Page:Gametronics Proceedings.djvu/171

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Other examples of non-TV electronic games are the pocket-type calculator games introduced by Mattel. Mattel's Football and Auto Race both use calculator-type LED displays and retail in the $25 to $35 range.

Pocket and programmable calculators are also potential rivals. In March, 1977, Hewlett-Packard introduced a collection of games, prerecorded on magnetic cards, for use with its HP-67 and HP-97 calculators. Its first library, priced at $35 contains 19 programs (see table eleven).

Many of the games in the library can be played with two or more participants; six of them allow the degree of difficulty to be varied, some involve two people with calculators playing against each other. Only two of the games rely totally on chance for their outcome. "Dice" and "The Dealer" can be used to play a variety of games, since they display random dice rolls or card hands.

Certainly, developments in the consumer electronics industry such as the home computer, non-TV electronic games (electronic board games) and calculator programs are going to affect Father's Day, Christmas, birthday and no-occasion sales of TV games. In addition, other manufacturers may follow Magnavox into the manufacture of television sets including built-in TV games. Nevertheless, the video game industry appears certain to continue its dramatic upward sales pattern through 1980 when achievement of $1 billion in retail volume is reached.

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