Hobby Thread - November 1, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. A spin of the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies (TM) landed on online or video gaming.

Are you thinking "I don't even know what that means and I'm not wise in the ways of computer games but I'm eager to learn more. I can't wait to get into the content!" I knew it. Enjoy.

***

What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Pants are optional. Puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice. Don't be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

***

Remember Pong? Computer games, online multiplayer games, and video games have all gotten much more sophisticated since the days of Pong. Are you wise in the ways of gaming?

TRex has short arms and a small brain, so I have little knowledge on this subject. I have a vague memory of Centipede, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pac Man and Outrun. If we're really ambitious, maybe we can talk Space Invaders and Donkey Kong. Fortunately, we have content from a guest blogger to help with the task at hand.

Are you wise in the ways of video games? Do you play solo or multi-player games? Do you have memories of pumping quarters at the video arcade?

Inspector Cussword asked for Hobby Thread space to talk about one corner of this big world. Feel free to comment on the content or pivot elsewhere for your hobbying commentary.

***

Today I'm going to talk about Massively Multiplayer Online games without the Role Playing element.

Specifically, tanks. Yes, tanks. And planes. And warships. Big ones. From WWII and later.

In January 2010, World of Tanks began their Russian closed beta test. This game is the first of the now-quite large market of WWII/Korean War lobby games.

The Belorussian developer, Wargaming, opened up the US beta test in July 2010.
In 2013, World of Tanks income exceeded that of World of Warcraft, earning the developers $372 million dollars - for a free to play game.

So what is it? It is a game of 2 sides where people line up with various tanks of various countries from WWII thru the Cold War, and shoot each other on different maps, capturing control points, and blowing the shit out of each other.

Each country's tank lines are distributed amongst "tiers" so that matchmaking can generally put people in roughly equivalent power ratings in matches. The matches last 15 minutes, just perfect for a bit of fun then log off. Furthermore, in WoT the war machines are divided further between Heavy, Medium, and Light tanks; Tank Destroyers (limited armor/aiming but higher concealability and heavier guns); and Self-Propelled Guns (artillery).

As I mentioned, World of Tanks is free to play. It does have a "premium time" catch where if you want to swiftly progress, you really should get premium time (subscription equivalent) which costs about 13 bucks or so for a month of time. It doubles your xp and credits. But you can have a great time playing free - it's not specifically required.

There are actually more of these types of games from two other developers. After seeing the success of the model, Gaijin Entertainment (a now-Hungarian company. Exited Russia after the invasion of Ukraine); decided to jump in with War Thunder (free to download on Steam or from their link here, with clients for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux). Gaijin had plentiful experience with combat flight sims in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (released in the US as "Wings of Prey", available on Steam for 20 bucks) (If you want free stuff on a new account, I'd recommend using this link as it gives you a couple of vehicles and some money.)

War Thunder began as "World of Planes," centered around 1930's aircraft thru the Korean War, but during development in 2012 decided on changing the name to War Thunder to keep from being confused with Wargaming's then-upcoming "World of Warplanes." Also, Gaijin decided on their main feature - War Thunder would have different vehicle types on the same map.

Have a trailer:

The first version of War Thunder was solely based on aircraft in three different play styles - Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator with increasing levels of realism and difficulty in the flight models and restricted national plane selection based on maps. Arcade is a forgiving flight model and has mixes of any nation's planes, based on Battle Rating (similar to tiers, but more granular).

Realistic has - yeah, realistic flight models (wings rip off in dives, compression can lock control surfaces, and the ever-fun "pilot blacks out because he shits his lungs out due to taking 9 g's"). Realistic has nation versus nation, so you can't fly a Mustang against a P-38 unless you have a captured one and you're playing as a German.

Simulator is even more restricted, more fragile control surfaces, engine overheating with historical performance ratings based on altitude, and you are stuck inside the cockpit - no 3rd person view.

I'm sure you're wondering - is it fun? Yes. The planes range from biplanes and 1932 era Peashooters to Gulf War jets and everything in between. There are fighters, heavy fighters, ground attack aircraft, and bombers. It also is "freemium" based, but it also has one more (excellent) feature:

It includes tanks on the same map.

Yes, they added ground forces to the game in 2014 and now you can grind up tiers of tanks while being bombed by assholes flying Stukas. You can also be an asshole with an Anti-Aircraft armored vehicle and shoot plane assholes out of the sky. If you get a lot of points/kills, you can drop a nuke and end the match.

Plus, the maps have weather effects (rain) and different times of day so sometimes you have the sun in your eyes while being shot by Stukas and rammed by Tigers.
There is also Naval, ranging from Torpedo Boats to Battleships. I'm not any good at those so I don't play them, but you can also use dive bombers and torpedo bombers on the same map as the ships.

Only some maps are combined forces but it is available in Arcade as well as Realistic, so even if you're just starting out, you can enjoy jumping into a plane and bombing your enemies while they light your tank on fire.

Compared to World of Tanks, the War Thunder tank game is much more gritty - you are locked to a very close view above your cupola and the maps are realistically detailed. The World of Tanks maps feel a little too clean, a bit too pristine in comparison to the rutted, muddy, messy, and realistic War Thunder maps. The ground isn't perfectly smooth, it had bumps, rocks, ruts, logs, and crap all over. You aren't removed from your tank, you're right there and it feels HUGE. The WoT tanks feel like toys compared to the War Thunder tanks. Both games are fun, free, and offer completely different experiences, packed into 15 to 20 minute matches.

Wargaming (World of Tanks) has to date come out with 2 other lobby games, all three separate - World of Tanks, Warplanes, and World of Warships.

The Warplanes game failed horribly, the controls were poorly written for mouse and keyboard and the flight models just weren't right. The maps were uninspired, combat was not very well paced, and the population never came to the game. I couldn't find a trailer that didn't have pre-rendered, false gameplay.

World of Warships is very popular (you can download and play here) and is pretty fun. The sizes of the ships versus the sizes of the islands and buildings is a bit wonky, but the shooty is fun..

The combat in WoWS is very satisfying, the sound work is excellent. You have Destroyers, Cruisers, Battleships, and Aircraft Carriers - divided like in Wot, by tiers. (I even hear there might be subs.)

All of these games I enjoy due to the lowered need of participation - it's great in bite-sized chunks to get on, shoot tanks/aircraft/ships, then log off in 15 minutes or a half hour. The models are great in all the games and provide a lot of interesting historical tidbits, plus you shoot guns with barrels big enough to shove your leg inside.

The "World Of..." games are all hitpoint based, pretty simple to get into. War Thunder is module based - you see your shot (for example) richochet off the commander's hatch, splinter and spall fragments, that slice through your entire crew and detonate your overfull ammo rack.

I prefer the more graphic, hideous death of War Thunder. Plus, the planes are just better.

Things go boom.

What's not to like?

***

Here's a good history of Pong. 50 Years of Fun With Pong

Re-watch a game here.

***

Thanks to Hrothgar and Sharon (willow's apprentice) for the TRex halloween pics!

We saw lots of dino decorations for Halloween this year! The Hobby Thread applauds the showing of good taste and enthusiasm.

Iris sent this photo of a "dinosaur cakelette pan." I don't know what a "cakelette" is but I like cake and "cakelette" sounds pretty close. Thanks! Does anyone make "cakelettes," either dino shaped or otherwise?

