Women of Atari and more in Atari Insights – March 2025 edition
A look at industry pioneers, programming challenges, and a glimpse into the future of the Atari ecosystem.
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The March 2025 edition of Atari Insights pays tribute to the women who contributed to the video game and technology industries while also offering technical articles and challenges for Atari platform enthusiasts.
Sophia Pixelheart highlights pioneers such as Dona Bailey, Carol Shaw, Carla Meninsky, Suki Lee, Evelyn Seto, and Patricia Goodson—key figures behind games like Centipede, River Raid, and Star Raiders. Often overlooked in official histories, their work in programming, design, and marketing is now gaining recognition thanks to initiatives like Atari Women.
For those looking to sharpen their programming skills, this issue introduces Boolean logic and control structures in Atari BASIC, featuring hands-on examples and a challenge to apply these concepts in code.
Pi Day, celebrated on March 14, is the focus of an article exploring the importance of π in mathematics, technology, and video games. From its role in Pole Position and Missile Command to the tradition of celebrating it with pies, the piece includes educational references and explanatory videos.
The technical section offers a tutorial on FreeFileSync, explaining how to automate backups on Windows and macOS, with tips to avoid errors and ensure data security. Meanwhile, Wade Ripkowski details how to install and configure Altirra on Mac with Apple Silicon M, including FujiNet integration and creating shortcuts via Whisky for easier emulator access.
John Zielke, the newsletter’s editor, presents a six-month classic gaming schedule featuring titles like Typo Attack, Computer Crosswords, and Adventureland, aimed at improving memory, reflexes, and problem-solving skills with just 15 to 30 minutes of daily play. Pixelheart also recaps Atari’s 2024 achievements, highlighting revenue growth, the launch of the Atari 2600+ and 7800+, and collaborations with Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios to remaster classic titles.
The The400 Mini, a modern take on the Atari 400, is another highlight, with a section detailing its USB compatibility for game loading, multiplayer mode, and retro-accurate graphics and sound.
Zielke closes the issue with a reflection on the importance of recognizing women in Atari’s history and shares his experience with the The400 Mini and Atari 1040STe. He also teases upcoming content exploring the connection between 8-bit and 16-bit Atari platforms.
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