PACKAGING, PRODUCT - COMPUTER GAME RIVER RAID COMMODORE 64

1984 - 1992
Overview

Rectangle black plastic cover that opens along a vertical spine. Clear plastic cover over the container with a paper title inside. Front cover has coloured drawing of a fighter plane heading towards a bridge surrounded by helicopters and tanks. Title in orange across the top [CAROL SHAW'S / RIVER RAID]. Yellow circle with text and image of a cassette on right side [For / COMMODORE / 64].
Back reddish with title in orange across the top, white text describing the game and a colour screen shot bottom left corner. Publishing information on back in middle.

Historical information

In the 1980s Mr Ken Brown purchased a Commodore 64, programming books and software to teach himself how to use a computer and to do computer programming. At the time the City of Armadale and the City was introducing computers and Ken did not know how to use a computer. The computer, manuals and software were used at his home on Albany highway. The computer was also used by other family members to play games.
The Commodore 64 was the first mass produced home computer. Was produced between 1982 and 1992 and is considered the highest selling computer in history.
The Commodore C64 was a home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International. The C64 name came from its 64 kilobyte of RAM. Retailing at US$595 (equivalent to $1545 USD in 2018), it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the highest-selling single computer model of all time. Selling 17 million units worldwide during its life time. Between 1983 and 1986, the C64 outsold its competitors companies IBM PC Compatibles, Apple Computers and Atari 8-bit. This was achieved through selling at regular retail stores rather than electronics only and computer specialist stores. Proximately 10,000 software titles were made for the C64 including office productivity applications, development tools and video games. It was discontinued in April 1994, however remains popular in society today with collectors and computer enthusiasts. In 2018, the C64 mini 'retro' console was announced, introducing a new generation to the wonders of the C64.
River Raid is a vertically scrolling shooter first published by Activision in 1982 and released on the Commodore 64 in 1984. The game was awarded the 'Best Action Videogame' and best 'Computer Action Game at the 1984 Arkie Awards (organised by Electronic Games magazine, the first dedicated magazine to the video game industry, operated 1981-1997). It was also the first computer game to be banned to minors in West Germany

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-COA2008.7A
Material
Width
94 mm
Height or length
135 mm
Depth
24 mm
Inscriptions and markings

Publisher [Activision (U.K.) Inc. / 15 Harley House / Marylebone Road / Regent Park, / LONDON NW1 5HE, U.K. / C1983, 1984 ACTIVISION, INC / Manufactured in United Kingdom]

Place made
Regent Park
England
United Kingdom
Statement of significance

This object is part of a collection that represents how technology has evolved over time and how those changes have impacted on daily life. These changes can relate to common professions or jobs that have either disapeared or appeared i.e. Blacksmiths or electricians. They can relate to how technology has made jobs or tasks easier or more convienient i.e. doing the washing by hand vs an electric washing machine.

Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

Organisation Details
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Item Feedback

View of both front and back covers of River Raid Game. The package is made of hard black plastic and has a sleeve of clear soft plastic around the outside. A paper insert is in this sleeve, with the game title and details.

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