#apf-mp1000

[retrogamingloft]

Boxing is a sports video game developed and published by APF Electronics Inc. in 1978 for the APF-MP1000 console. As one of just 13 official cartridges released for the system, it set out to simulate the sport of boxing within the technical limits of the time.

The APF-MP1000, also known as the APF-M1000, was a second-generation 8-bit cartridge-based home video game console released the same year. Powered by a Motorola 6800 CPU and just 1 KB of RAM, it rendered graphics at a resolution of 256×192 pixels using a palette of 8 colors. The console was part of the APF Imagination Machine, which combined gaming with a home computer setup.

The game itself keeps things simple, with basic graphics and gameplay mechanics typical of early sports games. You control a boxer in a match, focusing on movement and straightforward punch actions. The opponent AI doesn’t put up much of a challenge—it’s easy to figure out its pattern, turning matches into a rhythm of blocking and punching. Still, playing this game never fails to put a smile on my face. There’s something undeniably nostalgic about it, and the two stylized boxers have a charm that’s oddly endearing.

[ui-alcoholic]

APF 'The Imagination Machine' (1979)

The APF Imagination Machine is a combination video game console and home computer system released by APF Electronics Inc. in late 1979. It has two separate components: the APF-M1000 game system and an add-on docking bay with a full-sized typewriter keyboard and tape drive.

The APF-M1000 was built specifically to compete with the Atari 2600. The full APF Imagination Machine, including the APF-M1000 console and the IM-1 computer component, originally sold for around US$599 (equivalent to $2,600 in 2024).

History During the conception of the MP1000, APF management heard that both Atari and Mattel were planning a computer add-on for their upcoming console.  Around that time, Irving Boilen, APF’s head of engineering led the design of the PeCos One, the first personal computer made by APF. Short for Personal Computer One, the computer used the JOSS Language (an acronym for JOHNNIAC Open Shop System) instead of the popular BASIC language. Although this choice was not well received by the consumers and the PeCos One was quickly discontinued, this gave the necessary expertise to APF to go forward with another project: the Imagination Machine. Thinking that if they could be Atari to punch, they could get a bigger part of the cake, APF worked tirelessly on their new venture.

[epochxp]

How Ed Smith Rose Above Prejudice and Became a Black Video Game Pioneer

Though not many gamers today remember him, Ed Smith was one of the great pioneers of the video game industry during its infancy. During a time when African Americans were rare to the game industry, Smith helped to advance it forward in significant ways.

Born in Brooklyn in 1954, Smith grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, which his parents moved into from Mississippi only a few years prior. Though his family had left behind their old home during the period known as the Great Migration, things weren’t much more promising in New York. Racism was still widespread in the area, and Smith’s family resided in a very high crime area. 

At a very young age, Smith was told by his father not to expect much from his life and to have low aspirations. Despite this, Smith was a very ambitious and curious individual. He became engrossed with learning how devices functioned, taking apart and repairing basic electronics like irons and toasters. He later moved on to more advanced devices like TV sets and radios, becoming a handyman around the neighborhood. Smith’s friends were equally skeptical of his passion for electronics, telling him that “a black guy can’t do this sort of thing” and that they would “laugh you out of the room.” But for Smith, these words of discouragement only served as a challenge, with him set to prove them wrong.

Starting in the Electronics Industry

At the age of 18, Smith unexpectedly found himself becoming a father. With a family to provide for, he began working various electrical odd-ball jobs to make a living. He later moved to Coney Island in 1972, working for Marbelite, one of the country’s most prominent manufacturers of traffic signals. The job was Smith’s first real introduction into the digital electronics industry, which would only become larger through the ’70s and ’80s. While working at Marbelite, Smith attended school on microprocessor-based circuit design, a technology that would pave the way for the future of consumer electronics. He then learned to program the brand-new Fairchild F8 microprocessor, which was also used to make the Fairchild Channel F in 1976.

After working for Marbelite for a few years, Smith landed a job interview working for APF Electronics, located in downtown Manhattan. Unsurprisingly, Smith landed the job due to his high level of knowledge. According to Marty Lipper of APF Electronics, Smith’s race never factored into the hiring process. He recalled that “the man was an engineer, and he knew his business.” Hiring a black man in the mid-1970s in the tech industry was incredibly uncommon, but APF Electronics was known to be highly diverse, with a company made up of workers from various different racial backgrounds. Smith was more than qualified for the job, and as a result, became the second known black engineer (the first being Jerry Lawson) in the history of video games.

