Friday now means that it's not only Digitiser Friday Letters day, but also the day a new Digitiser video drops. Although you may have noticed that you've had two already this week; the semi-remastered version of Episode 1 of Digitiser The Show (we did our best), and the video above on an obscure Sega arcade patent.
You can catch up on everything at the YouTube Channel - and it'd be wonderful if you could share some of these. I mean, some of you have got to be on Reddit surely? Nobody ever shares our videos on Reddit. Isn't Reddit where everybody finds new stuff? Anyway. Whatever.
Tonight's vid is another featuring myself and Mr Paul Gannon - trying (and failing) to play with an old Sega toy. Also, IT FEATURES AN ACTUAL CAT!!!!!
If you'd like to appear here, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone, or you've got a picture of a bin you wish to share, please send your filthy emails to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
You can catch up on everything at the YouTube Channel - and it'd be wonderful if you could share some of these. I mean, some of you have got to be on Reddit surely? Nobody ever shares our videos on Reddit. Isn't Reddit where everybody finds new stuff? Anyway. Whatever.
Tonight's vid is another featuring myself and Mr Paul Gannon - trying (and failing) to play with an old Sega toy. Also, IT FEATURES AN ACTUAL CAT!!!!!
If you'd like to appear here, or you've something you'd like me to give some attention to in our occasional Plug Zone, or you've got a picture of a bin you wish to share, please send your filthy emails to this place here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
COR BLIMEY
1. Are you looking forward to the Cor & Buster Special, coming this Easter from Rebellion?
2. Will you be getting The Funny Pages - also from Rebellion - on Free Comic Book Day? I like British comics of the Beano-ish variety.
3. Any plans for a “Battle of the Pauls” of some sort - between you, Gannon, and Mentski - during Digitiser Series 2 or as its own video?
4. Will you/Digitiser be at any Play Expos this year, or is it too soon for such questions?
5. If yes, which one(s)?
6. What is your favourite seller of fried chicken? Obviously it isn’t Goujon John, because his goujons taste bad.
Mathew H
1. Are you looking forward to the Cor & Buster Special, coming this Easter from Rebellion?
2. Will you be getting The Funny Pages - also from Rebellion - on Free Comic Book Day? I like British comics of the Beano-ish variety.
3. Any plans for a “Battle of the Pauls” of some sort - between you, Gannon, and Mentski - during Digitiser Series 2 or as its own video?
4. Will you/Digitiser be at any Play Expos this year, or is it too soon for such questions?
5. If yes, which one(s)?
6. What is your favourite seller of fried chicken? Obviously it isn’t Goujon John, because his goujons taste bad.
Mathew H
1. Yes, though I hope they keep the artwork in the style of the originals, and don't try to update it too much and make it all cool and modern. Ken Reid and his ilk were legends. I'd spend as much time just studying the artwork as I would reading the stories.
One of my favourite Christmas presents to get as a kid would be collections of the newspaper cartoons by Giles. I never really understood them, but the art was amazing - grimy, rain-soaked, British streets, which to me are still how I picture the Britain of my childhood.
One of my favourite Christmas presents to get as a kid would be collections of the newspaper cartoons by Giles. I never really understood them, but the art was amazing - grimy, rain-soaked, British streets, which to me are still how I picture the Britain of my childhood.
2. Well, see above.
3. Wait. What? Mentski's real name is Paul?!? What?!?
4. I've not been invited to any, put it that way, and currently don't have any plans to attend. Maybe our chaotic panel at the last Blackpool Expo has put them off of inviting us.
5. If they're doing another London one, and I'm free, I might pop along as a punter.
6. Last Friday I treated myself to a fillet burger and some wings from Chicken Cottage, as I'd dragged myself to a meeting despite coming down with what I believed was a cold. I woke up the next morning with flu. So... it was Chicken Cottage, but not anymore. Also, not KFC. I've twice had food poisoning from the one near me. Yeah, I know - you'd think after the first time I'd have learned my lesson... but those Hot Wings are just so crunchy!
3. Wait. What? Mentski's real name is Paul?!? What?!?
4. I've not been invited to any, put it that way, and currently don't have any plans to attend. Maybe our chaotic panel at the last Blackpool Expo has put them off of inviting us.
5. If they're doing another London one, and I'm free, I might pop along as a punter.
6. Last Friday I treated myself to a fillet burger and some wings from Chicken Cottage, as I'd dragged myself to a meeting despite coming down with what I believed was a cold. I woke up the next morning with flu. So... it was Chicken Cottage, but not anymore. Also, not KFC. I've twice had food poisoning from the one near me. Yeah, I know - you'd think after the first time I'd have learned my lesson... but those Hot Wings are just so crunchy!
APPY DAYS
Just opened gifs in WhatsApp and as usual there was a random selection available before typing in a search word (I don’t know if these are gifs that are currently popular).
The very first one looked very familiar. Am I right in thinking it’s from your show?
Dominic Vent
Just opened gifs in WhatsApp and as usual there was a random selection available before typing in a search word (I don’t know if these are gifs that are currently popular).
The very first one looked very familiar. Am I right in thinking it’s from your show?
