures that weren't cooked up by
those loser video game magazines?
Dear Fruitman...
Recently read this page [about women and video games]
Maybe you're not looking in the right places, but there ARE girls who
are interested in gaming. Just because they don't typically enjoy the
same genres guys are attracted to doesn't mean they're not out there!
For starters, check THIS out: http://www.digitpress.com/archives/arc00095.htm
An article I co-wrote w/Joe Santulli about gaming with your
significant other. I'll give you Tetris out of the games you listed (although I've yet to
find ANYONE, male or female, who didn't like the game), but Centipede
and Ms Pac Man?You can do much better than that.And why do you
overlook Tempest 2k on the Jag (since this person mentioned the Jaguar
specifically)?That's another great game that the boys and the girls
all love.
Better yet, stop by http://pub27.ezboard.com/bretrogaming, and I'll
be glad to introduce you to the ladies on the board.Maybe we'll open your
eyes a bit.
Jaime
Dear Jamie,
You've finally hit upon my sore spot! I have yet
to find a woman interested in games that couldn't kick the crap
out of a gang of Hell's Angels! My personal taste in women
requires a certain amount of femininity.
I'm glad that there are women out there that
manage to retain all their girlish qualities yet still like to
play games. I just haven't seen any in my travels. (Ah, the glory
of the internet!)
Thanks for opening the eyes of depressed male
gamers everywhere. While miniscule, there is still hope for
meeting a gamer girl. All they have to do is meet them on the
internet, then pack up and move to where gamer girl lives!
Update: Hmm... After Digital Press decided
to use a porno star for promotion, my eyes are absolutely opened!
Woohoo! Atari & sex... Whoever would have thought I could
enjoy my two favorite things all at one time? It's two great
tastes that go great together!
Dear Fruitman...
How much money could I get from selling my N64 and 4 games?
SABINE BAIER
Dear Sabine,
Ok, my knowledge of ATARI video games is vast
(some would say tiny) but this doesn't necessarily qualify me to
give you a price range for Nintendo system. But, hey, if you're
looking to make some quick cash, sell it to me for $10! You know
you don't get any enjoyment out if it anyway.
As a famous Nintendo fan once wrote: "i think you shuld all give
your jagars away. they just dont give you any fun. get a Nintendo
64 and you will see what I mean. and dont say im baised. i told
you i have alot of games machines. i know what i are taking about!
NINTENDO RULZ!"
Dear Fruitman...
I purchased my first Atari in April of 1983.My father-in-law joined me as an enthusiast.Over the span of 1983-2000 he purchased multiple systems, disk-drives, printers,
games and paraphernalia of all sorts.He has a multitude of 400’s, 800’s, XE’s, XT’s, ST’s, Indus GT’s, 1050’s, you name it.I still need to do a complete inventory.
I’ll keep my message short.He passed away of cancer in June of 2000.I’m still sorting through the massive collection of gaming systems, personal computers, softwares
etc.I don’t have the space or need for such an enormous surplus.I would love to talk to you or members of your group that are interested in this equipment and software.
I would love to see it get into the hands of true enthusiasts that would put it to use in lieu of it sitting in boxes or becoming damaged.I’m talking about a lot of Atari stuff.
He also had Sega, Genesis, NES, Super NES, etc.
It’s an overwhelming amount of stuff.This is a personal museum of electronic gaming and early computing.
Thank you,
Terry Penkal
Ohio
Dear Terry,
I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I know
it's a hard thing to go through.
If anyone is interested in what sounds like a lot
of great Atari stuff, help Terry out and give those systems a good
home. Don't let them sit and collect dust!
