Forty Years of Lunar Lander

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Posted by timothy on Monday July 20, 2009 @03:00AM from the simulation-nation dept.

Harry writes "2009 marks not only the fortieth anniversary of Apollo 11, but also four decades of the iconic, omnipresent Lunar Lander, one of the first simulation games ever written. The first version was written by an Apollo-crazy high school student; among its countless descendants are the classic Atari arcade machine and versions for practically every other platform, from the Apple II to the iPhone. We're celebrating with a look at the game's origins, history, and significance — including an interview with creator Jim Storer, who hadn't given the game a moment's thought since he left high school, and wasn't aware of the phenomenon he spawned."

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USA!! USA! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-07-20 03:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

I would like to take this moment to remind everyone how fucking cool America is for landing on the moon.
1. Re:USA!! USA! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-07-20 10:24 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  I would like to take this moment to remind everyone how fucking cool America is for landing on the moon.
  It's amazing what you can do with German rocket technology.
Get your own accomplishments by Shivetya · 2009-07-20 03:30 · Score: 2, Insightful

I grew up watching this stuff as a kid. The America we had back then is a far cry from that we have today. Gone is the self reliant take responsibility for one's self and actions. Now we have the wealth envy its not fair someone who works harder has more stuff crowd that can only relive the accomplishments of past generations because all they have nothing to show for themselves (mainly because it would require DOING SOMETHING)
when all the money is sucked up by wants there really isn't much for doing something new and exciting like the moon landings.
Yes, totally OT. But seeing the fact that forty years later and we can't do it now because of money which is better spent in the eyes of politicians on people sitting on their ass all day.

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* Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
1. Re:Get your own accomplishments by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · 2009-07-20 04:10 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  That, of course, is a popular delusion. Its not that we aren't materialistic and selfish now, but we were just as bad back then. And 50 years before that, and 50 years before that, and 50 years before that ...
  Human nature is human nature. It hasn't changed recently. There are a few times that we have still been able to do really cool things when we put our minds to it, and have good leaders. But, there isn't any real cultural difference today that would prevent it from happening.
  
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  Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
2. Re:Get your own accomplishments by mcgrew · 2009-07-20 04:13 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Gone is the self reliant take responsibility for one's self and actions.
  Gone is Lyndon Johnson and his "war on poverty". Gone is the entitlement AFDC which guranteed generational welfare, replaced by TANF which gives only temporary help to folks with kids. Gone are business owners who gave a shit about anything but money. Gone are corporate ethics, replaced by Enron ethics and Bernard Madhoff ethics. Gone is the late Walkter Cronkite, replaced by Fox, apparently your only news source.
  Now we have the wealth envy its not fair someone who works harder has more stuff crowd
  Unemployment in Michigan is over 10%. You need a job to work.
  mainly because it would require DOING SOMETHING
  You're not impressed by those little Martian robots? I sure as hell am.
  
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  Free Martian Whores!
3. Re:Get your own accomplishments by mcgrew · 2009-07-20 06:20 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  True, but having a head of the NASCAQ stock exchange running a ponzi scheme is a new thing.
  
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  Free Martian Whores!
Re:Wow. by Anonymous Coward · 2009-07-20 04:34 · Score: 2, Insightful

I was playing Luner Lander on a PDP 11-34 back in 77 or so. Hunt the Wumpus was available too but I never figured out how to shoot the crooked arrows. The best game was Trek and I played that all through high school. I once wrote a text based Battlestar Galactica game and before I knew it other studens would copy the code, change 3 characters (not lines) of code and get a A. I must admit, the teacher was generious cuz I spent tons of time writing login simulators and reviewing the results of "anonymous" sex questionairs. He knew it was me and never lifted a finger, perhaps out of fear since those systems were pretty vulnerable. Now that I think back, I should have taken Art & Photography with a focus on glamor shots and nude modeling. Then maby I'd-a gotten laid.
Re:Bought one, then wrote one by AKAImBatman · 2009-07-20 05:48 · Score: 2, Insightful

I happen to agree with the GP, and I've written tons of games in the past 40 years. Here's my Atari 2600 version of Lunar Lander:
http://www.pdroms.de/files/73/
Run it through an emulator like Stella to play.
I later ported the game to Flash, but it's not quite as fun as the 60Hz 2600 version. However, you can play it on a Wii! (Use S for thrust if you're on a PC.)
http://www.wiicade.com/gameDetail.aspx?gameID=692

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Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Re:Bought one, then wrote one by gEvil+(beta) · 2009-07-20 07:15 · Score: 2, Insightful

"Fiddle music has more notes and is played faster, that's the only difference."

Man. Imagine if Paganini had been a fiddle player instead of just a violinist...

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This guy's the limit!