In his deep-dive retrospective, Little Computer People: A Commodore 64 Special, BastichB 64K revisits one of the Commodore 64’s most delightfully odd and surprisingly visionary titles—Little Computer People. Released by Activision in 1985, this genre-bending gem was quietly laying the groundwork for virtual life sims long before The Sims or Tamagotchi captured the world’s attention.
The video traces the game’s roots to a quirky prototype called Pet Person, pitched to Activision by the eccentric and brilliant Rich Gold. At first glance, it was barely more than a digital fish tank: a tiny pixelated man going about his day, completely untouched by player input. But then David Crane—yes, the same guy behind Pitfall!—stepped in. He saw something more. With a few design pivots, he helped shape it into an interactive simulation that many now recognize as one of the earliest seeds of the simulation genre.
Interaction Over Action
What made Little Computer People groundbreaking wasn’t what you did, but how you did it. There were no joysticks, no traditional gameplay loops. Instead, players typed out commands to interact with their digital housemate and his ever-present dog. You could ask him to play cards, accept your gifts, or just sit back and watch as he played the piano, read a book, or jabbered on the phone in an unintelligible “wah-wah” straight out of Peanuts. To top it off, each floppy disk included its own uniquely generated character, giving each experience a personal touch.
Despite glowing reviews—Zzap! 64 handed it an almost-perfect 97%—the game never quite recouped its development costs. Activision had ambitions for expansions and sequels, but poor sales forced them to shelve those plans. Still, the game left a mark. The Sims creator Will Wright has openly cited Little Computer People as a major influence.
A Legacy That Lingers
This isn’t just another retro game review. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a title that was simply too far ahead of its time. BastichB brings the story to life with rich historical insight, quirky design details (like how saving the game involved a bathroom break), and plenty of personal flair. Whether you’re a die-hard retro gamer or just someone curious about where your favorite life sims came from, this video is an absolute must-watch.
