Why didn't the C64 come with Simons' BASIC in the box from 1983 onward?

The Commodore 64 did not come bundled with Simons' BASIC from 1983 onward due to a confluence of strategic and economic factors.

While Simons' BASIC, an extension to the C64's built-in BASIC 2.0 created by David Simons, offered over 100 additional commands, support for advanced C64 features, and improved programming efficiency, Commodore opted not to include it universally for several key reasons:

Reasons Simons' BASIC Was Not Bundled:

1. Licensing Costs and Royalties: A significant hurdle was the cost associated with licensing Simons' BASIC. Commodore would have incurred royalty payments for every C64 unit sold, an additional expense they likely aimed to avoid to maintain competitive pricing.

2. Cost and Pricing Strategy: The Commodore 64 was strategically priced for the mass market. Including Simons' BASIC would have increased the manufacturing cost and potentially the retail price, which went against Commodore's goal of keeping the base price low to maximize market share.

3. Availability as a Separate Product: Simons' BASIC was readily available for purchase separately, often on cartridge. This allowed users who specifically desired its enhanced capabilities to acquire it without burdening all C64 purchasers with the added cost, whether they needed it or not.

4. Commodore's Own Software Priorities: Commodore had its own evolving software strategy and alternative enhancements. They might have prioritized other bundles, peripherals, or their own BASIC extensions, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the user experience through their own offerings.

Broader Context of BASIC Decision

It's also important to understand the broader context of Commodore's BASIC choices. The C64's primary built-in interpreter was Microsoft BASIC (specifically, the VIC-20 version adapted for the C64). This decision for Microsoft BASIC was influenced by:

• Established Reputation and Compatibility: Microsoft BASIC was a widely recognized standard in the home computer market. Licensing it provided built-in credibility and compatibility with software developed for other Microsoft BASIC-based systems, easing software porting and expanding the C64's software library.
• Cost-Effectiveness over In-house Development: While licensing incurred fees for Microsoft BASIC, it was likely more cost-effective for Commodore than developing and maintaining an entirely proprietary BASIC interpreter from scratch. This allowed them to leverage existing goodwill and save on R&D costs.
• Features and Performance: Microsoft BASIC offered features like floating-point arithmetic. While performance differences between various BASIC interpreters might not have been drastic, Microsoft's offering was considered robust and widely accepted.

In essence, the decision not to bundle Simons' BASIC was a practical one driven by financial prudence, market strategy, and the availability of the extension as a separate, optional purchase, complementing Commodore's established relationship with Microsoft BASIC as the core interpreter.