How Space Invaders Birthed Japanese Games

[@5Del]

Space Invaders was the original "it's not a bug, it's a feature" meme

[@st0rmchild]

Probably not. www.wired.com/story/its-not-a-bug-its-a-feature/

[@deus_ex_machina_]

@@st0rmchild It's a great article, I would recommend passers-by to read it, but the relevant section refers to Stanford's Jargon File, a lexicon of hacker-speak and internet acronyms, which noted that the phrase in question was widely, perhaps overused in hacker circles even before 1975, (three years before Space Invaders) when it was added to the file.

[@st0rmchild]

@@deus_ex_machina_ Yeah…my guess is it was coined at either MIT or Stanford at some point in the 60s. I don't remember if that phrase is mentioned, but Hackers (Steven Levy) is the best book I've read about that time period.

[@Rycluse]

1:58 Everyone knows putting a three letter swear word on the score board is the real purpose of high scores

[@onimaxblade8988]

fck.

[@raven75257]

tit

[@NikozBG]

Sht

[@JimKandol]

my brother used KIL and his friend used LIK

[@bonopo]

gay

[@VladlustTV]

Damn the animations and editing were smooth on this video!

[@Kapin05]

They always are, Mark's editing skills are top notch!

[@MK.5198]

I really liked the hyper-chunky chromatic aberration.

[@Eassstt]

This is (more often than not) probably where most of the effort in making these videos goes

[@Fetteremo]

Wow, so Bubsy3D will finally get the recognition it deserves

[@Chris-mc2dt]

The first game to combine 3D platforming with stand-up comedy

[@grahamwalker2168]

Nowhere near as good as knack 2 though

[@Retku22]

Dunkeyfan, arent you?

[@dingdong1989]

@@grahamwalker2168 We forgetting about SUPER MARIO 2 BAYBEY !!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!

[@AafaqAhmed06]

Space Invaders : The ancestor of cover shooters

[@Gabriel_Cook]

Also the ancestors of ths mooninites.

[@patrickholleman9323]

This is actually something that has been pointed out, academically: thegamedesignforum.com/features/rd_hl_1.html (about halfway down)

[@AafaqAhmed06]

Neat

[@KickyFut]

Gears' great-great-great-great grandfather!!

[@RazorEdge2006]

@@patrickholleman9323 Interesting article. Covers the evolution of shooters from Space Invaders to Half-Life.

[@spencerredmon3569]

So I see "It's not a bug, it's a feature" has been a design philosophy since 1978

[@sponge1234ify]

Pretty sure the "Don't fix those that are not broken" philosophy has existed since way longer

[@st0rmchild]

It's probably a lot older than that. My guess is it goes back at least as far as MIT in the late 50s or early 60s.

[@jroalchemist]

GMTK: I'll be talking about games released in the past 40 years also GMTK: Let's talk about Space Invaders, released in 1978

[@Murgablodazor69]

You should have wrote that Space Invaders was released 41 years ago for people that are kinda stupid

[@Chris-mc2dt]

Sugárzó Palacsinta He all but spells it out, I don’t think the amount of people who aren’t able to get it will be very large

[@Codricmon]

Fake news, I want the money back that I didn't pay!

[@ghostderazgriz]

@@Murgablodazor69 Some days I just can't be bothered to math

[@peteypariah6603]

Literally unwatchable

[@Table53]

Oh hello, Mark's going old school Love it.

[@darth0tator]

this is gonna be an AWESOME Series :D can't even wait for the next episode :3

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

Me too. What an excellent video.

[@VBall1295]

When I saw the title I thought you would be talking about the artist design of the in-game icons used in Space Invaders, but I was pleasantry surprised. I’m always wondering where certain things in games started and this could be a great opportunity to talk about games which may not have been the most popular but set the trends in the industry and led to our favorite games

[@patrickdoyle3174]

I love Space Invaders, but I didn’t know it had this many ‘firsts,’ let alone anything about the tech behind it. It’s wonderful how you actually explored the game and didn’t just use sales numbers to say how ‘big’ it was. Really looking forward to more of this series. Also, maybe the most beautiful video you’ve made yet, and I think that this channel was already at the top of video presentation.

