Name/Title
1978- BASIC COMPUTER GAMES MICROCOMPUTER EDITION 1st Ed 1st Print DAVID AHI (8/2025)Description
See 1973 101 Basic Computer Games...
In 1974, Ahl left DEC to join AT&T as an education marketing director and founded Creative Computing magazine, a platform that further promoted programming and computer culture. With the rise of microcomputers, such as the Apple II, Commodore PET, and TRS-80 (the “1977 Trinity”), and the introduction of Microsoft BASIC, Ahl acquired the rights to 101 BASIC Computer Games and republished it in 1978 as BASIC Computer Games through Creative Computing. This microcomputer edition adapted the programs to Microsoft BASIC, removed some DEC-specific games, and added new ones to suit the growing home computer market. The updated edition featured whimsical illustrations by George Beker, enhancing its appeal.
The 1978 edition was a landmark success, becoming the first computer book to sell over one million copies by 1979. Its popularity was driven by the expanding microcomputer user base and the book’s role in making programming accessible to hobbyists and aspiring programmers. The type-in format, though tedious (requiring users to manually enter code), was a practical solution in an era before widespread detachable storage media, fostering a hands-on learning experience.Acquisition
Acquisition Method
EBayDate
Aug 2025