PC-Man (IBM PC 1983) and the spark of childhood wonder
9 days ago
- #mathematics
- #programming-prodigy
- #vintage-gaming
- Greg Kuperberg, a teenager, created three fast-action arcade games for the IBM-PC in 1982-1983, showcasing exceptional programming skills.
- His games, including PC-Man, Paratrooper, and J-Bird, were notable for their smooth animation and professional-grade quality, standing out in the early PC gaming era.
- Kuperberg used assembly language and direct memory manipulation to bypass inefficient system graphics calls, achieving superior performance.
- Despite the technical limitations of the IBM PC, Kuperberg's games were commercially successful and used by professionals for hardware benchmarking.
- After his brief but impactful game development career, Kuperberg pursued mathematics, earning a PhD and becoming a professor at UC Davis.
- Kuperberg's early exposure to mathematics and programming, supported by his mathematician parents, played a crucial role in his development as a prodigy.
- Reflecting on modern technology, Kuperberg emphasizes the importance of accessible programming tools like Python for inspiring future generations.