Tech Turning Points: The Fall of Atari and the Crash That Rebooted Gaming
Discover the pivotal moment in gaming history when Atari’s dominance crumbled, leading to a transformation in the industry and the rise of British computing culture.
Retro
Happy Birthday, Atari! 53 Years Young Today
Atari, the iconic brand that revolutionised the world of video games, celebrates its 53rd birthday. From the birth of Pong to the indie revival, this article explores the enduring legacy and impact of Atari in the UK and beyond.
From WarGames to WhatsApp: The 80s Films That Dreamt Our Digital Future
Explore the digital future envisioned by 80s films in this captivating article, from WarGames to WhatsApp, revealing what came true and what we’re still waiting for.
Digital Afterlife: Why Perfect Memory Is the Wrong Kind of Immortality
From warped VHS to chatty AI avatars, the Digital Afterlife promises comfort without decay. This feature asks whether perfect memory helps us heal or keeps us from letting go, and argues for consent, clear disclosure, and designed imperfection. Sometimes the kindest archive is the one that fades.
Rebelstar: When British Bedroom Coding Changed Tactics Forever
Discover the untold story of how Rebelstar revolutionised tactical gaming from British bedrooms to global influence.
The Bard’s Tale: How a Classic RPG Turned British Summers Into Legendary Quests
Discover how a Classic RPG called The Bard’s Tale turned British summers into legendary quests for one family in the 1980s. From anticipation to sibling rivalry, explore the impact of this classic game on a generation of gamers.
The Black Sanctum: How a British Text Adventure Turned Gaming Into a Family Event
A chilling text adventure from the 1980s, The Black Sanctum transformed a family’s living room into a haunting monastery. This meticulously crafted CoCo game, built with limited 32KB RAM, demanded strategic puzzle-solving and collaborative exploration. Experience the dread of a mirrored corridor, the urgency of a flickering lantern, and the satisfaction of uncovering a shared narrative, a truly unique gaming event.
When the Cursor Blinks Back: Revisiting the Glory Days of Text Adventures
Remember the thrill of typing “LOOK” and being transported to a dimly lit cavern? This nostalgic piece revisits the golden age of text adventures on the ZX Spectrum, exploring the quirky humour, community, and unique literacy of early computer games. Discover the legacy of British developers, the enduring appeal of parser-based gameplay, and the ongoing revival of interactive fiction.
Control Codes & Cursor Keys: A Shootout of 1980s Home Word Processors
From the clatter of ZX Spectrums to the disciplined prose of the Amstrad CPC, this shootout dives deep into the best word processors of the 1980s. We compare Tasword, Protext, Brunword and more to reveal how they shaped a generation’s writing habits—escape codes and all.
Letters from the Lounge: When Word Processing Came Home
From family newsletters to home businesses, word processors quietly reshaped British homes in the 1980s. Sophie Calder explores how everyday users—especially women and older adults—turned front rooms into offices, and technology into empowerment. This forgotten tech chapter deserves its place in our digital heritage.