Britsoft documents the birth of the UK's video game industry, featuring interviews with key figures and tracing the development of iconic games.

Format: Hardback
Length: 420 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: Read-Only Memory

Britsoft documents a vibrant period of invention in Britains cultural history, marking the beginning of a new form of entertainment that emerged on ZX Spectrums, Commodore 64s, Amigas, and Atari STs in bedrooms and living rooms. The book, a companion piece to the 2014 documentary From Bedrooms to Billions, draws from hundreds of hours of interview footage to uncover new, untold stories and craft an original narrative. Through the voices of programmers, musicians, journalists, and business people, it traces the making of games such as Dizzy, Elite, Paradroid, and Kick Off, as well as the birth of publishers, magazines, and software houses, from Codemasters to Zzap!64.

Britsoft: A Vibrant Period of Invention in Britains Cultural History

Britsoft is a book that explores the vibrant period of invention in Britains cultural history, which began with the creation of new forms of entertainment on ZX Spectrums, Commodore 64s, Amigas, and Atari STs in bedrooms and living rooms. The book is a companion piece to the 2014 documentary From Bedrooms to Billions and draws from hundreds of hours of interview footage to uncover new, untold stories and craft an original narrative. Through the voices of programmers, musicians, journalists, and business people, it traces the making of games such as Dizzy, Elite, Paradroid, and Kick Off, as well as the birth of publishers, magazines, and software houses, from Codemasters to Zzap!64.

Interviewees

The book features interviews with several prominent figures in the Britsoft industry, including David Braben (Elite), Peter Molyneux (Populous), Rob Hubbard (Commando), and Jeff Minter (Attack of the Mutant Camels).

The Making of Games

Britsoft documents the making of games such as Dizzy, Elite, Paradroid, and Kick Off, which were groundbreaking in their time and helped to establish the Britsoft industry. These games were created by a team of talented programmers, musicians, and artists who worked together to create unique and innovative gameplay experiences. Dizzy, for example, was a puzzle game that challenged players to navigate a maze while avoiding obstacles, while Elite was a space exploration game that allowed players to explore a vast universe and engage in combat with other ships. Paradroid was a shoot 'em up game that featured fast-paced action and a unique level design, while Kick Off was a football game that introduced a new level of realism to the genre.

The Birth of Publishers, Magazines, and Software Houses

Britsoft also documents the birth of publishers, magazines, and software houses that played a crucial role in the growth of the Britsoft industry. Codemasters, for example, was one of the first companies to release games on the ZX Spectrum, and it went on to become one of the most successful publishers in the industry. Zzap!64 was a magazine that covered the Britsoft industry and provided news, reviews, and interviews with developers and publishers. Other software houses, such as MicroProse and Ocean Software, also played a significant role in the development of the industry.

Conclusion

Britsoft is a fascinating book that provides a comprehensive overview of the Britsoft industry and its impact on Britains cultural history. Through the voices of its interviewees, it reveals the stories behind the games, the publishers, and the software houses that helped to shape the industry, and it offers a unique perspective on the development of the games industry in the UK.

Weight: 1120g
Dimension: 230 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780957576827