Tech Brief 4 August 2025: Free Speech, AI Policy, Retro Gaming
Tech Brief 4 August 2025 exposes the tension between online safety and free speech with a focus on the UK’s Online Safety Act, highlighting arguments from various stakeholders.
Retro gaming
British Software’s Golden Age: How UK Game Studios Changed the World (and Still Shape It Today)
Dive into the heart of British Software’s Golden Age, exploring how vintage computing culture and limited hardware sparked unmatched creativity and innovation in the game development scene.
How the Retro Gaming Community Keeps Our History Alive
Explore the pivotal role of the retro gaming community in preserving gaming culture, focusing on technical documentation, human narratives, and public engagement efforts that keep the history of gaming vibrant and accessible.
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.
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.
Part 2: Silicon Shōtengai – Japan’s 8-Bit Computing Revolution
Before the Famicom ruled living rooms, Japan was already cultivating an 8-bit culture of its own — led by dōjin coders, modular micros, and synth-ready machines like the MSX. This is the story of a parallel computing revolution.
Loading… Please Wait: The Lost Rituals of Cassette-Based Gaming
Before downloads became instant, gaming was an act of patience, hope, and whirring cassette decks. Sophie Calder takes us back to an era where every screech and shimmer held the promise of a new pixelated world — and why those rituals still matter today