Dominic Vent
Alas, no. It was only after I used that "Wow!" guy on Found Footage that I discovered he was already a meme of sorts. It's interesting, though. I always thought FF was quite meme-able - not that I designed it with that in mind - but I think Digi's relatively mature audience stopped it from ever breaking out.
I mean, you only need to look at how Goujon John actor Voiceover Pete has since become a massive viral sensation - thanks to his adoption by Fortnite players and the like - to see that there's a bit of a glass ceiling when it comes to my audience.
Kids don't worry about sharing things that will make them appear immature/mad.
I mean, you only need to look at how Goujon John actor Voiceover Pete has since become a massive viral sensation - thanks to his adoption by Fortnite players and the like - to see that there's a bit of a glass ceiling when it comes to my audience.
Kids don't worry about sharing things that will make them appear immature/mad.
GAME THEORY
I've recently started reading Gamecentral (the successor to Digitiser on Teletext for the unaware) again at work mostly because it's the one games site that isn't blocked by the filter on the computer. This week there was a letter from a LTRFTW who told them he had been reading since Digitiser when he was a kid.
He seemed unaware that Gamecentral was a different entity altogether. They did give a short reply that Digitiser was before their time. It made me think that there could be a lot of their readers who are unaware of Digitiser2000 and the YouTube show. Anyway I might write them a letter now advertising you and see if they publish it.
Niall Maguire
I've recently started reading Gamecentral (the successor to Digitiser on Teletext for the unaware) again at work mostly because it's the one games site that isn't blocked by the filter on the computer. This week there was a letter from a LTRFTW who told them he had been reading since Digitiser when he was a kid.
He seemed unaware that Gamecentral was a different entity altogether. They did give a short reply that Digitiser was before their time. It made me think that there could be a lot of their readers who are unaware of Digitiser2000 and the YouTube show. Anyway I might write them a letter now advertising you and see if they publish it.
Niall Maguire
There was clearly a big chunk of Digi's audience who just carried on reading Gamecentral after I left, and didn't notice any difference. Which I know is weird, but they probably just felt on a subconscious level that the Teletext games pages had become a lot less challenging to read.
I mean, to be fair they kept the same colour scheme and everything - all that changed on the index page was the logo.
But yes, I'm certain that there are many, many former Digitiser readers out there who have no idea that Digitiser has returned. How to reach them? Dunno.
I mean, to be fair they kept the same colour scheme and everything - all that changed on the index page was the logo.
But yes, I'm certain that there are many, many former Digitiser readers out there who have no idea that Digitiser has returned. How to reach them? Dunno.
GANNON-STARTER
Hello! First off, I hope that you're feeling better and the flu has buggered off.
I wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the Digi videos of you and Gannon. They're just so LOVELY, I really enjoy them and they brighten my day massively. I'm super excited for Bubblegun for more of you two, and also more videos of the two of you. You're a great duo.
Also, I was wondering if you could give a warning in future if you're going to include violent transphobia on your pages. It upset quite a lot of people, myself included - Digitiser and its community is somewhat of an escape from the constant, unending shit that trans people face in the world and in media and journalism, and to be suddenly confronted with it was unpleasant and jarring. A warning would be much appreciated in future, though I know it's hardly likely to come up again.
Finally: what's the worst official game merchandise or tie-in product you've ever seen?
Thanks,
Chai (@findmethewords)
Hello! First off, I hope that you're feeling better and the flu has buggered off.
I wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the Digi videos of you and Gannon. They're just so LOVELY, I really enjoy them and they brighten my day massively. I'm super excited for Bubblegun for more of you two, and also more videos of the two of you. You're a great duo.
Also, I was wondering if you could give a warning in future if you're going to include violent transphobia on your pages. It upset quite a lot of people, myself included - Digitiser and its community is somewhat of an escape from the constant, unending shit that trans people face in the world and in media and journalism, and to be suddenly confronted with it was unpleasant and jarring. A warning would be much appreciated in future, though I know it's hardly likely to come up again.
Finally: what's the worst official game merchandise or tie-in product you've ever seen?
Thanks,
Chai (@findmethewords)
Unfortunately, flu doesn't bugger off - it hangs around forever. It came on so suddenly, that I foolishly convinced myself that it'd disappear just as quickly, but a week on and I've still got zero energy. And now my wife has it.
I need to stop talking about it now, because it looks like I'm fishing for sympathy, and that isn't an attractive quality.
Noted about the trigger warning thing, though it's more likely that I simply won't bring it up on here again as, let's face it, it's a games site first and foremost. Also, it does feel a bit like I can't win when it comes to hot button issues, and I seem to spend slightly too much of my life as Mr Biffo getting told off by people, and apologising for things that were done with the best of intentions.
I did, however, feel it was worth addressing the letter that was on here last week to make my own position clear.
Worst official merch? Hmm. There are those deluxe editions with the massive statues, which I don't get at all. Why would I want a disgusting statue of Pagan Min in my house?! Why would anybody?!
I need to stop talking about it now, because it looks like I'm fishing for sympathy, and that isn't an attractive quality.
