HARTFORD, Conn. -- Coleco Industries and American Telephone and Telegraph Corp. have announced a venture to offer the use of home computers and video games over the telephone.
Users of home computer and video games would be linked to a central computer through existing telephone lines and a special converter modem, the firms said Wednesday.
Morton E. Handel, Coleco executive vice president, said consumers with a home computer or video game systems can play the latest in interactive and strategy, arcade games and other entertainment software.
Despite limited details of the venture, it appeared that Coleco would develop a bank of games software outside the home that can be used by employing AT&T equipment.
Access to such games and entertainment is available now only through a home cable television service.
Handel said the two firms were reluctant to say more about the joint venture because of its 'competitive nature'
Clarence C. Selin, director of strategic planning and consumer products for AT&T, said the phone company 'has been looking for the right partner to enter the existing game and entertainment software market and Coleco is the perfect match.'
The latest venture by Coleco was announced a day after the firm introduced its new Adam home computer in time for the Christmas shopping season.
The AT&T-Coleco modem will be in addition to a modem Coleco plans to issue early next year that will allow Adam owners to use other computers and computer information banks.
