Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
@tierpargon.bsky.social
Museum professional and video game historian specializing in moral panics and game controversies. Host of Scandalous Games, a podcast about video game related controversies: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1780299.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
29 long years have passed since I founded the emulation archive, Zophar's Domain, on 11.9.96. To this very day, the site still stands as a testament to an era that never actually disappeared but continues to live in the hearts of retrogamers all over the word. Emulation Forever!
November 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM
29 long years have passed since I founded the emulation archive, Zophar's Domain, on 11.9.96. To this very day, the site still stands as a testament to an era that never actually disappeared but continues to live in the hearts of retrogamers all over the word. Emulation Forever!
New episode of Scandalous Games is live! We continue our look at anti-TTRPG moral crusader Pat Pulling and Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons with the help of Matt Shoemaker, recently-published author of an extensive history of GenCon.
Pat Pulling and Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons, Part 3: Klaatu, barada, nightly news
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
New episode of Scandalous Games is live! We continue our look at anti-TTRPG moral crusader Pat Pulling and Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons with the help of Matt Shoemaker, recently-published author of an extensive history of GenCon.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
It’s exciting when someone publishes long-form on a subject you’ve been researching for years.
Here’s a thread commenting on this article in more detail.
If you do the retro computer, read the article & then come back here.
Apologies and respect in advance to @ernie.tedium.co
🧵👇
Here’s a thread commenting on this article in more detail.
If you do the retro computer, read the article & then come back here.
Apologies and respect in advance to @ernie.tedium.co
🧵👇
RF Shielding History: When The FCC Cracked Down On Computers
The FCC took a hard line on the radio frequency interference that computers created—creating huge headaches for early PC-makers. Why? Blame the CB radio fad.
tedium.co
October 25, 2025 at 6:44 AM
It’s exciting when someone publishes long-form on a subject you’ve been researching for years.
Here’s a thread commenting on this article in more detail.
If you do the retro computer, read the article & then come back here.
Apologies and respect in advance to @ernie.tedium.co
🧵👇
Here’s a thread commenting on this article in more detail.
If you do the retro computer, read the article & then come back here.
Apologies and respect in advance to @ernie.tedium.co
🧵👇
New episode of Scandalous Games. We hang out with Matt Shoemaker, author of Gathering of Gamers, a new history of GenCon, and we talk about the origins of Patricia Pulling's crusade against Dungeons & Dragons.
Pat Pulling and Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons, Part 2: Pat Pulling begins
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
New episode of Scandalous Games. We hang out with Matt Shoemaker, author of Gathering of Gamers, a new history of GenCon, and we talk about the origins of Patricia Pulling's crusade against Dungeons & Dragons.
New episode of Scandalous Games is live! This time, we talk about the panic over tabletop RPGs with Matt Shoemaker, recent author of a history of GenCon.
Pat Pulling and Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons, Part 1: William Dear's dungeon quest
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
youtu.be
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
New episode of Scandalous Games is live! This time, we talk about the panic over tabletop RPGs with Matt Shoemaker, recent author of a history of GenCon.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
Three decades after Mortal Kombat kicked down the movie theater doors in August 1995, Polygon checked in with director Paul W.S. Anderson.
Mortal Kombat’s director reflects on the gig of a lifetime: ‘You just couldn't rip any spines out’:
Three decades after Mortal Kombat kicked down the movie theater doors in August 1995, Polygon checked in with director Paul W.S. Anderson.
www.polygon.com
August 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Three decades after Mortal Kombat kicked down the movie theater doors in August 1995, Polygon checked in with director Paul W.S. Anderson.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
Read our advice for staying safe in demonstrations in the U.S. and elsewhere. ssd.eff.org/en/module/a...
Attending a Protest
For quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download).
Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountable and inspire others through the act of protest.
Protecting your electronic devices and digital assets before, during,...
ssd.eff.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Read our advice for staying safe in demonstrations in the U.S. and elsewhere. ssd.eff.org/en/module/a...
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
We've acquired the historic game magazine Computer Entertainer.
