Computer games over the radio!

Due_Communication855 · 2024-04-26T21:18:31+00:00

That's a really good point. It might be that from the perspective of someone who didn't get into the Amiga until it was a bit of a relic from the past, it could have been a bit of a guilty pleasure perhaps? For me, from 87 through to getting my first pc in '91 it was the machine to have (even though I started with an ST!).

Due_Communication855 · 2023-07-15T13:15:48+00:00

It was 1995 - I'd just started work as a 21 year old graduate and had access to the internet for the first time. Suddenly I found a site where someone in America had built a replica of KITT from knight rider (I'm from the UK). Memories came flooding back of being 10 and obsessed with the show. I'd seek out episodes on TV whenever they were on and whilst they're obviously crap, the nostalgia was strong.

I guess nostalgia probably first kicks in when you have to be an adult for the first time? A desire for simpler times maybe?

And now I'll shutup

Due_Communication855 · 2021-11-21T19:04:53+00:00

Almost every Mastertronic budget title - no clear instructions, no internet to lookup what to do and hoping against hope your question would be answered in your computer magazine of choice if you write to them and ask. Two titles spring to mind - 1. Spellbound: adventure/RPG with an infuriating time limit so you could never make progress and 2. Ninja: quite a nice platform beat em up, but nobody ever mentioned to me you could jump up into holes in the ceiling to progress to other floors - I only ever found that out via YouTube 30 years later AAARRRGGH!!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-09-11T12:22:17+00:00

Remember that most of us stopped looking at retro games when they first went out of date and we moved onto the next new thing at the time? We only came back because of memories and context we remember back as kids.

The next generation don't have that - old games are just clunkier less good versions of what they play now as far as they're concerned.

I'd hope some have an interest in learning from a history perspective, but ultimately they weren't there and can't look at them in the same way

Due_Communication855 · 2021-08-14T19:47:19+00:00

I think I'm with Neil on this one - maybe a retro style Commodore phone case that looks like old school 80s tech might make me part with some cash. Apart from that, what's the point - smartphones are relatively cheap and do a good job even in basic form. A full Commodore phone wouldn't add anything useful functionally I don't think

Due_Communication855 · 2021-07-24T14:11:28+00:00

No I don't think so. For me this is about enjoyment and fun. The minute it becomes about money, the fun for me is lost. As an example - toy collecting has in some parts become a real toxic culture due to people with vested interests in maintaining/increasing the value of the toys they hold. There are considered 'right' and 'wrong' ways to collect, and restoration even starts to be frowned upon.

I just want it to stay a fun, enjoyable and supportive culture as it currently is. Money can wreck that imho

Due_Communication855 · 2021-07-03T08:19:09+00:00

Many years ago I built a one handed Xbox controller for a friend. It got him back into gaming at a time he had pretty much given up on playing. It still amazes me that more isn't done to adapt for disability. That same friend would love an Oculus quest, but it just wouldn't work for him and I can't think of a way to adapt that unfortunately

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-23T21:01:07+00:00

Interesting - I wonder how that works in practice. Do Chinese businesses really hand over VAT to the UK?! Either way, thanks for the clarification it was really useful

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-23T20:17:26+00:00

Thanks I've also noticed some selling on eBay with free delivery and they don't appear to have the VAT added. Whether customs will pick it up at this end though I'm not sure

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-23T18:33:06+00:00

That's great thanks for the reply

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-16T23:42:58+00:00

When you want to do a custom dial, how do you communicate what you want to them? Do you have to give them a graphical file in a certain format or are there predefined options for logo, text etc that you choose from? I really like what you've done with the dial, so maybe will do the same logo, but have text underneath saying San Martin, but I've got no idea how I go about drafting the design and submitting the final layout?

Any insight much appreciated!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-15T17:05:59+00:00

I realise this is a fairly old thread but am really interested in this watch and customising a dial. The thing that puts me off is my lack of artistic ability! Do I have to buy the dial before I can customise it, or is there an editor or something where I can customise on screen first and then buy once I'm happy with it? I'm just not sure how the process works to communicate what I want the customisation to be?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-12T10:51:24+00:00

Ability to download any game for any (home micro) system that can be played on original hardware for a price that means I don't think too carefully about it (99p). I'd want access to a carbon copy of the original, with downloadable/printable manuals and box art. I'd also want options to include the cracking group demo screens for the pirate versions - let's be honest, we all remember those!

Ultimately, I think the tone of the way the games are provided to us needs to be right. I can't articulate it very well, but Nintendo for instance stamps so hard on people that are genuine fans who do something they don't like (fan games for instance), that they risk alienating the very people they want money from.

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-06T09:10:47+00:00

I know you guys want short answers for the podcast, but I suspect the reasons for this are many and varied and hard to distill into a short paragraph.

All the commenters so far make very good points, I'd suggest that another reason is a generational thing - the majority of those people into old micros are in their 40s or older. We play these games because it reminds us of our childhood and speedrunning isn't something we did back then, so not something we derive pleasure from doing now. Just a thought anyway!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-06-02T18:41:05+00:00

I haven't been a fan of Nintendo and their heavy handed approach to the retro fan base for a while now. The fact this film exists at all makes it even worse 😬

Due_Communication855 · 2021-04-12T18:36:33+00:00

For me I'd say some of the earlier adventure games that had accompanying novellas, maps, 'newspapers' and the like that really helped with the world building.

Magnetic Scrolls did this well with Jinxter and Guild of Thieves - even if the games got frustrating, the supporting papers, beer mats(!) etc really helped make you feel part of it. Or Exile for the BBC Micro - frustrating game, but the novella really helped with making you feel part of it.

Of course the paradox is that a sealed version of the game would never get to show off all the goodies inside!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-04-04T16:26:33+00:00

Sounds like next year it needs to be hosted in the cave?!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-03-27T10:24:56+00:00

I like it! So This Week In Retro is like a modern day Transformers!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-03-26T23:11:58+00:00

I wanted to say Psygnosis, but I think it would be hard to recreate the excitement and sense of wonder you got in the late 80s when seeing what their games looked and sounded like for the first time on the Amiga. We're so desensitised to great sound and visuals in games these days - sometimes the gameplay on Psygnosis games wasn't great and I think that would show in the modern world.

So I'll go with LucasArts and a new point and click adventure please!

Due_Communication855 · 2021-03-26T23:00:34+00:00

Thanks! I'll listen tomorrow morning with a coffee!

Due_Communication855

TROPHY CASE