Play History
@playhistory.bsky.social
Independent games researcher, Ethan Johnson. Preserving gaming history!
Patreon: http://tinyurl.com/pdp5pdrj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history/videos
Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Editor of Gaming Alexandria
Patreon: http://tinyurl.com/pdp5pdrj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history/videos
Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Editor of Gaming Alexandria
Pinned
Play History
@playhistory.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Play History
Play History is all about the history of video games. From their origins, to how they influence the world today, together we explore the phenomenon that's captured the world. Video game design, art, a...
www.youtube.com
Hi!
Here's my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@play_history
Here's my blog: thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com
I help @gamingalexandria.bsky.social www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/
I have a book on classic 80s arcade companies coming out in the near future!
That's my starter kit.
Here's my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@play_history
Here's my blog: thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com
I help @gamingalexandria.bsky.social www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/
I have a book on classic 80s arcade companies coming out in the near future!
That's my starter kit.
Reposted by Play History
Roll in the Barrel!
In the grand slew of skee-ball-alikes, this may be one of the smallest. They made it darned cheat proof as well with a very narrow hole for shooting.
Would this have been any fun?
In the grand slew of skee-ball-alikes, this may be one of the smallest. They made it darned cheat proof as well with a very narrow hole for shooting.
Would this have been any fun?
November 24, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Roll in the Barrel!
In the grand slew of skee-ball-alikes, this may be one of the smallest. They made it darned cheat proof as well with a very narrow hole for shooting.
Would this have been any fun?
In the grand slew of skee-ball-alikes, this may be one of the smallest. They made it darned cheat proof as well with a very narrow hole for shooting.
Would this have been any fun?
Reposted by Play History
The working conditions at Sega and in the video game industry in Japan, from 1980 to ~nowadays (with sections on Capcom, SNK, Nintendo, etc.).
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama9
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf9
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama9
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf9
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The working conditions at Sega and in the video game industry in Japan, from 1980 to ~nowadays (with sections on Capcom, SNK, Nintendo, etc.).
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama9
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf9
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama9
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf9
40 Years - 1986
Nintendo releases their Famicom Disk System, and along with it a groundbreaking, open-ended action game called The Legend of Zelda.
Our information on the making of the original is a bit piecemeal - will we be getting a 40th year drop of some kind?
Nintendo releases their Famicom Disk System, and along with it a groundbreaking, open-ended action game called The Legend of Zelda.
Our information on the making of the original is a bit piecemeal - will we be getting a 40th year drop of some kind?
November 23, 2025 at 11:20 PM
40 Years - 1986
Nintendo releases their Famicom Disk System, and along with it a groundbreaking, open-ended action game called The Legend of Zelda.
Our information on the making of the original is a bit piecemeal - will we be getting a 40th year drop of some kind?
Nintendo releases their Famicom Disk System, and along with it a groundbreaking, open-ended action game called The Legend of Zelda.
Our information on the making of the original is a bit piecemeal - will we be getting a 40th year drop of some kind?
Last night's stream is up - in VOD form!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAf...
If you care about the first heavy metal song, skip to 2:16:10 I managed to sway @quarterpast.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAf...
If you care about the first heavy metal song, skip to 2:16:10 I managed to sway @quarterpast.bsky.social
Dating Arcade Games! (Not That Way) Part 5
YouTube video by Play History
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Last night's stream is up - in VOD form!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAf...
If you care about the first heavy metal song, skip to 2:16:10 I managed to sway @quarterpast.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpAf...
If you care about the first heavy metal song, skip to 2:16:10 I managed to sway @quarterpast.bsky.social
Taking off. A direct hit on the target in approximately 10 minutes.
Join us (and @quarterpast.bsky.social) for dating the arcade games of 1976.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Join us (and @quarterpast.bsky.social) for dating the arcade games of 1976.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
November 22, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Taking off. A direct hit on the target in approximately 10 minutes.
Join us (and @quarterpast.bsky.social) for dating the arcade games of 1976.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Join us (and @quarterpast.bsky.social) for dating the arcade games of 1976.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Reposted by Play History
The War comes and goes.
Digital computer technology enters the world - first through relays, then solid-state circuits.
EMI moves into music - or something.
Spotlight Golf is forgotten; the few surviving units traded around Britain in auctions and classifieds.
Digital computer technology enters the world - first through relays, then solid-state circuits.
EMI moves into music - or something.
Spotlight Golf is forgotten; the few surviving units traded around Britain in auctions and classifieds.
November 21, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The War comes and goes.
Digital computer technology enters the world - first through relays, then solid-state circuits.
EMI moves into music - or something.
Spotlight Golf is forgotten; the few surviving units traded around Britain in auctions and classifieds.
Digital computer technology enters the world - first through relays, then solid-state circuits.
EMI moves into music - or something.
