The Apple II Origins of Today’s Games – Exciting PAX East Panel

The Apple II computer might seem quaint and simple by today’s standards, but it helped lead the way to today’s multibillion dollar gaming industry. Today’s PAX East convention is holding a panel that discusses the Apple II’s importance in gaming history.

The Apple II Origins of Today’s Games

According to the official PAX East site, the panel discusses how early Apple II games served as influences for today’s games and the computer’s importance for gaming as a whole. As the site states, “From the early stealth action of Castle Wolfenstein to the strategic depths of Ultima and the revolutionary platforming of Prince of Persia, our panel will delve into how these classic titles laid the groundwork for today’s blockbuster games.”

The Panelists

One of the panelists is Ken Gagne, the editor of Juiced.GS, which is a magazine for fans of the Apple II. He appeared on a similar panel at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo last year. The other panelist is Vince Weaver, an associate professor at the University of Maine. The inclusion of a university professor is sure to demonstrate the panel’s credibility to the audience, showing how gaming history is relevant even in the world of higher education.

The Importance of Classic Games

Many of today’s franchises had their starts on humble machines such as the NES or the Apple II. Gamers who remember playing The Oregon Trail on the Apple II (or its later DOS and Windows iterations) might create games that are inspired by that classic childhood experience. As games become longer and more complex, our busy lives might not have as much time for a 100-hour open-world experience and we might yearn for something simpler. Retro games can be perfect for times when we want a break from life’s difficulties and just want to immerse ourselves in a tiny pixelated world.