6 replies to this topic

[EricDeLee]

So... what's the rhyme or reason for the product numbers. What I was wondering is how they came about for each game. Is it by release date or something else? For example: What makes Steel Talons "PA2104"?

For that matter... what about unreleased games? Are they assigned numbers? What would Aliens vs Predators be... or perhaps some other gem? Just curious as I was noticing these on the boxes when I was toying around with them the other day.

Anyone have inside info for this?

[Atari Joe]

EricDeLee, on Tue Dec 7, 2010 8:25 PM, said:

So... what's the rhyme or reason for the product numbers. What I was wondering is how they came about for each game. Is it by release date or something else? For example: What makes Steel Talons "PA2104"?

For that matter... what about unreleased games? Are they assigned numbers? What would Aliens vs Predators be... or perhaps some other gem? Just curious as I was noticing these on the boxes when I was toying around with them the other day.

Anyone have inside info for this?

PA = Portable Atari

not sure what CX stads for, I think the C is for Consumer or consumer divison.

Product numbers were assigned to a game when it became an official product in development intended to be released. I got lots more info on this I'll have to dig it out and ask around a bit.

[108 Stars]

Yeah, I know that on the first PlayStation games that were planned for a near future release but cancelled last minute do have serial numbers too. Example: Baldur's Gate.
Looking at these numbers on Lynx boxes might be a good way to see when games were actually developed but cancelled (as opposed to games that never had serious work done on). Every jump in numbers should mean some games in development were unreleased...

[EricDeLee]

Some of the Lynx games use a different Product Code from PA####.
For instance...

Battle Wheels: PT5006
Krazy Ace Mini Golf: L204
Super Asteroids Missile Command: PA2093 (yet released a long time AFTER Steel Talons)

I just thought it was all a bit strange and was wondering what the thought process behind all of it was.

[The_Laird]

Krazy ace (Telegames) and Battlewheels (Beyond Games) are 3rd party so wouldn't use Atari product codes

[SwedenLynxer]

EricDeLee, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 5:54 AM, said:

Some of the Lynx games use a different Product Code from PA####.
For instance...

Battle Wheels: PT5006
Krazy Ace Mini Golf: L204
Super Asteroids Missile Command: PA2093 (yet released a long time AFTER Steel Talons)

I just thought it was all a bit strange and was wondering what the thought process behind all of it was.

All games released by Atari should start with PA. Telegames and other publisher had there own letters/numbers. As for the "low" number on the late released Super Asteroids Missile Command, It's because this game was in development for a long time, many years before it was actually released. It probably got its Product Code early in the development cycle.

[EricDeLee]

SwedenLynxer, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 6:12 AM, said:

EricDeLee, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 5:54 AM, said:

Some of the Lynx games use a different Product Code from PA####.
For instance...

Battle Wheels: PT5006
Krazy Ace Mini Golf: L204
Super Asteroids Missile Command: PA2093 (yet released a long time AFTER Steel Talons)

I just thought it was all a bit strange and was wondering what the thought process behind all of it was.

All games released by Atari should start with PA. Telegames and other publisher had there own letters/numbers. As for the "low" number on the late released Super Asteroids Missile Command, It's because this game was in development for a long time, many years before it was actually released. It probably got its Product Code early in the development cycle.

All of that makes sense...
Because Super asteroids was started back in 1992... and was released in 94. So I assume it was started PRIOR to Steel Talons being started.
I'm getting a grasp of it... pretty interesting