***

Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a travel theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

***

Notable comments from last week:

***

Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

***

If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute something from your personal hobbying. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:31 PM (+qU29)

2 My go-to game is Civilization: Call to Power because it runs (well, it used to) natively on Linux.

I have to jigger it now since the inodes went to 64-bit timestamps.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 05:31 PM (VmDLh)

3 Never did online gaming. Preferred to play Empire Earth and Age of Empires against the computer. Don't currently play anything now.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 01, 2025 05:33 PM (uQesX)

4 Civ 5 is still a lot of fun.

Mods for Fallout 4 are great.

Dark tide is not horrible, but a far cry from perfect.

Helldivers 2 is a lot of fun.

Fallout 76 ... I am still not sure if I like even after playing it for a couple hundred hours.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 01, 2025 05:35 PM (zC/Fl)

5 Kid in the picture playing Pong could be me

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:37 PM (+qU29)

6
Yeah, the Google homepage put up a vintage Pacman a few days ago and I played it -- once. I saw the addictive possibilities and fled.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at November 01, 2025 05:38 PM (xJGPn)

7 I used to play world of warships daily some years back. But I found the game got extremely competitive and I could no longer compete. It is a good game but there are people who do nothing but wait for novice players to destroy in the game.

I once had one of my random team mates shell my ship because he said I was not being aggressive enough.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 01, 2025 05:38 PM (0N4FZ)

8 Space Invaders LOL spent a lot of time on that once.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 01, 2025 05:40 PM (bI6eY)

9 I've been playing Hitman: World of Assassination lately. I sometimes refer to it as a "murder simulator" since the objective of the game is to kill people in creative ways (and get away clean).

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 05:40 PM (IBQGV)

10 Hello,
I just want to recommend the documentary “King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007.)” It’s all about retro video gaming and is in fact a real documentary; but is so crazy it feels as if it has to be fake.

Cheers!

Posted by: HappyFun at November 01, 2025 05:40 PM (d2+05)

11 We had some kind of Faygo Pong game.

We couldn't afford name brands.

Posted by: toby928(c) at November 01, 2025 05:41 PM (jc0TO)

12 I Guess a game hobby as I play every day for years
https://sudoku.com
There are different levels, daily challenge ( I do)
I also do Spider solitaire but wouldn't advise it because that game is evil

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:47 PM (+qU29)

13 I finished a 3D print of The Orca, pretty good model, even came with a Shark model.

There are a couple of Star Wars Dioramas I'm in the process of printing and am waiting for filament to print Deckards blaster.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 01, 2025 05:47 PM (XV/Pl)

14 Space Invaders was my game when in England

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:48 PM (+qU29)

15 A few months ago, we rented a house for a long weekend. It had an arcade machine with Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga and Dig Dug. It was a hoot playing those old games.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at November 01, 2025 05:49 PM (W3AhE)

16 My favorite PC game is Scorched Earth. I will drop a Funky Bomb on yo azz.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 05:51 PM (vFG9F)

17 Current addiction is D&D Neverwinter. It's so D&D that the current thing is trick or treating.
I really need to stop and find something else. I'm super bored with it. Can't beat the price though. Free.

Posted by: Reforger at November 01, 2025 05:51 PM (QhHGU)

18 Remember Pong?

Bip
Bop
Bip Bip
...
Bop
...
...
Bip

Posted by: As a matter of fact... at November 01, 2025 05:52 PM (TbWk/)

19 Evening, Hobby People!

I remember arcade games in the '80s. Primitive by today's standards, granted, but fun. I got good at Battlezone, the one with the tanks sketched in green lines, because I found out that if you went into reverse as a tank came at you, it eventually faded away and you could continue the game and make some more kills. There was one with a WWI Ace in his biplane, and you could really do spins and fly upside down -- that is, the horizon flipped on you. That one floored me.

Major Havoc was my favorite. It took some thinking. You had to leave your spaceship in a spacesuit, go into a station, avoid a bunch of hazards, turn off the overloading reactor, and get back out before your suit air ran out. Anybody remember that one?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 01, 2025 05:52 PM (wzUl9)

20 Good stuff, Dino. I have two arcade games in basement. Never got into online gaming. Original Doom on computer stole some hours, however. Was the 1983 Star Castle champ at local 7-11 back in '81 - won a Big Gulp.

Posted by: scampydog at November 01, 2025 05:53 PM (YPm7m)

21 That Dinosaur Cakelette Pan is from King Arthur Flour and is sold through Amazon. 35 bucks Prime. As I mentioned recently, our great nephews, 6 and 3 (with the next coming in a few months) are dinosaur enthusiasts. Part of their Christmas present might be one of these. I'll check with mommy first as she will be seven months pregnant at Xmas and may not be wild to bake anything.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 05:54 PM (yTvNw)

22 As far as my pipe smoking hobby, this week I treated myself to a vintage pipe, a Kaywoodie "Ruf-Tone" (partially carved briar) in the shape called the Canadian or Lumberman. Despite its 7" length, it's lightweight and easy to hold in the teeth for a while, and my smoke with it this morning was a good one.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 01, 2025 05:54 PM (wzUl9)

23 The last time I played games regularly was Sim City. The first version.

It's a world I feel I could easily get sucked into and I have better ways to waste time.

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 05:55 PM (X1/SD)

24 11 We had some kind of Faygo Pong game.

We couldn't afford name brands.
Posted by: toby928(c) at November 01, 2025 05:41 PM (jc0TO)

Oh yeah I had a cheap knockoff too. No atari, intellivision or colecovision for us.

Posted by: Being a Poor kinda sucked at November 01, 2025 05:55 PM (TbWk/)

25 Like I could learn to play golf.

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 05:56 PM (X1/SD)

26 My favorite PC game is Scorched Earth. I will drop a Funky Bomb on yo azz.
Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 05:51 PM (vFG9F)
----
Now there's a blast from the past.

I loved the Funky Bombzzz...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 05:56 PM (IBQGV)

27 I tried World of Warships. Had no relation to actual naval combat, so I quit. Treated it as if it were a boxing match.

The WWI game mentioned in #19 above may have been Red Baron. At least, that was the best of the ones I tried. It really got the feel of the difference a rotary engine made.

Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at November 01, 2025 05:56 PM (s0JqF)

28 There was another one I played called Civilization. That was good.

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 05:57 PM (X1/SD)

29 Next Friday and Saturday going to Fall In the miniature game convention. 3 Napoleonic era, 1 American Revolution and 1 Wars of Ozz.
Can't wait.

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:57 PM (+qU29)

30 Anyone who wants to relive their youth should try the link below:

https://classicreload.com/

Thousands of classic video games from the past. All for free, running in various emulators depending on what version of the game you want to play.

Have fun!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 05:57 PM (IBQGV)

31 If I had a computer I probably would play one of these on line video games. They seem to sponsor many of the YouTube history channels I watch

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 05:59 PM (+qU29)

32 30 Anyone who wants to relive their youth should try the link below: https://classicreload.com/

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 05:57 PM
***
You know books AND video games AND cats?!

Posted by: TRex - awed by knowledge, blinded by science at November 01, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

33 Civ 5 is still a lot of fun.

====
Oh, I see it has been updated. If there was ONE game to play would this be it?

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 05:59 PM (X1/SD)

34 I recall playing Pong way back when. I was hell on wheels playing Galaga for some reason. I was seriously good until the quarters ran out (and I had to get back to the office).

Except for my Oregon Muse Memorial daily chess puzzle, that's it for computer/video games. I don't even play solitaire on the computer. I have some good decks of cards for that.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:00 PM (yTvNw)

35 Game consoles back then were different beasts.

The Mattel Intellivision, for instance, was a 10-bit console. Its CPU literally uses 10-bit opcodes, instead of a power of 8 bits everything else uses.

