Jack Tramiel, Father of Commodore 64, dies.

[Flake]

http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technol ... -83-690158

I am not a huge fan of the C64 but it was definitely an important step for games. Sad sauce.

[FiftyDollarCurse]

From the linked article:

Tramiel was born to a Jewish family in Poland. In 1939, he and his family were sent to Auschwitz. Tramiel was rescued in 1945 by the U.S. Army, but not before his father perished. Not long after, he immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. armed forces, where he learned to repair office equipment. Upon leaving the army, he set up a small business repairing typewriters in New York City. He later relocated to Toronto, Canada, to form a bigger operation, one that would eventually produce the Commodore 64.

Nothing quoted, nor posted, will ever do enough justice to the entire life lived within such a succint paragraph.

[weaponepsilon]

Maybe now the world will find out what happened to the rest of the prizes from the Swordquest competitions... Supposedly they were in his office as decorations.

[Menegrothx]

The Commodore 64 was part of Tramiel's mantra of creating "computers for the masses, not the classes." The competition was stiff, including Atari and Apple, but the C64 would end up becoming one of the most successful computers of its day.

Actually the Commodore 64 is the best selling computer model ever.

During the C64's lifetime, sales totalled between 12.5 and 17 million units, making it the best-selling single personal computer model of all time.[5][6]

- Wikipedia

[BoringSupreez]

The Commodore 64 was part of Tramiel's mantra of creating "computers for the masses, not the classes." The competition was stiff, including Atari and Apple, but the C64 would end up becoming one of the most successful computers of its day.

Actually the Commodore 64 is the best selling computer model ever.

During the C64's lifetime, sales totalled between 12.5 and 17 million units, making it the best-selling single personal computer model of all time.[5][6]

- Wikipedia

That's excluding the normal PC, right?

[ExedExes]

Maybe now the world will find out what happened to the rest of the prizes from the Swordquest competitions... Supposedly they were in his office as decorations.

Along with the warehouse next door full of unsold 7800s

"Sure, 1987 would be a fine year to bring out 3-year old sub-NES technology!"

[ATARI800XLfan]

http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technol ... -83-690158

I am not a huge fan of the C64 but it was definitely an important step for games. Sad sauce.

Darn it, what is it with all the original tech/computer engineers dying, First the main creators of the Atari 8-bit computers and Amiga die, before that the creator of the Gameboy, then Steve Jobs and others . Also why do hardily any of them make it past 90. It seems we are loosing all the original thinkers. Hopefully this generation can be just as inventive.

[Flake]

before that the creator of the Gameboy,

Yeah, Gunpei Yokoi's death was a real tragedy. It was such a freak accident, too. Fortunately, Miyamoto and the rest of Nintendo's leadership kept his 'concept' of using proven technology to create a profitable product alive. Even the WiiU will essentially embody that idea.

It is troubling, like you said, that all these visionaries are dying so young.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Sad news. What a fascinating life story. Commodore 64 is an amazing gaming platform. If you don't have one I suggest tracking one down, or at least trying out an emulator.

And since we're on the topic of video game pioneers who are still alive, Ralph H. Baer is still kickin' and quite active at 90.

[Menegrothx]

Darn it, what is it with all the original tech/computer engineers dying

Sitting in front of a computer all day long for decades cant be very good for your health. Just look at Richard Stallman, hes not a very healthy looking guy. Of course there are tech pople who have healthy diets, who do regular exercise and so on.