Into The Vertical Blank

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 S5e1 https://www.amazon.com/Diffrent-Strokes-Season-5/dp/B099DBR46Q/ref=atv_pr_sw_sc Ed’s Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@...

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 2600 https://www.lulu.com/shop/oscar-toledo-gutierrez/programming-games-for-atari-2600/hardcover/product-n8z9r6.html?...

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...

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.atar...

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...

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...

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'...

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...

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 Platfor...

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 games Part 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: Ton...

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...

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 pass...

In this episode, the brothers discuss recent Christmas, the latest Atari recharged  releases and then bring on their brother from another mother (and father) Tony Longworth to discuss the Jeff Minter Classic, LLamatron for the Atari ST.  They also disuss the Jeff Minter Documentary, Heart of Neon, and play a new Tony track made for the film.  Discussion Video Version: https://youtu.be/D1E45ePl6rU...

S4:E12 Xmas 1984 : BBS: Demented and Sad, But Social In  this episode, Steve and Jeff discuss Christmas 1984. Tramiel had purchased Atari but the Fulton brothers were oblivious and just wanted a modem to call BBSs and download public domain software. They also discuss Atari Writer, Printers, Gateway to Apshai, and a few magazines from December of 1984. Steve’s story goes over this time in detail a...

In this episode Steve and Jeff discuss the Atari ST role-playing games listed in Atarimania.com from 1987, and also briefly go into the 1986 ones they discussed in S4:E10.  They also discuss the latest news that interests them. This all leads into a story by Steve that weaves their home experience growing up with playing a game of Phantasie on the Atari ST.  Show Notes: AtariMania Games List http:...

S4:E10: Atari  ST Games the Early Years In this Episode, we cover the Atari ST, released in 1985 and what we consider to be the best "launch" titles for the system release in 1985 and 86. Of course these are not necessarily Launch Titles as computers rarely have them, but our favorite early years ST games. We have gone  through all of the Atari ST games released before 1987 using the excellent ata...

Charley Chuck has been found!  Atari announced recently that there will be a 21st century new console update for the game Food Fight!  In this episode we track down Interview with Andrew Marsh of Mega Cat to talk about their plans for the game, and also about what it means to make “retro” games in the year 2021   Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : And The Sun Sti...

There is new information regarding the whereabouts of one Charlie Chuck, the star of Atari's 1984 coin-op, Food Fight.  We will be revealing what we know and have a special interview in the next episode.  But for now, refresh your memories of the full mystery with a remastered version of the classic lead-off episode from Season 2 of "Into The Vertical Blank": The Disappearance Of Charlie Chuck. Re...

In the 80's we sold all of our Atari 800 discs and lost all of our youthful programs BASIC programs and creative output forever.  Or so we thought. A few weeks ago we discovered a lost "treasure":   an audio tape from 1984 that we never remembered recording of us using one of our programs.  With the help of musician Tony Longworth, we embarked on quest to plumbs the depths of this computer audio e...

In this episode we have a great story about the Atari 8 bit computers from Tony Longworth (and also his song "Star Raiders"...we should have just called this the Tony Longworth episode!), some Atari retro news, and a discussion about the Atari 8bit computers games we feel are ripe to be re-released and/or remade for Atari's new VCS, which had finally seen general release this week. Written, edited...

The Atari 400 was a games machine masked as an entry-level computer computer.  When it was released in 1979, it could play Atari’s killer-app “Star Raiders” just as well as it’s more serious, older brother the Atari 800.   At the same time, the Atari 400 acted as a gateway for many kids to the world of programming.  In this episode we explore how we were first introduced to the Atari 400, the firs...

This is not a regular episode.   Today we talk about our sister Mari (Marz) who passed away at her home in early April.   Marz was our older sister, teacher and protector and also our game playing companion. We talk about grief and how sometimes memories of life events are intertwined with games in ways we just don't fully understand.   We also have a very nice story contribution from Tony Longwot...

Last week we caught up with David Crane, Garry Kitchen and Dan Kitchen from Audacity Games to chat about the old Atari days, Activision, Absolute, Skyworks, the tragedy of digital obsolescence, their new venture Audacity games and their spectacular new Atari VCS game, Circus Convoy. See full video version of the interview here: (1) Audacity Games Interview: David Crane, Dan Kitchen and Garry Kitch...

An episode  jampacked with Atari VCS goodness! First a story about the allure (and danger) of Atari VCS programming in modern times. Then a playthrough and history of the original 9 VCS  1977 launch titles. Also memories of Combat! from Tony Longworth. and a discussion and reaction of the brand new VCS game Circus Convoy from Audacity games. Features "The Atari VCS Almost Killed Me" by Steve Fulto...