For the last five years, I’ve collected all sorts of retro computers and console hardware, everything from a sleek and compact Apple //c to a classy Amiga 1000 to a venerable Game Boy Color. I originally thought that each system would take its place in a monstrous basement boycave full of ye olde games of yesteryear, but the reality of work and family has more or less eradicated that dream. So, instead, I thought I would have some fun as I give away, sell off, and trash some of the systems that have collected dust in my basement over the years.
The first in this series of retro photo shoots is a Commodore 64c. The C64c was a re-release of the original C64. The new, angular, grey case was modelled after the Commodore 128, and featured some design changes to the main board that shrunk the number of chips used by integrating them into the new VLSI chip. The original C64 keyboard – which was brutally difficult to type on – was replaced by a slightly different keyboard with lighter springs, while maintaining the familiar hollow clack!-clack! of each keypress. In Canada, the system was sold for $299.99 CAD at Canadian Tire (a national tool and automotive chain), along with the 1541-II disk drive for a whopping $399.99. The matching Commodore 1802 monitor would run you another $399.99.
This particular machine looks like it sat in some young gamer’s room for years, with fingerprint dirt smudges caked on the * and 8 and 1 keys, and finger grease gunked up around the power switch. Well-loved would be an understatement. I dig through the diskette box: this particular gamer was a fan of side-scrolling action games like Bop’n'Wrestle, Epyx Winter Games and California Games. Interspersed with the action games, there are a fair number of AD&D Gold Box games like Pool of Radiance and Hillsfar. A well-worn copy of Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny even has the original cloth map and the Codex coin. I get the sense that I am either looking at the artifacts of one very well-versed gamer, or perhaps two gamers sharing one computer: one who likes their slow-moving RPGs and the other into fast-paced action. A copy of Gortek and the Microchips tells me that mom and dad insisted that the child learn a programming language. Whoever they were, their parent(s) shelled out over $1100 to put together a very slick system, not to mention one heckuva game collection.
I slide MECC’s Odell Lake into the 1541-II’s disk drive, and flip down the locking lever with a satisfying snick! I type LOAD”*”,8,1 and walk away to grab a coffee. I have enough time to pull a shot of espresso, steam some milk, and grab a handful of cookies. When I come back into the living room, the disk drive is still humming away quietly. Odell Lake appears on the screen, with MECC’s particular style of edutainment.
History: For you collector, preservationist, historical types.
Indie Games: Reflections on indie games and their developers
Industry and Journalism: Commentary on the industry and its journalism.
Interviews: Conversations with interesting people, or interviews with Chris.
News: Current hubbub, moral panics and announcements for this site.
Philosophy and Psychology: Understanding how gaming intersects with human dwelling
Retro Gaming: Classic adventure, role-playing and action games of yore.
Storytelling, Narrative, and Writing: How and why stories and writing are important.
Visual Art: The roles that visual experiences and aesthetics play in games.
Worth Reading: Books, articles and blogs that are worth your time and money.
From Maija:
I’m going to guess and say that you used a 50mm lens for this shoot. Correct me if I’m wrong!
From chris:
And you would be right to guess that! I used my Nikkor 50mm AF-D 1.8 for the entire shoot. The glass is fast enough to grab quite a bit of light indoors without a flash, and renders a creamy bokeh.
From gnome:
Won’t be guessing the kinds of lenses used, but I will say thee are some stunning photos. The screenshots look so very gloriously retro too.
From Rat:
I was a Spectrum Guy, but appreciated very much the C64. Love retro gaming photo shoots!
From Virginia:
I used to have a C64!! Mi dad gave it away ten years ago, we didn’t have enough space to keep it. I used to play H.E.R.O., Wonder Boy and Giana Sisters. We used to connect the keyboard to the tv-set and waited the games to load. Children nowadays are so lucky, but I loved mi C64!!!