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

The Commodore 64 (C64) did not include Simons' BASIC from 1983 onward primarily due to strategic business decisions and licensing considerations by Commodore, rather than any technical shortcomings of Simons' BASIC itself.

Simons' BASIC, also known as Super BASIC or Extended BASIC, was an enhanced version of the standard Commodore BASIC (also referred to as Commodore BASIC 2.0). It was developed by British programmer John S. Simpson and offered improvements over the standard version, including better performance, more advanced features, and a more intuitive syntax, making it popular among C64 enthusiasts and developers.

Several factors contributed to Commodore's decision not to bundle Simons' BASIC:

1. Licensing Agreements and Cost Avoidance: Commodore had already standardized on a BASIC interpreter for the C64, specifically its own version derived from Microsoft BASIC. Including Simons' BASIC would have necessitated additional licensing fees, which Commodore likely wished to avoid to maintain the C64's competitive price point. The switch to Microsoft BASIC was a result of a licensing agreement between Commodore and Microsoft, making Microsoft BASIC the standard interpreter included in the machine's ROM from 1983 onward.
2. Standardization and Compatibility: Introducing an alternative BASIC, especially one with enhanced features and commands not present in the standard version, would have introduced complexity and potential compatibility issues for users and developers.
3. Market Positioning: The C64 was marketed as an affordable and accessible home computer, targeting a broad audience, including many first-time computer users. An advanced BASIC might have been seen as an unnecessary inclusion for this target market.
4. Revenue Generation: Commodore likely saw an opportunity to sell Simons' BASIC as a separate upgrade or add-on product, generating additional revenue from power users and developers who specifically needed its extra features.
5. Resource Allocation: Integrating and supporting an additional, more complex version of BASIC would have required more development and support resources, which Commodore may have preferred to allocate to other areas.

In summary, while Simons' BASIC remained a valued separate purchase for those seeking its enhanced capabilities, Commodore's choice to omit it from the C64 package was a strategic business decision focused on cost-effectiveness, standardization, and market positioning.