Sneakers - Sirius Software, 1981 - Apple II (4K)

A presentation of Mark Turmell's first game, Sneakers, published by Sirius Software for the Apple II in 1981. In the early 1980s, the Apple II offered a rare opportunity: write a game, send it to a publisher, and if luck and skill aligned, receive royalty checks within weeks. Among those who seized this chance was Mark Turmell, a teenager from Michigan who would later become a defining arcade designer. Drawn to electronics and problem-solving, Turmell taught himself 6502 assembly and experimented with sprite movement, collisions, and timing. By 1979, he had purchased his own Apple II and began designing fast-paced action games. His first complete title, Sneakers, from 1981, was a clear homage to Space Invaders, but with humor and originality that made it stand out on home computers. Turmell shipped Sneakers to Sirius Software in California, and the game was quickly signed. It sold roughly 10,000 copies within two months and reached ninth place on Softalk’s “Top Thirty” sales list. Critics praised its addictive gameplay and playful touches, while the Arkie Awards gave it a Certificate of Merit for “Most Humorous Home Arcade Game.” The success allowed Turmell to move to California, join the burgeoning software scene, and gain financial independence, including his first Porsche 924 Turbo. Sneakers established Turmell’s reputation and gave him the confidence to experiment with other designs, setting him on the path to the arcade hits of the 1990s. Read the full story on my blog: Sneakers, Beer Run, & Free Fall, Mark Turmell's first three games https://retro365.blog/2025/09/21/snea... Enjoy, and for more retro gaming history, please visit my blog at https://www.retro365.blog, where I post new articles every month.