Noted about the trigger warning thing, though it's more likely that I simply won't bring it up on here again as, let's face it, it's a games site first and foremost. Also, it does feel a bit like I can't win when it comes to hot button issues, and I seem to spend slightly too much of my life as Mr Biffo getting told off by people, and apologising for things that were done with the best of intentions.
I did, however, feel it was worth addressing the letter that was on here last week to make my own position clear.
Worst official merch? Hmm. There are those deluxe editions with the massive statues, which I don't get at all. Why would I want a disgusting statue of Pagan Min in my house?! Why would anybody?!
CHUFFSTON
Why are games so chuffing long now? I remember when a game which kept you playing for 30 hours was considered bloody good value for money.
In January I spent 125 hours playing Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and I still didn't engage with most of the pointless fetch quests and those flipping Korok seeds.
Have all the people who could edit games died?
PDT
Why are games so chuffing long now? I remember when a game which kept you playing for 30 hours was considered bloody good value for money.
In January I spent 125 hours playing Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and I still didn't engage with most of the pointless fetch quests and those flipping Korok seeds.
Have all the people who could edit games died?
PDT
I know what you mean. For me it's not even an issue with how long they are, but a lack of focus. Both Far Cry New Dawn and that new Metro game are out - and I love those series - but the size of them is putting me off getting them. That and the fact I'm broke at the minute, because I'm two months late getting paid. Oh, the joy of being a freelancer...
All I do is complain.
All I do is complain.
SEQUEL
To follow up, Gamecentral did publish my letter so if you see an upturn in site visits or YouTube views you can thank me.
Niall Maguire
To follow up, Gamecentral did publish my letter so if you see an upturn in site visits or YouTube views you can thank me.
Niall Maguire
Cheers, Niall. Not sure it'll make much difference, mind. Gamecentral readers are a right bunch of squares!!!!! #ShotsFired
RESI VOUS PLAI
Digi, DIGI, DIGITISER Biff-hoooooooo!
I see the remake of Resident Evil 2 is popular at this moment, so what better time for me to play the original for the first time? Firstly, my history with the Resident Evil franchise is this: played 4 - didn’t really like it, played 7 in VR - didn’t really like it. Naturally I’m playing the best version which is of course on the N64 and in the interest of full disclosure I did immediately switch to proper analogue controls.
So what did do think? Well I like it a LOT actually. I like that saves are an item you need to juggle and could see the idea being the hook for an indy glutton-for-punishment type game. I also like the fixed camera angles (although there’s probably too many transitions in RE2) they’re a good way to show stuff, hide stuff, stage stuff and generally be arty. But the thing I like best is that it’s basically a Dizzy game and I loved the Dizzy games on Atari ST (again superior format).
Questions now:
1. Some people are HUGE fans of “Resi”, but the ones I’ve played are all completely different, is there any franchise you like regardless of how different the games are?
2. Same as question 1 but excluding Nintendo games.
3. I’m much more patient with old games than I would be with a new one because I expect them to be a bit rubbish. Is there anything you’re more lenient towards?
4. Where are all the new Dizzy games?
See you later
Grembot
P.S. If anyone wants to send me Crystal Kingdom Dizzy for the Atari ST please get in touch.
Digi, DIGI, DIGITISER Biff-hoooooooo!
I see the remake of Resident Evil 2 is popular at this moment, so what better time for me to play the original for the first time? Firstly, my history with the Resident Evil franchise is this: played 4 - didn’t really like it, played 7 in VR - didn’t really like it. Naturally I’m playing the best version which is of course on the N64 and in the interest of full disclosure I did immediately switch to proper analogue controls.
So what did do think? Well I like it a LOT actually. I like that saves are an item you need to juggle and could see the idea being the hook for an indy glutton-for-punishment type game. I also like the fixed camera angles (although there’s probably too many transitions in RE2) they’re a good way to show stuff, hide stuff, stage stuff and generally be arty. But the thing I like best is that it’s basically a Dizzy game and I loved the Dizzy games on Atari ST (again superior format).
Questions now:
1. Some people are HUGE fans of “Resi”, but the ones I’ve played are all completely different, is there any franchise you like regardless of how different the games are?
2. Same as question 1 but excluding Nintendo games.
3. I’m much more patient with old games than I would be with a new one because I expect them to be a bit rubbish. Is there anything you’re more lenient towards?
4. Where are all the new Dizzy games?
See you later
Grembot
P.S. If anyone wants to send me Crystal Kingdom Dizzy for the Atari ST please get in touch.
You're right: the Resi games were basically the same structure as the Dizzy games. Never made that connection before. And yeah - I'm also an advocate of the fixed camera angles in those games. It helped to build tension, and create an unsettling atmosphere. Even if you did frequently get snagged on furniture.
1. I... I dunno. I was going to say Mario, but I've no interest in Mario Party. And the latest Mario Tennis thing was a bit of a disappointment. I'll probably get Mario Maker 2, though. Oh... no, wait. Zelda. REALLY looking forward to the Link's Awakening remake. The games aren't that different from one another, but I love that they're still experimenting with art styles.