I also saw a recent article that they're releasing a Best Hits physical console mimicking the original.

Posted by: Another Anon at November 01, 2025 06:00 PM (5STo7)

36 I was getting new tires put on my wife's car at Costco yesterday and therefore I was wandering around the warehouse wasting time.

I came across a bonafide old school arcade machine they have sale - except its meant to sit on top of a table. But it has the same controls and buttons as PacMan and you can play multiple games on it.

I tried it out and was instantly transported to my youth.... while I was there another GenX'er came up and proclaimed it the best thing he's ever seen as well.

Posted by: Defenestratus at November 01, 2025 06:03 PM (WYStd)

37 I just want to recommend the documentary “King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007.)” It’s all about retro video gaming and is in fact a real documentary; but is so crazy it feels as if it has to be fake.

Posted by: HappyFun at November 01, 2025 05:40 PM

I saw it in an actual theater right before that theater closed. I recommend it, too.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:03 PM (VmDLh)

38 My sister's favorite game was Tempest. Friend of mine had a small arcade business and he sold me his unit for ten bucks. Best damn Christmas present ever!

The XY display had a transistor that failed pretty regularly. I made sure to buy replacements, and kept it running for a number of years.

Posted by: Joe Kidd at November 01, 2025 06:03 PM (nbLIj)

39 30 Anyone who wants to relive their youth should try the link below: https://classicreload.com/

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 05:57 PM
***
You know books AND video games AND cats?!
Posted by: TRex - awed by knowledge, blinded by science at November 01, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)
----
I'm a true Renaissance Squirrel!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:04 PM (IBQGV)

40 The very first on-line game I ever played was BSD empire. You had to use a modem to dial-up a Unix system (in my case it was Tandy Xenix running on a Tandy Model 6000,) to play.

Back in the day, I was seriously into BBSing and I used to play "door games." They were fun, but often had balance of play issues.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:05 PM (VmDLh)

41 Aside from Tetris and computer solitaire, I have never played video games.It just never interested me, and some, like, Asteroids gave me headaches.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Antisocial Media Influencer at November 01, 2025 06:05 PM (0aYVJ)

42 Oh, and Oregon Trail. I would play that at work during lunch.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Antisocial Media Influencer at November 01, 2025 06:06 PM (0aYVJ)

43 80's video game fans, search on YT for "Weiners and Losers" in NC. Dumb name, I know, but he has 100 or more vintage video games, which he opens up to the public once or twice a month. I've shot video for him, it's a cool place.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 01, 2025 06:07 PM (vV6n9)

44 Thanks TRex. And I hope to see more horde on some of these games.

Posted by: Inspector Cussword at November 01, 2025 06:07 PM (lFFaq)

45 Back in the day, I was seriously into BBSing and I used to play "door games." They were fun, but often had balance of play issues.
Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:05 PM (VmDLh)

Legend of the Red Dragon!!!!

Man I miss the BBS days.

Posted by: Defenestratus at November 01, 2025 06:07 PM (WYStd)

46 I find most computer games stressful, I guess because of my anxiety.
I do like word games like wordle etc.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at November 01, 2025 06:08 PM (znREB)

47 22 ... "I treated myself to a vintage pipe, a Kaywoodie "Ruf-Tone" (partially carved briar) in the shape called the Canadian or Lumberman. Despite its 7" length, it's lightweight and easy to hold in the teeth for a while, and my smoke with it this morning was a good one."

Wolfus,

I always liked the feel of that Canadian style. Very comfortable. However, be careful with the shaft as it can be a bit fragile. That's why I only have one left in that shape.

BTW, I ordered some Sutliff Burley J4 and Sutliff Rum and Maple from Pipesandcigars. I thought those had been discontinued when Sutliff was bought out but maybe not. (The HH series is gone.) Been in a mood for lightly sweet aromatic blends lately and these are good examples.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:08 PM (yTvNw)

48 I own an Atari 2600; have for over 10 years. I play it only occasionally. Nevertheless, the homebrews are what's truly impressive; a version of "Super Mario Bros." (not under that title, obviously) is a sight to behold!

Posted by: exonfixer_94 at November 01, 2025 06:08 PM (8Xy/A)

49 I just realized I've been playing video games for over 40 years....Damn, I'm old.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:09 PM (IBQGV)

50 My favorite video game growing up was Pitfall on the 2600. I still play it on an emulator.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at November 01, 2025 06:10 PM (31p00)

51 41 some, like, Asteroids gave me headaches.

42 Oh, and Oregon Trail. I would play that at work during lunch.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Antisocial Media Influencer at November 01, 2025 06:06 PM
***
Glad you mentioned both. Both warrant a mention. Thank you.

Posted by: TRex - dig dug dino at November 01, 2025 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

52 There is an arcade near here called "The Game Preserve". You pay to get in and all the pinball and video games are free to play.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:11 PM (VmDLh)

53 Over a decade ago, I played around in Final Fantasy 14. It's a MMORPG. It was horrendously buggy with memory issues, graphic issue, and issue issues. BUT, here's where it gets amazingly cool. Square Enix knew they had a piece of crap, so behind the scenes they re-did it. Created a whole new world (but told no one). Then, out of the blue, this big red moon started getting closer in the sky. No one noticed it at first. Then it got too large to ignore (this occurred over weeks). When this giant red moon was nearly upon the players, the monsters and animals in the world flipped out and started major battles across the realm ....just before the moon hit the world and the servers shut down. That's when they announced the redo of the game with a very well done cgi trailer. Eventually, the game came back up after a time....and it was...well...pretty damn good.

Still going strong today. I steered my nephews and nieces into the game because it's solid story telling, a great community, and the music is top notch. Slow start to the story, but once it gets going..good stuff. Solid dungeons, trials and characters (voice acting).

Posted by: Orson at November 01, 2025 06:12 PM (dIske)

54 I'm building a new arcade emulation box for my nephew. It's got 1,288 games so far, all tested and working perfectly.

It's been fun learning about the history of all these games while I've been putting it all together.

For those interested in the tech, I'm keeping it simple to make sure parts are replaceable. Raspberry pi 5 with 8 GB (might be overkill), HORI fight commander USB gamepads, and a case with active cooling. Loaded with Lakka 5, which has all the emulation cores and controller profiles built in.

I'm adding a crapload of console games too, but I'm doing that last since that doesn't need testing.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at November 01, 2025 06:14 PM (DJAE9)

55 I find most computer games stressful, I guess because of my anxiety.
I do like word games like wordle etc.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at November 01, 2025 06:08 PM

I play Wordle every day and a logic game called "Sherlock" and Sudoku, too. Great time wasters, um, I mean mind-sharpeners.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:14 PM (VmDLh)

56 When I had a computer, flying games were my favorite
A-10, F-117 before a whole lot was known on stealth filters, and a Russian plane that was horrible as it didn't seem to work like a real airplane would

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 06:15 PM (+qU29)

57 My current video games are Bridgebase, Wordle, and Wordless. Bridgebase is great b/c it's free and you can play with folks or play solo, depending on your mood. My kids are trying to set me up with an online chess site (I was also pretty good and still am, but no master), but I haven't gotten bored or not busy enough yet.

I played the crap out of Civilization 2...and then the next versions got too dang detail-focused. Same for Front Office Football. And the Sims. I like simple, straightforward game play with "just enough" details when I game. Not insane amounts.

