I feel lucky to be one of those to say I have been around since the dawn of gaming. Born in the early 70s, I got to see the beginning of what would become one of the most sought after hobbies in human history. Something shared by those, young and old. An industry that was born in peoples basements and garages, to the multi million dollar corporations listed on the stock exchange. From crude 10 pixel sprites to the million plus polygon characters we play today. The amazing journey Ive taken, through the eyes of those who made these worlds for me to explore. To do things, I could never do in real life. Many memories made reflected off the monitor of cabinets that witnessed family gatherings and first kisses, heartbreaks and granted wishes. To go back and live them over again, would be a true blessing. As the times Ive had gaming, were some of the best in my life, and for those Ive created and many yet to come... I am truly humbled and happy.
I remember seeing Dragons Lair in a Supercade at the Capitol City Mall in Camp Hill, PA back in 1983 and thinking graphics couldn't get any better. Even though it was just a glorified movie, stitched together by joystick movements and button presses, it was still a game. Now, we are finally at the point where visuals and animation can match the beauty of that game in real time. It just makes me step back and smile. I cant believe we are finally here and to think what will be possible towards the end of this generation and the beginning of next. I guess you would have to have been alive and kicking in gamings infancy to truly appreciate the journey. From the smell of the arcade, to the music and good times waiting every Friday and Saturday night. Its just amazing how the industry and hobby have grown. Arcades were the epicenter of teenage angst in the late 70s and early 80s. Something truly expressed by pop culture, without limitation. Whereas in the 90s, adults tried to sweep it under the carpet as something for kids. Denying their own roots, to please those around them. Forgetting the fun they had, just a few years before.
Im happy that gaming is back as that pop culture phenomenon it once was. More popular than ever, from cellphone classics of yesteryear... To the console and PC powerhouses of the future. It is Ok for everyone to be a gamer, not something to be hidden away from the publics eye to save reputation and ridicule from those who forgot what fun is.
A toast to you, me and to those who've taken this hobby from the past, into the future and beyond. We are all united by our love and passion for something that allows us to be everything we've always wanted and more... Gaming.
For Southeast Asia, new price changes.
Prices effective starting May 1st, 2026.
Replies(1)Looks like PlayStation took a hit with Marathon and is now quietly adjusting prices worldwide to recover the losses
Lets be honest raising prices doesn't do that when no one's buying it. I imagine the profit it greater selling 10 times more at a lower price
The price increases are due to the RAM demand associated with AI and the US-Iran war. You can look to any business news website and local news to see that. Heck, even the 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo I've been eyeing has faced delays and has had a price increase of $400; that laptop has two specs. Asus is doing a staggered release with per-orders for the lower spec now and shipping in May and pre-orders for the higher spec that I'm eyeing starting in June. Basically, all computer manufactures are affected. It'll most likely start affecting smart phones too if it hasn't already. I can't remember the last time any major console maker (Nintendo, Sony, Sega, etc) increased the price of their console mid cycle outside of Microsoft just to make more profit.
CGMagazine writes: "And as I said, the actual game of Kiln is so genuinely boring that playing it to unlock the creative tools was such a massive chore that I genuinely started to resent it by the end. Battling is a monotonous button masher. There are only five arenas, and despite being based on different gods from various mythologies, none are particularly memorable in visual style or music. And it’s all just such a homogeneous mess of nothing."
Skewed and Reviewed have posted an interview with Author Mike Diver about his pending book on Aliens video games.
me to man born in 76 remember seeing 2600 in 82 the first time i started playing videogames never looked back
Pure beauty! I may have been born in the mid 90's although starting off playing games like Doom, Quake and seeing games today makes me appreciate how game have evolved so well!
How odd is it to read something positive on N4G ...
Thanks for all of your great memories. I love reading them. Keep them coming.