2. I... still don't really know.
3. In old games? The visuals, I guess. I'm often in awe of what could be achieved on the Spectrum, which such limited resources. Far more impressed than I am with modern game graphics.
4. Admission time: I never played the Dizzy games when they came out. It's only in recent years that I caught up with them. The new one is on the way isn't it? It's coming out with the Spectrum Next.
1. I... I dunno. I was going to say Mario, but I've no interest in Mario Party. And the latest Mario Tennis thing was a bit of a disappointment. I'll probably get Mario Maker 2, though. Oh... no, wait. Zelda. REALLY looking forward to the Link's Awakening remake. The games aren't that different from one another, but I love that they're still experimenting with art styles.
2. I... still don't really know.
3. In old games? The visuals, I guess. I'm often in awe of what could be achieved on the Spectrum, which such limited resources. Far more impressed than I am with modern game graphics.
4. Admission time: I never played the Dizzy games when they came out. It's only in recent years that I caught up with them. The new one is on the way isn't it? It's coming out with the Spectrum Next.
REST IN PEACE, NAN
I have definitely mentioned this to you before, but growing up my sole access to Digi was during visits to my Nana as she was pretty much the only person I knew that had teletext.
I would spend many a happy day reading the pages of Digitiser when at hers, particularly during the summer holidays when she was our primary carer and you and Bamboozle! was our main source of entertainment.
After a long battle with Alzheimer's she was finally laid to rest today (Wednesday) and so spotting your request for letters I wanted to take this time to 1) Ask for a shoutout for my amazing Nan 2) Thank you for your role in keeping me, my bro and our cousin entertained!
All the best.
Kev - @moneyball_mase
I have definitely mentioned this to you before, but growing up my sole access to Digi was during visits to my Nana as she was pretty much the only person I knew that had teletext.
I would spend many a happy day reading the pages of Digitiser when at hers, particularly during the summer holidays when she was our primary carer and you and Bamboozle! was our main source of entertainment.
After a long battle with Alzheimer's she was finally laid to rest today (Wednesday) and so spotting your request for letters I wanted to take this time to 1) Ask for a shoutout for my amazing Nan 2) Thank you for your role in keeping me, my bro and our cousin entertained!
All the best.
Kev - @moneyball_mase
Kev - massive props to your excellent Nan - an honorary member of the Digi team - and so sorry for your loss.
500 Qs OF WHYTE
286) Even though I never managed to finish it, I really liked Panzer Dragoon Orta; which is your favourite in the Panzer Dragoon series?
287) On a related note, can you name a game that you really enjoyed but found too difficult to finish, or to persevere enough to finish?
288) How often do you find that the ethics in a game conflict with your own, if at all? Can you give an example(s) and did it affect your enjoyment negatively?
289) What game that was cancelled (that we know of), were you most looking forward to?
290) What was Sega's best arcade game and why makes you choose it? I think that I would go for Outrun 2 or Crazy Taxi. I'd also make a special mention of Scud Race - it wasn't a great game, but was good enough and the graphics were scarcely believable at the time.
John Whyte
286) Even though I never managed to finish it, I really liked Panzer Dragoon Orta; which is your favourite in the Panzer Dragoon series?
287) On a related note, can you name a game that you really enjoyed but found too difficult to finish, or to persevere enough to finish?
288) How often do you find that the ethics in a game conflict with your own, if at all? Can you give an example(s) and did it affect your enjoyment negatively?
289) What game that was cancelled (that we know of), were you most looking forward to?
290) What was Sega's best arcade game and why makes you choose it? I think that I would go for Outrun 2 or Crazy Taxi. I'd also make a special mention of Scud Race - it wasn't a great game, but was good enough and the graphics were scarcely believable at the time.
John Whyte
286) I'm going to say the first one, even though it's not the best technically-speaking, it's the one that I played the most, and it established the aesthetic.
287) Oh jeez. Loads from back in the day. There were so few Spectrum games I finished, due to the lack of saves. But the game I remember being really obsessed with was Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade on my Atari ST. Loved it, but I'm pretty sure I never got to the end. And if I did, it was probably because I read the solution in a magazine.
288) The only time really has been with GTAV. It's an incredible game, but some aspects of the humour - the ones they brush aside by saying "Oh, but it's satire" - still feel horribly anachronistic, and trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Also, I know I got fun made of me for saying it, but I do sometimes still look at Mario's roster of characters and feel they could be brought up to date a but more.
Like... Captain Toad is male, yet Toadette is just Toadette - and not a captain? Why can't she have a rank? Make her Admiral Toad, not some derivative of a male character.
289) There was one I got to see on a visit to Virgin Interactive in 1994 - on a rare work trip abroad - called Greed. It was basically a side-scrolling Smash TV, using the same engine as Robocop vs Terminator. Looked great. Never heard of it again.
290) Sega did so many genuine classics. I loved Zaxxon, Golden Axe, Space Harrier, Power Drift... but I'm going to say Killer Shark. It's an ancient, mechanical, game - but it helped to awaken a love of games in me.
Altogether now... Killer Shark doo-doo-doo-doo-do-do-doo-doo!
