Zoë Blade's notebook

PICO-8

PICO-8 tech specs

  • Released: 2015
  • Display: 16×16 character / 128×128 pixel / 16 colour

The PICO-8 is essentially an emulator for a nonexistent but rather spiffy 8-bit home computer.

It's essentially what a 1980s home computer could have been, had the state of the art evolved while the desire to make a computer that boots up straight into a programming language persisted. It even includes a simple gamemaking IDE: besides the obligatory source code editor (Lua rather than BASIC), there's also a character editor, map editor, basic synthesiser, and tracker.

Here, the limitations comparable to a ZX Spectrum or C64 aren't borne out of necessity, but because they're easy for novice programmers to get to grips with and learn inside out... or perhaps for the sheer love of the machines of this era.

In short, it's an honorary 1980s home computer, that was created in the 2010s, and doesn't physically exist. It's also a great starting point to learn how to make computer and video games. Even seasoned indie gamemakers would benefit from rapidly prototyping their ideas in such a quick and straightforward environment.

Deep dives

Home computers: Amiga | Beige box | PICO-8 | ST | Soviet ZX Spectrum clones | ZX Spectrum | ZX Spectrum 128