The Creation of the MP1000 and Its Impact

Working at APF, Ed Smith took the lead in designing the prototype for the company’s video game console, which drew inspiration from both the Apple I and TRS-80. Its design was inspired by the Motorola 6800 processor and was developed over six months. While featuring one built-in game entitled Rocket Patrol, the console was also capable of playing games that were sold separately via removable cartridges, an entirely new feature at the time. Launched commercially in mid-1978, the MP1000 sold well at first but garnered mixed reviews and was outpaced by the Atari 2600. 

After the fairly successful launch of the MP1000, APF used Smith’s same technology to develop The Imagination Machine, a personal computer system that featured an off-white finish, full-stroke keyboard, and a built-in cassette tape drive for data storage. The product sold itself as a revolutionary creative tool for music, art, language, education, and programming and was built using Smith’s same technology at its core. The system, too, became successful, leading to the company’s creation of The Dream Machine II. Unfortunately, the system’s second iteration proved to be far less financially successful and ultimately led to APF ceasing operations in 1981.

After APF

After the closure of APF, Ed Smith left the video game field, but his experience stuck with him for the rest of his career. “Had I the forethought to know the industry would become what it is today, I would have stayed the path,” Smith stated. After APF, Smith managed an Apple dealership in New York for four years. He then worked at a computer dealer in Albany and helped expand the computer chain entitled The Computer Factory to a location in Philadelphia.

Today, Smith continues working as a successful tech salesman but remembers his days working for APF quite fondly. Those involved with the gaming industry today should remember Ed Smith’s contribution to it and appreciate what a strong impact he truly made. 

Smith elaborated on his time as a gaming pioneer in an autobiography titled Imagine That!: The story of Ed Smith, one of the first African Americans to work in the design of video games and personal computers.

--

(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living.)

[brytay1982]

I'm really gonna enjoy talking about today's #coderofcolor #codersofcolor due to his involvement with video games. His name: Ed Smith. The skill: video game development. The story I'm about to share truly presents the term "overcoming adversity", because that was his balance without him knowing it. At the age of 14, Ed’s father told him to “Get your chauffeur’s license so you can learn how to drive a truck, because that’s all you’re ever going to do.” but Ed was undeterred by the low expectations his father and the people in the housing projects had set for him and saw it as a challenge so he worked hard at school and later landed a position at Brooklyn-based Marbelite, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of traffic signals. The job gave Smith his first taste of digital electronics technology and within two years, Smith was interviewing at APF, a company that imported and manufactured calculators, video game consoles, and other electronics. One of Ed’s very first projects was co-designing a hybrid video game console and personal computer — The MP1000, an early cartridge-based video game system, and its plug-in computer expansion module, the Imagination Machine. A little while later, Ed had a demeaning experience in the department store, Sears. Smith pointed out that he designed the video game system on the shelf. “I said to the sales guys, ‘I’m one of the guys…’ and he goes, ‘Yeah, right,’” Smith said. “Like, ‘Black guy telling me he designed this thing. Right.” Smith continued to look for as many ways as possible to bring more Black Americans into the computing field. “For the most part, blacks have tended to shy away from high-technology fields,” Smith said in a 1982 issue of Black Enterprise. “The computer field, which includes videogames, is the industry of the future. Those who stay out of it will be totally lost in the marketplace in years to come.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ1kslHLVyW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[zotips]

Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide

Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide

Price: (as of – Details) This reference work provides a comprehensive guide to popular and obscure video games of the 1970s and early 1980s, covering every official United States release for programmable home game consoles of the pre-Nintendo NES era. Included are the following systems: Adventure Vision, APF MP1000, Arcadia 2001, Astrocade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, ColecoVision,…

[entergamingxp]

Ed Smith, One of the First Black People to Work in Video Games Publishes Autobiography

June 3, 2020 11:52 AM EST

Ed Smith who co-designed a hybrid video game console and personal computer has published an autobiography about growing up in the slums of Brownsville, Brooklyn to his unexpected journey through computer technology.

Although black people have been and still remain underrepresented in the games industry, pioneering black engineers and game designers such as Ed Smith have played a hugely important role in the thriving video game industry. Many of our most inspired written accounts of video game history are very often white from stories about US video game pioneers, from engineers and designers to early adopters and arcade patrons which tend to be mostly about the white men who created, consumed, and periodically saved the industry. As we start up our consoles today, many people don’t think of Gerald “Jerry” Lawson who created the first cartridge-based video game system or Ed Smith who was a part of the engineering team that developed the MP1000 video game and The Imagination Machine personal computer.