Posted by: Nova Local at November 01, 2025 06:15 PM (tOcjL)

58 I do like word games like wordle etc.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport
------------
Boggle, Text Twist.

Posted by: scampy word nerd doggo at November 01, 2025 06:15 PM (YPm7m)

59 Portal 2 is a fun puzzle/platformer game with a neat twist.

It also has a lot of fan-created community content so you can jump in for a few minutes, solve a map, and then quit.

Good for short gaming breaks.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:16 PM (IBQGV)

60 Anyone remember playing text-only games? Infocom had a slew of them.

Posted by: It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. at November 01, 2025 06:16 PM (TbWk/)

61 I have played some version of Pong and likewise some version of Pac Man. I don’t particularly like “twitch” games because I have slow twitch reactions. I prefer puzzle games and adventure games. I remember finishing the Heathkit HDOS version of Adventure. Also Leisure Suit Larry circa 1987. These are computer games but don’t depend on quick reactions. I recall that in one semi-graphical adventure game you get a job making hamburgers for a fast food joint. It gets faster and faster until you can’t keep up and get fired. But you are supposed to fail at making hamburgers. You have to get and lose the job to make progress in the game. I can’t remember what game that’s from. It was something from the 80s I think.I also liked and played other word based adventure games like the original Adventure. You can still play some of those with a Frotz interpreter. Haven’t played any of those in years (decades) so this is a trip down memory lane. Anybody else remember these sorts of games?

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:17 PM (ZVgZ4)

62 Anyone remember playing text-only games? Infocom had a slew of them.
Posted by: It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. at November 01, 2025 06:16 PM (TbWk/)
---
Yeah, I played a few of them but could never get very far into the game. I guess I'm just not that smart/clever.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:17 PM (IBQGV)

63 I still spend a lot of time on Space Invaders, or Space Invaders clones. I have a couple for the TRS-80 Color Computer, but my favorite was always an Invaders clone on the Model I. Thanks to the TxMoMe I have a working Model I again. As soon as I can get it to work with modern media I’ll be revisiting Invaders.

I used to use MAME a lot, but now that I have actual vintage hardware I rarely fire it up.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (EXyHK)

64 As a kid, my favorite Atari game (and I was a wee one) was Paperboy. I beat the game repeatedly, but that's what happens when you play a lot

...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (tOcjL)

65 Anyone remember playing text-only games? Infocom had a slew of them.

Posted by: It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. at November 01, 2025 06:16 PM

I got Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy text game. I could not crack that thing and had to buy a cheat guide to finish it.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (0N4FZ)

66 I was expecting a mystery link to this:
https://youtu.be/XY_ESTnBlS0

Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 06:19 PM (FVLcK)

67 58 Boggle, Text Twist.

Posted by: scampy word nerd doggo at November 01, 2025 06:15 PM
***
Haven't heard or seen a Boggle reference in years. Thanks Doggo!

Posted by: TRex - the first rule of Boggle is not to talk about Boggle at November 01, 2025 06:20 PM (IQ6Gq)

68 Anyone ever play the original X-COM: UFO Defense?

I played that game throughout college. Tons of fun, though it could be frustrating when aliens mind-controlled your soldiers.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:20 PM (IBQGV)

69 I never got into games. Spent too much time in front of a screen as it was. Mrs D is big into June's Journey. no idea how it works.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 01, 2025 06:21 PM (2WIwB)

70 I got Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy text game. I could not crack that thing and had to buy a cheat guide to finish it.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (0N4FZ)

That was a major problem with some of them - some of the puzzle solutions made absolutely no sense, and you would get to almost the end and realize you were fucked because you didn't keep some obscure item in your inventory. You had to trial and error a bunch of stuff sometimes. Planetfall and Stationfall were pretty logical though IIRC

Posted by: Did love me some Zork... at November 01, 2025 06:23 PM (TbWk/)

71 Infocom Games were great! I remember you had to look something up in the instruction manual and enter it to prove you weren’t playing a pirated copy. I think a lot of those kinds of games can still be played with the Frotz interpreter.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:23 PM (ZVgZ4)

72 I got Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy text game. I could not crack that thing and had to buy a cheat guide to finish it.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (0N4FZ)
----------
I remember that. I never got past the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at November 01, 2025 06:23 PM (x7EH8)

73 65 Anyone remember playing text-only games? Infocom had a slew of them.

Posted by: It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. at November 01, 2025 06:16 PM

I got Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy text game. I could not crack that thing and had to buy a cheat guide to finish it.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM (0N4FZ)

We had Hitchhikers and Zork...lying in the dirt was a thing...I remember I never did figure out the Echo Room (I thought clogging the ears was a good idea) or the Maze b/c as a wee one, I was not gonna take notes. It was wing it or die...and I eventually died...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 01, 2025 06:24 PM (tOcjL)

74 Just finished a session of Total War: Warhammer III. Started a new campaign as Volkmar the Grim.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at November 01, 2025 06:24 PM (x7EH8)

75 I have never played computer games. A friend does the luminosity thing.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 06:25 PM (E6fZE)

76 Oh, I see it has been updated. If there was ONE game to play would this be it?
Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 05:59 PM (X1/SD)

... probably.

I still think alpha centuries was the best sweet spot for that genre ever. However for civ games, V seems to be the most old school, but updated, without going gay and mobile like 6 and 7.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 01, 2025 06:26 PM (zZu0s)

77 68 Anyone ever play the original X-COM: UFO Defense?

I played that game throughout college. Tons of fun, though it could be frustrating when aliens mind-controlled your soldiers.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:20 PM (IBQGV)

I rage quit that game as my team would get sniped to death from 20 screens away the moment they got off the goddamn plane and couldn't hit shit 10 scale feet in front of them. Great concept that sucked ass in the execution.

Posted by: Oh it pissed me off at November 01, 2025 06:26 PM (TbWk/)

78 MUDs

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 01, 2025 06:27 PM (zZu0s)

79 I play games, if you count solitaire and mahjong.

I played a game called Commander Keen many years ago.

I had Myst but I could never solve it. It was fun wandering around, though.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at November 01, 2025 06:27 PM (CHHv1)

80 Here’s some info on the Frotz interpreter for Infocom and other Z-machine games:

https://davidgriffith.gitlab.io/frotz/

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:28 PM (ZVgZ4)

81 Aetius thank you

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 06:28 PM (A0sqA)

82 I remember that. I never got past the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at November 01, 2025 06:23 PM (x7EH

You wrapped the towel around your head and maybe something else.

Posted by: He thinks if you can't see it it can't see you at November 01, 2025 06:28 PM (TbWk/)

83 Met a girl in '79 at my local bar who was in to Anus Invaders.

Posted by: Big Porker at November 01, 2025 06:29 PM (lcAsc)

84 I used to use MAME a lot, but now that I have actual vintage hardware I rarely fire it up.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 01, 2025 06:18 PM

I've got my old TI-99 and Color Computer (I got one of the last 64 gray case CoCos) in the garage.

I also have a MiSTer FPGA that has the capability of emulating the hardware of a great many things. They only thing I've played on it is Galaxian. I learned that I suck at Galaxian.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:29 PM (VmDLh)

85 Seekers Notes is a lot of fun, though over the years they've phased out a lot of the darker, more mysterious elements. That, and a few match-3 or strategy shooter games, are my electronic mental stimulation.

