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History of video games/Platforms/LJN Video Art

100% developed
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History

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Development

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On October 30th, 1986 LJN filed a patent with the US Patent office concerning technology used in the device.[1]

Launch

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The LJN Video Art was launched in 1987.[2] The system cost around $100.[3] A rap jingle was used to promote the device.[4]

Legacy

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The LJN Video Art was discontinued in either 1988[5] or 1989.[6] The discontinuation was spurred in part due to difficulties faced by LJN during that time.[5]

Unlike most platforms, the LJN Video Art is perhaps better know for events following discontinuation. In 1990 patents concerning the Video Art were transferred from LJN to an individual.[1] From 1993 to 1995 a court battle ensued over LJN Video Art patents and the popular SNES software Mario Paint, though this usage was ultimately ruled as non-infringing.[7][8]

Much later, the system gained notoriety online for it's poor design.[9]

Technology

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There does not appear to be any reliable information on technology used by the LJN Video Art.

The system supported drawing with 16 colors.[4][10]

New York Magazine suggested saving art drawn on the LJN Video Art by recording to videotape.[3]

Notable games

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About 8 cartridges were released for the LJN Video Art, with Marvel, Disney, and Loony Toons licensed releases.[2]

  • A Trip To The Zoo[6]
  • Disney Coloring Book[6]
  • Disney Story Book[6]
  • Looney Tunes[6]
  • Marvel Super-Heroes[6]
  • My Dream Day[6]
  • My Favorite Doll[6]
  • On the Move[6]
  • Video Art Activity Cartridge[6]

References

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  1. a b "Video art electronic system". 1986-10-30. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  2. a b "The LJN Video Art System Review - Gamester81". Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  3. a b LLC, New York Media. New York Magazine. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. a b "1987 LJN Video Art commercial". Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  5. a b "Video Art by LJN Toys Ltd – The Video Game Kraken". Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  6. a b c d e f g h i j "LJN Video Art". Wikipedia. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  7. "Edward L. Gussin, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Nintendo of America, Inc., Defendant-appellee, 62 F.3d 1433 (Fed. Cir. 1995)". Justia Law. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. "The Story of Mario Paint | Gaming Historian". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. "好きなゲームをクソゲーと言われ悔しくて作家デビューした人物の“ゲームSF小説”を読み解く、そこにはゲームレビューの可能性が秘められていた" (in ja). IGN Japan. 9 July 2017. https://jp.ign.com/videogamewithnoname/15365/feature/sf. 
  10. Schellenberg, Kathryn. Computers in Society. Dushkin. ISBN 978-0-87967-727-5. Retrieved 3 December 2020.