Commodore acquired for a ‘low seven figure’ price — new (acting) CEO comes from the retro community
While funding is being organized, TechTuber 'Peri Fratic' ropes in lots of big Commodore names from yesteryear to build new hope.

YouTube’s Christian ‘Peri Fratic’ Simpson claims to be “the acting CEO of Commodore Corporation.” The surprise Commodore buyout deal hinted at three weeks prior, seems to have been put into motion. In a new episode on the rebranded Retro Recipes x Commodore channel, Peri Fratic provides details of the seven-figure deal, outlines his vision for the company, and lists a growing number of ex-Commodore luminaries who will be joining him to relaunch the beloved brand. Last and definitely not least, the video ends in a signature tease – this time it’s a tease for new hardware.
Finance still not certain
Concerning the deal, a key point from the above video is that Peri Fratic “signed a share purchase agreement” with the previous owners of Commodore Corporation. It has been agreed that a price “in the low seven figures” will be paid to seal the deal. That should mean the deal is worth somewhere between $1m and $5m.
Apparently many backers of this project, including Peri Fratic, have already put in lots of cash to make this buyout happen, taking out second mortgages, selling the family silver, etc. However, the search is still on for angel investors to launch the new ship. Lots of details and discussion about funding are provided, but left us wondering what would happen if not enough suitable investors come forward, and what kind of timescale needs to be adhered to, to finalize the contract?
Some big names from Commodore’s history sign up
With this agreement in place, the new Commodore has already got a new slogan. It will go forward with its ‘Retro Futurism’ plans, “honoring our past, innovating the future.” Furthermore, Perifrantic has been busy appointing (acting) CEO, CFO, COO, and many more key positions – many of whom honor the past.
Some big names that will play a part in the new future Commodore include, in order of mention: Bill Herd (Commodore Pioneer), Albert Charpentier (Father of the C64), Michael Tomczyk (Vic Tzar of the Vic 20), James Harrison (Tech support manager), David Pleasance (ex VP becomes Heritage and legacy advisor), Hans Olsen (demo and convention facilitator), Tim Morgan (PR officer), and more.


Not the real Commodore?
Perifrantic makes an interesting point in anticipation of critics that will chime in to assert “this will never be the original Commodore.” In his defense, the retro tech enthusiast says “what if we got 47 trademarks from 1982, or original Commodore engineers back, original executives, assistants, ROMs, Amiga? I mean, at some point, it does start to become the real Commodore, right?”
Also in the FAQ section of the video we get a rendition of the aims of the new Commodore sans corporate-speak. It will exist to “streamline the usage of the brand and logo, along with releasing some of our own products,” it is stated.
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As well as the financial backing, which is still not guaranteed, Peri Fratic is seeking other talented folk. Specifically, merchandise designers, social media manager, and anyone who owns a license from a classic 1980s or 90s game should get in touch with the new (acting) Commodore CEO.
New Commodore launch project teaser
We are left with a cliffhanger with regard to the new ‘Commodore ____’. The video cuts out to an unpacking/loading type screen before Peri Fratic can hoist the new device from his lap into view. That announcement seems to be 20,160 minutes away (as of yesterday), which indicates a wait of two weeks.
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Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.
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bit_user I never owned a Commodore, but I've had friends and a neighbor with a C64 or similar. While those machines were nice for their day & price point, I have no idea what a modern equivalent would be that doesn't already exist. Especially since the zenith of their evolution seemed to be Amiga, which I think is currently owned by someone else?Reply
I wonder if the best opportunity for them wouldn't be to chart a bold, new course in the RISC-V market? That could get a lot of the tinkerers on board. It might also enable them to build a platform that eventually spans from IoT all the way up to workstations.
Good luck to them. I think they'll need it. -
TerryLaze
What did he say that gave you the idea that making a new computer is what he wants to do?!bit_user said:I have no idea what a modern equivalent would be that doesn't already exist.
I wonder if the best opportunity for them wouldn't be to chart a bold, new course in the RISC-V market?
They can make official c64 and amiga minis, or any other commodore in mini format, or even in maxi format.
Mainly though he was talking about licensing already existing hardware. -
bit_user
I didn't watch the video and I don't follow the guy, so I definitely lack some background. However, the article said:TerryLaze said:What did he say that gave you the idea that making a new computer is what he wants to do?!
They can make official c64 and amiga minis, or any other commodore in mini format, or even in maxi format.
Mainly though he was talking about licensing already existing hardware.
"Last and definitely not least, the video ends in a signature tease – this time it’s a tease for new hardware."
...
“what if we got 47 trademarks from 1982, or original Commodore engineers back, original executives, assistants, ROMs, Amiga? I mean, at some point, it does start to become the real Commodore, right?”
...
we get a rendition of the aims of the new Commodore sans corporate-speak. It will exist to “streamline the usage of the brand and logo, along with releasing some of our own products,”That does definitely give the impression that they are not just licensing existing stuff.
Also, in my post, I did mention about IoT. I wasn't focused exclusively on computers, either. -
punkncat Not exactly on topic but to say that I recall one of my friends growing up getting a Commodore and as stated above, it was quite the system for its day. I remember spending hours playing this Star Trek game that straight up had to be a port of Asteroids. We thought that tech had reached a high that would never be surpassed...at least until cartridge systems came along.Reply -
TerryLaze
Yeah at the beginning he was also talking about upgrading the zx spectrum next (fpga based) to the C64 core, putting a commodore logo on that and selling it would be a new product.bit_user said:I didn't watch the video and I don't follow the guy, so I definitely lack some background. However, the article said:
"Last and definitely not least, the video ends in a signature tease – this time it’s a tease for new hardware."...“what if we got 47 trademarks from 1982, or original Commodore engineers back, original executives, assistants, ROMs, Amiga? I mean, at some point, it does start to become the real Commodore, right?”...we get a rendition of the aims of the new Commodore sans corporate-speak. It will exist to “streamline the usage of the brand and logo, along with releasing some of our own products,”That does definitely give the impression that they are not just licensing existing stuff.
Also, in my post, I did mention about IoT. I wasn't focused exclusively on computers, either.
Just saying, they might bring out some fantastic stuff but chances are ... not from the start. -
bit_user
I had no real context for any of this, as I had no game console and almost no experience with computers.punkncat said:We thought that tech had reached a high that would never be surpassed...at least until cartridge systems came along.
When my family finally did get a PC, my dad opted for a monochrome display, since it had sharper line graphics and he wanted to use it for CAD. That made it rather uninteresting to me and left me with the feeling that C64 was probably the better machine (which it obviously wasn't). -
punkncat bit_user said:I had no real context for any of this, as I had no game console and almost no experience with computers.
When my family finally did get a PC, my dad opted for a monochrome display, since it had sharper line graphics and he wanted to use it for CAD. That made it rather uninteresting to me and left me with the feeling that C64 was probably the better machine (which it obviously wasn't).
The first "actual" computer I had was a Tandy Color Computer 2 sold by Radio Shack. It was much like the Apple 2 machine in form. I got the phone cradle for "internet" (which didn't exist like it does today, yet) a cartridge port, a tape drive, floppy...I thought it was the bomb.
I didn't actually own another computer until the Pentium came out with MMX. I had no idea that wasn't until ~97 till I looked. We had (previously) rented one from Aarons so that I could visit the Tippmann (paintball) forum in order to schedule scenario games.