287) Oh jeez. Loads from back in the day. There were so few Spectrum games I finished, due to the lack of saves. But the game I remember being really obsessed with was Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade on my Atari ST. Loved it, but I'm pretty sure I never got to the end. And if I did, it was probably because I read the solution in a magazine.
288) The only time really has been with GTAV. It's an incredible game, but some aspects of the humour - the ones they brush aside by saying "Oh, but it's satire" - still feel horribly anachronistic, and trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Also, I know I got fun made of me for saying it, but I do sometimes still look at Mario's roster of characters and feel they could be brought up to date a but more.
Like... Captain Toad is male, yet Toadette is just Toadette - and not a captain? Why can't she have a rank? Make her Admiral Toad, not some derivative of a male character.
289) There was one I got to see on a visit to Virgin Interactive in 1994 - on a rare work trip abroad - called Greed. It was basically a side-scrolling Smash TV, using the same engine as Robocop vs Terminator. Looked great. Never heard of it again.
290) Sega did so many genuine classics. I loved Zaxxon, Golden Axe, Space Harrier, Power Drift... but I'm going to say Killer Shark. It's an ancient, mechanical, game - but it helped to awaken a love of games in me.
Altogether now... Killer Shark doo-doo-doo-doo-do-do-doo-doo!
GRIS FOR THE MILL
Following on from Super Bad Advice’s lovely review of Gris, which appeared in your internet orifice t’other day, I got to thinking about serious stuff. Y’know, stuff that matters. More specifically, why more games don’t deal in genuinely important topics in the sensitive and beautiful way that Gris does.
Let’s face it, other art forms (yes, I went there) deal with all aspects of human experience, many in thought-provoking and interesting ways. You can go to the cinema and watch something thoughtful like The House Of Sand And Fog or Michael Bay’s latest robot punch-a-thon, should the need take you for some unearthly reason.
There just seems to be much less scope in games. At least in mainstream gaming. If it’s not about shooting stuff or racing stuff, it seems almost impossible to get it made outside of the indie scene. When so many gamers are, like ourselves, gentle-folk of a certain vintage (who presumably are open to the occasional spot of mental / emotional exploration), I find this odd.
Sure, occasionally a game will touch on some aspect of a “big issue”, but it’s usually only very brief, handled poorly and/or draped in toxic masculinity. Gris bases its entire structure and tone around a vital theme – one which touches so many of us – and apparently does it really, really well. I wish more games did this.
I don’t know why they don't. Surely games are perfect for exploring every inch of the human condition? The interactivity and ability to tell stories in pretty much any way the artist desires make them a truly unique media. Is it the fact that games are still too often seen as the preserve of kids? Is there just no market for this stuff? Am I overthinking it? I dunno. I wish I had the answers. But I do find it an intriguing conundrum.
Apologies for sending you something serious and not a missive about bums. Normal service will most likely resume shortly.
Ta.
Jim
AKA Mr Jalco
Following on from Super Bad Advice’s lovely review of Gris, which appeared in your internet orifice t’other day, I got to thinking about serious stuff. Y’know, stuff that matters. More specifically, why more games don’t deal in genuinely important topics in the sensitive and beautiful way that Gris does.
Let’s face it, other art forms (yes, I went there) deal with all aspects of human experience, many in thought-provoking and interesting ways. You can go to the cinema and watch something thoughtful like The House Of Sand And Fog or Michael Bay’s latest robot punch-a-thon, should the need take you for some unearthly reason.
There just seems to be much less scope in games. At least in mainstream gaming. If it’s not about shooting stuff or racing stuff, it seems almost impossible to get it made outside of the indie scene. When so many gamers are, like ourselves, gentle-folk of a certain vintage (who presumably are open to the occasional spot of mental / emotional exploration), I find this odd.
Sure, occasionally a game will touch on some aspect of a “big issue”, but it’s usually only very brief, handled poorly and/or draped in toxic masculinity. Gris bases its entire structure and tone around a vital theme – one which touches so many of us – and apparently does it really, really well. I wish more games did this.
I don’t know why they don't. Surely games are perfect for exploring every inch of the human condition? The interactivity and ability to tell stories in pretty much any way the artist desires make them a truly unique media. Is it the fact that games are still too often seen as the preserve of kids? Is there just no market for this stuff? Am I overthinking it? I dunno. I wish I had the answers. But I do find it an intriguing conundrum.
Apologies for sending you something serious and not a missive about bums. Normal service will most likely resume shortly.
Ta.
Jim
AKA Mr Jalco
Don't apologise for sending a serious letter. I'd rather get those than endless stories about people shitting themselves, or something that's just being weird, which I can't think of a response to.
I think a lot of indie games are much bolder when it comes to dealing with big topics. I'm thinking things like That Dragon Cancer - not a great game, but interesting nonetheless - and Sorry To Bother You.
I know some would argue that the recent God of War remake dealt with grief and fatherhood, but the beating-up-monsters gameplay pulled against that for me. Therefore, I think indie games are far better placed to explore heavier themes.
I think a lot of indie games are much bolder when it comes to dealing with big topics. I'm thinking things like That Dragon Cancer - not a great game, but interesting nonetheless - and Sorry To Bother You.
