Microsoft announced that the excavation of the long-rumored "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" video game burial site will occur on April 26, 2014 and will be open to the public.
In 1983, the Atari Corporation – faced with overwhelmingly negative response to the "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" video game – allegedly disposed of millions of unsold game cartridges by burying them in the small town of Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Fuel Entertainment took an interest in the legend, and in December 2013, with help from local garbage contractor Joe Lewandowski, acquired the exclusive rights to excavate the Alamogordo landfill. Fuel Entertainment brought the opportunity to Xbox Entertainment Studios, and now, as part of a documentary series (developed by Xbox Entertainment Studios and two-time Academy Award winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy winning producer Jonathan Chinn, through their multi-platform media company, Lightbox), the team will excavate the New Mexico landfill to reveal the true story of Atari’s bizarre burial.
In addition to fans and media, a variety of people tied to the dig, video game, and film will be in attendance – including "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" video game designer Howard Scott Warshaw, a team of archeologists and representatives from Xbox Entertainment Studios, Lightbox and Fuel Entertainment.