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How did the Commodore 64 conquer the hearts of millions and become a platform people still actively develop for even today? What made it so special?

This book will appeal to both those who like tinkering with old technology as a hobby and nostalgic readers who simply want to enjoy a trip down memory lane. It discusses in a concise but rigorous format the different areas of home gaming and personal computing where the C64 managed to innovate and push forward existing boundaries.

Starting from Jack Tramiel´s vision of designing computers "for the masses, not the classes," the book introduces the 6510, VIC-II and SID chips that made the C64 unique. It briefly discusses its Basic programming language and then proceeds to illustrate not only many of the games that are still so fondly remembered but also the first generation of game engines that made game development more approachable - among other topics that are often neglected but are necessary to provide a comprehensive overview of how far reaching theC64 influence was.

Written in a straightforward and accessible style, readers will relive the dawn of modern technology and gain a better understanding of the legacy that was built, bit by bit, in those pioneering days by computers that had only a tiny fraction of the power modern machines have and, yet, were used to create the technological world we are now living in.

With a foreword by Michael Tomczyk

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Introduction.- "Computers for the masses, not the classes".- The Commodore 64 and its Architecture.- Ready.- Games, games and more games!.- Rise of the Game Engines.- Windows and icons.- BBS: the Internet can wait.- Verba volant, scripta manent.- Today and Tomorrow.- Conclusions.

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"This book encapsulates everything that made the Commodore 64 such an enduring and admired piece of engineering. It is ultimately a celebration of what happens when hardware democratizes human creation, expression, and ingenuity, leaving a legacy that fuels its fans and influences modern tech innovators today and well into the future. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All students in game programs, researchers/faculty, professionals/practitioners, and gaming enthusiasts." (A. Chen, Choice, Vol. 52 (11), July, 2015)

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