Posted by: Barkingmad59, wandering lurkette at November 01, 2025 06:30 PM (/3bEf)

86 You wrapped the towel around your head and maybe something else.
Posted by: He thinks if you can't see it it can't see you at November 01, 2025 06:28 PM (TbWk/)
----------
Whenever I put the towel around my head, the next action I took usually killed me.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at November 01, 2025 06:30 PM (x7EH8)

87 I found Myst to be unsatisfying when I finally solved it. The story line was too simple. YMMV. Myst was a bridge between the old text based games and later more graphically based games.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:31 PM (ZVgZ4)

88 One game I never played, but enjoyed watching my son play was The Simpsons. It was pretty cool.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Antisocial Media Influencer at November 01, 2025 06:32 PM (0aYVJ)

89 Haven't heard or seen a Boggle reference in years. Thanks Doggo!

Well. That just proves to me that the decline in our civilization is real!

Posted by: Peggy Hill at November 01, 2025 06:32 PM (CHHv1)

90 I have what I call 'old man's skin on my forearms. They can get bruises and abrasions easily, I'm often not aware until I look. Came across something called Armchaps, a supple leather sleeve. Since even just moving cardboard boxes (mostly books) can leave problems, and certainly gardening or wood working, I'm hoping they will help with protection. Fortunately, other hobbies like reading and sketching aren't a problem.

They should arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll report if they are useful.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (yTvNw)

91 That was a major problem with some of them - some of the puzzle solutions made absolutely no sense, and you would get to almost the end and realize you were fucked because you didn't keep some obscure item in your inventory. You had to trial and error a bunch of stuff sometimes. Planetfall and Stationfall were pretty logical though IIRC
Posted by: Did love me some Zork... at November 01, 2025 06:23 PM

IIRC, Zork was an expansion of the original "Adventure." I know someone who got his hands on the source code (FORTRAN, of course) to figure out how to beat it.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (VmDLh)

92 Two of my favorite video games of all time:

Ultima V - Warriors of Destiny

Planescape: Torment

Both had excellent storylines and were just fun as hell to play. (Planescape: Torment was *weird* but very, very cool. You could be an absolute MONSTER in that game--in the worst possible way).

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (IBQGV)

93 I have a still working Game Boy Advance, and several others of the Nintendo hand helds. I've never been fast enough reacting to play combat games. I have a Game Boy LOTR game I couldn't finish because I couldn't defeat the last boss! I haven't tried the Harry Potter Legacy yet, although my husband played the PC version when we bought them to spite the boycott. He's more the Elder Scrolls type.

Posted by: Lirio100 at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (ky7/T)

94 I found Myst to be unsatisfying when I finally solved it. The story line was too simple. YMMV. Myst was a bridge between the old text based games and later more graphically based games.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:31 PM (ZVgZ4)
---
Myst was revolutionary for its day, I suppose. The sequels upped the challenge a bit, as I recall, and expanded the lore.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 06:35 PM (IBQGV)

95 Somewhere in my Yahoo email archive, I have a file that plays Missile Command, Asteroids,...and something else. I should try to find it...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at November 01, 2025 06:35 PM (nbLIj)

96 I have what I call 'old man's skin on my forearms. They can get bruises and abrasions easily, I'm often not aware until I look. Came across something called Armchaps, a supple leather sleeve. Since even just moving cardboard boxes (mostly books) can leave problems, and certainly gardening or wood working, I'm hoping they will help with protection. Fortunately, other hobbies like reading and sketching aren't a problem.

They should arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll report if they are useful.
Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (yTvNw)

My hands are the same way. I mean they don't look like old man hands, but every time I bang them against something, I keep finding little cuts.

With those leather sleeve arm protectors, you could become the new Iron Mike Sharpe!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 01, 2025 06:37 PM (uQesX)

97 Asteroids is a miserable game, only surpassed by Dragon's Lair a decade later.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 01, 2025 06:38 PM (vV6n9)

98 I started gaming in the 1980s, Atari for video games and AD&D for tabletop. Our D&D group fell apart after college, and I've never been successful at getting another started, so I've stuck with video games. I've found in the last few years, though, that I don't get nearly as excited for new releases. If it's a Zelda or Mass Effect or Half-Life, I'd be there to pick it up on day one, but most other new games don't really grab me. I don't really have the reflexes or the competitive spirit for online multiplayer games, so I've gone the other direction into emulation, basically reliving my youth. Lately I've been replaying Chrono Trigger on SNES, and it's (to me) still better than anything being made today.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at November 01, 2025 06:39 PM (QdGJh)

99 I have been restoring an old Stargate Defender arcade game. By far, the most awesome arcade game ever made. I spent countless hours of my misspent youth playing this game. All the digital boards are fixed, wiring connectors replaced. Next is to replace all the caps and flyback on the monitor board. I have way too much 'real' work to do, so I piddle on this when I can. Decades lurker, infrequent commenter.

Posted by: Jim in Texas at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (nGt2v)

100 Hitchiker's Guide from infocom was notoriously difficult. I tried several and never finished one of them. Too much for my wee brain.

Now original XCom, holy cow I played the heck out of that and actually finished it.

These days I'm more into retro stuff and playing on a controller. my aging body doesn't like to hold mice for extended periods any more.

Anybody here mess around with PICO 8? it's a fun minimalist/retro programming kit for making games.

Posted by: Are you sure about this sir? at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (U/7CP)

101 Pac Man dammit.....Pac Man.............

Posted by: Big Porker at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (lcAsc)

102 Zork is an obvious homage to original Adventure, but is it’s own game, or series of games: I remember Zork, Zork II and Zork III, IIRC. Then there were revivals in semi-graphical form about the time Leisure Suit Larry came out (late 80s).

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (ZVgZ4)

103 I am really surprised there was a Pac-Man, Jr. I thought Ms. Pac-Man was on the pill.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (FVLcK)

104 Asteroids is a miserable game
----------
Blasphemy. Vectors and blasting space rocks wasted many afternoons!

Posted by: scampydog at November 01, 2025 06:42 PM (YPm7m)

105 Haven't played WOT in over a year. Little absconded with the one SSD laptop on which it played well...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at November 01, 2025 06:42 PM (nbLIj)

106 99 Decades lurker, infrequent commenter.

Posted by: Jim in Texas at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM
***
Thanks for reading and jumping into the comments on this one.

Posted by: TRex - dino, the last starfighter at November 01, 2025 06:43 PM (IQ6Gq)

107 I didn't play on the computer so much, but when the kids were little I would be playing their Gameboy's long after they went to sleep.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at November 01, 2025 06:44 PM (0nHVk)

108 Concerning combat games, just saw something from Wretchard on X, Ukraine is now awarding points to its fighters for rewards.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 01, 2025 06:45 PM (bI6eY)

109 If you're still here, Wolfus, here's a site you might like:

https://archiveofourown.org/

It's for writers of fanfic.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 01, 2025 06:45 PM (uQesX)

110 I have game consoles from the early 80's up to the modern day. Atari, nintendo from the nes up to the switch, sega, playstation, all the X box consoles. I'm a gaming asshole. MMO's are a fucking plague.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 06:46 PM (snZF9)

111 103 Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM
***
I fully expect a gaming-related excuse when you wander into Club ONT tonight.

Posted by: TRex - don't mix up dino and qbert at November 01, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

112 Zork is an obvious homage to original Adventure, but is it’s own game, or series of games: I remember Zork, Zork II and Zork III, IIRC. Then there were revivals in semi-graphical form about the time Leisure Suit Larry came out (late 80s).

