19

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.

Improve this question
0

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
22

"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.

enter image description here

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 -"

Improve this answer
8
  • 2
    The Dalek reference is amusing, as Peter Davison played the fifth Doctor on Doctor Who.
    – Joe
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 4:10
  • 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
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 8:46
  • @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
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 10:54
  • 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
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 13:55
  • 1
    Thanks! I love stackexchange!! It was digging a hole in my head.. I think I may even have that book still somewhere.. awesome story and imo predicted the type of drone warfare / gaming shenanigans like the military origins of 1st person shooters, mmorpgs etc.. Thanks and keep vurfing!!
    – Ale Fernandez
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 9:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.