Showdown at the Virtual Corral
Names Optigon Interactive, the forthcoming TEN service, the first multiplayer SimCity, and its comics, email, news, and graphical communication.
Read at SFGATE ↗Contemporary coverage and company documents
TEN in the press,
1994–1996.
Before Kleiner Perkins financed the company, Optigon and TEN had already drawn attention for their graphical community, multiplayer SimCity, national beta, and founders Daniel Goldman and Janice Linden-Reed.
- June 25, 1994
- TEN unveiled
- August 10, 1994
- SimCity Online
- October 31, 1994
- TEN.NET registered
“A cross between America Online and The Imagination Network.”
Electronic Information Report, July 1994
“If Daniel Goldman and Janice Linden-Reed follow their vision there soon will be.”
Electronic Games, September 1994
“Cater to our audience's specific interests, and break the rules.”
Computer Gaming World, October 1994
“TEN is more than multi-player, real-time games.”
Bay Area Computer Currents, November 1994
“The first online, multiple-player version of SimCity.”
San Francisco Chronicle, January 1995
“TEN is currently in Alpha and on schedule for a national roll out in Nov.”
Multimedia Wire, August 1994
01 / Articles about TEN
Optigon and TEN
before June 1995.
The San Francisco Chronicle covered Optigon’s multiplayer SimCity plans. Trade and computer publications described TEN’s founders, technology, community, and national rollout.
Early Total Entertainment Network Press
Electronic Information Report
Optigon To Debut New Online Service For Niche Market
Documents more than five years and $1 million in development, the founders, early beta, national rollout plans, and a 50-game target.
Read article scanInteractive Content
Optigon Builds Online SimCity
Explains the Maxis relationship, TEN's niche-community model, the graphical interface, and the planned multiplayer SimCity.
Page 1 Page 2
Contra Costa Times
SimCity goes on-line with startup
Names Emeryville's Optigon and Daniel Goldman and describes cooperation, competition, and real-time interaction in the online SimCity.
Read article scan
Multimedia Wire
Optigon acquires right to produce online versions of 3 Maxis titles
Records the online production, supporting technology, multiplayer distribution, and sublicensing agreement.
Read article scanElectronic Games
The NET: Total Entertainment Network
Names Goldman and Linden-Reed as the people behind TEN and examines identity, customization, managed information, and user-created content.
Read full issue ↗Computer Gaming World
Network MTV
Describes Optigon's graphical community, SimCity Online, downloadable software, user publishing, games, profiles, and planned national service.
Read full issue ↗Bay Area Computer Currents
Online multimedia games
Reports real-time multiplayer games, the beta over Sprint, and the plan to launch nationally with SimCity, chess, backgammon, and role-playing.
Read article scan02 / Domain record
TEN.NET
in 1994.
TEN.NET was registered on October 31, 1994, months before the 1995 corporate transaction.
October 31, 1994
TEN.NET was set up in 1994 by Optigon Interactive, led by Daniel Goldman and Janice Linden-Reed.
Read registry record