I know some would argue that the recent God of War remake dealt with grief and fatherhood, but the beating-up-monsters gameplay pulled against that for me. Therefore, I think indie games are far better placed to explore heavier themes.
CHEERS TO US
I'm loving these occasional flashbacks to teletext Digi - gives us old men a rosy, warm feeling of nostalgia (or it could be the medication)!
I'm also loving the mini eps on youtube. As much as I enjoyed the main series I was left wanting a bit more of gaming trivia. Just like you're providing with the mini's!
So... yeah - cheers for that!
Paddy Hill
I'm loving these occasional flashbacks to teletext Digi - gives us old men a rosy, warm feeling of nostalgia (or it could be the medication)!
I'm also loving the mini eps on youtube. As much as I enjoyed the main series I was left wanting a bit more of gaming trivia. Just like you're providing with the mini's!
So... yeah - cheers for that!
Paddy Hill
Glad you're liking all this, Paddy. The Minis are an attempt to redress the balance a little bit - and it'll hopefully feed back into series 2. There'll be a new one tonight, and probably another two next week.
BIGGUNS
Games are big, aren’t they? I mean - my wife was good enough to buy me a copy of Red Dead Redemption II last weekend. It comes on two disks. It took ages to install on my PS4. God, if I wanted to look at installation progress bars, I’d gave bought a PC for games. Still - it’s bloody good though.
However, it makes me think. The game itself is massive, and there’s going to be an equal amount of game play there, on top of the whole “living the life” stuff. That game is designed to suck you in and keep you there.
Thing is, a lot of games are designed to do that. I’ve still not fully completed my second play through of Skyrim (a game I really like). In fact, if you look at my stack of PS4 games, it’s significantly smaller than the PS1 pile. Why? Games for the PS1 didn’t compel you to play them in the way that these modern games do.
You could hop between them more freely. Or takes at that’s how I felt about it. Games like RDRII, Fallout 4 all drag me in with the detail and the story, and keep me there.
Thing is, I don’t yet know if this is a problem or not. If I don’t buy as many games because the ones I have keep me that occupied and engaged, then that’s surely a good thing for me. On the other hand, I’m not playing the variety of games that I used to, and that’s not a good.
Are these massive games and their worlds a trap into which I have stupidly blundered?
Hmm.
That all.
Paul Dunning
Games are big, aren’t they? I mean - my wife was good enough to buy me a copy of Red Dead Redemption II last weekend. It comes on two disks. It took ages to install on my PS4. God, if I wanted to look at installation progress bars, I’d gave bought a PC for games. Still - it’s bloody good though.
However, it makes me think. The game itself is massive, and there’s going to be an equal amount of game play there, on top of the whole “living the life” stuff. That game is designed to suck you in and keep you there.
Thing is, a lot of games are designed to do that. I’ve still not fully completed my second play through of Skyrim (a game I really like). In fact, if you look at my stack of PS4 games, it’s significantly smaller than the PS1 pile. Why? Games for the PS1 didn’t compel you to play them in the way that these modern games do.
You could hop between them more freely. Or takes at that’s how I felt about it. Games like RDRII, Fallout 4 all drag me in with the detail and the story, and keep me there.
Thing is, I don’t yet know if this is a problem or not. If I don’t buy as many games because the ones I have keep me that occupied and engaged, then that’s surely a good thing for me. On the other hand, I’m not playing the variety of games that I used to, and that’s not a good.
Are these massive games and their worlds a trap into which I have stupidly blundered?
Hmm.
That all.
Paul Dunning
Another letter about the size of games! The huge game model is clearly a strategy that's working for the companies, because they're all doing it. I've taken to alternating between the big games, and smaller, quicker, ones - or old games - in-between the big, triple-A releases. There's a big games industry out there, and it isn't all games from major publishers.
DIGITISER THE MOVIE
Dear Biffo,
I hope this email finds you feeling much improved and your immune system victorious over that godawful flu.
I’ve had a dreadful run of ill health myself lately, stretching right the way back to the end of November, so can definitely sympathise.
The worst bout was during January, when I had pneumonia - a consequence of which was that I was getting about 2 hours sleep a night. In order to amuse myself through the sleeplessness I got to thinking about what a film of the Digitiser story would be like - it was quite a cheering thought as I battled the snot and the antibiotics nuked my insides.
Picture it: it has the perfect 3-act structure; we follow the underdog hero as he accidentally finds himself at the helm of a celebrated cult phenomenon. Laugh at the antics of he and his partner in crime - it would have to include the drunken rugby tackle in the Californian hotel and all the office-based shenanigans - gasp as the suits seemingly get the better of him; and cheer at the triumphant return of humour post-Digigate and the glorious finale, as our hero goes out in style on his terms.
Then of course you’d flash forward a decade or so for the epilogue, and show the gladdening emergence of Digitiser2000, before finishing up, all smiles, with the premiering of Digitiser The Show. Job done - lovely.