Spotlight Golf is forgotten; the few surviving units traded around Britain in auctions and classifieds.
Reposted by Play History
Next on All the Adventures:
Terror From the Deep is next in the series after Leopard Lord. Rather than quasi-RPG combat the game puts the player in the aftermath of a battle. Except some the creatures might still be alive, but it's hard to tell? Read on for details.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/21/t...
Terror From the Deep is next in the series after Leopard Lord. Rather than quasi-RPG combat the game puts the player in the aftermath of a battle. Except some the creatures might still be alive, but it's hard to tell? Read on for details.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/21/t...
Terror From the Deep (1983)
This is the follow-up game to Leopard Lord, which I played recently; you can find the historical introduction there (specifically how Kayde took a piece of software in a magazine not written by the…
bluerenga.blog
November 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Next on All the Adventures:
Terror From the Deep is next in the series after Leopard Lord. Rather than quasi-RPG combat the game puts the player in the aftermath of a battle. Except some the creatures might still be alive, but it's hard to tell? Read on for details.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/21/t...
Terror From the Deep is next in the series after Leopard Lord. Rather than quasi-RPG combat the game puts the player in the aftermath of a battle. Except some the creatures might still be alive, but it's hard to tell? Read on for details.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/21/t...
Reposted by Play History
This week on The Digital Antiquarian: "Mr. Roberts Goes to Hollywood, Part 1: A Digital Anvil" www.filfre.net/2025/11/mr-r...
» Mr Roberts Goes to Hollywood, Part 1: A Digital Anvil The Digital Antiquarian
www.filfre.net
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This week on The Digital Antiquarian: "Mr. Roberts Goes to Hollywood, Part 1: A Digital Anvil" www.filfre.net/2025/11/mr-r...
Reposted by Play History
The Quarter is back - that is, @quarterpast.bsky.social and I, tomorrow at 7PM CST to continue our Arcade Dating bonanza.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Come to laugh, live, learn, and engage in a debate about the first heavy metal song.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Come to laugh, live, learn, and engage in a debate about the first heavy metal song.
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The Quarter is back - that is, @quarterpast.bsky.social and I, tomorrow at 7PM CST to continue our Arcade Dating bonanza.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Come to laugh, live, learn, and engage in a debate about the first heavy metal song.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
Come to laugh, live, learn, and engage in a debate about the first heavy metal song.
Got a new post! Going through some of the evidence for the earliest CRPGs to see how it all fits together.
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/s...
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/s...
Selects #4 – Dating (Some of) the First CRPGs
Let’s put our initiatives in order and delve into the mysterious world of early RPGs.
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Got a new post! Going through some of the evidence for the earliest CRPGs to see how it all fits together.
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/s...
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/s...
50 Years - 1976
Literature and video games merge with Adventure, the pioneering interactive fiction experience.
Author William Crowther has refused to speak much on the game, though there is a very good article on its origins.
dhq.digitalhumanities.org/vol/1/2/0000...
Literature and video games merge with Adventure, the pioneering interactive fiction experience.
Author William Crowther has refused to speak much on the game, though there is a very good article on its origins.
dhq.digitalhumanities.org/vol/1/2/0000...
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
50 Years - 1976
Literature and video games merge with Adventure, the pioneering interactive fiction experience.
Author William Crowther has refused to speak much on the game, though there is a very good article on its origins.
dhq.digitalhumanities.org/vol/1/2/0000...
Literature and video games merge with Adventure, the pioneering interactive fiction experience.
Author William Crowther has refused to speak much on the game, though there is a very good article on its origins.
dhq.digitalhumanities.org/vol/1/2/0000...
Reposted by Play History
My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away.
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Rebecca Heineman - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away.
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Reposted by Play History
It's been a blast working on this for GA 😁
Many thanks to @playhistory.bsky.social for being an editorial oracle
Many thanks to @playhistory.bsky.social for being an editorial oracle
We return with another amazing tale of video games past!
This time: The international story of Taito. Learn about the colorful Ukranian founder, the origin of the modern crane game, and how a peanut vending company redefines the world of video games.
www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/p...
This time: The international story of Taito. Learn about the colorful Ukranian founder, the origin of the modern crane game, and how a peanut vending company redefines the world of video games.
www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/p...
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
It's been a blast working on this for GA 😁
Many thanks to @playhistory.bsky.social for being an editorial oracle
Many thanks to @playhistory.bsky.social for being an editorial oracle
The latest Origin of Game article is live! Pleased to bring you yet another of the great Japanese arcade companies.
Nick did a great job digging into sources and context to forge this riveting tale of true entrepreneurship under difficult circumstances.
Nick did a great job digging into sources and context to forge this riveting tale of true entrepreneurship under difficult circumstances.
We return with another amazing tale of video games past!
