(Thanks to Stingray_Travel for the tip from the other day)
The name Starcade likely brings back some memories for any of you classic gamers who caught the TV show back in the 1982-83 period that it was on the air. Contestants played real arcade machines on the set, aiming to win a full sized and brand new arcade game. It was great to see many of these games in action from when they were new while you also could witness the awkward battle between children and adults at times. We’ve mentioned it before, particularly how you can still watch many of the episodes right here on Starcade.tv (also some are on Youtube as you can see below). Now thanks to entertainment house Shout! Factory, the show is coming back.
Breaking News: SHOUT! FACTORY SECURES RIGHTS TO REBOOT ORIGINAL STARCADE GAME SHOW FOR TELEVISION! Details to come.
— Shout! Studios (@Shout_Studios) January 10, 2017
If you are unfamiliar with Shout! Factory then a quick visit to their website can get you up to speed. I’ve been familiar with them for the past few years thanks to their Mystery Science Theater 3000 DVD releases. I did reach out to them with some questions (I am curious to know if the show will focus only on retro games or if they will work with any of the modern game makers; where viewers will be able to watch the new show, etc.) but as of this writing, I have not received a response. It is likely still a bit early for those details so we will keep an eye on it.
I’ll post the press release here but first, one of the first episodes and a question: Are you looking forward to this and what would you like to see as a part of the new Starcade?
Press Release as posted at Retroist:
Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, has acquired worldwide television format and ancillary rights to the classic TV game show STARCADE from JM Production Company and show creators James Caruso and Mavis E. Arthur. The agreement provides Shout! Factory the rights to develop and produce a reboot of the show for television, as well as production of additional projects for a global audience. Shout! Factory will executive produce these projects with JM Production Company, creators of the original game show. This announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; and show creators James Caruso and Mavis E. Arthur.
“STARCADE is a classic game show from the ’80s and is pure nostalgic fun. We couldn’t be more excited to work with the original show creators to ‘retro-boot’ STARCADE for a new generation of fans,” stated Shout! Factory’s founders. “As we continue to actively expand our reach into production and development for new series, movies, unscripted shows and specials, this deal exemplifies the type of content we plan to pursue which taps into the interests and passions of our company’s loyal fanbase.”
Created by James Caruso and Mavis E. Arthur, STARCADE first aired in 1982 during the dawn of the video game era and is widely recognized as the first-ever video arcade game show, featuring great gamers competing against rivals playing the most popular games of the day in front of a live studio audience in order to win huge prizes. Alex Trebek hosted one of the first pilots for the show which was later picked up by Ted Turner to air on his then-fledgling cable station, WTBS; STARCADE went on to air more than 130 episodes over three seasons on Turner.
“I consider myself lucky to have been part of the first generation to grow up playing video games and watching STARCADE in the 1980s,” said Shout! Factory’s Development Director, Jeremy Whitham. “Back then, no one could have predicted video games would one day become the world’s most popular form of entertainment. I can’t wait to see today’s crop of celebrities, pro gamers and e-sports stars compete head-to-head and find out who is the top player on the planet.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of this STARCADE revival,” said Jim Caruso and Mavis E. Arthur, producers of the original STARCADE series. “We look forward to bringing the show back for all those avid Starcaders who have been waiting for years, as well as a new class of gaming heroes. Game on!”
The deal was negotiated by Shout’s Jeremy Whitham and James Caruso, the creator and executive producer of the original STARCADE.
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It’s either going to have popular competitive console games or retro games, with a small chance of bringing in Raw Thrills’s newer versions of classic games (Galaga Assault, World’s Largest Pacman) and/or newer arcade games. If Dave and Busters sponsors this, I can see new arcade games being used.
I didn’t know what Starcade was until I read this, but I just watched the episode in this story and it looks like a lot of fun! Hopefully some more recent arcade games (perhaps from the late ’90’s to today) can be used on the show.
This article reminds me of a TV show that was aired on Dave (a uk to channel) called Dara o’ Brian go 8 bit. It’s a comedy chat show where know celebrities sit down and play video games and they even play some actual arcade games such as big buck hunt, fast and the furious super bike and some other unique games which were especially created for the show.