Play History

Video game researcher, Ethan Johnson. Researcher for Arcade Dreams, writer of upcoming arcade history book. Creator of Play History YouTube series.

Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/play_history
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PlayHistory

Public Key

npub1gzqzsfhwt8qszpfhwt4u57rrnunzannw76uz3glktkastdpukvpqvjf3ym

NIP-05 Address

playhistory_at_oldbytes.space@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsypqpgymh9nsgpq5mh96720p3e7f3weeh0dwpg50m9mwc9ks7txqspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0ds34kef7

Publishing to

yabu.me

nos.lol

relay.damus.io

Author Public Key

npub1gzqzsfhwt8qszpfhwt4u57rrnunzannw76uz3glktkastdpukvpqvjf3ym

Show more details

Last Notes

2026-01-23 21:06:10 UTC

Preparing for the Chicago Gamespace exhibit for MGC this year where we'll be showcasing the legacy of Dave Nutting.
I've dived back into this well many times and there's always something new to find.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/115/946/442/151/810/367/original/d2262ba11ac76b93.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/115/946/443/895/673/609/original/146cf0d88674dada.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/115/946/445/912/207/020/original/453689bb39b8a1eb.png

2025-09-22 18:17:12 UTC

Could Germany have invented video games?
In 1960, a West German aviation company filed for two U.S. patents which portray an electronic screen-based competition played with joysticks.
These are the Bölkow Entwicklungen patents. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/115/249/316/555/428/324/original/2d7e06460ea77804.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/115/249/317/311/977/559/original/ed5f612f41b6c4dc.png

2025-03-25 23:17:18 UTC

Possibly the best writing in the #videogamehistory realm can be found with Jimmy Maher of @npub1u0s…4rtt
Active for 14 years, his focus on computer games and narrative development is an inspiration for non-fiction storytellers.
https://www.filfre.net/
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/114/225/611/486/045/825/original/9be9f3c21a9dfac5.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/114/225/617/279/000/823/original/6795019411fd0c57.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/114/225/619/355/018/286/original/63c70c42fb4ca750.png

2025-02-08 21:42:35 UTC

My BIG TALK about the Atari VCS is happening at Intelligent Speech!
https://intelligentspeechonline.com/speaker2/ethan-johnson/
Learn the truth behind this quote and how a hugely successful console really comes to be! 4:50 pm EST.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/970/442/133/108/017/original/9be04756992f62f5.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/970/442/379/711/962/original/bd8849df8e9c4501.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/970/443/278/310/890/original/defdf0a770b1503d.png

2024-12-22 00:25:31 UTC

Sega on the rise in 1993, at several trade shows. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/693/616/932/824/161/original/cdf181710699e76e.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/693/620/119/918/389/original/dc48f4d80e0025fe.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/693/629/604/139/069/original/3dea8830f84d2595.jpg

2024-12-13 17:11:40 UTC

By 1983, the Atari market was filled with experimental peripherals attempting to extend the market - not unlike what happened on the NES in 1989.
There were jogging pads, balancing boards, motion controllers, bike accessories, and more trying to buoy the dying console. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/646/620/652/948/561/original/2e2267b3792fa6aa.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/646/620/654/448/988/original/17da16949da10d85.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/646/620/673/595/823/original/04b6ea4e9261b1ea.png

2024-12-11 19:31:03 UTC

How do you sell a game like Tetris?
Different companies had differen answers to this fundamental life question.
Below we have that from Bullet Proof Software in Japan, Mirrorsoft in the UK, and Atari Games in the US.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/635/849/310/411/112/original/5dc02a01b4fd6b5c.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/635/849/299/100/190/original/c08d42a7833e1d43.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/635/849/306/067/663/original/77d66c66e9d9ca8e.jpeg

2024-12-03 17:10:05 UTC

Mentioned in the recent Retronauts episode, Maneater is a 1975 TTL arcade game with a stunning cabinet, capitalizing on the Jaws phenomenon.
I got to see a non-working cabinet in-person at Midwest Gaming Classic. We need more enthusiasm for the early stuff! #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/589/990/127/626/314/original/e8ffa2217b910c49.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/589/990/126/089/149/original/5c0a7b7ed36b148b.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/589/990/150/467/885/original/361ad1f8f6461738.jpeg

2024-11-26 17:18:24 UTC

Clive Sinclair (1940-2021)
Forged an electronics and computer market for a cost-conscious UK.
Inspired several generations of programmers by producing mass-market computers.
Served as a cultural beacon for the computer users of the 1980s throughout Europe. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/550/387/508/304/379/original/33792ad6b1e39955.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/550/390/487/346/293/original/566d37dd8e705b12.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/550/392/727/074/390/original/22a67159245f65ca.jpeg

2024-11-22 17:23:04 UTC

John Carmack (b. 1970) Doom, Quake
Altered the gaming landscape forever by squeezing untold juice out of PC hardware - directing its future course.
Formed the modern concept of a "game engine."
The biggest proponent of open source gaming technology. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/527/757/736/976/258/original/015adfceb4756115.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/527/757/803/353/760/original/41ad6e482ba1ef73.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/527/757/740/314/294/original/b1513512e1c6f820.jpeg