At the age of 14, Ed’s father told him to “Get your chauffeur’s license so you can learn how to drive a truck, because that’s all you’re ever going to do.” but Ed was undeterred by the low expectations his father and the people in the housing projects had set for him and saw it as a challenge so he worked hard at school and later landed a position at Brooklyn-based Marbelite, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of traffic signals. The job gave Smith his first taste of digital electronics technology and within two years, Smith was interviewing at APF, a company that imported and manufactured calculators, video game consoles, and other electronics.

One of Ed’s very first projects was co-designing a hybrid video game console and personal computer — The MP1000, an early cartridge-based video game system, and its plug-in computer expansion module, the Imagination Machine. A little while later, Ed had a demeaning experience in the department store, Sears. Smith pointed out that he designed the video game system on the shelf. “I said to the sales guys, ‘I’m one of the guys…’ and he goes, ‘Yeah, right,’” Smith said. “Like, ‘Black guy telling me he designed this thing. Right.” Smith continued to look for as many ways as possible to bring more Black Americans into the computing field. “For the most part, blacks have tended to shy away from high-technology fields,” Smith said in a 1982 issue of Black Enterprise. “The computer field, which includes videogames, is the industry of the future. Those who stay out of it will be totally lost in the marketplace in years to come.”

You can read more about the incredible story of Ed Smith and the highs and lows of his career and life by checking out his autobiography ‘Imagine That!’ over on Amazon.

Over the past week, we’ve seen some truly devastating scenes unfold on American soil, and in support of #BlackLivesMatter, DualShockers will be donating to charities and movements. We support the battle against racism, against bigotry, and hate.

June 3, 2020 11:52 AM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/06/ed-smith-one-of-the-first-black-people-to-work-in-video-games-publishes-autobiography/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ed-smith-one-of-the-first-black-people-to-work-in-video-games-publishes-autobiography

[favoritevideogames71]

MG1010 (1978 Cartridge For APF MP-1000). A shooting games collection cartridge. Ufo, Sea Monsters, Break It Down, Rebuild and Shoot (with variations). #apf #mp1000 #cartridge #videocart #1978 #ufo #seamonsters #breakitdown #rebuild #shoot #console #consoles #consolegaming #consolegames #consolegamer #homeconsole #homeconsoles #retro #retrogames #retrogaming #videogame #videogames

[thegamesshed]

This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the critically acclaimed “Classic Home Video Games” series, written by longtime gamer and author Brett Weiss.

“I can’t believe it’s already been a decade,” Weiss said, reflecting on his magnum opus. “There were very few books on retro gaming at the time. Now you could fill four or five tall bookshelves.”

The original hardcover version of Classic Home Video Games: 1972-1984 was published in July of 2007, around the time such YouTubers as The Angry Video Game Nerd were getting popular, and shortly after the debut of the Wii Virtual Console, which brought old video games into modern gamers’ homes.

    A key publication in the retro gaming boom of the last decade, Classic Home Video Games: 1972-1984 was the first video game book published by McFarland (which now has an entire line of video game books), and it was the first book in the history of publishing to fully catalog and describe every U.S. release for such consoles as the Atari 5200, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Odyssey 2, and Vectrex.

The “Classic Home Video Games” series, which was awarded several official Twin Galaxies Trading Cards, also features the first books to catalog and describe every game for the NES, TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Atari 7800, Adventure Vision, APF MP1000, Astrocade, Fairchild Channel F, MicroVision, Odyssey, RCA Studio II, and Telstar Arcade.

What the experts have said about Classic Home Video Games 1972-1984:

“a labor of love…comprehensive…recommended” -Library Journal

“thoroughly researched” -Game Informer

“A must-read…both fun and informative, a highly recommended purchase.” -Video Game Collector

“Weiss’s deep familiarity with his chosen subject matter is an asset of the text, and as a writer he conveys information clearly and without pretension…Weiss’s reviews of obscure games make the book a treasure…impressive and fun book…valuable…the breadth of coverage here is astounding…a fun read and a nostalgic trip supreme…undeniably smart, historically valuable and wide-ranging in coverage.” -GameCulture Journal

  You can buy these awesome books from Amazon – https://goo.gl/Pk7WZs

10th Anniversary of the “Classic Home Video Games” book series This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the critically acclaimed "Classic Home Video Games" series, written by longtime gamer and author Brett Weiss.

[mariokartromdsss-blog]

Vintage Game Consoles and Games

Although it wasn't the primary programmable game console (that respect belongs to the Fairchild Channel F), the Atari 2600 was quickly the most popular method of the late '70s and earlier 'early, meaning it is currently the absolute most popular system by those looking to re-visit the Golden-Age (pre-Nintendo era) of video games. The 2600 (formerly called the Atari VCS) was introduced in March of 1977 and wasn't basically declared deceased by Atari until Jan of 1992, rendering it the longest lived video-game systemin the history of the industry. And, at over 30 mil methods distributed, it is furthermore one of the most commercially effective.

