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Thirty years ago, computers were magic. Forty, too. Haven't you noticed, though? They're still magic. I do not miss the nonsense with unreliable media, however

Thirty years ago, computers were magic. Forty, too. Haven't you noticed, though? They're still magic. I do not miss the nonsense with unreliable media, however. Loading Elite from tape took five minutes and if humidity or temperature were unusual or the moon occluded Santraginus or whatever it'd be spewing endless CRC check errors. Some hardships are valuable learning experiences, but this one is just trauma.

karmakaze 3y ago
The magic now is so beyond that it doesn't feel special anymore. Maybe it's because I read about new games more than I play them. Seeing what Ureal can do makes me think anything is now possible so loses some shock factor, though I'm sure first hand in-game would still be Wow! I'm still waiting for the killer immersive VR game.
- flyinghamster 3y ago
  Watching footage from, let's say, GTA V or such makes me realize that I fell so far behind in gaming that I'm best off sticking with nethack...
  - karmakaze 3y ago
    Similarly, I play StarCraft II on a Surface Go 3 (i3 8GB).
- inopinatus 3y ago
  If you’ll allow the unsolicited suggestion: one excellent way to rediscover the joy of computers is to write a game. Even something simple for yourself, like a Tetris clone or a cattery simulator. Back in the day, that meant hand-rolled hardware gymnastics on an 6502. These days, there are many excellent engines and tools available, but you’re still never far from cutting real code.
  - karmakaze 3y ago
    Yes thanks. I was just thinking along this path. Started looking at SDL2, then found raylib which seems a better fit than SFML for my sensibilities.
aidos 3y ago
I agree they’re still magic. Ever since I had my first Amstrad coming up to 40 years ago, I’ve been enamoured with them. My point sort of drifted off into nostalgia a little, but I think there was something in the scarcity of it back then - probably helped somewhat by growing up in rural NZ.

karmakaze 3y ago

The magic now is so beyond that it doesn't feel special anymore. Maybe it's because I read about new games more than I play them. Seeing what Ureal can do makes me think anything is now possible so loses some shock factor, though I'm sure first hand in-game would still be Wow! I'm still waiting for the killer immersive VR game.

flyinghamster 3y ago
Watching footage from, let's say, GTA V or such makes me realize that I fell so far behind in gaming that I'm best off sticking with nethack...
- karmakaze 3y ago
  Similarly, I play StarCraft II on a Surface Go 3 (i3 8GB).
inopinatus 3y ago
If you’ll allow the unsolicited suggestion: one excellent way to rediscover the joy of computers is to write a game. Even something simple for yourself, like a Tetris clone or a cattery simulator. Back in the day, that meant hand-rolled hardware gymnastics on an 6502. These days, there are many excellent engines and tools available, but you’re still never far from cutting real code.
- karmakaze 3y ago
  Yes thanks. I was just thinking along this path. Started looking at SDL2, then found raylib which seems a better fit than SFML for my sensibilities.

aidos 3y ago

I agree they’re still magic. Ever since I had my first Amstrad coming up to 40 years ago, I’ve been enamoured with them. My point sort of drifted off into nostalgia a little, but I think there was something in the scarcity of it back then - probably helped somewhat by growing up in rural NZ.