Into The Vertical Blank : Generation Atari

S6:E8:Goth and Leong Atari ST Bedroom Coding Heroes Gary “Goth” Wheaton and Robert Leong are two of the more unsung heroes of the Atari SY Bedroom Game coding Underground. In this episode we take a well deserved if all too brief look at some of their combined and separate efforts.  I started down a rabbit hole a few weeks ago when I wanted to find a Galaga style game to play on my Atari ST.  I knew that most of the best Arcade style translations for the ST were made by bedroom coders for shareware, freeware and license ware, but I had only even dipped my toes into investigating that Atari scene. I knew of Dave Munsie and his legendary status because of his Kid Kong and Asteroida games as well as of course Jeff Minter and his beastie zarjaz filled ST extravaganza, but that was about it. What I found was a wide open treasure trove of arcade games and translations of yesterday year hits that needed a deep dive. I started with Robert Leong’s Annihilator, examined the credits on Atarimania, dove in and am now hook

Lost Credit: The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC (part1) GCC were masters of video game design in the early 1980's. They created Ms. Pac-Man and went on to become a "secret" development house for Atari. They are responsible for many golden age Atari games, but so far, the credits for their games have been incomplete and hard to locate. After working for 5 years, Into The Vertical Blank may have finally "cracked the code" on the credits for GCC Atari games by pestering and annoying ex-GCCers Doug Macrae, Michael Feinstein, Steve Golson and Jonathan Hurd until they finally put pen to paper, researched, reached out to fellow ex-employees, and put together a definitive list of credits. This is part 1 of that story. Features brand-new interview Doug Macrae, co-founder of GCC Video Version: (1) Lost Credit: The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC (part 1) - YouTube Music in the episode is "I Want To Feel (instrumental)" By Tony Longworth Written, Edited and Produced byInto The Vertical Blank is: Steve Fulton and Jeff FultonBrand

Just like your grandma, your kid brother, your old-man-cringe game-playing uncle, your dental hygienist and that surprisingly personable Uber driver that picked you up this morning, we ALSO now have a podcast episode where we discuss the new Atari 2600+ Hint: We like it, for what it is, but have some reservations...just like everyone else. Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Branding by Daryl Litts Ending song: As The Clouds Gather by Tony Longworth. (c)8bitrocket Studios Generation Atari Theme by Brian Travis Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/   Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Into The Vertical Blank Pod

S6:E5 The Vindication of Desert Falcon. Interview with GCC's Michael Feinstein This new full video podcast explores the legacy of the first original title for the Atari 7800 and the last title by GCC for the system they created, Desert Falcon. Join us in conversation with GCC's Michael Feinstein (Credits: Atari 2600: Phoenix, Battlezone, Jungle Hunt, Joust, 7800: Desert Falcon) in our new Full Video Podcast Format. Youtube link: https://youtu.be/I8Hsfun0QTc Topics Games Discussed: Atari 7800: Desert Falcon Atari 2600: Phoenix Atari 2600: Jungle Hunt Atari 2600: Joust Atari 2600: Batt;ezone Atari ST STOS Michael’s Game Credit  List: Atari 7800: Desert Falcon Atari 2600: Phoenix Atari 2600: Jungle Hunt Atari 2600: Joust Atari 2600: Battlezone All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music :Eyes Like the Sun - Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Ve

S6:E4 Inflection point!  Amico v. Atari. Plus Homebrew with STOS and 7800 Basic   In this episode we have a frank discussion on the state of Amico and Atari.   Notes STOS 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQy2ZZjapGE&t=5sSTOS 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXp6XWsbaN4&t=464s7800 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i45aqBviQZI&t=1s 7800 1.5. The Three C’s:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3-C5LRBT9k All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted.   Music : Death By Design - Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth   Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/    Branding by Daryl Litts   Find us here:   http://intotheverticalblank.com   Itch.io:  https://intotheverticalblank.itch.io/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank   Twitter: https://twitte

In this episode the brothers interview fellow Atari NUTCASE, Ed Salisbury, of the Atari and Retro / Classic gaming YouTube channel, Mission Ed possible. They discuss everything about growing up in Generation Atari from the 2600 to the Atari 8bit Computers, through the ST and beyond.  We apologize for the echo in the interview section, it was conducted in Jeff’s living room and was uncontrollable. We have “dried” it up as much as we can.  Show Notes: Visit and subscribe to Ed’s Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionEdPossible All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : The Machines are Listening – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/  Branding by Daryl Litts Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com Itch.io: 

