Commodore International: Difference between revisions

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Replaced content with "{{Short description|American computer company, revived in 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Commodore International, Inc. | logo = Commodore logo 2025.svg | type = Private | industry = Computer hardware, consumer electronics | founded = 1954 (as Commodore Portable Typewriter Company)<br>2024 (revived) | founder = Jack Tramiel (original) | fate = Bankrupt..."
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== Commodore 64 Ultimate ==
== Commodore 64 Ultimate ==
The first major product under the revived brand is the '''Commodore 64 Ultimate''', launched in July 2025. It combines the original C64's form factor with modern technology, including:
The first major product under the revived brand is the [[Commodore 64 Ultimate]], launched in July 2025. It combines the original C64's form factor with modern technology, including:
* HDMI output
* HDMI output
* SD card and USB ports
* SD card and USB ports

Latest revision as of 18:49, 26 July 2025

Commodore International, Inc.
Company typePrivate
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FateBankrupt (1994); brand revived (2024)
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Headquarters
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Key people
Christian Simpson (President & CEO)
ProductsCommodore 64, Amiga, VIC-20, Commodore 64 Ultimate
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Websitecommodore.net

Commodore International, Inc. is a historic American technology company best known for pioneering personal computing during the 1980s. Founded in 1954 by Jack Tramiel, the company rose to prominence with the release of the Commodore 64, one of the best-selling personal computers of all time. Commodore went bankrupt in 1994. In 2024, the brand was revived by actor and retro computing enthusiast Christian "Perifractic" Simpson.

History

1954–1982: Origins and early growth

Commodore was established in Toronto as the Commodore Portable Typewriter Company by Jack Tramiel. In the 1970s, the company transitioned from mechanical typewriters and calculators to digital electronics, acquiring MOS Technology in 1976. This led to the development of the Commodore PET, released in 1977, one of the first successful personal computers aimed at the education and business markets.

Commodore’s popularity expanded with the release of the VIC-20 in 1980, a low-cost color computer for home users.

1982–1994: Peak and decline

The 1982 launch of the Commodore 64 cemented the company’s legacy. With an estimated 12–17 million units sold, the C64 offered advanced graphics and sound at an affordable price and became a cornerstone of home computing in the 1980s.

Later systems included the Commodore 128 and the Amiga series, the latter of which was notable for its graphics and multitasking capabilities. However, despite its innovations, Commodore faced increasing competition and internal corporate struggles.

Tramiel resigned in 1984, and the company faced declining market share by the early 1990s. Commodore filed for bankruptcy on April 29, 1994.

Post-1994: Dormancy and brand fragmentation

After the 1994 bankruptcy, Commodore’s assets were sold to German firm Escom AG, which itself went bankrupt in 1996. Over the next two decades, rights to the Commodore brand and trademarks were fragmented among various companies, leading to limited and often unofficial uses of the name.

Revival (2024–present)

In 2024, actor and YouTuber Christian Simpson, known online as "Perifractic," began discussions to license the Commodore brand. By mid-2025, Simpson and a team of retro computing advocates finalized a share purchase agreement to acquire full rights to the Commodore name and officially reboot the company.[1]

Simpson emphasized that the new venture was not a merchandising effort but a full revival with original values. He announced the relaunch through his Retro Recipes YouTube channel and took on the role of President and CEO.[2]

The revived company also announced a panel of legacy advisors and collaborators, including former Commodore engineers and executives such as Bill Herd, Michael Tomczyk, Jeri Ellsworth, David Pleasance, and others.

The company’s stated goal is to combine the authenticity of original Commodore hardware and values with modern usability, while also navigating complex IP rights related to the Commodore and Amiga platforms.

Commodore 64 Ultimate

The first major product under the revived brand is the Commodore 64 Ultimate, launched in July 2025. It combines the original C64's form factor with modern technology, including:

  • HDMI output
  • SD card and USB ports
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Cycle-accurate emulation of the C64, C128, and Amiga
  • A retro-style mechanical keyboard in a redesigned "breadbin" case

The system has been praised by retro computing communities for its fidelity to the original Commodore experience, combined with modern usability.[3]

Within the first weeks of launch, over 4,000 units were sold, generating more than $1.5 million in revenue.[4]

A fully authentic hardware reissue of the original Commodore 64 was also announced in July 2025, with expected shipping in Q4 2025.

Leadership

  • Christian Simpson – President and CEO. A retro computing advocate, Simpson is known for producing the Retro Recipes YouTube channel and for voice acting roles in major franchises. He led the 2025 acquisition and reboot of the Commodore brand.[5]

Legacy

Commodore’s original contributions to the personal computing revolution remain foundational. The company helped democratize computing for a generation and inspired a lasting legacy in software, gaming, and digital creativity.

The 2024–2025 revival has been widely welcomed by the retro computing community and has helped reintroduce the brand to new audiences while preserving its historical importance.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Beloved Commodore May Rise from the Ashes". HotHardware. June 29, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Commodore Is Back! The Ultimate 8-Bit Reveal". YouTube. April 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Commodore 64 Ultimate". Commodore.net. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  4. ↑ "The Risky Business of Bringing Commodore Back to Life". Wired. July 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Perifractic: Behind Commodore's Revival". Tedium. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

External links

Template:Commodore

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