My 1981 adventure game is now a multimedia extravaganza
8 days ago
- #retro-computing
- #game-development
- #AI-collaboration
- The author created a computer game called Arctic Adventure in high school using TRS-80 Level II BASIC in 1981.
- In 2021, the author debugged and expanded the game, making it available on the web.
- In 2024, the author used Anthropic’s Claude Code to modernize the game, adding graphics and new features.
- The original game was text-based, but the new version includes vector graphics, animations, and sound effects.
- The author collaborated with AI to debug and enhance the game, feeling like they were working with their younger self.
- The game’s new features include a robust save/load system, interactive elements, and optional text-only mode.
- The author reflects on the emotional and creative challenges of updating a decades-old project with AI assistance.
- The new version is significantly larger in code size compared to the original 141-line BASIC program.
- The author acknowledges the limitations of AI-generated graphics but appreciates the collaborative process.
- The project serves as a case study in using AI to revive and modernize old software projects.