Shponglefan wrote on 2023-07-05, 00:55:I am looking at it from a gamer's perspective, since that's what I primarily used computers for. […]
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Jo22 wrote on 2023-07-04, 23:52:
But I hope your seeing it from the rose colured perspective of a gamer only.
I am looking at it from a gamer's perspective, since that's what I primarily used computers for.
[..]
By early 1995, the 486 was starting to become minimum requirements in many 3D games with Pentiums being listed as the recommended option.
Ah, I see. Ok, ok. That makes sense, that's why there are differences.
I was more of a 2D person, being into the shareware and hobbyist scene rather than commercial titles.
I avoided playing shooter games, too, due to reasons of conscience.
Couldn't bring myself to aim on people..
Games like Asteroids or Descent were okay, though.
And Commander Keen IV, of course. Loved that game.
Some PC shop I often visited in the late 90s ran it 24/7 in a weird arcade-like steel cage (sort of wire/mesh construction).
I've found this to be amusing, but also kinda cool. All the work just for Commander Keen!
To me, a PC was more like a general-purpose tool and communications device.
I remember tinkering with VB1 and building interfaces for gameport and such.
At one point I had a DCF-77 radio receiver, which I enjoyed watching doing its work.
It came with a diagnostic program that showed all the status bits of the DCF-77 time station.
I also ran moon phase prediction programs and astronomy programs like SkyMap (Win 3.1) and SkyGlobe (DOS).
And MOD players, of course. These shareware CDs were full of MOD and GIF files. And FLI/FLC animations. ^^
I've spent many nights reading all the readme files using Norton Commander!
Edit: One of the most sophisticated freeware games that I found was an arcade-like game called "Betamax" in the late 90s.
It remember it, because it required a hot-rod 486 with VLB graphics. It claimed so, at least.
It had connections to the demo scene, I believe.
- I also ran those demos, too, of course. They were on the shareware CDs, after all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-h3OZ_8Cc
Gaming wise, I primarily knew commercial games from using game consoles.
Among the last NES game I bought was Lion King, I vaguely remember. That was in 1996, it was sold in a store. Not second-hand, but new. Behind glass, with a security lock.
I also got Yoshi's Island for Super NES in 1997, when it was still sold as brand new (Toys are Us?).
By that time, both consoles were still in common use, despite the N64 being out. And that Playstation thing.
The Super NES was sort of a gray eminence, I guess that's how someone called it.
Gameboy titles like Pokémon Gold/Silver (1999/2000?) still supported the Super Gameboy adapter (colour palette, border).
In 1996, the Club Nintendo help line was still available via phone, I remember.
Anyway, I'm just glad that there's a rational explanation for the difference in dates.
I was already starting to question all my memories. 😅
Edit: I've also read the rest of your response.
Thanks a lot for your explanation and understanding. 😃👍
"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel
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