Last
Web Update: 1-28-2005
Introduction
Some
people remember their lives through special moments. Their first
day at school, their first kiss, their drivers test, and so on.
No not me, I remember gaming hardware. Sure I remember "normal"
events too but really they pale compared to staying up all night
typing in a B.A.S.I.C. game on my Commodore Vic 20. This trip
takes 30 years and fortunately it isn't by no means finished.
So this is my little run down memory. Not that my memory is complete.
For example: I know I owned an Amiga 1000 & 500 and an Apple
Power Mac 7200. I'm just not exactly sure when. The time line
is mostly fleshed out. I will be updating this section from time
to time as I remember more bits & pieces.
One
thing I've recently thought about was the different phases of
game buying.
Phase
1- In the initial stage, I didn't buy games. All the games I had
I received as gifts
Phase
2 - I began buying my own games. Often it was in surprising places.
Since video games were just exploding, a lot of places were selling
games that made no sense. I clearly remember buying Starpath Supercharger
tapes at a farmer's market just 2 feet from fresh corn. This was
only accelerated after the crash in 1984. A lot of places would
buy boxes of games and sell them at a buck a piece. Computer games
were a bit different. There were a few proper computer stores.
I remember meeting Sid Meiders as a computer store in Hunt Valley
maryland promoting F15 strike eagle. Sometimes you would see computer
games at book stores. People would turn their houses into computer
stores that also served as meeting places for computer users groups.
Phase
3 - Specialty stores such as Games & Gadgets and Babbages
began populating malls and made up for the vast majority of my
game purchases for almost 15 years. They were a geek heaven. However
nothing good last forever. Now most don't carry computer games
and are openly hostile to anyone over 30.
Phase
4 - Online only. Its just too easy just to order through the net
and have it magically show up at your door.
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