# Gaming’s oldest urban legend is Atari’s fault

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/gamings-oldest-urban-legend-is-ataris-fault/
- Published: 2026-08-17T07:50:40+00:00
- Original publisher: Polygon
- Original article: https://www.polygon.com/video/gaming-s-oldest-urban-legend-is-atari-s-fault/
- Topics: Americas

## Summary

Polybius is gaming's oldest urban legend. It's a cursed arcade machine that supposedly caused illness, amnesia... death. Of course, Polybius is just a story. But the legend is so believable because of real shady business dealings: knock-off Atari games, shell corporations, and military propaganda. Jenna Stoeber explains the true story behind Polybius.#polybius #atari

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