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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: December, 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?).

Dec 27, 2020

Man, I don't know if you've heard, but 2020 has been quite a year.

I think we could use a break. So, in episode 257, we're setting aside the games and stories and we're just gonna kick back with a beverage to watch a movie. And what a movie it is!

THE EARTH DIES SCREAMING is a 1964 black & white, sci-fi film. The aliens are invading via gas attack! (Insert joke here.)

This 62 minute film has it all. Robots! Zombies! Pregnant women! 

The 1983 Atari game of the same name (ep. 248), for those wondering, is inspired by the film...and has NOTHING in common with it. So there's that.

Joining us in this little British town under siege is Dave Ciampa, one of the hosts of "Ciampa & Klein: The Knight Rider Years".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks to Dave Ciampa from Ciampa & Klein: The Knight RIder Years who joined me on the show this week!

"Auld Lang Syne" by Mats Norrefalk, Ulf Samuelsson, and Sankta Eugenia Vokalensemble

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

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you can go to find show info, episodes, social media and more for this show "ATARI BYTES" and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN.

The website also has info about books I've written, including HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES and info about some of the places you can get them. 

You can support the show by subscribing on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com. Subscribers can get access to the episodes early or maybe even BONUS CONTENT. 

Dec 20, 2020

It took five years (or so) of podcasting, but I finally got my wish. In episode 256, we're playing the 2006 homebrew TOYSHOP TROUBLE. It's a game I've heard about for years and finally got to experience. But is it a wonderful surprise under my gaming tree or a giant lump of coal in my stocking? Tune in to find out.

Also, weirdly, we give a shout-out this week to beer from Athletic Brewing Company. Not a sponsor...but they could be!

This week's short story: LAST STAND IN TOY TOWN

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Thanks to @M_Carp for the "What Game is Henry Playing While We Podcast About a Different Game" theme.

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

The website also has info and links to some of the places you can order IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a Santa story for adults, and my new short story collection HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES

If you support the show by subscribing on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com, not only do you keep the holiday lights on in the studio, you could get episodes EARLY! Or BONUS CONTENT! Let's see Santa top that. 

 

Dec 13, 2020

In 1982, men of vision went to work for a company called "Men-A-Vision" - which seems appropriate - and made a game called AIR RAID, a sort of cross between "Missile Command" and "Space Invaders" (it seems to me) where you must defend Manhattan from flying helicopters, UFO's and...giant pretzels? Sure, let's say that. The game didn't sell well, and is a much sought after collector's item now. Kind of like your podcast host.

And we're checking it out in ATARI BYTES episode 255.

This week's short story: SIREN'S ECHO

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.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you should go to get social media, show info and episodes for this show, ATARI BYTES, and for my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN.

The website also has info about books I've written, including the Santa story for adults, IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and my new short story collection, HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES. 

You can support the show by subscribing on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here. Subscribers not only get the regular episodes, but could also get bonuses - like access to the episodes before they get released to the public and even BONUS CONTENT that's not part of the regular show. 

Dec 6, 2020

You know that mildly frustrated feeling of waiting for an elevator; that eagerness for something to happen? Well, now you can feel that for the entire half hour and change of a podcast episode!

In episode 254, we're playing ELEVATOR ACTION, the unreleased 1983 port of Taito's popular arcade game. Unreleased that is, until (we assume) in a 2001 late night, trench coat-wearing exchange in a dark parking garage - or perhaps an elevator??? - and the game came to light. 

Does the game shoot upward like Wonka's glass elevator or crash to the basement? Hit the button and find out.

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: FLOORED

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.

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

The website also has info and links to some places to get books I've written, including my newly released HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES.

Support the show by becoming a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here. You could get episodes EARLY, or maybe BONUS CONTENT, or get to have INPUT on what we do on the show. Thanks!

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