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Ask HN: Would the c64 have sold more with BASIC commands for graphics and sound?
It is strange that the built-in BASIC did not have any such commands.
- stevenalowe 2y agoIt's not strange, it's history. What is the point of all of these what-if questions about obsolete hardware?
- mattl 2y agoHow much more do you think it would sell? It sold a lot. The C64 didn’t have a native 80 column mode and perhaps could have sold more if it was more usable as a terminal as well? Some Z80 machines had 80 column and could run CP/M but didn’t sell anywhere near as many units as the C64.
- amichail 2y agoDoubling the ROM to allow for a more advanced BASIC would be cheaper than adding (high quality) 80 column support.
- IcePic 2y agoI think it might have gotten them a few more sales initially, then more people would figure C64-with-gfx-and-sound sufficed and not moved on to learning ASM on it, and in turn not produce the awesome music, graphics effects and games that in turn helped sales later on. I think it would end up equal or even worse.
- melling 2y agoWould the best selling desktop computer of all time sold more if… Probably not https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/72695-most-computer-sales#:~:text=The%20best%2Dselling%20desktop%20computer,August%201982%20and%20April%201994 https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/72695-mos....