529: Nightdive, Stardock and the Business of Saving Classic Games: Larry Kuperman - The Retro Hour EP529

In this episode of The Retro Hour, hosts Dan Wood, Ravi Abbott, and Joe Fox dive into a packed week of retro gaming news, beginning with a harrowing incident at VCF East in New Jersey, where a fake active shooter alert caused a panic and forced evacuations—later revealed to be a Twitch swatting hoax. Despite the scare, the hosts reflect on the event's camaraderie and the joy of connecting with fans and fellow retro enthusiasts. They then explore a series of exciting developments: a fan-made port of Resident Evil 4 to the Dreamcast, showcasing the system's surprising capabilities; the release of a new Commodore 64C Ultimate, a faithful recreation using original 1986 molds; and a growing wave of classic Warhammer games returning to Steam via a remastering effort. The episode culminates in a deep-dive interview with Larry Kuperman, former Vice President of Business Development at Night Dive Studios and one of the pioneers of digital game distribution. Larry shares his journey from early PC sales and VoIP tech to helping build Stardock’s Impulse platform—years before Steam—before joining Night Dive, where he helped shape the remastering of cult classics like Turok, System Shock, and Blood. He discusses the delicate balance of preserving original vision while modernizing gameplay, the importance of licensing and source code access, and the emotional weight of preserving gaming history as a form of art. The episode closes with reflections on the industry’s future, the power of community, and the enduring legacy of retro gaming.