gaming history

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This Week on The Analog Antiquarian
2 months ago
- This blog post covers 'Opus 5: Richard III' by Jimmy Maher.
- The post includes calls for support via Patreon or PayPal.
- It directs readers to companion site The Analog Antiquarian and offers ebook collections for offline reading.
- A chronological list of favorite games and interactive curiosities is referenced.
VGMaps: The Video Game Atlas
3 months ago
- The text lists numerous video game consoles and platforms from various manufacturers including Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft.
- It covers home consoles, handheld devices, and computer systems, spanning from classic to modern generations.
- The content includes advertisements and links to online casinos, betting sites, and non-GamStop gambling resources, suggesting promotional material mixed with the list.
- Some sections focus on casino guides, slot games, and betting options for different player regions like the UK, Romania, and the US.
» the Life and Times of Maxis, Part 2: SimWorld
3 months ago
- SimHealth, a simulation of U.S. national healthcare, was released in 1994 as part of Maxis's short-lived Business Simulations division, but was criticized for oversimplification and bias.
- SimTower, a Japanese-developed vertical city-building game, became a surprise hit and led to Maxis's IPO in 1995.
- After the IPO, Maxis released numerous Sim-branded games (SimTown, SimIsle, SimCopter, etc.) with mixed commercial success, and the brand became diluted.
- SimCopter sparked controversy when it was discovered to include hidden gay characters, leading to the firing of the artist involved.
- Maxis struggled financially, and Electronic Arts acquired the company in 1997, focusing on the SimCity franchise.
- Under EA, SimCity 3000 was a major success, reviving the company and becoming the best-selling PC game of 1999.
- Will Wright's next project, The Sims, would become a massive hit, overshadowing SimCity's success.
The Life and Times of Maxis, Part 1: SimEverything
3 months ago
- Gamers passionately preserve gaming history, but their focus can distort perceptions, emphasizing niche favorites over the best-selling titles.
- Myst exemplifies this disconnect, widely dismissed by hardcore gamers but a top-seller due to its appeal to mainstream audiences.
- SimCity succeeded by reaching non-gamers, inspiring media coverage and establishing influential concepts like software toys and builder games.
- Will Wright's philosophy embraced games as interconnected systems, leading to ambitious simulations like SimEarth and SimAnt.
- SimEarth applied the Gaia hypothesis, aiming for environmental education, but struggled with relatability and abstract gameplay.
- SimAnt simulated ant colonies as distributed intelligence, finding modest success primarily with younger audiences.
- Maxis expanded with niche simulations like SimLife and SimFarm, which underperformed commercially despite innovative concepts.
- SimCity's ongoing sales, boosted by ports like the SNES version and SimCity 2000, funded Maxis's experimental projects.
- SimCity 2000 refined the original with improved graphics, interface, and features, becoming a commercial hit that sustained the company.

gaming history

This Week on The Analog Antiquarian

VGMaps: The Video Game Atlas

» the Life and Times of Maxis, Part 2: SimWorld

The Life and Times of Maxis, Part 1: SimEverything