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM (ZVgZ4)

I played a game on PC years ago that was called Zork nemesis. I remember that being pretty cool.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 06:47 PM (snZF9)

113 Also fanfiction

https://www.fanfiction.net/

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 01, 2025 06:51 PM (uQesX)

114 When computer games and D and D became popular I was too busy with work to get started with them. Now in retirement I want to do hands-on hobbies. I know such things have huge appeal but never caught my attention. But I was always a GDI.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:52 PM (yTvNw)

115 I have what I call 'old man's skin on my forearms. They can get bruises and abrasions easily, I'm often not aware until I look. Came across something called Armchaps, a supple leather sleeve. Since even just moving cardboard boxes (mostly books) can leave problems, and certainly gardening or wood working, I'm hoping they will help with protection. Fortunately, other hobbies like reading and sketching aren't a problem.

They should arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll report if they are useful.
Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 06:33 PM (yTvNw)

-----
These sound perfect for my Dad. He may be getting a pair from Santa! Thanks for the tip.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at November 01, 2025 06:52 PM (W3AhE)

116 The thing about "Civilization: Call to Power" is that I can usually win against the computer without it, but if one of the other countries start winning, I conquer them because the computer really sucks at fighting wars.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:52 PM (VmDLh)

117 Thx, TRex,
I truly grew up in the golden age of computer games as I suspect most of us 20 YO's did. Dad brought home a Pong game, but since he bought everything from Sears, it was the Sears version.
Played my first adventure game on a PDP-11 which is where I also got my first computer porn off the line printer: Eva.
Anyway, recently son invited me to an arcade day... two hours of pinball and Stargate and I had sore arms the next day! Way out of practice!

Posted by: Jim in Texas at November 01, 2025 06:54 PM (nGt2v)

118 111 103 Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 06:40 PM
***
I fully expect a gaming-related excuse when you wander into Club ONT tonight.
Posted by: TRex - don't mix up dino and qbert at November 01, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

Really? Okay, I'll work on something.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 06:55 PM (FVLcK)

119 I played a game on PC years ago that was called Zork nemesis. I remember that being pretty cool.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 06:47 PM

The old Infocom games were written in a specialized interpreted programming language. Free interpreters for that language exist, so if you have the old games (or can hoist the Jolly Roger, so to speak) you can play them on whatever computer you have. I have even played one (I think it was "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" which I bought new back in the day) on an Android phone.

Playing an text adventure game on a phone is not recommended.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:56 PM (VmDLh)

120 I just expect bloodletting and bruises from any project anymore.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 06:59 PM (E6fZE)

121 As far as games go, my favorites were Portal and MediEvil games. I like a good bit of humor with my gameplay.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 01, 2025 07:00 PM (FVLcK)

122 I just expect bloodletting and bruises from any project anymore.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 06:59 PM

Any more? I used to describe the 1970, 1971, and 1974 Maverick I had as mine because "it was my blood in the oil."

I still have the scars from when the jackhandle slipped off when I was jacking it up to do yet another brake adjustment.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 07:01 PM (VmDLh)

123 There was another really cool game I played on PC years ago. It was called Myst. That was a good one.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:01 PM (snZF9)

124 115 ... "These sound perfect for my Dad. He may be getting a pair from Santa! Thanks for the tip."

BarelyScary,

A pair runs about 70 to 80 bucks depending on the size needed. That includes delivery. The Armchaps website has a sizing chart. I got mine through Amazon because I try not to spread my credit card number around too much.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 07:02 PM (yTvNw)

125 Thanks for the thread, T-Rex. I'm glad I was able to visit this time instead of being off doing something completely different.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 07:02 PM (VmDLh)

126 120 I just expect bloodletting and bruises from any project anymore.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 06:59 PM
***
The Hobby Thread only requires a half-pint of blood rather than the full pint that other threads require.

Posted by: TRex - kindler gentler dino at November 01, 2025 07:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

127 My boys came down a couple of weeks ago and we fixed up an XP system so they can play MechWarrior 4. I sent them back home with the PC and 50" screen to play it on.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:03 PM (vFG9F)

128 Cybersmythe, hahahaha.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:03 PM (E6fZE)

129 The old Infocom games were written in a specialized interpreted programming language. Free interpreters for that language exist, so if you have the old games (or can hoist the Jolly Roger, so to speak) you can play them on whatever computer you have.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 06:56 PM (VmDLh)

I'm guessing this interpreter thing is something that has to be downloaded in order to play Zork on a newer PC? I still have the Zork game in a box of ancient PC games I have.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:03 PM (snZF9)

130 125 Thanks for the thread, T-Rex. I'm glad I was able to visit this time instead of being off doing something completely different.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 07:02 PM
***
Thank YOU for being here!

Posted by: TRex - dino greetings at November 01, 2025 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

131 I did throughly go playing WII Eastern Front computer game, winning both the Nazis and Soviets through out the war beginning to Berlin

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:04 PM (+qU29)

132 JTB, thanks! I found them on Amazon.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at November 01, 2025 07:04 PM (W3AhE)

133 >>I remember arcade games in the '80s. Primitive by today's standards, granted, but fun.

Part of the fun was being at the arcade!
The best one in my town was part of a pizza place - half restaurant, half dark arcade where all the kids hung out.

Posted by: Lizzy at November 01, 2025 07:05 PM (GbwPZ)

134 TRex, you get half blood, half wine in my case !

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:07 PM (E6fZE)

135 "Blasphemy. Vectors and blasting space rocks wasted many afternoons!
Posted by: scampydog"

Asteroids on the Kaypro 9" green screen monitor with Hercules graphics was awesome. You could play till the cows came home, for free!

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:08 PM (vFG9F)

136 I do remember the Exile series. The 3rd was good, as were some of the user made series. Of course, when you speak of modding, the ultimate to me was Europa Universalis, versions 1-3. I had fixed EUIII almost to the point I wanted, then they came out with EUIV, and that ruined the series for me.

For an excellent early game, there was Sword of Aragon.

Posted by: Eeyore (Is, Eum) at November 01, 2025 07:08 PM (s0JqF)

137 Part of the fun was being at the arcade!
The best one in my town was part of a pizza place - half restaurant, half dark arcade where all the kids hung out.

Posted by: Lizzy at November 01, 2025 07:05 PM (GbwPZ)

We had 2 arcades in the local mall. One wasn't actually an arcade, it was a store called Lampstons. I don't even remember what they sold, but they had a long line of pinball machines along the wall by the exit. The other was a dedicated arcade called Spaceport, and that had all kinds of games. That was fun.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:09 PM (snZF9)

138 As I recalls the Hercules graphics card gave you about 740x400 monochrome graphics with which you could do pie charts and stuff too.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:11 PM (vFG9F)

139 If you want to play Infocom games, try the Frotz interpreter. See link at 80. IIRC they also had several of the Zork games.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:11 PM (ZVgZ4)

140 The complete restoration of the Donkey Kong game was terrific. The guy did an amazing job of bringing that back to life. I remember playing that in a few bars back in the day with a few of my buddies. Funny how your skill level was dependent on the number of scotch and sodas one consumed. Huh. That was especially evident with Space Invaders.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at November 01, 2025 07:11 PM (5xuJ/)

141 137 Part of the fun was being at the arcade!
The best one in my town was part of a pizza place - half restaurant, half dark arcade where all the kids hung out.

