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ATARI BYTES

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? I have fond memories of playing classics like Pitfall or Yar's Revenge or River Raid. In this podcast, I take another look at the games, but as a writer, not a gamer. When I think of these games now, I see writing prompts; taking inspiration from the game plots or maybe even the titles to create original short stories. But this isn't simply fan fiction. The stories, more often than not, spin-off into some weird places in all kinds of genres. Sometimes funny, occasionally serious, always unique.
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Now displaying: November, 2020

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? Sure, they were fun to play, but didn't you ever wonder why they sent a plumber to take out Donkey Kong? What Yar was seeking revenge against? What the Defender was defending or why those robots went Berserk? Me too! ATARI BYTES is a game review podcast like no other. We review not just the game play, but the STORY within these classic games. We take a BYTE out of the story (get it?) and see if that story BYTES us back (now do you get it?).

Nov 29, 2020

Episode 253: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING: JOURNEY TO RIVENDELL. As the sun rises on Hobbiton, you find yourself on the podcast road seeking the one episode to rule them all. At last, you have found it! Don't lie! You have it! I put it up here! What has it gots in its pockets, precious!?!?!?

Yes, that's a "Hobbit" reference to tell you about a "Lord of the Rings" thing. Go ahead and rat me out to Gandalf. 

We obtained this 1983 unreleased prototype in a secret, late night exchange. No. Wait. That was something else.

Anyway, this week's short story is: FELLOWSHIP OF THE STRING

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs: "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". 

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. 

The website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has episodes, info and social media for this podcast, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. 

The website is the place to also where to go for info about books I've written and links to some of the places you can buy them, including MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and the Santa Claus story for adults, IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME.

Support the show by subscribing on the ATARI BYTES page on Patreon here. Patrons can hear episodes early and even get bonus content that other listeners don't get! 

Nov 22, 2020

In ATARI BYTES episode 252, we play the the 1981 Apollo game INFILTRATE; a game which feels like it should have an exclamation point at the end of its name, but doesn't. But is that the only disappointment? Listen and find out.

Also, I mention how much I like Lego. I mean, Christmas is coming...

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: ENTERING S.H.E.I.L.A.: A STEVE STETSON, 1980's SUPERSPY, ADVENTURE

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". 

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for show notes, episodes and social media for this show ATARI BYTES here and for my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

The website also has info about books by me for you! Info and links to some places to buy the titles, including MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and, timely for right now, the novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME.

Please consider support the show by becoming a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here. You could get access to each episode early! You could get bonus content! It's a holiday season miracle!

 

Nov 15, 2020

Looney Tunes fans rejoice! In episode 251 of ATARI BYTES, we're playing Atari's 1983 offering TAZ, featuring the tornadic glutton, the Tasmanian Devil. Whether you think the game is brilliant or garbage or brilliant garbage, nothing compares to one particular line in the instruction manual. I promise you this line has never appeared before or since. I won't spoil it here. Tune in to experience the awesomeness!

This week's short story: BAD POETRY CORNER: I'M SO FULL

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". 

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for all your needs as they relate to me. The ATARI BYTES page over there has social media, info, and episodes here and for my other podcast IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. 

The website also has info about books I've written on this page, including links to just some of the places you can order them. 

If you subscribe to the show as a patron on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com you could get episodes early! Maybe you could even get bonus CONTENT or the ability to help program this show. Thanks in advance!

 

Nov 1, 2020

Episode 249 of ATARI BYTES is going to the dogs. 

We're playing powerhouse gaming publisher Purina's maze game...

Hold on...*checks notes*

Yep, PURINA. Ok...see, in 1983 Purina ran a deal where you could send in proofs of purchase (kids, go ask your parents) from bags of dog food and get an Atari game called CHASE THE CHUCK WAGON. Spectravision did the programming. Such as it is. But we'll get into that. WOOF!

This week's short story: CHUCK WAGON, THE ANACHRONISTIC COWBOY

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". 

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

The website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has show notes, social media and episodes for ATARI BYTES here and for my other show IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. 

The website also has info about books I've written, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, and links to some of the places you can buy them here. 

Consider supporting the show by become a subscriber on patreon.com where you could episodes early! Or even bonus content! Just go the patreon ATARI BYTES page here. 

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