Hard Hat Mack

“Hard Hat Mack” is a seminal platform video game developed by Michael Abbot and Matthew Alexander, released by Electronic Arts in 1983. Recognized as one of the first platform games for personal computers, it predates many renowned titles in the genre and draws significant inspiration from Nintendo’s “Donkey Kong.”

The cover, designed by the newly established agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and featuring photography by Charlie Franklin, presents a compelling depiction of the game’s construction-themed gameplay. This game is the first release of the initial five titles by Electronic Arts and is a key piece in our EA Gatefold Poster Collection. Its cover art was part of EA’s initial strategy to make video game packaging visually appealing and informative, akin to book covers or movie posters. This approach helped set EA’s games apart in a crowded market and established a brand identity of quality and creativity.

The game sparked controversy when Dan McCorquodale, a California state senator, criticized its depiction of a government entity. He expressed his concerns in a letter to the Emporium-Capwell store in Santa Clara, arguing that the game’s portrayal of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as the villain, sending inspectors to hinder Mack’s construction efforts with excessive regulations, misrepresented the federal government’s intent to maintain safety and public health. Electronic Arts, found it hard to take the accusation seriously. “Hard Hat Mack is only a game,” was the reaction to this early controversy from EA.