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70s/80s short story about a mysterious arcade game
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Does anyone know the name of this short story for children which I read in the 70s / early 80s?
It is set in a seaside arcade where an old lady, who minds it, has fallen asleep and a spider is making a web on her. The whole place looks a bit rubbish. These two boys go in and find a game that looks kind of clean, and weird enough that they have a go on it.
The story has a name that is also the name of the game... It's something the somethings... I can't remember it. The boys themselves say "whoseing the whatsits?" when they read its name.
As they play, the graphics get more and more realistic until an angry alien climbs out of his now punctured enemy ship complaining at them, something is triggered and the entire arcade parlour gets destroyed and the kids barely make it out.
At the end the boys realise the game is some kind of test to make people around the galaxy participate unknowingly in some space battle.
story-identification short-stories aliens video-games
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
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Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
Does anyone know the name of this short story for children which I read in the 70s / early 80s?
It is set in a seaside arcade where an old lady, who minds it, has fallen asleep and a spider is making a web on her. The whole place looks a bit rubbish. These two boys go in and find a game that looks kind of clean, and weird enough that they have a go on it.
The story has a name that is also the name of the game... It's something the somethings... I can't remember it. The boys themselves say "whoseing the whatsits?" when they read its name.
As they play, the graphics get more and more realistic until an angry alien climbs out of his now punctured enemy ship complaining at them, something is triggered and the entire arcade parlour gets destroyed and the kids barely make it out.
At the end the boys realise the game is some kind of test to make people around the galaxy participate unknowingly in some space battle.
story-identification short-stories aliens video-games
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
Does anyone know the name of this short story for children which I read in the 70s / early 80s?
It is set in a seaside arcade where an old lady, who minds it, has fallen asleep and a spider is making a web on her. The whole place looks a bit rubbish. These two boys go in and find a game that looks kind of clean, and weird enough that they have a go on it.
The story has a name that is also the name of the game... It's something the somethings... I can't remember it. The boys themselves say "whoseing the whatsits?" when they read its name.
As they play, the graphics get more and more realistic until an angry alien climbs out of his now punctured enemy ship complaining at them, something is triggered and the entire arcade parlour gets destroyed and the kids barely make it out.
At the end the boys realise the game is some kind of test to make people around the galaxy participate unknowingly in some space battle.
story-identification short-stories aliens video-games
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Does anyone know the name of this short story for children which I read in the 70s / early 80s?
It is set in a seaside arcade where an old lady, who minds it, has fallen asleep and a spider is making a web on her. The whole place looks a bit rubbish. These two boys go in and find a game that looks kind of clean, and weird enough that they have a go on it.
The story has a name that is also the name of the game... It's something the somethings... I can't remember it. The boys themselves say "whoseing the whatsits?" when they read its name.
As they play, the graphics get more and more realistic until an angry alien climbs out of his now punctured enemy ship complaining at them, something is triggered and the entire arcade parlour gets destroyed and the kids barely make it out.
At the end the boys realise the game is some kind of test to make people around the galaxy participate unknowingly in some space battle.
story-identification short-stories aliens video-games
story-identification short-stories aliens video-games
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
edited 16 hours ago
Jenayah
5,87322856
5,87322856
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
asked 16 hours ago
Ale Fernandez
863
863
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago
1
1
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
19
down vote
"Vurfing the Gwrx", a short story by Michael Scott Rohan; published in the 1982 Puffin Books anthology Peter Davison's Book of Alien Monsters, purportedly edited by actor Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), but actually ghost-edited by Richard Evans according to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
From a Goodreads review:
Vurfing the Gwrx: It looked like an ordinary space invaders machine — but it was anything but a game...
An excerpt from the story, thanks to The Space Museum:
It had a name at last. Between the screen and the top of the case large odd-looking letters in dark winegum purple spelt out: VURFING THE GWRX
Brian giggled. "Whosing the What? How'd you say that, goo-erks or what?"
