Thirty-five years ago, the pioneers of the microcomputer game scene called themselves “independent” developers–but “indie” didn’t mean what it does today. This talk will discuss the scale and scope of the computer game industry’s earliest commercial origins. Nooney will share stories of the designers, company founders, and journalists who made up the first independent game scene, while critically exploring the historical precedent for “independence” in games.

Above photo courtesy Brad Herbert and the Art of Sierra.

Laine Nooney, Ph.D., is a professional researcher of computers and video games. She brings historical, theoretical and feminist methods to the study of media objects and practices, with a special focus on everyday users and obsolete technology.