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David H. Ahl's compilation, ''101 Basic Computer Games'', was first published in 1973 by the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Though not the first book of computer games, it was the first to collect only games in BASIC. It contains a listing of games, a sample run of each game, and usually a short description of each game. It also acknowledges each game's author(s) and describes sources if the game had been transformed from a previously known game. The program's "computer limitations" are also decsribed so users understand the hardward requirements. Finally, illustrations, courtesy of ''Mad Magazine'' among others, punctuate the presentation, usually between this modicum of contextual information and the program's listing. The game's titles are abbreviated into names that are no longer than six characters long -- e.g. ACEYDU for "Acey Ddeucy CArd Game"; AMAZIN for "Draw a Maze"; or POET for "Random Poetry (Haiku)." The book's table of contents comprises three columns: a list of game nametags in alphabetical order, a column bearing a single-line description of the game, and a page number where the game's actual title accompanies the game's nametag along the top of the page. The book’s preface makes a point of teasing out the educational value of games, the need for “unguided learning,” especially if one considers the value of creating games, not just playing them. The games in this book were submitted for compilation by many authors.

−

As we learn in the Preface of the first printing (Jan 1978) of the book by the Creative Computing Press, David H. Ahl left DEC in 1974, but DEC continued to publish this version, but without his name on it. The first printing of ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' in January 1978 reflects the fact that, at the time of the DEC publication of ''101 Computer Games'', microcomputers hadn't been manufactured yet and, programmers using the BASIC language were still running code on time-sharing machines or on minicomputers.

−

The preface of''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' is newly conceived and re-written. With this edition, the goal appears to be to spell out the value of games within broader contexts. The preface begins with a dictionary definition of the word “game” (though without naming the dictionary). It then provides a cursory history of sports and games moving from the ancient Chinese and Egyptians to the 1970s in little more than a paragraph and a half, only to emphasize that games offer recreational, breaks “from the “realities of life,” and also have other “important redeeming virtues.” The next two sections of the preface emphasize games as an educational tool and computer games in particular.

+

The preface of this January 1978 edition of ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' is newly conceived and re-written. With this edition, the goal appears to be to spell out the value of games within broader contexts. The preface begins with a dictionary definition of the word “game” (though without naming the dictionary). It then provides a cursory history of sports and games moving from the ancient Chinese and Egyptians to the 1970s in little more than a paragraph and a half, only to emphasize that games offer recreational, breaks “from the “realities of life,” and also have other “important redeeming virtues.” The next two sections of the preface emphasize games as an educational tool and computer games in particular. The Preface also tells explains to users that the programs in this book all run on MITS Altair 8K BASIC, Rev. 4.0. Some new programs replace those that were deleted because they “could not be converted or weren’t worth converting to MITS BASIC.“ (p. ix)

−

The Preface also tells us that the programs in this book all run on MITS Altair 8K BASIC, Rev. 4.0. Some new programs replace those that were deleted because they “could not be converted or weren’t worth converting to MITS BASIC.“ (p. ix)

+

This first non-DEC printing drops the game's nametag and uses the game's name in the table of contents, which is no longer organized alphabetically, but by game category (e.g. Introductory Fun; Educational; Plotting and Pictures; Number and Letter Guessing; Remove an Object; Matrix Manipulation; Logic; Space; Sports Simulation; Gambling Casino; Card and Board; Combat; etc.), helping aficionados of certain types of games get easier access to them.

−

This first non-DEC printing drops the game's nametag and uses the game's name in the table of contents, which is no longer organized alphabettically, but by game category (e.g. Introductory Fun; Educational; Plotting and Pictures; Number and Letter Guessing; Remove an Object; Matrix Manipulation; Logic; Space; Sports Simulation; Gambling Casino; Card and Board; Combat; )

+

No doubt aware of the momentum building in this evolving community, Ahl encourages his reading programmers to submit games for publication in books and future issues of his magazine, ''Creative Computing''. To those who wish to submit game programs, Ahl writes, “Please send the following: program listing, one or two sample runs, descriptive notes, paper tape and self-addressed stamp envelope. The listing and run should be on white, unlined paper and should be done in fresh black ribbon. The paper tape should be wrapped in kitchen plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent oil seepage from damaging other enclosures. The descriptive notes should be double-spaced.”

−

Significantly, in this evolving community, the author encourages the submission of games for publication in books and future issues of his magazine, Creative Computing. Ahl writes:

−

“Please send the following: program listing, one or two sample runs, descriptive notes, paper tape and self-addressed stamp envelope. The listing and run should be on white, unlined paper and should be done in fresh black ribbon. The paper tape should be wrapped in kitchen plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent oil seepage from damaging other enclosures. The descriptive notes should be double-spaced.”

Still in 1978 ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition. 101 Great Games to Play on Your Home Computer. By yourself or with others. Each complete with programming and sample run. Edited by David H. Ahl. is published in NY by Workman Publishing. The lengthy title arguably reflects the publisher's imperative to reach always for broader audiences.