[@VorpalSlade]

4:38 When you dropped that "...a difficulty curve" it blew my mind

[@raccoonlad]

Feels like a short little Ahoy video, good stuff

[@NikozBG]

Yes this is exactly what it feels like and it's great. Thank you for pointing that out.

[@erickdavid4257]

The next installment of this series would probably be the first game to implement real weapons as a core mechanic.

[@ryanrising2237]

Took me a while once I saw this comment to realise it wasn’t Ahoy. I wonder if that guy’s ok by the way.

[@erickdavid4257]

RyanRising Anyone can produce content documenting history. Gaming Historian does that, too, but all of them have very different approaches and that’s the good part!

[@dragonsinfluence68]

I see a man of culture...

[@wonnor53]

The graphic design in this video is on a whole other level, your work has always looked beautiful since the beginning but there's just something about your most recent videos that really set them apart. I also really like this new series, it's super interesting and I'm very excited to see where it goes next!

[@Nikkiflausch]

I'm super psyched about this new series! This is gonna be fun. Also, my favourite Space Invaders reboot is Radiant, which I own for macOS. It looks really great while keeping the feel of the original artstyle, it's got a cute, self-aware, funny story, it adds a small extra mechanic around different weapons, it's obviously longer with more variety in the levels, and it gets more challenging at the end too (which it needs to be at a longer playtime).

[@tvnalad]

You should do Tetris, it's considered "game design heaven" by many developers.

[@misode]

I clicked on this video expecting to learn how to design icons for games, I got something totally different but was not disappointed!

[@GuseMcGoose]

However an episode on icon's would be pretty cool

[@grahamwalker2168]

I saw a video on the original mario and it was basically just graph paper and colouring the squares and uploading that image

[@pugo7925]

Yea, it's like his series Boss-Keys that could be confused about Boss level/difficulty design but it has nothing to do with it.

[@RealRomplayer]

Yeah. It took me the whole 30-seconds-intro to realize that "icon" also has a second meaning in English. Genius title and theme for this new series!

[@TheDuckMaster12]

Never thought about where the difficult curve first popped up, or visualized it that way. Very cool series idea, can’t wait for more!

[@X-35173]

This is a cool new series. I'm excited to see where you go with this idea.

[@baggothree]

This is awesome! I never knew the speed increase was a side effect of limited hardware. Can't wait to see more of this series :D

[@Supern0va64]

The fact that you mentioned space invaders extreme is an instant like from me. I absolutely loved both of those games.

[@RazorEdge2006]

Space Invaders is the ancestor of pretty much all modern video games. Virtually every modern video game has roots that can be traced back to Space Invaders in some shape or form.

[@adambarta.s]

I apreciate the research but even more amazing is the level of detail you put into the video. Making the O look like a loading icon for example. Your channel is a gem of youtube.

[@danieluranga6872]

Looking forward to more of this series! Your videos are incredibly helpful both in introducing me to great games I've never played, and offering tips on game design in case I ever try my hand at making a game.

[@caseyfischer7868]

This series is gonna be excellent! And you putting RE in the intro just got me even more hyped!

[@TimmacTR]

Nice format, ideal length, high info density, entertaining....perfection.

[@subprogram32]

This is a strong start! As someone who got into gaming fairly late, it's always nice to hear about the older history of games like this. May this series have a long and successful life! :D

[@jaksida300]

You’re supposed to say first! Not contribute to the discussion!

[@J_E_N_T]

Can't wait for the rest of this series!!!

[@FruduBuggins]

YEEEEEEESSSS!!!!! I have waited so long for a series like this !

[@cold_chili3356]

I can't wait for more Design Icons, one of my favourite segments!

