• Gregory Phipps^*
  University of Iceland

Abstract

TIS-100 is a minimalist game centered on assembly programming, evoking the cultural atmosphere of 1970s computing. Lacking visual spectacle, it instead explores deep questions about the individual’s relationship to computers. Through its narrative and retro interface, the game revisits a time when programmers sought creative autonomy on institution-owned machines. The story follows a user decoding a mysterious computer system, leading to a philosophical reflection on human–machine interaction. TIS-100 highlights how even the most basic computational tasks can become a space for creativity and community, suggesting that the essence of computing lies in enabling self-expression and collective connection.

https://doi.org/10.64560/16210461

Keywords