So there you go. I would genuinely love to see that - and I’m fully aware mine is a niche within a niche within a niche of an opinion, and thus not exactly indicative of blockbuster potential, but simply as an entertaining and heartwarming story I think it’d be hard to beat.
Indulge me for a second and assume you’re casting it - who would you have playing you and Mr Hairs?
Another thing that cheered me up through the relentless waves of lurgy was taking receipt of one of those magic boxes that has all the games ever living inside it - like your grand arcade cabinet, only dinky and a bit ugly.
It’s been a joy rediscovering games from the 16-bit days - I kind of left gaming behind around the year 2000, and abandoned consoles for a PC after the 32X debacle (yes, I know), so the mid-90s has always felt like ‘my era’ of gaming.
Consequently, if you or your esteemed readers are so inclined to suggest any gems (lesser-known or otherwise - I was never really a hardcore gamer) I should check out, then that would be just ‘swell’.
Loving the Digitiser Minis, btw - they’re certainly tiding us over nicely until we can start talking about series 2.
Feel better!
Chris Bell
Dear Biffo,
I hope this email finds you feeling much improved and your immune system victorious over that godawful flu.
I’ve had a dreadful run of ill health myself lately, stretching right the way back to the end of November, so can definitely sympathise.
The worst bout was during January, when I had pneumonia - a consequence of which was that I was getting about 2 hours sleep a night. In order to amuse myself through the sleeplessness I got to thinking about what a film of the Digitiser story would be like - it was quite a cheering thought as I battled the snot and the antibiotics nuked my insides.
Picture it: it has the perfect 3-act structure; we follow the underdog hero as he accidentally finds himself at the helm of a celebrated cult phenomenon. Laugh at the antics of he and his partner in crime - it would have to include the drunken rugby tackle in the Californian hotel and all the office-based shenanigans - gasp as the suits seemingly get the better of him; and cheer at the triumphant return of humour post-Digigate and the glorious finale, as our hero goes out in style on his terms.
Then of course you’d flash forward a decade or so for the epilogue, and show the gladdening emergence of Digitiser2000, before finishing up, all smiles, with the premiering of Digitiser The Show. Job done - lovely.
So there you go. I would genuinely love to see that - and I’m fully aware mine is a niche within a niche within a niche of an opinion, and thus not exactly indicative of blockbuster potential, but simply as an entertaining and heartwarming story I think it’d be hard to beat.
Indulge me for a second and assume you’re casting it - who would you have playing you and Mr Hairs?
Another thing that cheered me up through the relentless waves of lurgy was taking receipt of one of those magic boxes that has all the games ever living inside it - like your grand arcade cabinet, only dinky and a bit ugly.
It’s been a joy rediscovering games from the 16-bit days - I kind of left gaming behind around the year 2000, and abandoned consoles for a PC after the 32X debacle (yes, I know), so the mid-90s has always felt like ‘my era’ of gaming.
Consequently, if you or your esteemed readers are so inclined to suggest any gems (lesser-known or otherwise - I was never really a hardcore gamer) I should check out, then that would be just ‘swell’.
Loving the Digitiser Minis, btw - they’re certainly tiding us over nicely until we can start talking about series 2.
Feel better!
Chris Bell
There's that sympathy I crave...! Hope you're feeling better too, Bellston.
It's weird isn't it? If you stop the Digi story at the right time, and skip the miserable wilderness years between 2003 and 2014, then yes - it's a perfect three-act structure. Not quite sure we're interesting enough for the Bohemian Rhapsody treatment, though by all accounts that film took some massive liberties with the truth - and unfortunately we don't have the luxury of a catalogue of crowd-pleasing anthems to paper over the cracks.
Unless you include Wozniak and The Ballad of Sir Clive.
Who would play us? According to you lot I'd be played by the bloke out of The Flaming Lips, Chris Moyles, Dave Stewart or George Michael.
For Hairs? I'd choose either the late George Harrison or Marc Bolan.
It's weird isn't it? If you stop the Digi story at the right time, and skip the miserable wilderness years between 2003 and 2014, then yes - it's a perfect three-act structure. Not quite sure we're interesting enough for the Bohemian Rhapsody treatment, though by all accounts that film took some massive liberties with the truth - and unfortunately we don't have the luxury of a catalogue of crowd-pleasing anthems to paper over the cracks.
Unless you include Wozniak and The Ballad of Sir Clive.
Who would play us? According to you lot I'd be played by the bloke out of The Flaming Lips, Chris Moyles, Dave Stewart or George Michael.
For Hairs? I'd choose either the late George Harrison or Marc Bolan.
ARCHIVE OF THE COVENANT
Hi Paul
I'm really enjoying reading the old Digi pages that have resurfaced thank to the Archaeologist's hard work, i never actually read it first time round.
One thing that has been playing on my mind is that in say 5 years time it's going to be hard for new readers to actually be able to find the full archive as it seems to spread all over the place rather than in one central location.
I know the Teletext Preservation Project has a large collection archived, but there has been quite a few new pages found since then. Some are on your site, some on others and some are even on Youtube.
While thanks to Twitter and the like these are bought to the attention of people when they are fresh, in 5 years time no one is going to think to trawl through 5 years worth of tweets to find the link.