"Oh, go ask a Dalek -"
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
19
down vote
"Vurfing the Gwrx", a short story by Michael Scott Rohan; published in the 1982 Puffin Books anthology Peter Davison's Book of Alien Monsters, purportedly edited by actor Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), but actually ghost-edited by Richard Evans according to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
From a Goodreads review:
Vurfing the Gwrx: It looked like an ordinary space invaders machine — but it was anything but a game...
An excerpt from the story, thanks to The Space Museum:
It had a name at last. Between the screen and the top of the case large odd-looking letters in dark winegum purple spelt out: VURFING THE GWRX
Brian giggled. "Whosing the What? How'd you say that, goo-erks or what?"
"Oh, go ask a Dalek -"
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
"Vurfing the Gwrx", a short story by Michael Scott Rohan; published in the 1982 Puffin Books anthology Peter Davison's Book of Alien Monsters, purportedly edited by actor Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), but actually ghost-edited by Richard Evans according to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
From a Goodreads review:
Vurfing the Gwrx: It looked like an ordinary space invaders machine — but it was anything but a game...
An excerpt from the story, thanks to The Space Museum:
It had a name at last. Between the screen and the top of the case large odd-looking letters in dark winegum purple spelt out: VURFING THE GWRX
Brian giggled. "Whosing the What? How'd you say that, goo-erks or what?"
"Oh, go ask a Dalek -"
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
up vote
19
down vote
"Vurfing the Gwrx", a short story by Michael Scott Rohan; published in the 1982 Puffin Books anthology Peter Davison's Book of Alien Monsters, purportedly edited by actor Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), but actually ghost-edited by Richard Evans according to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
From a Goodreads review:
Vurfing the Gwrx: It looked like an ordinary space invaders machine — but it was anything but a game...
An excerpt from the story, thanks to The Space Museum:
It had a name at last. Between the screen and the top of the case large odd-looking letters in dark winegum purple spelt out: VURFING THE GWRX
Brian giggled. "Whosing the What? How'd you say that, goo-erks or what?"
"Oh, go ask a Dalek -"
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
"Vurfing the Gwrx", a short story by Michael Scott Rohan; published in the 1982 Puffin Books anthology Peter Davison's Book of Alien Monsters, purportedly edited by actor Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), but actually ghost-edited by Richard Evans according to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
From a Goodreads review:
Vurfing the Gwrx: It looked like an ordinary space invaders machine — but it was anything but a game...
An excerpt from the story, thanks to The Space Museum:
It had a name at last. Between the screen and the top of the case large odd-looking letters in dark winegum purple spelt out: VURFING THE GWRX
Brian giggled. "Whosing the What? How'd you say that, goo-erks or what?"
"Oh, go ask a Dalek -"
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
edited 10 hours ago
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
answered 15 hours ago
user14111
93.6k6368473
93.6k6368473
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
1
1
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
– Joe
11 hours ago
1
1
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
@Joe Yes, I know. Well, I remembered that he was the Doctor after Tom Baker (and the last one I watched), but I wasn't sure of the number. I added a line about Peter Davison and the real editor Richard Evans to my answer.
– user14111
10 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
There is a movie with almost exactly the same premise. Ah there it is: imdb.com/title/tt0087597/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
– Prof. Falken
6 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
@Prof.Falken It sounds more like Ender's Game to me - I'd say more but I can't find a way to spoiler-tag in comments and there may still be a few people who haven't seen The Last Starfighter or read Ender's Game.
– Spratty
4 hours ago
1
1
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
@Prof.Falken AAnd just to show coincidence is alive and well, this just popped up on the HNQ list... If destiny means anything it's game, set and match to you.
– Spratty
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ale Fernandez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
If the question has been answered to your satisfaction, you can mark an answer as accepted by clicking on the check mark next to it.
– user14111
10 hours ago