What Was Your First Computer Game? (Soundcheck Question 2023) - Computerphile

TL;DR

People recall their first computer games and share their experiences and nostalgia.

Transcript

so what was what was the question tell me again uh what was the first computer game I played I'm setting up Sean's new sound check 2023 we need a new sound check question Steve suggested what's the first computer game you ever played what was the first game you played computer game well the first computer game I ever remember playing was actually w... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 Some participants recall playing early computer games that their parents wrote, creating a sense of nostalgia and family connection.
• 👾 Many participants mention specific games from their childhood and the significant impact they had on their gaming experiences.
• 👾 The language barrier and limited understanding of English affected some participants' ability to complete games when they were younger.
• 👾 Writing their own computer games was seen as a fun and enjoyable experience for some participants, highlighting their early interest in game development.
• 🇫🇲 Various gaming platforms were mentioned, including the Commodore PET, BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, SNES, and Game Boy.
• 👾 Tetris and Mario games were among the popular choices for many participants, showcasing their enduring popularity throughout the years.
• 👾 Some participants have not completed their first computer games even after decades, indicating the challenging and addictive nature of certain games.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the first computer game you ever played?

The first computer game I remember playing was a matching pairs game on the Commodore PET that my dad wrote. I was about four years old at the time. It was a fun and memorable experience.

Q: Did you complete your first computer game?

No, I never completed my first computer game, which was Gold Corn on the Amiga. It was very difficult, even when I tried playing it as I got older.

Q: What was the first game you completed?

As a kid, I struggled to complete an old Zelda game due to language barriers. However, as I got older and understood English better, I found it much easier to complete.

Q: What was your first computer game on the ZX Spectrum?

One of the earliest games I remember playing on the ZX Spectrum was Horace and the Spider. It was a Frogger-like game, and Horace Goes Skiing was another popular one.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Participants mention playing various early computer games, such as matching pairs games on the Commodore PET, Painter on the BBC Micro, and The Hobbit on the ZX Spectrum.

• Some participants reminisce about writing their own computer games, like a version of a cross-road game and a game where they had to hit cars.

• Others mention playing popular games like Pilot Wings on the SNES, Tetris, and Mario games.