1984 in video gaming

## Business

* The US arcade game market's revenues decline to $4.5 billion in 1984 (equivalent to $10.2 billion in 2024).

## Events

* 16-bit processors are increasingly used in arcade machines, resulting in much more detailed and faster graphics.
* Japanese developers, with their recently aroused interest in the RPG genre, created the action role-playing game genre, combining the RPG genre with arcade-style action and action-adventure elements.

## Notable Releases

### Arcades

* June: This trend of combining RPG elements with arcade-style action mechanics was popularized by *The Tower of Druaga*, an arcade game released by Namco in June 1984, paving the way for action role-playing games.
* June: *I, Robot* is released, as the first commercially released polygonal 3D arcade game (and one of the first in general, along with *Plazma Line*).
* July: Data East releases Technōs Japan's *Karate Champ*, which is credited with establishing and popularizing the one-on-one fighting game genre.
* August: Namco releases *Pac-Land*, an influential side-scrolling platform game.
* Irem releases *Kung-Fu Master*, which lays the foundations of the beat 'em up genre, combining side-scrolling platform and fighting game elements with multiple enemies.
* December: Namco releases an early action role-playing game called *Dragon Buster*, the first game to feature a life meter, called "Vitality" in-game.
* December: Atari Games releases *Marble Madness*, the first arcade game to use the Yamaha YM2151 FM synthesis sound chip, which is subsequently used in many arcade system boards in the 1980s.

### Computers

* *Plazma Line* is released, as the first commercially released polygonal 3D computer game, and one of the first in general.
* October: *Dragon Slayer*, originally released for the FM-7 computer in October 1984, is often considered to be the first true action role-playing game.
* December: *Hydlide*, is an action role-playing game that introduced innovations such as the ability to switch between attack mode and defense mode, quick save and load options through passwords, and a health regeneration mechanic.

## References

1. ↑ http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/video-game-myth-buster-did-crash-of.html
2. ↑ Adams, Roe R. (November 1990), "Westward Ho! (Toward Japan, That Is): An Overview of the Evolution of CRPGs on Dedicated Game Machines", *Computer Gaming World* (76): pp. 83–84, "While America has been concentrating on yet another *Wizardry*, *Ultima*, or *Might & Magic*, each bigger and more complex than the one before it, the Japanese have slowly carved out a completely new niche in the realm of CRPG. The first CRPG entries were *Rygar* and *Deadly Towers* on the NES. These differed considerably from the "action adventure" games that had drawn quite a following on the machines beforehand. Action adventures were basically arcade games done in a fantasy setting such as *Castlevania*, *Trojan*, and *Wizards & Warriors*. The new CRPGs had some of the trappings of regular CRPGs. The character could get stronger over time and gain extras which were not merely a result of a short-term "Power-Up." There were specific items that could be acquired which boosted fighting or defense on a permanent basis. Primitive stores were introduced with the concept that a player could buy something to aid him on his journey."
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jeremy Parish (2012). What Happened to the Action RPG?. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
4. ↑ *The Tower of Druaga* at the Gaming-History database
5. ↑ *Data East v. Epyx*, 862 F. 2d 204, 9 U.S.P.Q.2d (BNA) 1322 (9th Cir. 1988).
6. ↑ Ryan Geddes & Daemon Hatfield (2007-12-10). IGN's Top 10 Most Influential Games. IGN. Retrieved on 2009-04-14
7. ↑ Spencer, Spanner, The Tao of Beat-'em-ups, *Eurogamer*, Feb 6, 2008, Accessed Mar 18, 2009
8. ↑ Kunkel, Bill; Worley, Joyce; Katz, Arnie, "The Furious Fists of Sega!", *Computer Gaming World*, Oct 1988, pp. 48-49
9. ↑ *Dragon Buster* at Museum of the Game
10. ↑ Gaming's most important evolutions, GamesRadar
11. ↑ Kurt Kalata, Dragon Slayer, Hardcore Gaming 101
12. ↑ Dragon Slayer. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
Shigeaki, Kamada (2007). レトロゲーム配信サイトと配信タイトルのピックアップ紹介記事「懐かし (Retro). *4Gamer.net*. Retrieved on 2011-05-19 (Translation)
14. ↑ Falcom Classics. GameSetWatch (July 12, 2006). Retrieved on 2011-05-18
15. ↑ Hydlide (PC88). Retrieved on 2015-01-14
16. ↑ Kalata, Kurt. Hydlide. Hardcore Gaming 101.
17. ↑ Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". *GamesTM* (111): 152–159 [153]. http://imageshack.us/f/32/yshistory02.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-07.  (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. *Hardcore Gaming 101*. Retrieved on 6 September 2011)