Into The Vertical Blank : Generation Atari

The Atari 400 was a games machine masked as an entry-level computer computer.  When it was released in 1979, it could play Atari’s killer-app “Star Raiders” just as well as it’s more serious, older brother the Atari 800.   At the same time, the Atari 400 acted as a gateway for many kids to the world of programming.  In this episode we explore how we were first introduced to the Atari 400, the first few amazing games we played on it, and how it sparked dreams of being a computer programmer. The story in this episode was written and produced by Steve Fulton with music from Tony Longworth. Show Notes   Gamasutra “Atari 1971-1977” :Gamasutra - The History of Atari: 1971-1977 Gamasutra “Atari 1978-1981” :Gamasutra - Atari: The Golden Years -- A History, 1978-1981 Antic Pix Ten - 10 great games (atarimagazines.com) Miner 2049er History (archive.org) An interview with Bill Hogue from 1983 - Atari 8-Bit Computers - AtariAge Forums ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Podcast: ANTIC Interview 94 - Bill Hogue, Miner 2049er (libsyn.com) Written,edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts The song “Everything Changes But It All Stays The Same” by  Tony Longworth used by permission.   ...

This is not a regular episode.   Today we talk about our sister Mari (Marz) who passed away at her home in early April.   Marz was our older sister, teacher and protector and also our game playing companion. We talk about grief and how sometimes memories of life events are intertwined with games in ways we just don't fully understand.   We also have a very nice story contribution from Tony Longwoth and of course a new Tony Tune and new from the Into The Vertical Blank Scene.  Notes: Atari 7800 Space Duel Home Brew: https://youtu.be/OWNI_6NKYiY Atari 8bit X:8 https://youtu.be/fPhSDJfayII Lotus Esprit Turbo STE: https://youtu.be/mtk23h5Hz2E   Tony Longworth All Lives Lost - Atari 400/800 Ghost Encounters https://youtu.be/YmwcMeA9z5M Tony Longworth Primal Serenity Album https://tonylongworth.bandcamp.com/album/primal-serenity   Written, Edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts Additional music -Tony Longworth’s Fold Your Head" https://tonylongworth.com/   Don’t forget: http://www.intotheverticalblank.com ...

Last week we caught up with David Crane, Garry Kitchen and Dan Kitchen from Audacity Games to chat about the old Atari days, Activision, Absolute, Skyworks, the tragedy of digital obsolescence, their new venture Audacity games and their spectacular new Atari VCS game, Circus Convoy. See full video version of the interview here:(1) Audacity Games Interview: David Crane, Dan Kitchen and Garry Kitchen - YouTube Produced by Jeff and Steve Fulton Branding By Daryl Litts Music " Dance With Me" by Tony Longworth   ...

An episode  jampacked with Atari VCS goodness! First a story about the allure (and danger) of Atari VCS programming in modern times. Then a playthrough and history of the original 9 VCS  1977 launch titles. Also memories of Combat! from Tony Longworth. and a discussion and reaction of the brand new VCS game Circus Convoy from Audacity games. Features "The Atari VCS Almost Killed Me" by Steve Fulton Written edited, produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts Music : Ether and Eyes Turned Skyward by Tony Longworth   ...

To start off the 4th season, we chose four games to play and discuss : Early Atari Coin-ops, Avalanche, Fire Truck, Super Bug, and Dominos. We also discuss a very early Electronic games magazine article on “Games we hope we’ll never see”. They were mostly wrong. Starting with this episode we will also have a companion video with us live discussing the games and items that need more visual evidence.  Live Game Play and discussion video The video for this episode is: https://youtu.be/1Apns1Bq5IU Written, Edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts Additional music -Tony Longworth’s Fold Your Head" https://tonylongworth.com/ Don’t forget: http://www.intotheverticalblank.com ...

S3:E25;  1981 - Atari VCS Christmas   For the 2020 Christmas episode we go back 39 years to 1981 and talk about how it felt to want, and ultimately, get, an Atari VCS that year.   We have a story from Steve about our twin scheming and planning to get a VCS, and then we have a discussion about our top-10 VCS games available at the end of 1981.   We hope these memories and stories help you have a good holiday in  2020 no matter what you celebrate or what your situation might be.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Into The Vertical Blank. Show Notes:   Written, Edited, Produced by Jeff Fulton and Steve Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts   Music in “Atari VCS Christmas” story is Crystalline by Tony Longworth from his album “Tinsel And Fire”. Tony’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth XMAS 7800 playable Demo: JS7800: Atari 7800 Emulator (raz0red.github.io)   Top-10 VCS Games available for Xmas 1981   Steve’s List  Asteroids Space Invaders Missile Command Breakout/Super Breakout Tennis:  Skiing  Adventure Night Driver Video Pinball Outlaw   Jeff’s List Asteroids Breakout Tennis Laser Blast Missile Command Space Invaders Pele’s Soccer Video Pinball ...