The mystery of the "Choose your own Adventure" books for Atari 8-bit
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In mid-1982, Bantam Publishing launched a contest where teachers of any level could win an Atari 400 computer and other computer equipment worth more than $600.
The award would be for the most innovative lesson plan that, based on an academic objective, incorporated the reading of the books "Choose your own Adventure" (eitherChoose your own adventure, as they were translated into Spanish).
For those who don't remember, it is a series of texts where the reader can "experience" exciting adventures, through choices that lead to completely different endings. There are more than 230 titles, which were translated into 40 languages. Since its launch in the early eighties, the series has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
According to its editors, these books allowed "the strengthening of linguistic skills, the encouragement of creative writing, and the involvement of children in decision-making."
Therefore, the teacher who presented the best proposal for using the books in the classroom could take home an Atari 400 computer along with the "Educator Kit", which consisted of an Atari 410 recorder, a cartridge with Atari BASIC and a tape with the geography game " Atari States and Capitals
As if that were not enough, the winner would receive the Atari PILOT, an educational package containing the Atari PILOT cartridge, two cassettes with demonstration programs, four manuals and a reference card.
As mentions the notice, which appeared in the promotional copy of the book "Inside UFO 54-40", those interested could request a 24-page teaching guide. Proposals were received until December 31, 1982. The winner would be announced on March 31, 1983; in addition, the top five winners would win the series library, consisting of two volumes of 15 titles. Who took home this prize? Another mystery that may never be resolved.
On the other hand, the founder of the series, Ray A. Montgomery, stated in an interview that the company had plans to bring its games to Atari consoles
"Bantam Books, our original publisher, started a small software division just for us. It was story text interspersed with some early hand-eye coordination games and some puzzles," the publisher said. Official site of the series
In November 2014, when Montgomery passed away, Gizmodo websiteHe claimed that the writer had been the pioneer of text adventures and had adapted two of his titles for Atari in 1984. In fact, neither of the books were ported to Atari platforms. Only two titles - Escape and The Cave of Time - appeared for the Apple II and Commodore 64 in 1985
We appreciate the contribution of Bill Lange (ATARI 8-bit Ads) in the preparation of this article
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