.

 

:: ATARI 7800.com is an OnLine Atari History Library and Web Source, serving as the digital home of the Institute For Advanced Atari Gaming Studies, catering to the Atari and classic gaming community with our drive and primary focus on continuing education and support for the Atari 7800 ProSystem. Support comes in the form of education and resources, providing detailed historical information with regards to the Atari 7800, along with historical photographs, specifications, and software information. Atari 7800.com is dedicated to keeping the spirit of Atari alive by encouraging, inspiring and empowering new and existing 7800 gamers world wide. ::

 

:: Atari 7800.com first planted its roots in July of 1993 in the form of Hyper Game Services. Based in Columbia, South Carolina. Hyper Game Services was started by me: Justin J. Scott , Jon Michael Dyer and Scott D. Mills at the ripe old age of 12, in a grass-roots effort to continue support of Atari gamers throughout our community, catering to the 7800, 2600, and Lynx. I can vividly remember at the time being so discouraged by the lack of Atari products on store shelves, and the disappointment of Atari gamers throughout our local community. I contacted Atari directly (yes, as a sixth grader) and worked out a small vendor deal with them whereby we were provided with direct-order forms and Atari catalogues, as well as games and components at a discounted price. By the end of 1996, we felt successful in our mission, having provided true support for our local community until Atari stopped support of its game systems. Personally, I think that Jon and I single handedly saved several Atari systems from the dumpster because of our efforts. Even back then, our objective was the preservation and continuing education of Atari, especially my personal love, the 7800. It was at this point in 1996 when the internet was hitting its stride, and we began to contemplate the idea of an "online community" based around the Atari 7800 and its history.

Years later, Atari 7800.com would eventually rise out of my undying love and passion for the 7800 ProSystem and my desire to continue support for this marvelous machine. On September 22, 2000, Atari 7800.com went live. With little web programming experience, I jumped in head first into the Atari online community in an effort to create a wonderful experience for Atari enthusiasts world wide. I gathered together the old group from Hyper Game Services, including original Hyper members Jon Dyer and Scott Mills. We also made a new friend in our effort, Joseph Rivera, better known today as "Atari Joe" who soon became a member of the Atari 7800.com family and assisted in the further development of the site. On July 2nd, 2002 Atari 7800.com launched with a new look and a new commitment to supporting the ProSystem, including NOS 7800 merchandise with 2-year warranty and 24-hr customer support. (Indeed I did receive calls at 4am from customers in Australia. Now tell me that's not real commitment).

Today our site is approaching its seventh year in service, alongside our sister site www.TurboGrafx-16.com. We are pleased to be an active part of the Atari retrogaming community for years to come.::

 

:: The website is the culmination of years of research by many dedicated individuals, comprised of contributions from Atari 7800.com contributors and former Hyper Game Service alumni Jon Michael Dyer, Scott Mills, and Joseph Rivera, among others. Please note our "Special Thanks" section at the bottom of this page.

Justin Scott - A twenty-something former law student who has been involved in Atari gaming since the days of the 2600. Founded The Syzygy I/O Corporation on February 29, 2004 with Atari alumni Regan L. Cheng and Gene N. Landrum, Ph.D. in an effort to develop and market a line of high-end "Innovative Leisure" entertainment products. Also develops, maintains, and contributes to over a dozen other various websites for other interests and organizations, including our sister site TurboGrafx-16.com. His other interests include entrepreneurialism, political studies, photography, classic automotive collecting, web design, history and "Cringe Humor" comedy. Justin is currently a resident of Celebration, Florida.

Jon Dyer resides in Charlotte, North Carolina attending UNC with his lovely wife Cecilia. He is a full-time gamer with his primary focus being on classic Sega games, along with the latest in game releases from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. His outside interests include wood work, education, cartoons, cooking, target practice, canooing, kayaking, mountain biking, and working with Children.

Scott Mills still resides in Columbia, South Carolina to this very day, and is the loving father of two small children. Scott's video game interests include the 7800, TurboGrafx-16, and Sega CD featuring a complete collection of 7800 and TurboGrafx-CD software. Scott greatly enjoys the "Lunar" saga from Working Designs. Scott also is well accomplished in martial arts and teaches a weekly class in a local dojo. Scott is a big part of the fabric of our history, and contributes greatly to our efforts.

Joseph Rivera continues to show interest in all Atari systems and maintains his "famous" website here. Joseph is best known as "Atari Joe" from his video interviews and rants on various classic gaming forums. Joe is in his early 40's and resides with his Aunt on his estate in Naples, Florida. Contrary to popular belief, Joe is a real person with a very "unique" and different perspective on Atari, humor, and the world in general. These unique qualities come out clearly in his website. ::

 

:: ATARI 7800.COM IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY ATARI ORGANIZATION, CLUB, SOCIETY, VENDOR, OR ENTHUSIAST GROUP.

While there are some very good Atari organizations out there, I do not feel it is necessary to affiliate Atari 7800.com or the Institute with any other group or vendor. Some of the Atari groups and societies in existence do wonderful things in both promoting Atari gaming and preserving Atari's rich history. I both respect and appreciate their honorable efforts. Simply put, I find it in our best interest to remain a sovereign entity, with our only affiliation to our own group, the Institute For Advanced Atari Gaming Studies.

In the past, Atari 7800.com has sponsored different gaming events in the past such as PhillyClassic, and worked with vendors and software developers including Video 61. We still fully endorse these groups, however it must be made clear that we have no official affiliations or ties to these organizations. Each individual organization operates under their own sovereignty and mandate.

A WORD ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT AS APPLIES TO FREE SPEECH ON THE INTERNET - The Institute fully supports and practices free speech on the internet, as Atari 7800.com always has in the past. While we endorse the use of reason and good taste when publishing to the world wide web, we also believe that the internet is an open medium which is welcoming to all people and their respective points of view. Our website is about the free exchange of ideas. ::

 

:: In short, Atari 7800.com is going to be around for the long haul. You will NOT see many site updates or activity here within our web resource. What updates you see will be few and far between and will only be of a nature of added content to the Institute library, but Atari 7800.com will always be here as a beacon in the dark to all 7800 gamers.

Our goal is to be the premiere resource for all Atari 7800 gamers, world-wide. We will continue advocating the use and preservation of Atari's classic gaming machines, with the spotlight focused on the most versatile of the Atari stable, the Atari 7800 ProSystem. The Institute will service the Atari and retrogaming community through the Atari History Library and Web Resource by providing information of historical interest and gaming significance and continuing to make new information available on a regular basis.

A WORD ON MY LOVE AND PASSION FOR THE 7800 SERIES SYSTEMS - I want everybody to know that I always have loved Atari and I always will. I'm much more passionate about this company (Atari) and this system (7800) than most individuals that I have ever come across. However, in the end Atari is still just a hobby, and I must keep that in perspective and address things in priority. This means I may only be able to update the website a few tiems a year. I will not abandon the 7800 or my mission to share my knowledge with others. My passion for the 7800 and other Atari systems is unmatched. Much of my free time is consumed by this endless love. This is the lone reason why Atari 7800.com continues to exist and move forward in providing education and preservation of Atari's history. ::

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO: