Comment by socalgal2
15 hours ago
Most games back then where small. An C64 only had 64k and most game didn't use all of it. An Atari 800 had max 48k. It wasn't until the 1200 that it went up. Both systems are cartridge based games, many of which were 8k.
Honestly though, I don't read much into the sizes. Sure they were small games and had lots of game play for some defintion of game play. I enjoyed them immensely. But it's hard to go back to just a few colors, low-res graphics, often no way to save, etc... for me at least, the modern affordances mean something. Of course I don't need every game to look like Horizon Zero Dawn. A Short Hike was great. It's also 400meg (according to steam)
The modern classic, Animal Well, is only 35mb in size!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/813230/ANIMAL_WELL/
Wow, you could fit tens of those in one bit!
(sorry)
> Sure they were small games and had lots of game play for some defintion of game play. I enjoyed them immensely. But it's hard to go back to just a few colors, low-res graphics, often no way to save, etc... for me at least, the modern affordances mean something.
On one hand, you're of course right. It is hard to go back, except for the nostalgia.
On the other, do you know there is a scene of people still making brand new games for the Commodore 64 (and other home computers)? And selling them, too, these are not just free games. Of course the target audience is themselves, they make, sell and buy games within the community, but the point is it still exists.
Also there are artists making art in C64 graphics resolutions and color modes, and even PETSCII art enthusiasts (PETSCII is C64's text mode, which had some interesting symbols which facilitate creativity).
>But it's hard to go back to just a few colors, low-res graphics, often no way to save, etc... for me at least, the modern affordances mean something.
All those old games have a way to save now, if you run them in an emulator as is commonly done these days. That's how I played through Metroid and finally beat the mother brain in just a day or two during the pandemic.