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 David H. Ahl's compilation, ''101 Basic Computer Games'', was first published in 1973 by the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Though not the first book of computer games, it was the first to collect only games in BASIC. It contains a listing of games, a sample run of each game, and usually a short description of each game. It also acknowledges each game's author(s) and describes sources if the game had been transformed from a previously known game. The program's "computer limitations" are also decsribed so users understand the hardward requirements. Finally, illustrations, courtesy of ''Mad Magazine'' among others, punctuate the presentation, usually between this modicum of contextual information and the program's listing. The game's titles are abbreviated into names that are no longer than six characters long -- e.g. ACEYDU for "Acey Ddeucy CArd Game"; AMAZIN for "Draw a Maze"; or POET for "Random Poetry (Haiku)." The book's table of contents comprises three columns: a list of game nametags in alphabetical order, a column bearing a single-line description of the game, and a page number where the game's actual title accompanies the game's nametag along the top of the page. The book’s preface makes a point of teasing out the educational value of games, the need for “unguided learning,” especially if one considers the value of creating games, not just playing them. The games in this book were submitted for compilation by many authors.
 As we learn in the Preface of the first printing (Jan 1978) of the book by the Creative Computing Press, David H. Ahl left DEC in 1974, but DEC continued to publish this version, but without his name on it. The first printing of ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' in January 1978 reflects the fact that, at the time of the DEC publication of ''101 Computer Games'', microcomputers hadn't been manufactured yet and, programmers using the BASIC language were still running code on time-sharing machines or on minicomputers.
-The preface of''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' is newly conceived and re-written. With this edition, the goal appears to be to spell out the value of games within broader contexts. The preface begins with a dictionary definition of the word “game” (though without naming the dictionary). It then provides a cursory history of sports and games moving from the ancient Chinese and Egyptians to the 1970s in little more than a paragraph and a half, only to emphasize that games offer recreational, breaks “from the “realities of life,” and also have other “important redeeming virtues.” The next two sections of the preface emphasize games as an educational tool and computer games in particular.
+The preface of this January 1978 edition of ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition'' is newly conceived and re-written. With this edition, the goal appears to be to spell out the value of games within broader contexts. The preface begins with a dictionary definition of the word “game” (though without naming the dictionary). It then provides a cursory history of sports and games moving from the ancient Chinese and Egyptians to the 1970s in little more than a paragraph and a half, only to emphasize that games offer recreational, breaks “from the “realities of life,” and also have other “important redeeming virtues.” The next two sections of the preface emphasize games as an educational tool and computer games in particular. The Preface also tells explains to users that the programs in this book all run on MITS Altair 8K BASIC, Rev. 4.0. Some new programs replace those that were deleted because they “could not be converted or weren’t worth converting to MITS BASIC.“ (p. ix)
-The Preface also tells us that the programs in this book all run on MITS Altair 8K BASIC, Rev. 4.0. Some new programs replace those that were deleted because they “could not be converted or weren’t worth converting to MITS BASIC.“ (p. ix)
+This first non-DEC printing drops the game's nametag and uses the game's name in the table of contents, which is no longer organized alphabetically, but by game category (e.g. Introductory Fun; Educational; Plotting and Pictures; Number and Letter Guessing; Remove an Object; Matrix Manipulation; Logic; Space; Sports Simulation; Gambling Casino; Card and Board; Combat; etc.), helping aficionados of certain types of games get easier access to them.
-This first non-DEC printing drops the game's nametag and uses the game's name in the table of contents, which is no longer organized alphabettically, but by game category (e.g. Introductory Fun; Educational; Plotting and Pictures; Number and Letter Guessing; Remove an Object; Matrix Manipulation;  Logic; Space; Sports Simulation; Gambling Casino; Card and Board; Combat; )
+No doubt aware of the momentum building in this evolving community, Ahl encourages his reading programmers to submit games for publication in books and future issues of his magazine, ''Creative Computing''. To those who wish to submit game programs, Ahl writes, “Please send the following: program listing, one or two sample runs, descriptive notes, paper tape and self-addressed stamp envelope. The listing and run should be on white, unlined paper and should be done in fresh black ribbon. The paper tape should be wrapped in kitchen plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent oil seepage from damaging other enclosures. The descriptive notes should be double-spaced.”
-Significantly, in this evolving community, the author encourages the submission of games for publication in books and future issues of his magazine, Creative Computing. Ahl writes:
-“Please send the following: program listing, one or two sample runs, descriptive notes, paper tape and self-addressed stamp envelope. The listing and run should be on white, unlined paper and should be done in fresh black ribbon. The paper tape should be wrapped in kitchen plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent oil seepage from damaging other enclosures. The descriptive notes should be double-spaced.”
 Still in 1978 ''Basic Computer Games, Microcomputer Edition. 101 Great Games to Play on Your Home Computer. By yourself or with others. Each complete with programming and sample run. Edited by David H. Ahl.  is published in NY by Workman Publishing. The lengthy title arguably reflects the publisher's imperative to reach always for broader audiences.