AOTM: Journey Conquers the Video Game World

(Journey Escape for the Atari 2600. Image courtesy of atarimania.com)

In the early eighties, Journey was at the top of their game. With the success of their seventh studio album Escape in 1981, Journey was packing stadiums across the country, and in 1983, finished their eight studio album titled Frontiers. To capitalize on their success, the band was involved in a number of entertainment-related business ventures including a documentary with NFL Films and commercials. One of the more interesting of Journey’s business ventures was two video games based on their album Escape.

Two video games were created in 1983 with Journey’s likeness and music from their album Escape. The first was with video game company Bally/Midway. Bally/Midway thought the idea of combining music with a video game would be very successful, both for the band and also for the video game company. Titled Journey, it was released for home use with little success, however, it seemed to gain a following at arcades and bowling alleys with people remembering how much they enjoyed playing the game (retroland). Not only did Bally/Midway create a video game for the band, Atari also came out with one for the Atari 2600 titled Journey Escape.

While both games included Journey’s likeness and music, the Atari version was not as developed or as professional as the Bally/Midway game. Atari’s game had players maneuvering through various people. Players were supposed to help Journey, “…outsmart the promoters, avoid the photographers, and fight off the love-crazed groupies (lifewire).” Comparably, Bally/Midway’s version focused on the band fighting through obstacles to gain their music instruments back and return to their scarab spaceship. Neither game was overly successful, but they provided Journey an opportunity to capitalize on their success that was not exclusive to the music industry.

Journey was at the top of their game in the early eighties; a time when video games became the latest craze. While the video games using their music and likeness didn’t become big hits in the gaming world, it was another way for the band to reach out to potential fans and keep themselves in the spotlight. Not many rock bands can say two gaming companies created video games exclusive to their brand, however, Journey is one of them.