Space Invaders 40th anniversary!

I've spent a bit more time with my Space Invaders cabinet, and I have to admit—I'm hooked.

I'm still a terrible player, but that's almost beside the point. The more time I spend with the machine, the more I find myself appreciating it as a piece of computing history rather than just an arcade game.

It's easy to look at games like Space Invaders as simple by today's standards, but in 1978 they represented something much bigger. Working within incredibly limited hardware, developers created an experience that captivated an entire generation and helped drive the rapid evolution of arcade hardware and microprocessors. Looking back, machines like this were part of the foundation that eventually led to the computers and technology we use every day.

To commemorate the original game's 40th anniversary, a limited-edition .999 fine silver coin was released this year. I couldn't resist adding one to the collection alongside the cabinet. It's a small piece of memorabilia, but it feels like a fitting tribute to a game that played such an important role in the history of video games—and computing as a whole.