GameLine: The Dawn of Digital Distribution

Back in 1983 something quite amazing was brewing in the gaming world, a development which would arguably changed and formed the way games were to be played going forward.


Developed by Control Video Corporation (CVC), GameLine is one of the earliest examples of digital distribution for video games. Employing the use of a  phone line and specialized storage cartridge users could rent and download games for up to 10 plays. Pretty impressive stuff, especially considering this was the early 80's. This wasn't a simple, single game gimmick either...

A substantial library of games was available and was to be updated regularly. A PIN was required to access the service, registered users would generally have a years subscription, and could receive a free game on their birthday.

The GameLine cartridge or 'Master Module' was a huge piece of kit; almost 3 times the size of a standard 2600 game cartridge, a compartment in one side would contain 9 volt batteries and a modular phone jack for connection to the phone line and downloading of games.



Additional features were to be implemented based on GameLine, including news, stocks and messaging services but were left incomplete by the collapse of CVC.

Despite CVC going bust in the video game crash of 1983, founding members and investors moved into greater 
tech development, eventually creating Quantum Computer Services. The modem technology from GameLine was the basic infrastructure which would lead to the formation of AOL, that's right a chunky modem cart for the Atari 2600 played a part in the evolution of AOL. 



It's interesting to see in fact just how digital distribution has progressed since these early days. In a way nothing has really changed, just expanded, so thank you CVC for being one of the pioneers who in some small way shaped the gaming world decades before broadband.


There's no real point to this post as you may have guessed (apart from sharing a bit of slightly forgotten tech history), but I'm bored, slightly hyper, and can't sleep - thanks Desert Bus - I hope this was at least in some way interesting for you, you strange creature.

Thanks for reading. See you in the future, humans.



To find out more about this little gem nestled in the annals of gaming history check out:
Atari Mania - the site has comprehensive listings of all things Atari, including information breakdowns and images of the GameLine

Atari Age - A beautiful little retrospective on GameLine including a full game list (76 in total), personal experience with the service. The Atari Age forum is a brilliant place for more Atari info you're always bound to find some new nuggets of gaming's past, and the community there is fantastic and welcome all to discuss not only systems and lost games but everything Atari. Let your childhood flow!

Intellivision Lives - A brief history of the PlayCable system, used with competitor Mattel's Intellivision. Games were sent via TV cable and was marketed as PlayCable: The All Game Channel.

Wikipedia - Ah good old wiki, always useful for uncovering some new distraction to delve into.