2024-11-12 16:58:23 UTC

Yuzo Koshiro (b. 1967)
Composer of some of gaming's most stylish music in the chiptune era.
Exemplar of the Japanese independent developer through his company Ancient.
Continuing musical innovator and accessible resource of Japanese game development. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/471/037/214/734/149/original/af041f0a6d6a8eaf.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/471/037/592/882/150/original/a4a0a2aa415cea2a.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/471/038/147/969/267/original/75f1d01eba61afe0.png

2024-10-16 16:10:14 UTC

The first flowering of console CD-ROM occurred in 1991 with the releases of Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective and It Came From the Desert - both of which were on the Turbografx-CD.
While definitely dated, both games pioneered incorporating low-res video footage on consoles. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/317/961/193/736/312/original/0528d07baf1794f5.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/317/961/998/478/042/original/0190461feff41b4f.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/317/962/623/017/364/original/1829e7e8aaff67b9.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/317/963/170/545/480/original/ddcadba395c99131.png

2024-10-13 16:57:12 UTC

- reply

Moria is perhaps the most important of the PLATO RPGs.
It was one of the first MMOs, allowing people to group in parties to take down monsters.
It showed the dungeon in first-person 3D, taking the innovation of PLATO flight games into the turn-based world.
Its offspring inspired Wizardry.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/166/823/639/000/original/320bbf04290fd096.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/167/155/154/308/original/fb5cb47bf77adab4.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/167/439/149/776/original/eb36253b2d92e269.png

2024-10-13 16:56:27 UTC

- reply

He called this game "DND" but it cannot be The Game of Dungeons that exists on PLATO now. Those creators were inspired by The Dungeon and recent document finds definitively date that game to 1976.
https://web.archive.org/web/20131027034539/http://www.rpgfanatic.net/advanced_game_wiki_database.html?p=news&nrid=5049&game=dnd
What was this game then? Well, it may have inspired another PLATO RPG
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/162/089/514/932/original/5802ab52221ab567.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/162/437/184/655/original/79baa2f940f26339.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/162/730/270/692/original/65c32d3c6301a31f.png

2024-10-13 16:54:45 UTC

- reply

So is that it? Is The Dungeon the first CRPG?
Not so fast.
pedit5 designer Rusty Rutherford has stated that he decided to make a D&D game after one was already being worked on for the system that was not completed.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/156/835/918/028/original/8a6a03f3e5a1ab5f.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/157/259/432/257/original/b7e544d4d88a9eec.png

2024-10-13 16:53:52 UTC

- reply

Many PLATO authors - upset with its removal - created derivatives on The Dungeon to carry on and evolve its spirit.
The creators of the games Orthanc and The Game of Dungeons (dnd) both admit this as their impetus, meaning both of them emerged sometime after late 1975.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/153/137/327/702/original/caafb6dd046ab896.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/153/494/388/121/original/2a1baae9f2a1cb92.png

2024-10-13 16:52:05 UTC

- reply

The Dungeon was infamously purged at some point after its release, due to occupying an unauthorized lesson space.
The game was rebuilt at some point, but lacking the features that were described in that newsletter snippet, and possibly incorporating features from later games based on pedit5.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/145/008/671/045/original/8f88c8b67456fa21.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/145/466/140/336/original/490418d0534dd53b.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/145/737/815/415/original/fb2aa5144e07026a.png

2024-10-13 16:50:55 UTC

- reply

Practically our only dated source from outside PLATO on its CRPGs comes from a fanzine snippet reprinted in the first edition of Playing at the World, dated August 23, 1975.
This game is almost certainly a description of The Dungeon (pedit5). However, not in the form it exists today on cyber1.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/134/108/952/400/original/266ff238121fe2fc.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/139/098/736/568/original/cac31f8f4064a66a.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/140/279/978/288/original/8972fe3d3a17a956.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/142/357/066/600/original/94a95e47c11baf81.png

2024-10-13 16:46:26 UTC

- reply

One large issue in creating a chronology of these programs is that there is very little evidence that exists outside of PLATO for when these games emerged.
https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/the-problems-with-plato/
What little we do have, combined with oral history, can help us create a chronology.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/123/155/616/061/original/39c371f15dd3fbde.png

2024-10-13 16:44:15 UTC

- reply

So let's tackle what's been called the first, m199h.
Recently, CRPGAddict was sent documents by PLATO user Don Gillies confirming that this game was derivative of The Dungeon (pedit5) so it must post-date it.
https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2023/10/m199h-new-findings-both-solve-and.html
The rumors of its early dating were simply wrong.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/110/894/525/337/original/1abd8b829bfb2a3c.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/111/287/925/495/original/9e222273114f54c8.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/111/796/045/595/original/2745230e344b7f1a.png