[@cormo9058]

Yes yes yes I love this! I cant wait for the rest of the series! Also, the production quality is just getting better and better and I'm hyped

[@WooperTrooper4]

I think this is going to be my favorite of your series! Great work. Looking forward to more!

[@jamesscott1880]

What a great idea for a series! Really looking forward to watching the rest of the videos as they come out. Thanks for making such great content.

[@Doran.]

This is a great idea for a series of videos. I always love learning about the history of design. You could even expand this so certain episodes cover especially influential designers. That would be a great way to highlight contributors to the industry (artists, composers, programmers, managers, philosophers, etc.) who may have flown under the radar at their time or been forgotten since.

[@DeformedLunchbox]

Great video and analysis as always!

[@Manachi93]

Great video and awesome idea for a series! One thing Space Invaders also introduced was Narrative. It was the first game with a story, even though it was simple, and inscribed on the arcade machines.: "You were a pilot with the task to stop the alien invasion"

[@ElChicoBush]

Excelent beginning for a series. I didn't know how important was Space Invaders in the videogame history. Thanks for all your work, Mark.

[@coffeedude]

This such a great idea for a series! You're one of the best channels on KZbin, even more so in the videogame side

[@maxsmit3288]

What an absolutely beautiful intro!

[@lazaruscomplexofficial]

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SERIES

[@ChristopherYabsley]

Strong start to a great series idea! Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@kaylubproductions4517]

I love this new series! This is what I’ve always wanted from this channel! Please keep making these types of videos!

[@rafaela00002]

This was great! Can't wait for the next video of the series!

[@Ssalamanderr]

Looking forward to the rest of the series! Enjoyed this one a lot.

[@FunkyJay]

Very much looking forward to seeing this series develop. Love your work.

[@zachwilkens7524]

This is a great start to a new series. Can't wait to see what's in store!

[@monkeyspice2010]

awesome video as always ! Glad to see a new video series I can look forward to!

[@xystem4701]

Hyped for this series!

[@Irati698]

I love this concept for a series

[@TheMormegil92]

I love this series already, I wanted to do something like this for such a long time but I'm glad you're tackling it because you're awesome and this series needs to be done well.

[@matrikomatriko]

Fantastic video Mark! Looking forward to other videos in this series!

[@PsimanUK]

A fantastic first episode of this new series. I really enjoyed it and learnt a couple of new facts along the way. Thanks for making and uploading this video. I look forward to the next one.

[@NikolaBg35]

Great series! I wish it becomes popular and you get to tell us about all these icons! :)

[@WangleLine]

This series is already astonishing. Thanks for making these

[@robsonneves6189]

Great work Mark, loved the video and this new series, looking forward to the next one.

[@maadalchemist7545]

That is some sexy editing. You are a master at using the perfect visuals to emphasize your points, mark!

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

Holy hell, you really upped the production in this channel! I can't wait to see more!

[@pranavgaur660]

I love the production quality of these videos. And of course, the content!

[@akb8323]

Enjoyed this video and I look forward to the rest of the series. Great work as always GMTK.

[@khalidsabeq]

Such a good idea for a series, Good luck on the rest of it

[@shmackydoo]

Great video man! Love the design of the sprites too, very iconic

[@drakan4769]

0:10 "games from the last 40 years" 0:43 "41 years ago..."

[@Shenanigans07]

My little nephew has a tendency to ask what certain words mean. When the day comes and he asks me "What does 'pedantic' mean?" I'm going to show him your comment.

[@NoerLuin]

Awesome idea! Already excited for the next video.

[@maartenm8734]

Just fantastic, keep this episode up! (I LOVE it)

[@profpille7219]

The video looks hella rad! Really liking the effects!

[@PrimitiveOs]

Love the concept for this series, keep it up Mark!

[@velashevskyy]

Great choice for such series start! Looking forward for new episodes. Thank you.

[@234takashi]

Awesome! So excited by this new series keep up the great work!

[@TheDarkEye]

Awesome idea for a series and nicely done video as always...looking forward for more :)

[@synlinux5809]

Oh man im getting some great G4 Icons memories from this and am looking forward to more content thanks GMTK!

