I got interested in computers and how they could be enslaved to the megalomaniac impulses of a teenager.

The quote "I got interested in computers and how they could be enslaved to the megalomaniac impulses of a teenager" by Eugene Jarvis reflects his fascination with the intersection of technology and human behavior. In this statement, Jarvis humorously acknowledges how computers and video games (his primary focus as a game designer) can be used to channel the ambitions and desires of their creators, often in exaggerated or larger-than-life ways. The reference to teenagers specifically highlights how young, often impulsive, people can use technology to express their desire for control, power, and influence.

Jarvis, known for his work in the video game industry, particularly as the creator of iconic arcade games like Defender and Robotron: 2084, is commenting on how the tools designed for entertainment or utility can be manipulated to serve self-indulgent desires. His use of the term "megalomaniac" playfully critiques the tendency for teenagers (and, by extension, gamers) to want to exercise dominance or have an exaggerated sense of their own power in the virtual worlds created by technology.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Jarvis's personal experiences as a game designer during the early years of the video game industry, when the creative potential of computers was just beginning to be fully realized. His games often allowed players to take on heroic, powerful roles, and this quote humorously captures the growing interest in how technology could empower individuals to project a fantasy of control and power—particularly through gaming.

Ultimately, Jarvis’s quote sheds light on the playful and imaginative ways in which people, especially teenagers, have used computers to express themselves. It reflects his recognition of the entertainment industry’s ability to provide a platform for people to explore and amplify their desires for control and success, while also hinting at the sometimes overblown nature of these impulses in the virtual world.