Giving someone a crash course in gaming history & culture?

[mustardseed]

Hi guys! I need some advice!

I work full-time as a freelance video producer, but I have taken the first step into pursuing my dream of producing a real feature film. It's just a fun little comedy idea that I came up with (still too early to give all the details away).

I have hired a writer that I have worked with in the past who is fantastic to help me bring this vision to life. She is an incredibly talented writer with a real knack for the style of comedy that I want.

The problem is the main character in the movie is a retro game fan and arcade collector, which I know a great deal about, but my writer does not. Do you guys know of any good books or other resources that would be helpful in helping my writer get a better handle on the history or culture?

I haven't read many books on the subject because I never learn anything I didn't already know. Have you guys read or watched anything worthwhile that would be helpful?

Thanks!!

[dsheinem]

have them read all the articles on the main site here!

[mustardseed]

The articles here will be useful a little later, but I think they might be a little overwhelming to someone starting from scratch. Looking for a good book or documentary to get her started and then I think the articles here could fill in the gaps.

I just know some of those gaming history books really suck, so I'm hoping someone will know of a good one.

[Nemoide]

Go on a road trip to Fun Spot (assuming you live within driving distance) or else lend her an NES and some games.
IMO the best way to learn about games is to play them, even if it's only 30 minutes a day for a week or two. Make sure she starts with classic gems like Super Mario Bros. or Mega Man 2 but also show her some crappy games like Back to the Future.

Reading can come later, but if she doesn't understand playing games, I don't think reading will be much help.

Maybe this isn't practical advice, but it's all I can really think of!

[CRTGAMER]

Agree, reading is just part of it. Maybe your writer could spend a day on Mame, try the different games first hand? The Mame front end has a history section if you install the History.Dat file. Try some Retro consoles too, get the feel of playing on the older Paddle and Joystick controls.

[flojocabron]

Get a classic old system and when she has free time, have play some games for a few hours. Lets hope she has the time mind you.

have her blow into a few carts, and for nostalgias sake have the system hooked up through a VCR!

make her remember how it was for us as kids. Not just playing the classics, but the whole experience.

Find those vids on youtube where its christmas and those kids got that large present under their tree. The look of sheer joy and excitement. That first new system.

She can learn about how back then you didnt have as many games (options) as you do now. How we only had that one game that we played religiously. It was damn hard, but thats all we had.

Simply taking about the sega vs Nintendo rivalry. How many battles there were when we were kids over which is better. Its still probably happening now in elementary school between PS3 and 360!

Since shes a writer, she needs mulitlple aspect of the subject she's learning about. Not just playing the games but the nostalgia and emotional factor of gaming.

[Menegrothx]

Give her Nethack and Ninja Gaiden, lock her up in a room and dont let her out untill she has played through both. If you want to make sure her power level gets high enough, also give her an 8 bit computer with Ultima&Wizardry games and ghosts and goblins and a NES with Battletoads and some Mega Man games.
After she has the right mindset she can start studying different console generations, notable arcade games and the history of computers.

[mustardseed]

Oh, great thoughts about nostalgia flojocabron. Gathering some Christmas youtube videos. Wish I had some of mine from the NES days. Need to help her really understand where this life long love comes from. It really is about the memories. Thanks!

[Hobie-wan]

have her blow into a few carts

Don't make me come down there and cut you!

[flojocabron]

have her blow into a few carts

Don't make me come down there and cut you!

you'll need a passport to cross the border into mexico.

Come during the day in our 110+ degree weather.



woof!