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I've been a gamer longer than I remember, so I've decided to document my journey through the years. Let's go.

My Gaming Journey Through the Decades

If there’s one constant in my life, it’s been my love for gaming. From the chunky, pixelated screens of the 80s to the hyper-realistic graphics of today, gaming has been a faithful companion, providing countless hours of adventure, challenge, and connection. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a wide range of consoles, each with its own charm and standout titles. Here’s a look back at the systems that have shaped my gaming journey.

Philips G7000 – The Beginning

My journey started with the Philips G7000 (also known as the Magnavox Odyssey in the US). Released in 1978, this console was a marvel of its time, with its distinctive keyboard and built-in sound. It wasn’t just a gaming machine – it encouraged creativity with basic programming capabilities, which was pretty revolutionary back then. I spent hours playing KC Munchkin, a quirky Pac-Man clone with a unique twist that allowed you to design your own mazes, giving the game a surprising level of depth for its era.

ZX Spectrum – The Birth of British Gaming

Next came the ZX Spectrum, a defining moment for British gaming. Known for its rubber keys and bright, chunky graphics, the Spectrum was a powerhouse in the early 80s. It introduced me to classics like Jet Set Willy, a game so challenging it almost became a rite of passage for gamers. Nothing quite compared to Elite though. Thousands of planets, each with their own ecosystems and market prices meant that Elite remains my all time favourite game. Notwithstanding that the simplicity of the hardware forced developers to be truly creative, resulting in some of the most iconic games of the 80s.

Oric Atmos – A Forgotten Gem

Not as widely known as the Spectrum, the Oric Atmos was still a significant part of my early gaming years. With its sleek red and black design, the Atmos had more advanced sound and graphics than the Spectrum. It also had some standout titles like Defence Force, a tough-as-nails shooter that pushed the machine to its limits, and Xenon 1, a precursor to many modern sci-fi games.

Commodore 64 – The King of 8-Bit

The Commodore 64 (C64) was a true game-changer, and it remains one of the best-selling computers of all time. Its SID sound chip delivered groundbreaking audio for the era, and its vast game library was unmatched. I have fond memories of playing The Last Ninja, a beautifully animated action-adventure game that set the bar for future generations. The C64 was also a hub for early gaming communities, thanks to its extensive support for user-generated content and mods.

Commodore Amiga – A Multimedia Powerhouse

As gaming evolved, so did my hardware. The Commodore Amiga was a beast in its day, boasting superior graphics and sound that blew away anything else on the market. It was a true multimedia machine, supporting everything from games to graphic design. Titles like Sensible Soccer and The Secret of Monkey Island defined this era for me – the former for its fast, addictive gameplay, and the latter for its witty writing and point-and-click innovation.

PlayStation 1 – 3D Gaming Takes Off

The leap to 3D gaming with the original PlayStation was a seismic shift. I still remember the thrill of booting up Resident Evil for the first time, feeling that mix of fear and excitement as the game’s haunting music filled the room. Other classics like Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII not only pushed the limits of the hardware but also changed the way stories were told in games.

PlayStation 2 – The All-Time Best-Seller

The PS2 built on this success, becoming the best-selling console of all time. With titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Shadow of the Colossus, and God of War, it truly cemented itself as a gaming legend. The PS2 also introduced me to the world of DVD movies, making it a must-have entertainment system for its time.

Xbox 360 – Online Gaming Goes Mainstream

My first major foray into online gaming came with the Xbox 360. Xbox Live changed the way we played, connecting gamers across the world. Halo 3 and Gears of War became household names, offering intense multiplayer battles and unforgettable single-player campaigns. The 360 also brought achievements and a sense of accomplishment that kept me coming back for more.

Xbox One – A Media Hub for a New Era

The Xbox One aimed to be more than just a gaming console – it was an all-in-one media hub. With titles like Forza Horizon and Sunset Overdrive, it showcased the power of next-gen graphics while doubling as a streaming device for movies, TV shows, and apps.

PlayStation 4 – Refining the Formula

When I switched back to PlayStation, the PS4 reminded me why I loved gaming. The console’s powerful hardware and vast game library, including titles like The Last of Us Part II and God of War (2018), delivered some of the most cinematic and emotionally impactful experiences I’ve ever had.

PlayStation 5 – The Future is Now

Finally, the PlayStation 5 brought the future to my living room. With lightning-fast load times, stunning 4K graphics, and a revolutionary new controller, it has set a new benchmark for gaming. Titles like Demon’s Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart showcase the power of this machine, making it the perfect way to cap off my gaming journey – at least for now.

Looking Ahead

As I look back, it’s clear that gaming has been more than just a hobby – it’s been a lifelong passion. Each console has brought something unique to the table, and I can’t wait to see where this incredible journey takes me next.

[robertkelly-blog]

There really is no place like home.

[robertkelly-blog]

Slowly but surely making my way through Uncharted 1.

It's a bit clunky in places, but that's to be expected from a game that's nearly 20 years old.

However, I've been reliably informed that Uncharted 2 is one of the greatest games ever, so just going to grind my way through the first one so that I can see the gold at the end of the rainbow.

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This happened last year, but I'm still angry about it.

I had my home insurance through Hastings Direct. Paid my premium every month, and it all seemed to run smoothly. That is, until I had to make a claim.

My daughter was having a shower when we suddenly noticed water dripping down from our kitchen ceiling. The kitchen is directly below the shower.

After a bit of investigation it looked to me like the shower valve might be faulty, but as it was built behind a wall it was tricky for me to be certain, so I called out an emergency plumber who confirmed the leaking valve.

Next step was to contact my insurance company and they agreed to send an assessor out to have a look. Chocolate fireguard springs to mind.

He was in and out in under 15 minutes and I got a call a couple of days later with his findings.

He said the damage was minimal and the cost to repair was around £1200. With my £500 excess they could send me the remaining £700 and I could arrange someone to come in and fix it.

When I questioned this, and it's important to note that this information wasn't offered until I asked, they then said that they could arrange a contractor to come in and do the work.

I obviously chose that option and they arranged for an independent assessor to visit.

This assessor was night and day compared to the first one. He was in for over an hour. He checked every nook and cranny, discovering issues in the bathroom floor as well as behind the wall where the shower was in. He also found problems with the kitchen ceiling and the electrics due to water damage.

When I told him that we were offered £1200 he actually laughed out loud. His opinion was that it was going to be a bigger job than that, and he was right.

In the end we were moved out of the property for 5 weeks, such was the extent of the work. And incredibly, the final bill came to over £12.5k! I felt rather fortunate that I didn't accept the initial offer from Hastings Direct.

That's not the end of the story though. 2 months after the work was finished I got an email from them, a picture of which is above. They can't insure me any more. The letter goes on to say lots of stupid stuff like this could be down to the area we live in seeing an increase in burglaries, or even down to the type of house I'm in. You know, the house I've lived in for over 20 years and the house they've been taking premiums from me for the last 5 years. And I know every single neighbour in my street and the next few streets. Not one burglary.

In short, if you need to renew your home insurance, do not use Hastings Direct. I'll never do business with them again.

[robertkelly-blog]

Having just watched both seasons of Silo I find that I'm too impatient to wait for season 3. I need to know what happens next.

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Council dinner tonight.

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Another 2 goals for this man last night. Daizen is on fire, and he's a certainty for player of the year.

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12 hour shift done. I need this.

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DJ'ing here tonight. Time to get set up.

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I reckon I'm going to be busy for the next few weeks.

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This was my heart rate while watching Celtic playing against Bayern last night. Proof that watching football is better than exercise.