Classic Programmers, Coleco Packaging, Expectations Now vs. Then
That's true, Custard. I've read that many programmers doing arcade conversions back then didn't have access to the original machines, let alone the original code. Some worked off of design documents, others from just playing it at a local arcade. Funny how that worked.
The Coleco packaging is very interesting in regards to "arcade accuracy". They would often have the explosive advertising call out that said, "Plays like the real arcade game!" or something along those lines (I'm at work now and don't have access to my Coleco boxes). I believe that verbiage varied depending on how close the Coleco programmer in question actually got in most cases, though it could just be coincidental ("Plays like..." obviously is a hedge)
What I also agree with, Custard, is that back then we DID expect to get the arcade game at home to a certain degree (Pac-Man on Atari 2600 was roundly criticized for rectangular pellets, an incorrect maze, etc., but it was also a relatively weak game on its own more or less). I guess my true point is that NOW (today) we don't have to really expect that since we can get the arcade game BETTER in a myriad of other ways. We can then examine these games as stand-alone creations, not judged against some other, probably unattainable standard like a "perfect recreation".
That's true, Custard. I've read that many programmers doing arcade conversions back then didn't have access to the original machines, let alone the original code. Some worked off of design documents, others from just playing it at a local arcade. Funny how that worked.
The Coleco packaging is very interesting in regards to "arcade accuracy". They would often have the explosive advertising call out that said, "Plays like the real arcade game!" or something along those lines (I'm at work now and don't have access to my Coleco boxes). I believe that verbiage varied depending on how close the Coleco programmer in question actually got in most cases, though it could just be coincidental ("Plays like..." obviously is a hedge)
What I also agree with, Custard, is that back then we DID expect to get the arcade game at home to a certain degree (Pac-Man on Atari 2600 was roundly criticized for rectangular pellets, an incorrect maze, etc., but it was also a relatively weak game on its own more or less). I guess my true point is that NOW (today) we don't have to really expect that since we can get the arcade game BETTER in a myriad of other ways. We can then examine these games as stand-alone creations, not judged against some other, probably unattainable standard like a "perfect recreation".
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.