I wouldnt know where to start in collating all this, or even running a site but i was wondering if anyone has suggested something along these lines before.
Toodles
Hi Paul
I'm really enjoying reading the old Digi pages that have resurfaced thank to the Archaeologist's hard work, i never actually read it first time round.
One thing that has been playing on my mind is that in say 5 years time it's going to be hard for new readers to actually be able to find the full archive as it seems to spread all over the place rather than in one central location.
I know the Teletext Preservation Project has a large collection archived, but there has been quite a few new pages found since then. Some are on your site, some on others and some are even on Youtube.
While thanks to Twitter and the like these are bought to the attention of people when they are fresh, in 5 years time no one is going to think to trawl through 5 years worth of tweets to find the link.
I wouldnt know where to start in collating all this, or even running a site but i was wondering if anyone has suggested something along these lines before.
Toodles
Lucky for you, Mr Chris "Bellston" Bell (that's him above) is preparing this very thing for his Super Page 58 site! It's proving something of a mammoth task, but once it's finished it will be the most complete repository of classic Digitiser available anywhere. He's currently estimating April for its completion.
RATS OFF TO YA!
I've been seeing a lot of rats roaming the streets lately, and it's got me wondering if there's been any famous rat video game characters. I couldn't remember any though. You'd think rats would be a good fit for a video game what with their running, jumping and biting skills.
S Hawke
I've been seeing a lot of rats roaming the streets lately, and it's got me wondering if there's been any famous rat video game characters. I couldn't remember any though. You'd think rats would be a good fit for a video game what with their running, jumping and biting skills.
S Hawke
Wait... you're right. Where are the video game rats? There's a Wikipedia page for video game rodents - and there have been no significant gaming rats. How has this happened?!?
BINFORMATION
Howdy Biffo! Once upon a time (last winter) we had some old toys down the side of our house waiting to go to the dump etc. Whilst playing in the front room with the youngest on the Wii I noticed one of the neighbours opposite (who I never spoke to) glancing down the side of the house then knocking sheepishly on the door.
I answered it friendly enough expecting him to ask if he could have the toys only for him to tell me his bin had been stolen (through some quirk of fate I’ve always had two bins), I then thought he was being neighbourly and warning everyone, until the conversation turned to the fact I had an extra bin. He inferred that me or the missus may have accidentally brought two bins in after bin day, what with us not being able to count past one and everything.
Anyway, I sent him on his way after offering to loan him our extra bin until he sorted a replacement. Needless to say he refused and stormed off. I was sooooooooo dying to get all Mr T on him and shout “Stay Away from MY Bins!!!!”, but I waited until he’d fucked off back to his hovel.
So. That’s my game/Digitiser related shitty neighbour story. Have you had experience with shitty neighbours, Biffo? Or awkward bin related shenanigans?
Anyway fight the power etc.
Hadoooooooken!!!!
James Walker
PS. my cheap Freemason watch from Wish came and it’s really ace!!!! Yippee!
Howdy Biffo! Once upon a time (last winter) we had some old toys down the side of our house waiting to go to the dump etc. Whilst playing in the front room with the youngest on the Wii I noticed one of the neighbours opposite (who I never spoke to) glancing down the side of the house then knocking sheepishly on the door.
I answered it friendly enough expecting him to ask if he could have the toys only for him to tell me his bin had been stolen (through some quirk of fate I’ve always had two bins), I then thought he was being neighbourly and warning everyone, until the conversation turned to the fact I had an extra bin. He inferred that me or the missus may have accidentally brought two bins in after bin day, what with us not being able to count past one and everything.
Anyway, I sent him on his way after offering to loan him our extra bin until he sorted a replacement. Needless to say he refused and stormed off. I was sooooooooo dying to get all Mr T on him and shout “Stay Away from MY Bins!!!!”, but I waited until he’d fucked off back to his hovel.
So. That’s my game/Digitiser related shitty neighbour story. Have you had experience with shitty neighbours, Biffo? Or awkward bin related shenanigans?
Anyway fight the power etc.
Hadoooooooken!!!!
James Walker
PS. my cheap Freemason watch from Wish came and it’s really ace!!!! Yippee!
Well, yes - the whole "Stay away from my bins" line was born from my own experience with shitty neighbours. Firstly, a council flat I lived in for nine months, which was adjacent to a children's home - and we had their bins right in front of our door - and had a bunch of ex-care kids living above us, who would steal our milk, throw fireworks into our back garden, and start playing loud dance music every single night at 2am.
And then when we got moved from there - having enlisted the local MP and threatened to go to the papers - we ended up living next to a delinquent who also enjoyed loud music. And he once tipped over my bins after I told him to turn his music down. I wish I'd gone round there and punched him in the mouth.
Still, I had the last laugh - his mum died on Christmas Day!!!!
And then when we got moved from there - having enlisted the local MP and threatened to go to the papers - we ended up living next to a delinquent who also enjoyed loud music. And he once tipped over my bins after I told him to turn his music down. I wish I'd gone round there and punched him in the mouth.
Still, I had the last laugh - his mum died on Christmas Day!!!!
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