Intro: Wow.
Was fed the IDE video on youtube, and was blown away. I’m old school… with deep chops at the very heart and very start of personal computing. Attempted to build my own computer (with the help of a bonafide engineer) back in the 70’s… but life happens. Back then I knew David Fox before he became project lead at Lucas Arts, turning out Zak McKracken and Maniac Mansion (and many others).
I cut my teeth on the Radio Shack Model 1, the PET, Sol Systems, Apple II. All new machines back in the day, which I rented time on at David’s computer center where I learned BASIC on my own with coaching from David and his wife Annie (who I definitely had a crush on :)
The first system I owned was the Radio Shack Color Computer, and then after that, the Amiga 1000, and numerous Amiga’s which followed.
I’ve always coded, but don’t consider myself a programmer… as I’m self taught. Back then, you had to be.
I’m getting back into it because nostalgia, and the rebirth of the Commodore brand (I ordered one of their new C64s the moment they were announced).
Currently I’m using the C64 mini and A500 mini… with an aim to make a mini A1000.
I’m also learning AGS to make retro style adventure games.
Glad to have you on board!
I knew David Fox before he became project lead at Lucas Arts
OMG!
Sol Systems
Not a name you hear very often :)
How are you finding AGS? I haven't really looked into it but I see it mentioned here and there.
Chris Garrett Hey Chris… David and his wife had an amazing collection of early systems, and like so many, that came and went, the SOL-20’s (which I actually programmed on the most), were one that went.
I’m finding AGS to be very good at its intended use. Quite easy to use, with a few exceptions (the painting tools are abysmal, and I’m working on way to integrate GIMP into the workflow as we speak).
I’m new to AGS, but I’ve picked up a few AGS created titles on Steam, and it’s clearly able to produce top quality PnC adventures.
To get started I let Chat GPT do all my graphics just so I can set up rooms and “code” (such as it is. Very little needed, actually).
It has templates to get you started with various different control styles, mimicking Sierra, SCUMM, and others.
Ryder Spearmann I will have a play with it - thanks!
Apparently the SOL-20 would be around $8,000 in todays money :o
Chris Garrett Yeah, I don’t now how they managed it, but David and Annie had about 4 or 5 of the things… here’s a pic of Annie (David right behind her) at the line of Sol-20s in their Computer Center. Circa 1977.