Andrea Contato
@andreacontato.bsky.social
Writer, gamer, husband, father, with no time left for anything else!
Rebels, Pirates and Tentacles: The Story of LucasArts is coming soon.
And in the meantime, you can read a full chapter for free :)
www.andreacontato.com/rebels--pira...
And in the meantime, you can read a full chapter for free :)
www.andreacontato.com/rebels--pira...
October 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Rebels, Pirates and Tentacles: The Story of LucasArts is coming soon.
And in the meantime, you can read a full chapter for free :)
www.andreacontato.com/rebels--pira...
And in the meantime, you can read a full chapter for free :)
www.andreacontato.com/rebels--pira...
Through the Moongate: The Story of Richard Garriott, Origin Systems Inc. and Ultima part 1 and Video Games Stage 1 are free on from Amazon. All the other ebooks at a discount. Go and get them :D
www.amazon.com/stores/Andre...
Subscribe to my new #kickstarter
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
www.amazon.com/stores/Andre...
Subscribe to my new #kickstarter
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
September 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Through the Moongate: The Story of Richard Garriott, Origin Systems Inc. and Ultima part 1 and Video Games Stage 1 are free on from Amazon. All the other ebooks at a discount. Go and get them :D
www.amazon.com/stores/Andre...
Subscribe to my new #kickstarter
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
www.amazon.com/stores/Andre...
Subscribe to my new #kickstarter
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
The first part of the printed book shipment has arrived. Here are some photos of The Sumerian Game: A Digital Resurrection and Video Games Stage 2: From 1980 to 1984.
Missed the KS? You can still get your book here
andreacontato.com/negozio/
Missed the KS? You can still get your book here
andreacontato.com/negozio/
June 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The first part of the printed book shipment has arrived. Here are some photos of The Sumerian Game: A Digital Resurrection and Video Games Stage 2: From 1980 to 1984.
Missed the KS? You can still get your book here
andreacontato.com/negozio/
Missed the KS? You can still get your book here
andreacontato.com/negozio/
A better looking version of The Sumerian Game family tree. 11 years of game design and programming in just one infographic :)
The complete story in The Sumerian Game: a Digital Resurrection.
a.co/d/3idhpFl
You can also play the games on Steam for free.
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
The complete story in The Sumerian Game: a Digital Resurrection.
a.co/d/3idhpFl
You can also play the games on Steam for free.
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
April 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
A better looking version of The Sumerian Game family tree. 11 years of game design and programming in just one infographic :)
The complete story in The Sumerian Game: a Digital Resurrection.
a.co/d/3idhpFl
You can also play the games on Steam for free.
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
The complete story in The Sumerian Game: a Digital Resurrection.
a.co/d/3idhpFl
You can also play the games on Steam for free.
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
Welcome to Setats Detinu!
The Pollution Game is the middle ground between King of Sumeria by Dyment and Hamurabi by Ahl.
Its creator, Storer, integrated into the gameplay of the Sumerian Game some mechanics he had developed for Lunar Lander, which would later become a standard in the computer games.
The Pollution Game is the middle ground between King of Sumeria by Dyment and Hamurabi by Ahl.
Its creator, Storer, integrated into the gameplay of the Sumerian Game some mechanics he had developed for Lunar Lander, which would later become a standard in the computer games.
April 8, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Welcome to Setats Detinu!
The Pollution Game is the middle ground between King of Sumeria by Dyment and Hamurabi by Ahl.
Its creator, Storer, integrated into the gameplay of the Sumerian Game some mechanics he had developed for Lunar Lander, which would later become a standard in the computer games.
The Pollution Game is the middle ground between King of Sumeria by Dyment and Hamurabi by Ahl.
Its creator, Storer, integrated into the gameplay of the Sumerian Game some mechanics he had developed for Lunar Lander, which would later become a standard in the computer games.
