PDP 10 Timesharing Basketball

About

PDP 10 Timesharing Basketball is a single-player sports title from 1967 that predates most modern video games. Played entirely in text on a PDP-10 computer, it simulates a basketball matchup between you and the AI. Each turn lets you choose plays for offense or defense, with basic actions like passing or shooting shaping the game. The interface reads like a simplified game log, tracking possessions and score shifts in real time. It sacrifices visuals for strategic simplicity, focusing on decision making over realism. Developed by Digital Equipment Corporation, this title exists as a relic of early computing. While basic by today’s standards, it shows how early programmers turned limited technology into interactive fun. Community archives note it as one of the first examples of sports gaming, offering a curiosity for retro enthusiasts. Released over 50 years ago, it’s a historical oddity rather than a polished experience. Players pick plays from a short menu, with outcomes determined by the computer’s logic. Best enjoyed with knowledge of its era, not its gameplay depth.