How does game development back in the early 80’s compare to game development today? For starters, the computers of that era were far less powerful and didn’t have anywhere near the graphics and audio capabilities of today’s power houses. My TRS-80 was monochrome and offered a graphic resolution of only 128 x 48 pixels and sound was generated by toggling the cassette output port on and off.
I was a bedroom programmer like many others who shared this dream in the early 80’s and I loved it! Looking back at my achievements, I did create commercial quality games, I did create a software company and I did eventually sell my games around the world. Unfortunately, I am still waiting to become rich
Nickolas Marentes began programming his TRS80 Model 1 as a schoolboy in 1980. Wanting to create commercial grade games, he set up his own software company ‘Fun Division’. In 1984, Marentes’ upgraded to the Tandy Color Computer. Marentes wrote many games for the Tandy line.
Tandy Corporation’s Radio Shack division was responsible for the development of the TRS-80 (Tandy Radio Shack- 80) home computer. The TRS-80 is remembered fondly as an underpowered but affordable home computer. Whilst Tandy’s computer may not have been as sophisticated as its competitors, such as the Apple, the TRS-80 had advantages beyond its low cost. Tandy’s Radio Shack stores offered a readymade distribution network for software.