Preview of the much less verbose FOCAL-8 version of King of Sumeria (1969). Barebone text and no "continue?" feature. Hamurabi won't go on strike ;)
April 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Preview of the much less verbose FOCAL-8 version of King of Sumeria (1969). Barebone text and no "continue?" feature. Hamurabi won't go on strike ;)
Preview of the much less verbose FOCAL-8 version of King of Sumeria (1969). Barebone text and no "continue?" feature. Hamurabi won't go on strike ;)
April 3, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Preview of the much less verbose FOCAL-8 version of King of Sumeria (1969). Barebone text and no "continue?" feature. Hamurabi won't go on strike ;)
Preview of FOCAL8-5 aka The Sumer Game. Much more verbose than the following versions, it had the "do you wish to continue?" feature that was later removed. It also had the "Hamurabi on strike" part that David Ahl included in Hamurabi. Thanks @katewillaert.bsky.social for the source code.
April 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Preview of FOCAL8-5 aka The Sumer Game. Much more verbose than the following versions, it had the "do you wish to continue?" feature that was later removed. It also had the "Hamurabi on strike" part that David Ahl included in Hamurabi. Thanks @katewillaert.bsky.social for the source code.
A small preview of The Sumerian Game 2.0. Lots of different versions to play and a few nice details, like the input text in red. IBM 1050 teletype was able to print in 2 different colors and the letters typed by the player were printed in red.
March 31, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A small preview of The Sumerian Game 2.0. Lots of different versions to play and a few nice details, like the input text in red. IBM 1050 teletype was able to print in 2 different colors and the letters typed by the player were printed in red.
Soon...
I'm working on version 2.0 of The Sumerian Game for Steam. What's new?
It has more game modes, more history, more informations, more achievements.
Are you ready to dive into the history of computer and simulation games?
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
I'm working on version 2.0 of The Sumerian Game for Steam. What's new?
It has more game modes, more history, more informations, more achievements.
Are you ready to dive into the history of computer and simulation games?
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
March 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Soon...
I'm working on version 2.0 of The Sumerian Game for Steam. What's new?
It has more game modes, more history, more informations, more achievements.
Are you ready to dive into the history of computer and simulation games?
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
I'm working on version 2.0 of The Sumerian Game for Steam. What's new?
It has more game modes, more history, more informations, more achievements.
Are you ready to dive into the history of computer and simulation games?
store.steampowered.com/app/2699250/...
The Sumerian Game: A digital resurtection (italian edition) on display at ComoFun (italy).
March 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The Sumerian Game: A digital resurtection (italian edition) on display at ComoFun (italy).
Mary Grace Pethick Robinson was a science teacher involved in numerous research, including writing school textbooks and recording chemistry lessons that were broadcast via radio. She worked on the software to simulate a chemistry lesson on a computer. Her death in 1965 brought the project to an end.
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Mary Grace Pethick Robinson was a science teacher involved in numerous research, including writing school textbooks and recording chemistry lessons that were broadcast via radio. She worked on the software to simulate a chemistry lesson on a computer. Her death in 1965 brought the project to an end.
At the end of the summer workshop in 1962, The Sumerian Play was halfway between a role-playing game and a board game. Mabel Addis Mergardt wrote the final texts (and rewrote them after 1965) and refined the necessary mathematics to adapt the game for a computer.
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
At the end of the summer workshop in 1962, The Sumerian Play was halfway between a role-playing game and a board game. Mabel Addis Mergardt wrote the final texts (and rewrote them after 1965) and refined the necessary mathematics to adapt the game for a computer.
Harriet Greenberg Forsythe taught in the schools of the Yorktown Heights school district for 33 years. She took part in the summer workshop in 1962 where "the Sumerian Play" was created.
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Harriet Greenberg Forsythe taught in the schools of the Yorktown Heights school district for 33 years. She took part in the summer workshop in 1962 where "the Sumerian Play" was created.
Christine Hartz taught in New York State, where she was involved in the testing phases of The Sumerian Game due to her previous work experience with IBM. She helped children to use the Teletype terminals.
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Christine Hartz taught in New York State, where she was involved in the testing phases of The Sumerian Game due to her previous work experience with IBM. She helped children to use the Teletype terminals.
Audrey Bratman
A French language teacher, Bratman participated in the 1962 summer workshop and was involved in the initial stages of the 1948 project. When federal funding was renewed, her proposed program for teaching French with computers was canceled without leaving any trace.
