Digital games make up a significant but little known chapter in the history of the moving image in Australia and New Zealand. The Popular Memory Archive site aims to exhibit some of the significant local games of the 1980s era, and collect documentation in order to remember early games through popular memory.
In December, Play It Again are discussing ‘Local Scenes and Themes’ on both sides of the Tasman.
Anyone fancy a game of “Bunyip Adventure”, or perhaps a spot of “Emu Joust”? What do you make of the Australiana on such prominent display in these Ocker Adventures?
What were the connections between arcade games and games played at home in the 1980s? Find out about the local trade restrictions that impacted so significantly on New Zealand’s game production history, and tell us where you played — in the arcade, at home, or both?
What was your local arcade scene like?
Were you ever involved in a user group?
Please share your memories and help Play It Again remember the local history of games! We are keen to receive files, images and videos about gaming in the 1980s, and are developing a nice collection of images of domestic gameplay (here‘s the latest).
NOTE: While Dark Matter would love to host discussions, the Play It Again people ask that you make sure your memories and discussions are included on their website.