Jim Beck 's Games - Ninja + Map - additional info about him?

[ti99iuc]

Hello,
I have published on ti99iuc a lot of Jim Beck's Games developed in the eighties discovering a real talent for the time!

Lot of the games has been also compiled from @tmop69 recently.

Could someone tell me some details on him please? I had no luck to find informations on google/internet/CADD.

I just found that at the time he was a younger guy (about 18 years old) but I haven't the right range of the years when he created all these games. 
David Lovering wrote that he met him in person and was really fast in developing in C99 or BASIC/XB and he used FREEWARE method hoping to collect some money to purchase some hardware for his TI-99/4A because he only had a stock system.

Who knows some additional information about him? I would like to read and know more,  please.

 

In the meantime I also played the game:  Ninja
I had fun time to play with it and discovered a so large game! 80 locations and fully action in a nice graphic.

I finished it and also created a complete MAP of all the dungeon!

 

 

If you are interested you can find the hi-res of the MAP in the .zip that I have assembled for the game:
- NINJA .ZIP DOWNLOAD

 

Edited March 30, 2022 by ti99iuc

[pixelpedant]

Seems he got his start with Dungeons of Krung when he was only 12.  This is from November 1984 (Edmonton newsletter):

 

 

His work in BASIC is certainly inspired. 

 

[ti99iuc]

Thanks @pixelpedant, so, theoretically, if he was 12 years old in 1984... presumably he was born in 1972.... 
today he should be 50 years old! 
he might still be around somewhere... who knows?

 

I always love being able to track down people today who had lived so actively during those years and learn about their history.  (whenever possible  )

Edited March 31, 2022 by ti99iuc

[+adamantyr]

Well done mapping the entire thing! I never got even close to the end.

[Jim Beck]

"Obi Wan Kenobi... Now that's a name I haven't heard an a long, long time..."

 

Jim Beck was born in 1970, not 1972.  Math must be a bit off somehow...

 

He's not dead yet... He's me.   I turn 55 in April...  How did I get so OLD?!?!

 

Somehow this post popped up on a google search for something totally different though, so I thought I'd answer.   What a blast from the past!  Pretty cool how some games from so long ago have been preserved.

 

Jim Beck.

jimbeck6045@hotmail.com

[+DuaneAL]

Welcome to the forum! Like ti99iuc says, we love to hear the stories from the people from back in the day, if you don't mind sharing.  Thanks! 

[Crazy Climber]

On 11/19/2024 at 4:45 PM, Jim Beck said:

"Obi Wan Kenobi... Now that's a name I haven't heard an a long, long time..."

 

Ha!

[ti99iuc]

On 11/19/2024 at 11:45 PM, Jim Beck said:

[...]

Somehow this post popped up on a google search for something totally different though, so I thought I'd answer.   What a blast from the past!  Pretty cool how some games from so long ago have been preserved. Jim Beck.

Hello Jim!
It is so cool to have you in the community!

I loved your games and you can find a lot of them preserved on TI99iuc's website (hope you will be glad to see ):
https://www.ti99iuc.it/web/index.php?pageid=database_cerca&page=1&ipp=10&db_categoria=*&db_tipologia=*&db_costruttore=jim beck&db_linguaggio=*&db_lingua=*&db_anno=*&db_sviluppatore=*&db_editore=*&db_sistema=*&db_formato=*&db_submit=Esegui ricerca...

I also saw your Wumpus BASIC game presented at the Chicago event, but I don't understand if it is downloadable somewhere. If you want, I would love to add it (and any other missing items) to the TI99iuc's DB.

I will send you an email too. Thank you again!

Edited November 21 by ti99iuc