A French language teacher, Bratman participated in the 1962 summer workshop and was involved in the initial stages of the 1948 project. When federal funding was renewed, her proposed program for teaching French with computers was canceled without leaving any trace.
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Audrey Bratman
A French language teacher, Bratman participated in the 1962 summer workshop and was involved in the initial stages of the 1948 project. When federal funding was renewed, her proposed program for teaching French with computers was canceled without leaving any trace.
A French language teacher, Bratman participated in the 1962 summer workshop and was involved in the initial stages of the 1948 project. When federal funding was renewed, her proposed program for teaching French with computers was canceled without leaving any trace.
In honor of International Women's Day, there has been much discussion about Mabel Addis and her pivotal role in The Sumerian Game. However, Addis was part of a team of teachers that included other women whose names have not been remembered by history. I have searched for them, and here they are:
March 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
In honor of International Women's Day, there has been much discussion about Mabel Addis and her pivotal role in The Sumerian Game. However, Addis was part of a team of teachers that included other women whose names have not been remembered by history. I have searched for them, and here they are:
I am thrilled to announce that tomorrow, together with a German research colleague, the founder of the German company Interton will be interviewed for the first time. Will we finally be able to solve the mystery of the family of consoles based on the Signetics 2650+PVI?
February 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I am thrilled to announce that tomorrow, together with a German research colleague, the founder of the German company Interton will be interviewed for the first time. Will we finally be able to solve the mystery of the family of consoles based on the Signetics 2650+PVI?
Here's the print proof of The Sumerian Game: A Digital Resurrection (italian version). Initially, I thought I had material for 140-150 pages, including tables, photographs, and listings. In the end, I reached 310.
Missed the kickstarter? You can still get it :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
Missed the kickstarter? You can still get it :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
December 3, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Here's the print proof of The Sumerian Game: A Digital Resurrection (italian version). Initially, I thought I had material for 140-150 pages, including tables, photographs, and listings. In the end, I reached 310.
Missed the kickstarter? You can still get it :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
Missed the kickstarter? You can still get it :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/110...
With some suggestions/edits (thanks Devin Monnens!)
November 18, 2024 at 4:02 AM
With some suggestions/edits (thanks Devin Monnens!)
Well, this could be fun :) This is the Family Tree of The Sumerian Game. I had to research and study for 5 years to draw it, analyzing source codes, printouts, papers, and interviews. The Sumerian Play is the first iteration (a sort of experimental roleplaying/boardgame to test the gameplay)
November 17, 2024 at 2:32 PM
Well, this could be fun :) This is the Family Tree of The Sumerian Game. I had to research and study for 5 years to draw it, analyzing source codes, printouts, papers, and interviews. The Sumerian Play is the first iteration (a sort of experimental roleplaying/boardgame to test the gameplay)
The Sumerian Game is often considered the first game with cutscenes. However, little is known about its lesser-known counterpart, The Sierra Leone Game, which featured a tutorial and even an introduction.
November 11, 2024 at 12:27 PM
The Sumerian Game is often considered the first game with cutscenes. However, little is known about its lesser-known counterpart, The Sierra Leone Game, which featured a tutorial and even an introduction.
Atari Home Pong is not the firt console featuring an electronic version of tennis. It's not even the second or third. It's the 4th. Who came before? I'll write it into my next book 🤪
November 10, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Atari Home Pong is not the firt console featuring an electronic version of tennis. It's not even the second or third. It's the 4th. Who came before? I'll write it into my next book 🤪
Yup! Its Popeye. I don't like it very much. I think the cabinet artworks are better than the game. Still, it's a step closer to Super Mario Bros as a gameplay and design.
November 10, 2024 at 1:07 PM
Yup! Its Popeye. I don't like it very much. I think the cabinet artworks are better than the game. Still, it's a step closer to Super Mario Bros as a gameplay and design.
Last time I saw this game it was in a deluxe cabinet with a seat. The upright version isn't that impresssive TBH. anyway the game is cool 🥰
November 10, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Last time I saw this game it was in a deluxe cabinet with a seat. The upright version isn't that impresssive TBH. anyway the game is cool 🥰