Computer nerds of yore: video from 1984

[J T]

I saw this on Rock Paper Shotgun recently and found it rather entertaining. It's a PBS special about computer gamers that was released back in '84.

[Nemoide]

I love this kind of thing. I know that back in the day, computer technology was far less advanced than it is today, but when I hear people from the 80s talk about computers and games, it seems so limitless! I don't see that attitude very often nowadays.

[Ivo]

Nice video JT, thanks for publicising it.

Ivo.

[irixith]

This is the best thing I watched all day. The memories, holy shit.

"Simple, hot & deep". -- Trip Hawkins

If only he'd stuck to that philosophy.

[Hobie-wan]

That was fun. I used to watch Computer Chronicles when I was a kid. Pinball Construction Set is indeed an awesome game. I still have my copy.

[Gunstar Green]

That was really well made. It was also an interesting window back to what developers thought about the industry and the future in 1984.

It's also worth noting that this was 1984, after the crash. At this time everybody assumed home computers were going render the home video game console market obsolete. It's also interesting seeing it as a period of experimentation where people were trying to set themselves apart from a stagnant, saturated industry with new ideas. I especially get that vibe during the Pinball Construction Set interview.

[jay_red]

Very much enjoyed watching that. That space shuttle game, while i am sure was a techinical marval in its time, looked pretty boring, and only good for one play though. That interviewer really wanted to get that one on one game going lol.