[@floatingdoor]

Oh snap, this series is gonna be great!

[@WarsPC]

amazing job, glad to understand why and how i was playing galaga on my old system. and i love unintended mechanics.

[@Ryujin713]

Great video, looking forward to the new series!!

[@darkwatershadow]

I'm super on board with this. Looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us

[@lytacc]

I love history of videogames, and technology in general, thanks for bringing this series for us!

[@tuck3771]

You’re editing style has always been good, but wow has it improved over the last 4 years. Amazing.

[@Adloquiem]

Your production quality is legendary.

[@projectaroid]

Great video, this is going to be an interesting series. I'm looking forward to future videos.

[@johnarmstrong5533]

I'll always associate this style of video with Ahoy, but that doesn't diminish the quality of this video. Looking forward to more entries in this series.

[@matt4392_]

I saw that Minecraft slide. Would you consider doing Dwarf Fortress, as it had a huge impact on Minecraft and other randomly generated series?

[@tsartomato]

there is umbrella logo basically a clone of alone in the dark

[@bobbytagget5511]

Thanks heaps for giving such an elaborate recap, I am trying to get into the game development industry myself and knowing the key features really help me in defining what genre to explore and whether the features are still relevant today. I have a new found appreciation for arcade games now!

[@alekbabkin9139]

this is incredibly interesting to watch! Keep making it!

[@yell0w355]

Great video. Very interesting and informative. The editing is superb. Also great idea for a series, can't wait to see more :)

[@Guywhosjustsomeone]

Just got to say I absolutely love how you source and reference all your material in the description. Something that should really be the norm but I see very little of on KZbin. Amazing work man it must take forever to make these vids!

[@rorykurek643]

Cool idea for a series, Mark. Looking forward to the future entries! I think it's to Space Invaders' credit that I often forget just how old it is. Sure, it's simple and pretty repetitive by modern standards, but I find it to still be surprisingly playable today (which is more than I can say about most games from the 70s. )

[@lukelcs8934]

This was a really good video, definitely continue with the series!

[@Nee421]

amazing man, looking forward to see more historical decision designs

[@RandyKnapp]

I am so excited for this series, I think it's going to be amazing!

[@WellThatWasRandom9]

This series has come at a perfect time for me, just about to start studying game design at university so hyped

[@lexfrost6829]

Love this new series, can't wait for more!!

[@dani3645]

Only seen the first 33 seconds and I already know this is gonna be one of the best game design video productions ever made

[@SamScotMosher]

I love this series theme. Can't wait for future episodes!

[@sounddrone8]

Already hyped for the rest of this series

[@kiranecere8655]

I love this series! I can't wait for episode two!

[@muzboz]

Cool stuff. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@drewrandall8161]

This is a great idea for a series of games, and I think that it can be really interesting and informative. One thing that I'm noticing is that this video is mentioning innovations that Space Invaders pioneered that I didn't know would be innovations until I'm told so, for example, that this is the first shooting game where enemies shot back. It might be helpful if we heard a bit about what games where like (at least games from the same or similar genres) were like just before the subject game was introduced, so we know what this design icon brought to the table.

[@NestorCustodio]

Idea for a one-off video: a study in the evolution of a single gameplay concept where we follow Asteroids, Amiga's Stardust, and then Super Stardust HD. These are all the same game (a ship shoots various rocks and ships near a planet's surface), but Stardust flips the viewpoint so you're not looking up at the sky from the planet's surface (with the ship disappearing from view on one side and then reappearing on the other), but are instead looking down at the planet, and then Super Stardust HD modifying the viewpoint again so you follow the ship around the planet's surface so it never leaves your view.

[@Leizcrt]

Duuuude! Best video game related ideas! Love your videos

[@AndrewLabelle]

Fantastic episode, hope you do more soon!

[@SirArtanis7]

This seems like a good series your making. Hope to see more!