Wednesday, October 26, 2005
O'Reilly's Retro Gaming Hacks
I rarely play computer games, but when I do, I like retro games the best. I find the steep learning curve of modern games to be discouraging. Retro games, on the other hand, remind me of ukuleles: They're very easy to start using and enjoying right off the bat, but remain interesting and enjoyable as you continue to use them. O'Reilly's new book, Retro Gaming Hacks, looks like a real winner.
Link-Find Original, Classic Gaming Systems --Who can resist the allure of a wood grain-paneled Atari 2600? The satisfying rubbery feel of the joystick and candy-like single button? There are hacks on buying classic systems, setting them up, fixing broken hardware, and even finding retro games from Japan and tricking American consoles into playing them.
-Adapt Today's Equipment to Run Retro Games --Many if not most retro gaming hackers are getting their classic console fix through emulation these days. Emulation techniques (MAME or Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) include hacking a classic joystick for use on new computers.
-Revive old PCs--For many of us, our first retro game experience wasn't in front of a console--it was hunched over the keyboard of a classic Apple II or Atari 800XL. Clever hacks bring back classic computers and explain how to set them up or emulate them so readers can, say, play a Commodore 64 just like they played it before--and then like they've never played it before.
-Design Custom Video Games--Innovative techniques and tools let gamers craft retro-style entertainment with instant results.
posted by Mark Frauenfelder at 12:46:25 PM permalink | Other blogs' comments
