Some guy is accomplishing generative AI using a Commodore 64. His BASIC code generates sprites, the tiny character images eight-bit games use. Sprites (or player-missile graphics as my religion called them) were objects defined separately from the frame buffer, which would provide the playing field. Video output circuitry overlays the sprites over the buffer. Thus, moving a sprite is computationally efficient, involving only updating its coordinates. By contrast, machines like the Apple ][ without sprites require modifying the frame buffer to render characters: reading out playfield data to save it, writing the character, and then rewriting the old playfield data before starting the loop again when the character moves.