Posted by: Lizzy at November 01, 2025 07:05 PM (GbwPZ)

----------

Skeeball. Avalon, Catalina Island, mid 70's. Best week of the year, every year.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at November 01, 2025 07:14 PM (oeNAa)

142 Pie charts. The chicks turned to jelly when I offered to show them pie charts on an amber monochrome screen.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at November 01, 2025 07:15 PM (oeNAa)

143 I play World of Warships on a regular basis. One can play both PVE (against bots) or PVP (against other players). Not a unicom player by any means, but there are plenty of new players, old players, and players in between.

Posted by: mrp at November 01, 2025 07:15 PM (rj6Yv)

144 If you want to play Infocom games, try the Frotz interpreter. See link at 80. IIRC they also had several of the Zork games.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:11 PM (ZVgZ4)
---
They're also available on https://classicreload.com

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 07:16 PM (IBQGV)

145 Here’s a link to more info about Infocom games and other Z-machine games:

https://enderandrew.com/if/games.html

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:16 PM (ZVgZ4)

146 I'm guessing this interpreter thing is something that has to be downloaded in order to play Zork on a newer PC? I still have the Zork game in a box of ancient PC games I have.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:03 PM

Yes, you can download it. It's called a "z machine" and you can download and install it. One such Z machine is called "Frotz."

I can't really provide support for doing this, so I hope this is enough information to get you started.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 01, 2025 07:18 PM (VmDLh)

147 Wasted my lunch money on Space Invaders.

Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at November 01, 2025 07:19 PM (WQDw6)

148 YT has a thriving online gaming community. Whether it's World of Warships, World of Tanks, War Thunder - there are a ton of channels devoted to each game.

Posted by: mrp at November 01, 2025 07:20 PM (rj6Yv)

149 Before we're outta here, with luck I will be in Lancaster in Ozz land, hopefully on the Munchkins sde

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:21 PM (+qU29)

150 Many years ago, I was playing an online game, I just cannot remember the name. Build castle, build an army, etc. I did learn the game clock and scheduled my reinforcements to arrive 2 seconds before the enemy arrived. Great fun except you had to defend your territory 24/7.

My son once told me "That is the worst game."

Posted by: no one at November 01, 2025 07:21 PM (W7XSX)

151 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Always appreciate your patronage of the Hobby Thread, whether you're commenting or just lurking. Will give the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) another spin and come back next week with a different theme.

See y'all in Club ONT later tonight!

Posted by: TRex - game over makes dino sad at November 01, 2025 07:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

152 Played a Lot of Hearts of Iron IV.

Some FTL, Civ 5, and the spire game.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at November 01, 2025 07:23 PM (u82oZ)

153 A modern equivalent to semi-graphical adventure games is the Ren’Py system:

https://www.renpy.org/

There are a bunch of games written for the Ren’Py interpreter which is a specialized Python interpreter. The games are written for the love of it, so they vary from excellent to dreadful. YMMV.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:23 PM (ZVgZ4)

154 TRex, thank you. Your commitment to this thread is much appreciated

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:24 PM (E6fZE)

155 Ren’Py is really a visual novel engine.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:25 PM (ZVgZ4)

156 Now in HOI IV, I play a nation to see how long I can stay out of war.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at November 01, 2025 07:26 PM (u82oZ)

157 One of my favourites in the 90's was "Dune II - The Battle for Arrakis" by Westwood Studios. It was the grand-daddy of RTS (Real Time Strategy) games. Westwood went on to create the very popular "Command & Conquer" series of video games.

Another one I quite liked was Syndicate by Bullfrog Studios. Here's the intro video:
https://youtu.be/cM0d7VGFNsY

EA (Electronic Arts) went on to gobble up both WestWood and Bullfrog, and many others.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at November 01, 2025 07:26 PM (O7YUW)

158 154 TRex, thank you. Your commitment to this thread is much appreciated

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:24 PM
***
Danke!

Posted by: TRex - game over makes dino sad at November 01, 2025 07:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

159 TRex, Thanks, as always, for another great thread. See folks on the book thread tomorrow.

Remember to change those clocks. AOSHQ threads wait for no man. Or dinosaur.

Posted by: JTB at November 01, 2025 07:28 PM (yTvNw)

160 Yes great thread Dino

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 07:29 PM (9ipOP)

161 There is a pinball museum in Providence RI. My son took me there. I asked the docent, "Do you have the old baseball game?" Her eye lighted up. "Yes." And she took me to it. Sitting in a hallway. "Nobody plays. Nobody sings. You play and sing."

Posted by: no one at November 01, 2025 07:30 PM (W7XSX)

162 in a previous life, i was a video game serviceman. Fun! But i wasn’t particularly good at any particular one.
We’d get new games in, and replace the locks and put security bars on them so you couldn’t pry open the coin door before i delivered them to convenience stores and a couple other arcades/businesses.
Many nights after 5, with a 12 pack playing for free to our heart’s content. Often till midnight.

Plus, the “collectors” who gathered up the coins out of machines, were all under 21. So i was elected to collect from the few strip clubs we had machines (not high revenue places) and not as exciting at the time for me, but I REALLY thought some of those strippers liked me!
But maybe that was because i told them I left several credits on the machine…

Posted by: Gunslinger at November 01, 2025 07:30 PM (7hdjp)

163 Insomnia will rob me of that extra hour.

Posted by: no one at November 01, 2025 07:31 PM (W7XSX)

164 Infocom had a slew of them.

The problem I had with those is I could never figure out or remember what text commands did something useful.

There was one where you start as a lady in a room, having been kidnapped by pirates maybe? and you had to escape. but you entire inventory consisted of what was in your reticule. I don't think I ever got out of the room on that one.

Adn then there was Sierra and their Kings Quest games. Talk about "save early, save often" and "Here go back hours of gameplay for using the wrong item to solve a puzzle."

Posted by: FeatherBlade at November 01, 2025 07:31 PM (i00+Z)

165 I miss video game arcades.
I grew up around video games they were a major source of entertainment and is still a time sink for me.

Luckily, early video games weren't that great, so I really fell in love with reading.

But I loved going to the arcade with two bucks and seeing how long I could keep games alive. My great achievement is beating Ikari Warriors on one quarter one summer in Arnold's Park, Iowa.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at November 01, 2025 07:32 PM (xcxpd)

166 Gauntlet: 11,111,111, bitches.

Step 1: accumulate enough health
Step 2: stand still for a few hours, shooting large ghosts non-stop
Step 3: shoot Death until the score is right
Step 4: stand still while grunts finish you off

(At some 7-11 -- no arcade would've tolerated Step 2...)

Posted by: Fritz Geiger at November 01, 2025 07:33 PM (38jsa)

167 Asteroids on the Kaypro 9" green screen monitor with Hercules graphics was awesome. You could play till the cows came home, for free!
Posted by: fd

We had one of those for a while! There was this platformer that used keyboard symbols and letters as the structure of each level

Posted by: FeatherBlade at November 01, 2025 07:34 PM (i00+Z)

168 Anyone ever play the "rogue-like" games?

Those could be fun timewasters...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 07:35 PM (IBQGV)

169 Thanks TRex for the thread. It got me thinking about games I hadn’t played in years!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:36 PM (ZVgZ4)

170 AoS is the only time sink I want to indulge in

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:36 PM (E6fZE)

171 I guess mall arcade games are gone, haven't been to a mall in a long time

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:36 PM (+qU29)

172 169 Thanks TRex for the thread. It got me thinking about games I hadn’t played in years!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:36 PM
***
You're welcome!