S6:E2  Found In the Desert - Dads, Guns, Gold, The Atari ST and The Lost Dutchman Mine In this episode the brothers Discuss the 1989 World of Atari Show at Disneyland and then we premier the audio version of our Epic Atari ST story and game play-through of the Lost Dutchman Mine.  What compels someone to finish a computer game after more than three decades of first trying?  The Lost Dutchman Mine for the Atari ST is such a game for me.  First played in 1989, this obscure game and its subject matter of a legendary gold mine have stuck with me ever since, but why?  When I sat down to play it again last October, I was not ready for the memories and emotions that would emerge.   Welcome to Into The Vertical Blank's first (almost) feature length documentary film: Found In the Desert - Dads, Guns, Gold, The Atari ST and The Lost Dutchman Mine. Show Notes: Full Video  Version available here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7TZGu1te6g In this episode the brothers Discuss the 1989 World of Atari Show at Disneyland a

S6:e1  Space Sucker - An 80’s Sitcom Takes on Video Games In this episode the brothers dissect the video game themed episode of Diff'rent Strokes from Oct. 2, 1982, partake in some listener feedback, listen to a new Tony Longworth song and more.  Show Notes: Different Strokes S5e1https://www.amazon.com/Diffrent-Strokes-Season-5/dp/B099DBR46Q/ref=atv_pr_sw_sc Ed’s Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MissionEdPossible Brian’s Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ballistik_coffee_boy   All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : The Machines are Listening – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/  Branding by Daryl Litts Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com Itch.io:  https://intotheverticalblank.itch.io/ FB: https://www.fac

S5:E11 John   In this episode the brothers discuss “John”, a cousin that recently passed away and how he was a huge part of the Vertical Blank. They also Talk about retro Christmas, opening of sealed games and a new game programming project. Show Notes   Programming Games for Atari 2600https://www.lulu.com/shop/oscar-toledo-gutierrez/programming-games-for-atari-2600/hardcover/product-n8z9r6.html?page=1&pageSize=4 Kinhank Super Console X https://www.amazon.com/Kinhank-Console-Pre-Built-EmuELEC-CoreELEC/dp/B0B393BDQ7/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2118Q25GJH3V6&keywords=kinhank&qid=1675379840&sprefix=kinhank%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-5   They Create Worlds Podcasthttps://www.theycreateworlds.com/ ITVB Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/intotheverticalblank All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted.   Music : The Machines are Listening – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth   Theme by Bria

This time we present a double-long, double-wide, twin-brother-scale episode of all-out Christmas madness!First, we have an audio review of "The Atari 50th Anniversary Celebration", followed by a knock-down-drag-out discussion of international scale of its merits with Tony Longworth from the UK.  Then we pull out all the stops and feature a full hour-long interview with one of the main men behind the stunning Atari 50th Celebration, Mike Mika.   You will laugh, you will cry, and you will never look at the name "Mrs. Cripps" the same again.    Oh, and Merry Christmas from The Vertical Blank. All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : Cristal – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/  Branding by Daryl Litts Find us here: ht

S5:e9 USA v. England Anco v. Sensible Association Footie Special In this episode the brothers bring on brother from another country and mother, Tony Longworth to discuss Anco Kickoff vs Sensible Soccer on the ST, the World Cup and Welcome to Wrexham.  Kickoff 2 http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-kick-off-ii_37007.html https://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/kick-off-2 Sensible http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-sensible-soccer-european-champions-1992-3-season-edition_23549.html https://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/sensible-soccer-european-champions-9293-edition All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : The Machines are Listening – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/  Branding by Daryl Litts Find us here:

S5:e8 75th Episode Free For All! In this episode, Steve and Jeff catch up on the state of their Arcade 1Up and AtGames systems, and  discuss  their current gaming and media time killers. They also discuss the state of the ST and 7800 ports they are working on and  bring Ballistik Coffee Boy in for a further discussion of the latest additions to his home arcade.    Show notes: AtGames Legends Takes Over My Home office! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcE4LkA874o   Arcade1up Atari Centipede Legacy Overview and Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQRH_mLoe1Y&t=7s   Atari XP "Aquaventure" Standard Edition Cartridge Shipped **NOT WORKING** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPc96yRccCs   Atari Makes Good On Atari XP Cartridge Mishap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB1f49hP7wU&t=118s   Two Brothers and their Atari ST https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/two-brothers-and-their-atari-st/   BCB #72: Ridge Racer 5-in-1 Home Arcade by Arcade1Up (Gameplay & Overview) And: History of the Games https://www.yo

Steve recently won a small hometown writing contest with a story about Star Wars in 1977.  With the prize money he purchased an item he’s had his eye on for almost 2 years: The Arcade 1Up Atari Legacy Centipede cabinet. In this episode we go deep into the Arcade 1Up product, discuss its strengths and weaknesses and the invite Brian Bolding (AKA Ballistik Coffee Boy) in to talk about the Arcade1Up products, retrocades, gatekeepers, and our shared love for the 80’s.    Watch the video version of the Arcade1Up machine here: Arcade1up Atari Centipede Legacy Overview and Review - YouTubeRead Steve’s original Star Wars story here: EasyReader (onlinedigitaleditions.com) Brian’s channel Ballistik Coffee Boy - YouTube All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : Uncanny Valley - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music b

