Before my dad brought home our first personal computer, my world revolved around my bike, Transformers, and He-Man. Life before computers was fantastic, filled with imaginative play and outdoor adventures. Although computers were prominent in the toy lines and cartoons of that era, as a child born in 1977, I never connected the dots. My experiences with the Commodore 64 (C64) were primarily centered on gaming.
I fondly remember the 1701 monitor that came with it, which served as an excellent console monitor. I later used it for my NES and other gaming systems in the late ’80s, marveling at its vibrant colors and sharp visuals. Growing up on a farm without many friends, video games became my primary source of entertainment and a means to explore new worlds. As I transitioned to other consoles like the SNES, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16, I set my C64 aside.
It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I truly embraced computing as a hobby. The turning point came in the late ’90s, driven by my passion for gaming and the desire to replicate the arcade experience at home. During that era, computers had advanced significantly in their ability to create true 3D gaming environments that far surpassed anything available on consoles. Equipped with powerful GPUs and robust systems, PCs provided immersive and responsive first-person gaming experiences.
The rise of the internet, coupled with DIY computer building, affordable broadband options, and the burgeoning world of online gaming, made it clear why gaming served as a gateway into the world of computing for many enthusiasts like myself.
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