# General Computer Corporation

> American hardware and software company

**Wikidata**: [Q3759468](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3759468)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Computer_Corporation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/general-computer-corporation

## Summary
General Computer Corporation was an American hardware and software company that operated within the video game industry. Founded in 1981 and based in New Bedford, United States, the company functioned as a video game developer for over three decades before being dissolved in 2015.

## Key Facts
- **Industry:** Video game industry (hardware and software).
- **Instance of:** Video game developer.
- **Inception:** 1981.
- **Headquarters:** New Bedford, United States.
- **Dissolved:** 2015.
- **Affiliated Person:** Elizabeth Betty Ryan (American game developer and programmer).
- **Also known as:** ジェネラル・コンピュータ・コーポレーション (Japanese), 通用计算机公司 (Chinese).
- **Identifiers:** MobyGames Company ID 4304; Freebase ID /m/0410qm.

## FAQs
### Q: When was General Computer Corporation founded and when did it cease operations?
A: The company was founded in 1981. It was dissolved or demolished in 2015.

### Q: Where was General Computer Corporation located?
A: The company had its headquarters in New Bedford, United States.

### Q: What type of company was General Computer Corporation?
A: It was an American hardware and software company classified as a video game developer.

## Why It Matters
General Computer Corporation holds a specific place in the history of the American video game industry as an entity that bridged the gap between hardware and software development. Operating out of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the company's lifespan from 1981 to 2015 places it within the golden age of arcade gaming and the subsequent evolution of home consoles and computing. The company is notable for its longevity in a volatile market, surviving for over three decades. Its association with figures like programmer Elizabeth Betty Ryan highlights the role of individual developers within the corporate structure of the 1980s and 90s tech scene. As a recognized entity in international databases and archives (such as MobyGames and LastDodo), it serves as a subject of study for industry genealogy and software preservation efforts.

## Notable For
- **Dual Specialization:** Operating as both a hardware and software company, a classification that distinguishes it from pure software studios.
- **Longevity:** Maintaining operations from 1981 through 2015, spanning multiple generations of gaming technology.
- **International Recognition:** Possessing aliases and Wikipedia entries in multiple languages, including English, Esperanto, Spanish, French, and Italian.
- **Key Personnel:** Association with Elizabeth Betty Ryan, a noted American game developer and programmer.

## Body

### Corporate Identity and Classification
General Computer Corporation is defined as an instance of a **video game developer** within the broader **video game industry**. The organization is described as an American hardware and software company. While the industry often separates hardware manufacturers from software publishers, this entity is characterized by its involvement in both domains.

### History and Timeline
The company was established in **1981**. Its founding places it during a pivotal era in computer electronics, shortly after the initial boom of personal computing and arcade gaming.
*   **Inception:** 1981
*   **Headquarters:** New Bedford, United States
*   **Dissolution:** The company was dissolved, abolished, or demolished in **2015**.

### Affiliations and Personnel
The knowledge base indicates a specific affiliation with **Elizabeth Betty Ryan**, an American game developer and programmer. Her roles are listed as software developer, video game developer, and programmer, linking the corporate entity to individual contributions in software creation.

### International and Archival Presence
General Computer Corporation maintains a presence in various international and archival databases:
*   **Aliases:** The entity is referred to as *ジェネラル・コンピュータ・コーポレーション* in Japanese and *通用计算机公司* in Chinese.
*   **Archival IDs:** It is tracked under MobyGames Company ID **4304** (formerly under the scheme *general-computer-corporation*) and LastDodo area ID **538925**.
*   **Global Reach:** Wikipedia articles about the company exist in five languages: English, Esperanto, Spanish, French, and Italian.

## References

1. LastDodo