Beating Richie Knucklez: The making of a Space Invaders world champion

Jon Tannahill was born 17 years after Space Invaders was released. He set his mind to be the best

Tomohiro Nishikado's video game Space Invaders remains the first and last concept for all other "shoot 'em up" video games; the core concept being a single person fighting off a multitude of artificially intelligent enemies. Created in no less than a year, its exquisite attention to imagery and sound, as well as easily understood game play, has offered timeless appeal. What was an amusement of lazy pleasure has since been deemed a work of art, joining the permanent collections of both MoMA and The Smithsonian.

As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Jon Tannahill of Brisbane - born 17 years after the game was released - holds the Space Invaders world record.