2024-10-13 16:42:13 UTC

- reply

Some of the candidates for the first CRPG and their traditional dates:
-m199h (PLATO), 1974
-The Dungeon aka pedit5 (PLATO), 1975
-Dungeon (PDP-10), 1975
-Dungeon (PLATO), 1975
-Orthanc (PLATO), 1975
-Moria (PLATO), 1975
-dnd aka The Game of Dungeons (PLATO), 1975
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/105/898/959/017/original/d55281f717592f20.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/106/231/251/031/original/271d253e6c4489ce.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/106/537/800/248/original/3417ab5f7ceb2ac5.png

2024-10-13 16:40:57 UTC

With They Create Worlds having tackled the early influence of D&D on video games, what better time than to air out some thoughts on the first CRPGs?
The information on the internet is extremely confused but I think we can get quite close to answering this difficult question. #videogamehistory #rpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/101/088/077/600/original/d18070ce29a024ac.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/301/101/474/615/276/original/cef4c97f97da38bb.png

2024-10-10 16:13:04 UTC

Galaxian was the beginning of a new era - Monaco GP was the end of an old one.
Among the last important games to be made entirely with hardware logic (not programming), Sega went out with a bang, creating a hit that earned for years on both sides of the Pacific. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/284/000/226/430/651/original/783e62af8b314188.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/284/004/338/341/878/original/5b5026acd0989b98.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/284/006/426/191/212/original/b0a5397197bb33ba.jpeg

2024-10-08 17:26:24 UTC

Galaxian proved space shooters were not a one trick wonder.
Created in the aftermath of Space Invaders, #Namco moved the whole industry forwards with gameplay and hardware that outstripped all of its competitors.
In Japan, Galaxian is possibly more important than Pac-Man. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/272/966/579/493/629/original/25e9139c5400e66f.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/272/968/760/973/349/original/69a8ecff7593492a.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/272/970/890/145/966/original/430f8c87b64d1eed.png

2024-09-11 00:13:57 UTC

We're resuming our Console Wars dramatic readthrough tomorrow starting at 7PM CST! Come along for the fun. #videogamehistory
To catch up, be sure to check and save the YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYhpTBPXZkI&list=PLS_zYOuVPp2nwI_X6jNagNdpwbZyWaLet&index=16

2024-09-08 22:32:11 UTC

One of the documents brought to the Gremlin reunion was the final letter to all employees after Bally bought the company's assets.
It was an unfortunate and sudden end to it all, yet laid the groundwork for 41 years of continued camaraderie in San Diego. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/102/972/824/988/030/original/52db0fb7bc36a4e5.jpg

2024-09-07 17:38:47 UTC

Flashback! I published two years ago on the topic of the first video game console, and why we need to stop treating it as a Ralph Baer-centric narrative.
https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2022/09/16/the-first-video-game-console-a-new-history/
Also see the episode with VGNRTM:
https://videogamenewsroomtimemachine.libsyn.com/magnavox-odyssey-special #videogamehistory

2024-08-18 16:26:37 UTC

Did you know: Infocom created not only the microcomputer version of Zork for sale, but also created a sold version for mainframes!
They may have been one of the only companies to ever sell a standalone game for people specifically on institutional computers. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/983/954/561/401/834/original/b36eb2ae2ef2e829.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/983/954/919/090/671/original/b79af3987bde70f6.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/983/955/441/624/005/original/06d3cc6855821db6.png

2024-08-17 18:13:31 UTC

At the end of the 1970s there was a boom in standalone chess-playing machines.
These tie in with the emergence of the microcomputers in an interesting way! Check out this article on Commodore's own Chessmate:
https://benlo.com/microchess/chessmate.html #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/978/713/635/488/514/original/3f8e0fd818d543b7.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/978/716/124/898/172/original/87ddce9fe16ed182.png

2024-08-08 16:24:40 UTC

German Dr. Reiner Foerst may be the most madlad creator of games before the microprocessor.
His game Nürburgring 1 utilized 28 (!!) individual circuit boards to create a first-person racing experience.
The game is currently unpreserved, but inspired Atari's Night Driver. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/927/322/987/778/215/original/70ad9c1d2a0eadcd.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/927/323/422/028/369/original/9f1772ec80f693c6.jpeg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/927/324/020/516/076/original/51209d32ba07604c.png

2024-08-08 00:44:51 UTC

If you remember educational software, take a look at S. M. Oliva's recounting of the corporate mess of The Learning Company. Learn how Carmen Sandiego, Oregon Trail, and Reader Rabbit all wound up part of the same company. #videogamehistory
https://www.smoliva.com/2024/08/07/what-the-learning-company-taught-us-about-the-history-of-computer-software/
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/923/628/969/400/518/original/525d674e542f2e3a.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/923/631/112/045/528/original/79d74162a5bcdda8.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/923/632/383/477/036/original/dc486c75a56bd3e9.png

2024-07-31 16:21:20 UTC

The two British madlads - Ian Bell and David Braben - not only fit Elite into microscopic memory, they became celebrities by auctioning ports of the game.
Jacqui Lyons represented them - one of video gaming's first talent agents; later represented Josh Sawyer and Jez San. #videogamehistory
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/882/008/560/204/302/original/09ce47c1a8d9bc29.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/882/008/850/596/583/original/58f4082a2eae4dbc.png
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/882/009/133/755/852/original/5de4d0e24679f338.png