This time: The international story of Taito. Learn about the colorful Ukranian founder, the origin of the modern crane game, and how a peanut vending company redefines the world of video games.
www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/p...
This time: The international story of Taito. Learn about the colorful Ukranian founder, the origin of the modern crane game, and how a peanut vending company redefines the world of video games.
www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/p...
November 17, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The latest Origin of Game article is live! Pleased to bring you yet another of the great Japanese arcade companies.
Nick did a great job digging into sources and context to forge this riveting tale of true entrepreneurship under difficult circumstances.
Nick did a great job digging into sources and context to forge this riveting tale of true entrepreneurship under difficult circumstances.
Reposted by Play History
From the SX 64 and Plus/4 to the C128 and the rise of the Amiga, Commodore entered a new era after Jack Tramiel’s departure. The Amiga 1000 and its bouncing ball demo marked a major shift as Commodore moved into the sixteen bit age.
▶ youtu.be/8agWMGOHObA
▶ youtu.be/8agWMGOHObA
TCW 246 - The History of Commodore Pt 3
YouTube video by They Create Worlds Podcast
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 4:16 PM
From the SX 64 and Plus/4 to the C128 and the rise of the Amiga, Commodore entered a new era after Jack Tramiel’s departure. The Amiga 1000 and its bouncing ball demo marked a major shift as Commodore moved into the sixteen bit age.
▶ youtu.be/8agWMGOHObA
▶ youtu.be/8agWMGOHObA
Reposted by Play History
November 17, 2025 at 4:11 AM
25 Years - 2001
The MMO steadily evolves from the MUD.
Runescape becomes the browser-based juggernaut and Dark Age of Camelot serves as one of the best massive PVP experiences ever created.
Runescape lives through its classic variant, while DaoC has been largely forgotten.
The MMO steadily evolves from the MUD.
Runescape becomes the browser-based juggernaut and Dark Age of Camelot serves as one of the best massive PVP experiences ever created.
Runescape lives through its classic variant, while DaoC has been largely forgotten.
November 15, 2025 at 11:14 PM
25 Years - 2001
The MMO steadily evolves from the MUD.
Runescape becomes the browser-based juggernaut and Dark Age of Camelot serves as one of the best massive PVP experiences ever created.
Runescape lives through its classic variant, while DaoC has been largely forgotten.
The MMO steadily evolves from the MUD.
Runescape becomes the browser-based juggernaut and Dark Age of Camelot serves as one of the best massive PVP experiences ever created.
Runescape lives through its classic variant, while DaoC has been largely forgotten.
I've been asked a few times about if Spotlight Golf should count as a video game.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Spotlight Golf contained very state-of-the-art technology for its time, which enabled it to create a unique gameplay experience.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I've been asked a few times about if Spotlight Golf should count as a video game.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
40 Years - 1986
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
November 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
40 Years - 1986
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Reposted by Play History
Still at it! Championship Soccer was delayed from its intended fall 1980 release window, coming along in February, with an endorsement by Pele and an early example of a cutaway scene in a video game: www.atariarchive.org/blog/peles-c...
(Pele’s) Championship Soccer (Soccer) – February 1981, Atari Archive
Atari didn’t take long to open up 1981 with a new release, as Championship Soccer – or Pele’s Championship Soccer, as it was quickly rebranded -...
www.atariarchive.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Still at it! Championship Soccer was delayed from its intended fall 1980 release window, coming along in February, with an endorsement by Pele and an early example of a cutaway scene in a video game: www.atariarchive.org/blog/peles-c...
Reposted by Play History
As part of my site's 30th anniversary celebration, I've revamped the Space Quest 7 section. The page now offers a detailed look at Sierra's cancelled Space Quest VII project (1997-1999) and Escape Factory's unfinished 2002 reboot.
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
The True Story Behind Space Quest 7 - The Virtual Broomcloset
Discover the full story behind Sierra’s cancelled Space Quest 7 and Escape Factory’s unreleased Space Quest platformer, including timelines, concept art, creator interviews, and why both were shelved.
wiw.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
As part of my site's 30th anniversary celebration, I've revamped the Space Quest 7 section. The page now offers a detailed look at Sierra's cancelled Space Quest VII project (1997-1999) and Escape Factory's unfinished 2002 reboot.
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Reposted by Play History
Med Systems published a catalog of four "adventure blobber" games from 1980 to 1982, made outside the regular arc of adventure game history.
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Madhouse (1981?)
We have — or at least had — the early timeline of Med Systems well-understood. They were founded by William Denman out of North Carolina, and they were the ones responsible for Reality …
bluerenga.blog
November 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Med Systems published a catalog of four "adventure blobber" games from 1980 to 1982, made outside the regular arc of adventure game history.
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
50 Years - 1976
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
November 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
50 Years - 1976
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...