At first we thought it was either an Onion stoÂry or a joke: MulÂti-talÂentÂed author, actor, sports enthuÂsiÂast and Paris Review ediÂtor George PlimpÂton (1927–2003) also achieved conÂsidÂerÂable sucÂcess in anothÂer mediÂum: video games.
The MilÂlions points us to George PlimpÂton’s video “FalÂconÂry,” the game PlimpÂton helped develÂop for ColeÂcoÂVÂiÂsion in the earÂly 80’s. You can play it here, but first be sure to catch up on the backÂstoÂry (click “BackÂstoÂry” butÂton below the “Play” butÂton), which may or may not involve high stakes douÂble-crossÂes, hardÂcore sleuthings, and the childÂhood obsesÂsions of freÂquent DaiÂly Show guest John HodgÂman. MaxÂiÂmum Fun has also postÂed an old comÂmerÂcial for the game, which we’ve repostÂed above. (Our apoloÂgies for the poor qualÂiÂty. It was apparÂentÂly ripped from an old VHS tape).
If it turns out that we’ve been punked, it was worth it, if only for the joys of typÂing the words “PlimpÂton,” “FalÂconÂry” and “ColeÂcoÂVÂiÂsion” all in one senÂtence. The game isn’t bad either.
RelatÂed ConÂtent:
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SheerÂly Avni is a San FranÂcisÂco-based arts and culÂture writer. Her work has appeared in Salon, LA WeekÂly, MothÂer Jones, and many othÂer pubÂliÂcaÂtions. You can folÂlow her on twitÂter at @sheerly.
