Michael Thomasson, Author at Old School Gamer Magazine

Wolfenstein 3D – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:01:12 +0000

Before John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero unleashed the blistering corridors of Wolfenstein, they cut their teeth on smaller 3-D experiments: Hovertank 3-D for DOS and the Apple II’s Catacomb 3-D, the latter running on an embryonic version of the engine that would become Carmack’s signature. Those initial outings were the scaffolding for something bolder.

The trio also crafted the family-friendly Commander Keen games, but by the early nineties, id Software sensed its audience shifting and wanted to swap pogo sticks for something with more bite. Ideas ricocheted across the studio:

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A Conversation with Nolan Bushnell, Part 2 PART 2 OF 2 – Competition Thru Amazon Alexa – By Michael Thomasson and Todd Friedman with Ryan Burger

Michael Thomasson — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:42:23 +0000

In issue #12, we started an interview with Nolan Bushnell that took us up to the VCS akaAtari 2600. Todd Friedman had also done a recent interview that we brought part of into this article. We pick up when competition in the home video game space kicks up with the IIntellivision, Colecovision, Chuck E Cheese and more!

OSG: What was your opinion, at that time, of the Colecovision and Intellevision which competed against Atari in the early 1980’s? What is your opinion of them now as it relates to the history of gaming?

NB: All these games were better than the 2600, but had sparse software and helped to create confusion in the market.

OSG: Can you tell me how you felt after the Atari 2600 (VCS) stopped production and what Atari’s expectation was of the Atari 5200?

NB: I thought the whole Atari strategy from 1980 forward was a giant cluster. The 5200 was a rush job and based on the Atari 800. It was already old tech.

OSG: Arcades were hot in the early 80’s, but then crashed due to the booming home console generation. Did you expect that to happen, and was there competition against the arcade manufacturers?

NB: I think that the Arcade was killed by the era of Mortal Kombat. These games were very successful but narrowed the market drastical- ly. Arcades went from a casual game place for players and women to teens and young men only.

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No Quarters Required – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:40:56 +0000

Nestled in a quiet corner in the Buffalo suburb of Depew sits a modest building with a simple façade. It was once a corner bar – long abandoned, idle, and forgotten. Today, it pulses with new life as the Nickel City Pinball Club. The front door bears the club’s bold logo, flanked by the intriguing words: “Private Social Club.” into a ceiling cloaked in the same moody hue. Dim orange lights flickered from hidden alcoves, casting long shadows, while a jukebox crooned smooth jazz and slow-burning blues.

The setting evoked a bygone era – equal parts 1920s speakeasy and swing-era lounge. I arrived during the group’s quarterly open house – one of the rare occasions when outsiders are allowed past the front door. The foyer was plan…

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Homebrew Pinball Spotlight – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:08:20 +0000

Homebrew games are typically developed by hobbyists and enthusiasts outside of official channels. By and large, they are often “one-offs” and not intended for commercial distribution. Homebrew video games first came to light in 1993, when Harry Dodgson created his own development kit for the Atari 7800 and later modified it for use with the Atari Video Computer System (VCS). Fast forward 30+ years and now hundreds of homebrew video games exist. The list of new retro releases continues to grow and can be obtained by contacting the original programmers or through small homebrew distributors….

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Full Circle Pinball – by Michael Thomasson and Kelly Kaye

Michael Thomasson — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 12:00:19 +0000

Pinball is a hobby that spans generations; one that can bring individuals from all walks of life together. I recently rediscovered this when I innocently walked into the Frank Murray Community
Center looking for a backgammon partner. Instead, I met Kelly Kaye, one of the center’s recreation leaders. She introduced me to her father, Keith Girardeau, with whom I played a few disappointing games of backgammon. It turns out he is much better at pinball than backgammon…

Whenever I meet someone new, I try to avoid the dreaded, “What do you do for work” inquiry, as many people do not like to talk about their profession. Plus, it is boring – people do not want to talk about work during their leisure time. Instead, I pose the question, “What’s your passion?” That is when I first saw Keith smile! His face lit up and he proceeded

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ODAMA – By Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:27:06 +0000

NINTENDO GAMECUBE 2006

Ever had the desire to play pinball with real-time tacticalstrategy in feudal Japan? Believe it or not, Odama is just that and more. In order to take vengeance against the traitor that betrayed his father, General Yamanoushi Kagetora fabricates the Odama, the most inventive battlefield weapon ever devised.

This monstrously heavy orb destroys anything it touches, wreaking enormous damage to the enemy and the landscape. In Odama, you crush your enemies, literally by crushing your enemies! The giant ball is indiscriminate and will also crush the general’s own army, so the player must direct his harm’s way via voice legion’s soldiers out of commands using the included microphone. Decrees like “Company halt,” “Push forward,” and “Flank and destroy” will make a general out of you in no time.

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TAITO PINBALL – BOOTLEGGING BAD BOYS – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 18:02:57 +0000

Taito’s history is one of change and adaptation. Michael Kogan was a Jewish-Russian refugee who worked in a Japanese factory during World War II. After the war, he relocated to Shanghai, China to join his father, Taitung, in making natural hair wigs, floor coverings, and hog bristles. When the Communists overtook China, he liquidated the company and and electromechanical games, and, eventually, video games.

Taito claims to have produced the first racing video game with Speed Race, although Atari argues it was first with Gran Trak 10. Of course, Taito is most famous for creating the game Space Invaders. Regardless, Taito released numerous entertainment devices including pinball machines.

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Stern Pinball – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:24:43 +0000

In the early 1930s, Sam Stern sold pinball merchandise, parts, and accessories as an operator and distributor. In 1947, Sam boldly asked pinball mogul Harry Williams, of Williams Manufacturing Company, “Why don’t you sell me your company?”. In the end, Sam Stern became part owner with a 49% stake and was appointed as vice president of the company. When Williams stepped down in 1959, Sam Stern took full control.

Stern Electronics Inc. evolved from the ashes of pinball manufacturer Chicago Coin. Saddled with debt, the financially troubled amusement company went into bankruptcy and was acquired by Sam Stern’s…

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Legends Pinball Micro – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:10:44 +0000

Several years ago, AtGames released the Legends Pinball machine. At roughly eighty percent the size of the traditional
pinball machine, it was a fine product that allowed multiple tables to be played digitally on a single device. There were several other companies making similar devices, but with the recently released Legends Pinball Micro, there is now a more portable solution that really shines. The new device fits nicely on any bar top, kitchen island, or simple table. The 15.6-inch 1080p HD playfield, running at 60…

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THE FANTASTIC PHANTASMAGORIA – by Michael Thomasson

Michael Thomasson — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:48:28 +0000

Before talking about the game, the history of the term phantasmagoria should be discussed. In the 17th century, a German Jesuit scholar by the name of Athanasius Kircher teamed up with Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens to create the magic lantern. The device used candlelight to project images using lenses and mirrors. By the 18th century, following the French Revolution, the French took the tool to the extreme in the name of art.

Before long, skeletons were magically dancing on walls as an early form of theater and became known as phantasmagoria. Over time it developed into the precurser of the horror movie genre.

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