Interview with Ken Graham - Williams Programmer and Game Preserve Co-Founder
32Interview with Ken Graham - Williams Programmer and Game Preserve Co-Founder
On December 13th 2021, A.T. Gonzalez had the opportunity to talk with Ken Graham for 90 minutes. A wizard with both hardware and software, Graham worked at Williams Electronics in the early 1980's doing diagnostics programs and sprite animation routines. He also was a playtester and debugger for the Joust pinball table, Bubbles, Sinistar, and a few others. He also had a few very useful lectures at several Houston Arcade Expos (organized by HAAG) about Williams hardware maintenance and repairs. Ken posted online as "Yellowdog" or "Yellowdog1056" in communities like Pinside and Killer List of Video Games/ Video Arcade Preservation Society (KLOV/VAPS).
In this video, he discusses his work at Williams (including test and diagnostic programs, sprite animation, and his involvement in some overlooked games like Star Rider and Mystic Marathon) video game preservation, and what lead to him, Joe Reyna and Rusty Key founding a series of Houston Metro Area arcades: The Game Preserve.
UPDATE: Ken Graham passed away on New Year's Eve 2021 after spending most of the year battling cancer. A.T. had a strong correspondence with him that December. All of us here at Software Agents and in the Houston Arcade Community are saddened by his loss. His knowledge, patience and kindness were rare. He kept a brave face until the very end. Keep the spirit of his contributions to the games industry and arcade preservation alive. Play his games, and please also take care of them.
Video by A.T. Gonzalez
Interviewee Ken Graham
Thumbnail by Sam Gonzalez
Camera and Game Footage by A.T. Gonzalez, Sam Gonzalez, Saturn PM, Clover Boy, Crazy Pandah and Rosinka V.
Other Footage/Editing help/Research
Common RAM Error, Tom Plough, Kyle L
Additional Editing/Time Codes
The Secret
Image Edits
Rebecca M. Rosenhaus
Special Thanks to Rusty Key and Ken's family for making this possible
Patrons
Michelle B
Nick B
Ryan E
Produced by
Chaz Montenegro
Sam Gonzalez
A.T. Gonzalez
2021 Software Agents TV
Software Agents HQ
SOFTWAREAGENTSTV
SOFTWAREAGENTSHQ
https://nantucketebooks.com/ebooks/atgonzalez/Interview_With_Ken_Graham.html
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Please refer to this webpage for a few follow-up questions.
TIMESTAMPS
1:09 - Interview with Ken Graham
1:56 - Williams EM pinball and their early video games (Paddle-Ball, Defender, Joust, etc..)
3:40 - Ken's first responsibilities at Williams
6:57 - The development of Mystic Marathon
11:12 - The limited distribution of Mystic Marathon
14:36 - A lukewarm AMOA reception lead to massive layoffs at Williams (Sinistar)
17:46 - Working at United Airlines
21:04 - Did you know about Williams' reputation for pinball and video games?
21:46 - High score Easter Eggs and talent poaching
22:55 - What about Kristina Donofrio? (Mystic Marathon, Joust 2)
24:36 - Owning your own arcade/The Game Preserve
34:24 - Game Preserve NASA
36:10 - What of the more obscure Williams games? (Splat, Star Rider, Inferno, Turkey Shoot, etc)
41:47 - Hardware capabilities of Williams 6809 rev. 2
45:42 - Mystic Marathon is an elusive game!
47:28 - Arcade Community Appreciation
52:05 - The Williams Legacy
54:05 - Preserving games with emulation
55:34 - Mystic Marathon game tips!
59:51 - Bye
1:00:55 - Credits
1:01:10 - Socials/Help Software Agents
1:01:12 - Related videos...
#WilliamsElectronics #GamePreserve #MysticMarathon
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