In comparison with modern day offerings, Atari 2600 games get very primitive visuals. Nonetheless, the specific gameplay of numerous of the system's headings have a eternal excellent that CAn't be rejected. A number of the more fulfilling produces contain: Space Invaders and Phoenix (photographers); Jr. Pac-Man and Jawbreaker (network activities); Kaboom! and Digdug (actions games); and Extremely Large and Warlords (ball-and-paddle games). Individuals trying to find more complex headings should look for games like Adventure (a spiritual forefather of The Story of Zelda), Trap! (a progenitor of Supermario Bros.), and Space Shuttle: A Quest into Room (a cutting-edge flight sim). A huge selection of activities were launched for that 2600, meaning participants of lashes should be able to find anything to their liking. In 1979, Mattel Technology launched the Intellivision, giving birth for the initially accurate console warfare. Publicized like a more innovative, stronger alternative to the ageing Atari 2600, the Intellivision had activities using remarkable graphic detail and much more realistic capabilities. The machineis common, ground-breaking sports brands (such as Majorleague Hockey and NFL Football) have not older as well as a number of the 2600is more action-focused initiatives, but armchair players will certainly discover the Intellivision to become the Goldenage system of preference when it comes to sports. Exciting low-sports games for the system include Splendor & the Monster (a Donkey Kong-like sport), BurgerTime (a terrific dock of the arcade vintage), Restaurant (the sequel to BurgerTime), Satan Episode (a game that Phoenix supporters will cherish), and Thin Ice (a cute accept the Qix formula).mario kart ds rom Nineteen-eighty two saw the discharge of two nextgen programs, the ColecoVision along with the Atari 5200, equally that blew aside previous units with regards to utter musicANDgraphic energy. Unveiled just a couple of weeks following the ColecoVision, the 5200 was furthermore a success when it comes to arcade quality, giving players exceptional locations of Defense, Moon Patrol, Pac-Man, Ms. Pacman, Robotron: 2084, and many others. Regrettably, both techniques were patients of The Fantastic Videogame Crash of 1984, which, to get a variety of motives, introduced the to a digital standstill (until 1985, when Nintendo produced the NES to vast acclaim). Along with the aforementioned fab four (Atari 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision, and Atari 5200), there were many different different systems launched during the late-'70s and earlier 'eighties, including the unknown APF MP1000, the interesting Arcadia 2001, the unappreciated Astrocade, the Odyssey2 (which experienced its keyboard), the Vectrex (which experienced its observe), and also the Microvision, which was the first programmable handheld process.

[retrogamingloft]

Sea Monster is one of the five games included in the "UFO/Sea Monster/Break It Down/Rebuild/Shoot" cartridge (MG1010) for the APF-MP1000, released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. It's a two-player-only game, emphasizing head-to-head competition.

Each player controls a stationary submarine positioned at the surface of the water, aiming to shoot and hit the sea monster at the bottom of the screen to score points. The game is structured as a timed challenge lasting three minutes, where the objective is to rack up the highest score before time runs out. However, precision is crucial—if a player inadvertently hits one of the fish swimming at a higher underwater level, their score resets to zero, making accuracy just as important as speed.

Due to the hardware limitations of the APF-MP1000, the game features basic graphics, with pixelated representations of the submarines, the sea monster, and the fish. The sound effects are minimal, consisting of simple beeps for movement and shooting. Despite its simplicity, Sea Monster introduces a risk-reward mechanic rarely seen in games of its era—players must carefully balance their attempts to score while avoiding accidental shots that could erase their progress.

As part of a multi-game cartridge, Sea Monster was designed to showcase competitive two-player action, making it one of the earliest examples of a score-based multiplayer challenge on home consoles. While relatively obscure today, it remains a piece of early home gaming history, reflecting the era’s emphasis on straightforward yet engaging competition.

[retrogamingloft]

Brickdown is a game developed and published by APF Electronics Inc. for the APF-MP1000 console, released in 1978. It is part of the Brickdown/Shooting Gallery cartridge (serial number MG1005), which contains two separate games.

In this game, players control a paddle at the bottom of the screen, which moves horizontally to bounce a ball upward. The objective is to destroy a formation of bricks at the top of the screen by hitting them with the ball. The gameplay is reminiscent of Breakout, a popular arcade game of the era. Success depends on precise timing and control to keep the ball in play, as letting it pass the paddle results in losing a life. The game gradually becomes more challenging as bricks are cleared and the ball moves faster.