Posted by: TRex - game over makes dino sad at November 01, 2025 07:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

173 One of the old pinball games I liked was called Buccaneer. I promised myself one day I would find one. I searched not too long ago and see them for a decent price.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:38 PM (snZF9)

174 At least AoSHq is informative, Spider solitaire is just evil

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:38 PM (+qU29)

175 An obscure arcade game I loved to play was "Venture" by Exidy.

Longplay here, no commentary:
https://youtu.be/0sYgs-Qm2Mc

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at November 01, 2025 07:40 PM (O7YUW)

176 Sounds like pinball machines might be a welcome theme on the Hobby Thread at some point...

Posted by: TRex - pinball wizard at November 01, 2025 07:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

177 Speaking of hobbies, PDT was interviewed for 60 Minutes this Sunday after suing them. I think he enjoys this.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:41 PM (vFG9F)

178 At least AoSHq is informative

====

*preens*

Well, I do try to keep things breezy.

Posted by: San Franpsycho ZOA stooge at November 01, 2025 07:42 PM (9ipOP)

179 At least AoSHq is informative, Spider solitaire is just evil

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:38 PM (+qU29)

I play that all the time when I visit my father. He watches ball games and I screw around on his PC. I very rarely lose.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 01, 2025 07:42 PM (snZF9)

180 Quick help question. I need to install a cutoff valve on the gas line on my mower. Before or after the fuel filter?

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:42 PM (E6fZE)

181 Before Ben Had so you can turn off the gas when you change the filter.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:43 PM (vFG9F)

182 It's the 45 minutes sometimes gone that gets me

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:43 PM (+qU29)

183 But if it's going to be a pain to put it before, then after.

Posted by: fd at November 01, 2025 07:44 PM (vFG9F)

184 WE HAZ A MOVIE MARQUE

Posted by: Skip at November 01, 2025 07:45 PM (+qU29)

185 Got the clocks and watches all set back using Naval Observatory time to the second. I guess my hobby is OCD.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 01, 2025 07:45 PM (gm9Sb)

186 fd, Thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 01, 2025 07:45 PM (E6fZE)

187 Quick help question. I need to install a cutoff valve on the gas line on my mower. Before or after the fuel filter?

Before anything that would need maintenance, repairs or can leak.

Therefore, before the fuel filter.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at November 01, 2025 07:45 PM (a4flb)

188 Back in the day... circa 2003 or 2004 I ran one of the most popular Unreal Tournament servers in the US.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 01, 2025 07:48 PM (Q4IgG)

189 During the late 70's, we played 'Adventure' on Bell Labs' mainframe. Strictly text driven and very basic. It was interesting but I was more interested in the library where one could access any BL papers that had ever been written.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 01, 2025 07:50 PM (cYBz/)

190 Are you wise in the ways of video games? Do you play solo or multi-player games? Do you have memories of pumping quarters at the video arcade?
-
Ugh, I'm sorry I missed this thread. I've been playing OpenMW (rebuilt engine for Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind) all afternoon. I've adored Skyrim, but hit my head on the modding wall a few too many times, and decided to take a break and try the rest of the series. Arena was too primitive, and while I liked Daggerfall Unity, I was getting too many random crashes.

I'n looking forward to Skyblivion, though I want to wait until after it's release for a while, since it won't include all the DLC off the bat, and you know there will be something modders want to fix (levelling system and unlevelling the world, I'm hoping).

Posted by: Methos at November 01, 2025 07:53 PM (vSvIl)

191 Before I go to the next thread, I thought I’d mention you can get Frotz as an app for the iPad and presumably the iPhone. Look for it in the App Store. It comes with a bunch of pre-loaded games including the MIT version of Zork.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at November 01, 2025 07:56 PM (ZVgZ4)

192 Late as usual, but thanks for the interesting thread, TRex. Turn-based games are the only ones that interest me, as I don't have really good reflexes these days, so I spend my time with the Civilization series, Alpha Centauri, and Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Lots of wasted, but fun, hours.

Posted by: Retired, thank God at November 01, 2025 07:57 PM (va0Yo)

193 I am going to watch game 7 of the World Series soon.

My mom was from Arkansas and moved to San Diego to marry my dad in 1941.

Dad was 4-F from total hearing loss in one ear from Scarlett fever.

In 1959, IIRC, both the Dogders and the Giants moved to California. My mom became a Dodgers fan. I remember her sitting at the kitchen table watching the Dodgers will listening to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio, while also working on a crossword puzzle.

She never got alzheimers. Sharp as a tack all the way through.

Posted by: no one at November 01, 2025 07:58 PM (W7XSX)

194 Ahh, the classics. Pong, Tank, AirSea Battle, Missile Command, Tempest.

And moving a bit forward in time on the Atari, EA's Archon, etc.

Speaking of nostalgia, if you have a Steam account, The Royal Cosmonautical Society has the old lunar lander simulator like there used to be in some museums, etc.

https://store.steampowered.com/app
/669340/The_Royal_Cosmonautical_Society/

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at November 01, 2025 07:59 PM (/HDaX)

195 Anyone else of the grand days of 80's arcade days remember when the first Laser Disc games came out?

Dragon's Lair, and Space Ace were the big ones where I lived. I never conquered Dragon's Lair, but I absolutely mastered Space Ace. I forget how many rolls of quarters it took to learn the exact timing of the moves; probably "too many" would be a good answer.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at November 01, 2025 08:04 PM (O7YUW)

196 Yeah, the LaserDisc games were neat but damn, they were expensive.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at November 01, 2025 08:05 PM (/HDaX)

197 Anyone ever play the "rogue-like" games?

Those could be fun timewasters...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 01, 2025 07:35 PM (IBQGV)

I got Vampire Survivors free from Epic Games a while back and got around to trying it a couple of months ago. I can't play it for many days in a row, but it's a good one to come back to after a break, enough so, that it's on my list for Steam's Black Friday sale (I think it might be under $15 all DLC included).

Posted by: Methos at November 01, 2025 08:16 PM (vSvIl)

198 Just remembered. One of the first MMOs ever - "Habitat", on the Quantum Link (QLink) online system. Using a similar graphical interface to that of the C64 "Labyrinth" game, and the latter, more famous "Maniac Mansion". Never had a chance to play it, but it was interesting to read about.

QLink would eventually become America On-Line, the AOL we all knew and joked about.

Posted by: Another Anon at November 01, 2025 08:20 PM (4h45B)

199 I played centipede, believe that was the last one for me.

Posted by: Eromero at November 01, 2025 08:40 PM (LHPAg)

200 Populous was a great game.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at November 01, 2025 08:55 PM (/lPRQ)

201 I played all those games in the 80s. Then built some for a while. Now just want to take an A-10 all across Washington DC

Posted by: NC Ref at November 01, 2025 09:12 PM (HIRLq)

202 Great topic.

World of Warships is a fun game but it has the mechanics of what you thought would be believable when you were 8 years old imagining your model ships battling it out in real life.

Quick plug for “Tank Squad” where you and three friends can play a very fun but somewhat realistic simulation version of the Battle of Kursk (each commanding one tank in the squad), the biggest tank battle of history, as either side, and the computer plays everything else in the environment.

Posted by: Harry Johnson at November 01, 2025 09:19 PM (2g7Lb)

203 About 10 years ago, I completely reverse engineered the assembly code for Space Invaders via my own emulator. It was cool to see the whole instruction set as well as all the sprites. I still have all that paperwork in a folder somewhere...

Posted by: Eric at November 01, 2025 09:51 PM (cgS+J)

Processing 0.04, elapsed 0.0392 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0115 seconds, 212 records returned.
Page size 130 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.