As in, we got the rights. We own the magazine. And we're putting it into the Creative Commons for anyone to use for free.
Learn more: gamehistory.org/computerente...
As in, we got the rights. We own the magazine. And we're putting it into the Creative Commons for anyone to use for free.
Learn more: gamehistory.org/computerente...
August 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We've acquired the historic game magazine Computer Entertainer.
As in, we got the rights. We own the magazine. And we're putting it into the Creative Commons for anyone to use for free.
Learn more: gamehistory.org/computerente...
As in, we got the rights. We own the magazine. And we're putting it into the Creative Commons for anyone to use for free.
Learn more: gamehistory.org/computerente...
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.
July 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
Brütal Legend is free on itchio for the next 666 minutes in honor of Ozzy Osbourne buff.ly/Rj8d5tl
July 23, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Brütal Legend is free on itchio for the next 666 minutes in honor of Ozzy Osbourne buff.ly/Rj8d5tl
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
Worms is part of a genre of “artillery” computer games that we thought went back to the 70s, until we discovered it actually went back to the 60s. In this thread, Kevin Bunch reveals he’s unearthed long forgotten footage of the lost game that started it all.
July 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Worms is part of a genre of “artillery” computer games that we thought went back to the 70s, until we discovered it actually went back to the 60s. In this thread, Kevin Bunch reveals he’s unearthed long forgotten footage of the lost game that started it all.
New Scandalous Games episode! We wrap up our look at John DeCamp, the conspiracy-pilled lawyer and disgraced Nebraska politician who filed a $5 billion lawsuit against the video game industry over the 1999 Columbine shooting.
John DeCamp, Part 2: A journey from Oklahoma City to Columbine to Qanon
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
New Scandalous Games episode! We wrap up our look at John DeCamp, the conspiracy-pilled lawyer and disgraced Nebraska politician who filed a $5 billion lawsuit against the video game industry over the 1999 Columbine shooting.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
In response to the Polygon and Giant Bomb news, I created an indie and worker-owned games media starter pack.
I’ll keep adding to it, so suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Please share!
I’ll keep adding to it, so suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Please share!
May 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
In response to the Polygon and Giant Bomb news, I created an indie and worker-owned games media starter pack.
I’ll keep adding to it, so suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Please share!
I’ll keep adding to it, so suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Please share!
If 2025 could let up a little bit, that'd be great
Polygon Sold To Valnet And Hit With Mass Layoffs
One of the biggest gaming sites around was just blown up
kotaku.com
May 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If 2025 could let up a little bit, that'd be great
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
So great to see @paulwerkema.bsky.social craft this helpful "Beginner's Guide to Books About Video Games" 📚🎮
After cataloguing over 10,000 books at TheVideoGameLibrary.org, I know just how deep - and overwhelming - this rabbit hole can be.
Thanks, Paul - this is a perfect starter resource! 👇
After cataloguing over 10,000 books at TheVideoGameLibrary.org, I know just how deep - and overwhelming - this rabbit hole can be.
Thanks, Paul - this is a perfect starter resource! 👇
Beginners Guide to Books about Video Games - Talking Pixels
Thousands of books about video games have been published in the last forty years. It’s not just history books. Social Commentary, Psychology, novelizations, strategy guides, and autobiographies have f...
paulwerkema.com
April 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
So great to see @paulwerkema.bsky.social craft this helpful "Beginner's Guide to Books About Video Games" 📚🎮
After cataloguing over 10,000 books at TheVideoGameLibrary.org, I know just how deep - and overwhelming - this rabbit hole can be.
Thanks, Paul - this is a perfect starter resource! 👇
After cataloguing over 10,000 books at TheVideoGameLibrary.org, I know just how deep - and overwhelming - this rabbit hole can be.
