Ep.31 – This Means War! In Space: The PDP-1, Hacker Culture, and the Making of Spacewar!

In 1962, Spacewar! lit up the PDP-1 minicomputer at MIT and became one of the most influential games of all time. Created by Steve Russell, Martin Graetz, and Wayne Wiitanen, it was designed to push the limits of the machine while entertaining both players and spectators. Our conversation traces its development, from starfields inspired by sci-fi novels to the addition of gravity wells and one of the first detachable gamepads. We also explore how Spacewar! spread across universities with PDP-1 installations, inspiring hacker culture and serving as a benchmark for testing hardware. Its legacy shaped Computer Space, Asteroids, and the very idea of competitive multiplayer. Finally, we reflect on how Spacewar! earned a place in the Library of Congress’s video game canon and why it remains a cornerstone of gaming history on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.

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