S5:e6 Atari ST Halcyon Days of 1989 Part 3: Atari ST Gaming Gems Our favorite 1989 Console Style Games for the ST We had an ST when most of the other kids near us had various consoles. We knew our machine could play superior RPGs, Simulations, and Adventure titles, but how did it hold up against the 8 and 16 bit console games of the day?  Some ST console-like games were as good, some were not. We've chosen 20 console style games from 1989 for the ST to highlight and talk a little about, but before we get to those we’d like to highlight, let's first look at a list of the top 10 games in all genres from 1989, based on our ratings.  To make these lists we played every single game that has a 1989 release date in Atari Mania’s database, and ranked them based on Sound, Graphics, Game Play and Addictiveness,  usings scores of 1-10, then averaged those scores to come up with a rating.  The following list is how the numbers worked out for a top 10. It’s all subjective + math, but we did play all of the games from the

This episode is about  the early 1980's Junior High computer lab. A wonderous place where Bank Street Writer and Sands of Egypt were loaded from 5 1/4 inch floppy disks,  LOGO and BASIC were viable programming options, and where kids like us could find a place of our own.   The story this time is about the computer lab, and also about how sometimes you don't understand the affect teachers have on your life until decades later. All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : Everything Has Energy - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

In this episode Steve and Jeff turn calendar to 1989 and discuss what it was like gaming on the Atari ST back then. They list and discuss close to 50 games that they purchased and played that year. for the Atari ST Computer. Games Mentioned in this Episode:  Action Fighter (Firebird) - Sega Arcade Port Airborne Ranger (Microprose) - Military Sim Axel’s Magic Hammer (Gremlin) - Multi Screen Platformer BAAL (Psyclapse) -  Arcade Platformer / Shooter Bad Company (Logotron) 3D first person fly / drive and shoot Ballastix (Psyclapse) - Sports Marble game BattleHawks 1942 (Lucasfilm) - Battle / Air sim Blasteroids (Mirrowsoft/Imageworks) - Atari Coin-op Conversion Blood Money (Psygnosis) - Hor / Vert Scroll and blast Bloodwych (Mirrowsoft/Imageworks) - RPG 3D Breach (Omnirend) - Squad Strategy . Combat Captain blood (Mindscape) - Adventure /Arcade 2D Commando (Elite) - Capcom Arcade Conversion Darius + (Edge / Softek) - Horizontal Shooter - Arcade conversion Demon’s Winter (SSI / EA) - RPG 2D Double Dragon II (Vir

s5:e3  Xenon 2 and the Atari ST Halcyon Days of 1989 Part 1 Steve and Jeff are joined by Tony Longworth to discuss Xenon 2: Megablast for the Atari ST, in the first of a multi-part series on 1989 Atari ST gamesPart 2 will be be a discussion of 50+ games from 1989 that Steve and Jeff purchased in the USA and Part 3 will be a survey of some of the hidden gems of the 1989 Atari ST Library Notes: Tony’s new album - Godless Universe Random Pain  https://tonylongworth.bandcamp.com/album/godless-universe-random-pain  Atari Mania Xenon II http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-xenon-ii-megablast_10904.html Mobygames Xenon II https://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/xenon-2-megablast All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : Into the Vertical Blank - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021

From 2020 for Atari's 50th Anniversary: Our Top-50 Games From Atari.

S5: E1 - Generation Atari In this opening episode for season 5, after a tumultuous season 4,  inspired by some feedback, we reaffirm just why we are here and what we mean by “The Vertical blank” and “Generation Atari. BCB #36 - "The Atari Generation" (Delving "Into the Vertical Blank.")https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tRdFWpt3L0&t=1180s “Video Games For The ‘Basest Instincts Of Man’”  Jan, 28, 1982 (New York times Subscription required)Opinion | VIDEO GAMES FOR THE 'BASEST INSTINCTS OF MAN' - The New York Times (nytimes.com) Not mentioned in the episode but a good resource on this subject is “The Atari Age:The Emergence Of Video Games In America” by Michael Newman Atari Age: The Emergence of Video Games in America (The MIT Press): Newman, Michael Z.: 9780262536110: Amazon.com: Books   All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted. Music : Into the Vertical Blank - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com

Clocking in at almost 3 hours, this episode is a remastered super-cut of Into The Vertical Blank Season 3, Episode #1, #4 and #6 (2020) that cover April 3, 1982: Atari Pac-Man Day and it's lasting effects on the company. Yep, this one is all about Atari VCS Pac-Man, but so much more as well. It features a discussion with the late Curt Vendel, in one of his final interviews, speaking very very passionately about what we all believed to be "Atari's Biggest Mistake". All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with help from  Steve Fulton unless otherwise noted.Music by Tony LongworthBranding by Daryl Litts Rest In Peace Mr. Vendel, we miss you very much