How the Retro Scene Has Changed 2009-2024

Summary

In this retrospective, the LGR channel celebrates its 15-year milestone on YouTube, reflecting on the evolution of retro gaming and vintage computing. The creator expresses gratitude to the community, acknowledging the growth from a niche hobby to a widespread movement. He discusses the challenges and triumphs, including the increased cost of collecting and the explosion of interest and innovation in the field. The summary also touches on the creator's personal journey, from a fun project to a full-time career, and his optimism for the future of retro computing.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The LGR YouTube channel has been celebrating 15 years of content creation, starting as a personal project that turned into a full-time career.
• 🚀 The channel began during the early days of the modern retro gaming and vintage computing enthusiasm wave, allowing LGR to be part of the ground level of this online community.
• 🌟 The community around retro computing and gaming has grown tremendously, with increased interest from a diverse audience, including younger generations.
• 📈 The value and cost of original hardware and software have increased significantly over the past 15 years, affecting both new collectors and long-time enthusiasts.
• 🛠️ There has been a surge in hobbyist tech and enthusiast-made add-ons for retro systems, reflecting a growing and innovative community.
• 🌐 The internet, especially platforms like YouTube, social media, and forums, has played a crucial role in the expansion and diversification of the retro computing and gaming community.
• 📊 The rise of emulation software, homebrew projects, and复原 hardware has made retro gaming more accessible, despite the increasing cost of original hardware.
• 📚 The Internet Archive and other online resources have become essential for preserving software, documentation, and making them publicly available.
• 📈 The popularity of retro aesthetics and culture has influenced broader trends in pop culture, including music, movies, and TV shows, contributing to the nostalgia for older technology.
• 💾 The evolution of technology, such as 3D printing and Linux, has made it easier for hobbyists to create and customize their retro computing experiences.

Q & A

How long has the LGR show been running on YouTube?

The LGR show has been running on YouTube for 15 years as of 2024.

What was the original intention behind starting the LGR channel?

The LGR channel was initially started as a personal challenge and for fun, with the creator committing to make one video a week for a year to see how it goes.

What was the state of retro gaming and vintage computing when LGR started?

When LGR started, there was no one really known to be doing what the creator wanted to do, covering old computers, discussing MS-DOS, PCs, and shareware games, making the creator feel quite alone in the niche.

How has the retro computing and gaming community evolved over the past 15 years according to the script?

The retro computing and gaming community has grown from scattered user groups and forums to a widespread and diverse scene with conventions, social media, and a global interest in vintage computing and gaming.

What are some of the challenges faced by the retro computing and gaming hobby due to its growing popularity?

The growing popularity has led to increased scarcity and expense of original hardware, with the cost of hardware and software skyrocketing, making it more difficult for enthusiasts to acquire new items for their collections.

How has the availability of retro computing and gaming add-ons and hardware evolved since 2009?

The availability of add-ons and hardware has evolved significantly, with professional-looking, hobbyist-made add-ons and devices now readily available, fulfilling almost every need through open-source projects and modern recreations of classic machines.

What role has the Internet Archive played in the retro computing and gaming community?

The Internet Archive has become a central place for the dumping of publicly available software and documentation for preservation, contributing to the growth of the retro computing and gaming community.

How has the creator of LGR felt about the changes in thrifting for retro items over the years?

The creator of LGR misses the old days of thrifting, as the scene has changed drastically from what it was even five years ago, making it unrecognizable and more difficult to find good deals on retro items.

What impact has the rise of emulation software and hardware like Raspberry Pi had on the retro gaming community?

The rise of emulation software and hardware like Raspberry Pi has made it easier for enthusiasts to play retro games and use old systems in new ways, contributing to the overall growth and accessibility of the retro gaming community.

How has the creator's perspective on his own content and the community evolved over the 15 years of LGR?

The creator has evolved from being a more cynical and critical person in his 20s to someone who is constantly improving and feels that he has not yet done his best work, with a growing passion for the retro community.

What are some of the pop culture trends that have influenced or been influenced by the retro computing and gaming community?

Pop culture trends like Vaporwave, the resurgence of vinyl records and cassette tapes, movies like Drive and Ready Player One, and TV shows like Stranger Things have all influenced or been influenced by the retro computing and gaming community.