Jul 17, 2021
Brenda Laurel, Atari Research
Dr. Brenda Laurel worked at Atari from 1980 through 1984. She began
as software specialist for educational applications then soon
became manager of software strategy for the home computer division.
In mid-1982, she joined Atari Corporate Research at the Sunnyvale
research laboratory, where she worked with Alan Kay.
After Atari, she worked at Activision as director of software
development. Later she founded Purple Moon, a software company
focused on creating games for young girls; and co-founded
Telepresence Research, a company focused on first-person media and
virtual reality.
This interview took place on July 15, 2021. Check the show notes
for links to articles she wrote for Atari Connection magazine; her
doctoral dissertation, "Toward the Design of a Computer-Based
Interactive Fantasy System"; scans of memos on the subject of
interactive fantasy that she wrote while at Atari Research; and
more.
Brenda's web
site