Thanks, Paul - this is a perfect starter resource! 👇
John DeCamp was a former Nebraska politician who veered wildly into QAnon style Satanic panic conspiracy theories. He was also sued the games industry after the 1999 Columbine shooting. In the latest episode of Scandalous Games, we started a deep dive into the life and times of this colorful figure
John DeCamp, Part 1: The conspiracy-pilled lawyer who sued the games industry over Columbine
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
www.youtube.com
April 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
John DeCamp was a former Nebraska politician who veered wildly into QAnon style Satanic panic conspiracy theories. He was also sued the games industry after the 1999 Columbine shooting. In the latest episode of Scandalous Games, we started a deep dive into the life and times of this colorful figure
And nothing of value was lost
4chan, the internet's most infamous forum, is down following an alleged hack
4chan is inaccessible following an apparent hack.
www.engadget.com
April 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
And nothing of value was lost
I occasionally pop back up on this feed to let the void know that I have a podcast on video game related controversies. However, in the spirit of the day, this time around I'm trying something different: a dramatic reading of Jack Thompson's infamous 2005 "A Modest Video Game Proposal."
Jack Thompson's A Modest Video Game Proposal (Scandalous Games Theater)
YouTube video by Scandalous Games Podcast
www.youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I occasionally pop back up on this feed to let the void know that I have a podcast on video game related controversies. However, in the spirit of the day, this time around I'm trying something different: a dramatic reading of Jack Thompson's infamous 2005 "A Modest Video Game Proposal."
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
You can always trust Kim to put in the work in telling the most thorough version of a story / debunking historical revisionism. Plus, I was flattered to hear her say such nice things about our own goofy old article on the subject matter at hand. Please to give this one a watch!
NEW VIDEO!...and yes, it's E.T. The Extra Terrestrial for the Atari 2600. It's a game that's been covered a lot, but coverage of it and the crash in North America isn't always good. When it's easier than ever to make slop, it's worth doing it right. Enjoy and please share :) youtu.be/nEdAIXp2dqg
The Truth About E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
YouTube video by Kim Justice
youtu.be
March 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
You can always trust Kim to put in the work in telling the most thorough version of a story / debunking historical revisionism. Plus, I was flattered to hear her say such nice things about our own goofy old article on the subject matter at hand. Please to give this one a watch!
Wind was rough in Jersey over the last day or so. Make sure your trampolines are secure.
February 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Wind was rough in Jersey over the last day or so. Make sure your trampolines are secure.
On the road to victory!
February 10, 2025 at 3:33 AM
On the road to victory!
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
Another great collection in our digital library: We collected zines and ephemera from Game Workers Unite, one of the first big labor advocacy groups for the game industry! (w/ contributions from @alienmelon.bsky.social) archive.gamehistory.org/folder/3f019...
February 4, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Another great collection in our digital library: We collected zines and ephemera from Game Workers Unite, one of the first big labor advocacy groups for the game industry! (w/ contributions from @alienmelon.bsky.social) archive.gamehistory.org/folder/3f019...
Peter Kolchin was a diligent scholar and a dedicated teacher. While I was at Delaware, he served on my PhD candidacy committee, and I'll never forget his advice to think of every step in the journey as another hoop to jump through.
My condolences go out to his family and every student he reached.
My condolences go out to his family and every student he reached.
Obituaries in Wilmington, DE | The News Journal
Peter Kolchin, a distinguished historian of American slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, and comparative slavery and a University of Delaware...
www.delawareonline.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Peter Kolchin was a diligent scholar and a dedicated teacher. While I was at Delaware, he served on my PhD candidacy committee, and I'll never forget his advice to think of every step in the journey as another hoop to jump through.
My condolences go out to his family and every student he reached.
My condolences go out to his family and every student he reached.
Reposted by Kevin Impellizeri, PhD
The Video Game History Foundation's online library, a modern wonder of the world, is now open:
aftermath.site/video-game-his...
aftermath.site/video-game-his...
January 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The Video Game History Foundation's online library, a modern wonder of the world, is now open:
aftermath.site/video-game-his...
aftermath.site/video-game-his...
Self care is important in troubled times. I finally booted up Psychonauts 2 and so far it’s everything I loved about the original (for better or worse).
January 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Self care is important in troubled times. I finally booted up Psychonauts 2 and so far it’s everything I loved about the original (for better or worse).