Due to the hardware limitations of the APF-MP1000, Brickdown features simple graphics and basic sound effects typical of late 1970s home consoles. Despite its simplicity, the game is engaging and tests players' reflexes and hand-eye coordination.

Fun fact: once all the bricks have been cleared, for some reason the game kee`ps going, but all you can do is hit the wall, basically - and you get no points for that.

[retrogamingloft]

Dungeon Hunt was part of the multi-game cartridge titled "Pinball/Dungeon Hunt/Blockout," released for the APF-MP1000 console in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. The game focused on strategic treasure hunting, offering a unique type of gameplay for its time.

In the game, players explored a virtual dungeon represented as a grid of 70 numbered tiles. Up to four players could participate, taking turns selecting tiles to uncover hidden treasures. Each turn revealed whether the selected tile was empty or contained a part of a treasure. Treasures varied in size, ranging from one to four parts, and players needed to uncover all the pieces of a treasure to claim it. The strategic aspect came into play as participants decided whether to focus on partially revealed treasures or explore new areas of the grid.

The game's design was straightforward, prioritizing turn-based logic over action. While it lacked traditional dungeon elements like traps or enemies, it provided a competitive multiplayer experience and was well-suited for families or groups. Its minimalist nature and reliance on strategic thinking were notable, though the lack of immersive thematic elements remains a noticeable drawback.

Dungeon Hunt is remembered for its nostalgic charm, representing an era when developers were experimenting with new gameplay ideas within the technical constraints of early home consoles. Despite its simplicity, it holds a unique place in the history of video gaming.

[retrogamingloft]

Rocket Patrol is a built-in game for the APF-MP1000 console, released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. As a pre-installed game, it offered instant entertainment without the need for additional cartridges—a rare and convenient feature at the time.

In the game, players control a spaceship and compete to shoot down incoming targets, represented as enemy spacecrafts. You can play solo against the AI or challenge another human player, with the objective being simple: whoever hits the most targets wins.

While the graphics and mechanics may feel basic by today’s standards, Rocket Patrol still delivers a charming slice of nostalgia, showcasing the simplicity and creativity that defined the early era of home video gaming.

[retrogamingloft]

Shoot is a two-player-only light gun shooting game for the APF-MP1000, a first-generation home video game console released by APF Electronics Inc. in 1978. Like Shooting Match, it was one of the few games on the system to support the light gun peripheral.

The gameplay in Shoot is extremely simple, reflecting the hardware limitations of the APF-MP1000. Players take turns shooting at two moving targets represented by blocky squares, with the player scoring the most points declared the winner. Unlike Shooting Match, the squares in Shoot never disappear or get destroyed; instead, they change color and increase in speed when hit. After taking a certain number of hits, their speed resets to the original pace.

The game offers three different modes: Shoot a Little, Shoot, and Shoot a Lot—the latter being the variation played in this video. The only difference between these modes is the number of bullets available, with Shoot a Lot providing 100 shots per match.

[retrogamingloft]

Shooting Match is a light gun game developed for the APF-MP1000, a first-generation home video game console released by APF Electronics Inc. in 1978. The APF-MP1000 was part of the APF Imagination Machine, a hybrid gaming console and computer system that functioned both as a gaming platform and a home computer.

One of the few games on the system to support a light gun peripheral, Shooting Match offers a simple target-shooting experience. Due to the system's hardware limitations, it features blocky, basic graphics with a limited color palette. Specifically, players take turns shooting at a moving square, with the first to hit it five times declared the winner.

Given the game's short length, this video showcases all three variants: matches with 5, 10, and 20 bullets.

[retrogamingloft]

UFO is a two-player-only game for the APF-MP1000, an 8-bit home video game console released by APF Electronics in 1978. It is part of a multi-game cartridge labeled MG1010, which includes five different titles: UFO, Sea Monster, Break It Down, Rebuild, and Shoot. These games were designed to offer a variety of gameplay experiences within a single cartridge.

The APF-MP1000 featured non-detachable joystick controllers with a numeric keypad and a fire button. The system itself was later incorporated into the APF Imagination Machine, expanding its capabilities with a keyboard and a cassette drive, transforming it into a home computer.

The gameplay of UFO is as simple as it gets. Two spaceships compete against each other, trying to shoot down as many passing UFOs as possible. There is no visible countdown on the screen, but since the game suddenly stopped when neither player was scoring, it’s likely that a hidden time limit is in place rather than a max point requirement. Based on gameplay observations, matches seem to last around 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Not much more to say—very simple, very basic. The game is colorful, but compared to today’s standards, it feels like a child’s game.