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THE LATEST RETRO GAMING DRAMA AND MY PART IN IT

13/2/2020

 
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I only consider myself to have one foot in the retro gaming community these days. Though I continue to write a column for Retro Gamer magazine, since Digitiser The Show went out I've kind of drifted away from active involvement. Last year was a turning point, as you'd have no doubt picked up from the feelings I wrote about in the multiple posts on here, and Patreon, while trying to figure it out.

Fact is, I didn't play games as much as I had done in the past. Partly, I just didn't have the time or energy. I was incredibly busy with the day job, and... gaming wasn't how I wanted to spend my down time. 

I'd not gone off games, but my interest in writing or making content about them was starting to wane. Over 27 years, I can't imagine how many words about games I've written, and I knew I needed to keep my powder dry when it came to gaming-related projects I did choose to do (Retro Gamer being one, Digitiser Live 2.0 being another). Gaming, broadly, was starting to feel like a straightjacket in terms of my creativity.

However, in truth not all of my move away from games content was due to that sense of ennui. There was also an increasing feeling that rarely a day went by on social media where there wasn't some new retro gaming drama unfolding. 

Every fandom has its dramas of course - I mean, just look at the state of Star Wars - but because I was Mr Biffo, it seemed that there were those, both publicly and behind the scenes, who wanted to draw me into it. I'd get told gossipy stuff uninvited, or be asked for my opinions on the latest scandal, and I just didn't want any part of it. I didn't like the way some of my acquaintances revelled in it.

There are two sides to every story, and, unless I was party to both, or had some vested interest, I tended to stay out of it. But it kept happening. Countless troll accounts. Horacegate. Hate videos. Copyright claims. Whispers and rumours etc. etc. It was ugly and depressing.

Unfortunately, as many of you will no doubt be aware, it has come to light over the past week that many of the dramas the community has been wrestling with over the past year appear as if the may be the work of just one person.

One person - if true - who otherwise acted as a well-intentioned member of the community, who befriended many while stabbing them in the back, who has secretly sat at the heart of all this, like some sort of Machiavellian, retro gaming, spider.
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NAMELESS
I don't want to mention any names in this article. It won't be difficult for you to find out who I'm referring to, if you really want to. And I also say all this with the caveat that there still isn't concrete proof of every single allegation being levelled at this person.

A person who, it should also be noted, has claimed to struggle with a disability and mental illness. Whatever they may or may not have done, I'm prepared to take that at face value. 

Unfortunately, if the allegations are true - that he is behind many of the disgusting troll accounts that have plagued various retro gaming YouTubers over the past couple of years, as well as other devious  activities - then he has caused untold hurt and damage to a lot of people. Even if they're not true, his reputation is now in tatters, and given the toxicity of what is still unfurling, it's going to be virtually impossible for the community to ever trust him again.

What I can say is this: at least one of the troll accounts mentioned above seemed to be preoccupied with a subject said person messaged me about back when Digitiser The Show went out. The account has repeated at least one allegation he made to me regarding another notable figure in the community. 

More on that shortly.

STRESSO
Digitiser The Show was, as I've mentioned before, a stressful thing to put together. It was made with the best of intentions, and given the huge logistical and budgetary challenges we faced, I'm very proud of the end result. It would've been nice if it had reached a bigger audience, but - broadly - it went down well with those who watched it.

It was never going to please everyone - nothing ever does - however, our third episode received something in the region of 500 dislikes, hundreds more than the others got,  in the same week several of the noisier retro gaming troll accounts had started attacking the show. Accounts which, it appeared, only ever really followed and interacted with one another.

Their reach might not have been wide, but for the handful of targets they were myopically fixated upon, the tone of what they were saying - and the fact that it did, at least on the surface, appear to be more than one individual - was extremely damaging. It was an almost daily hate campaign, repeating the same attacks again and again and again, tagging the same handful of targets.

Obviously, given no other episode of Digi had received anything like that amount of negativity, it was pretty clear that somebody - and we had a pretty good suspicion as to who was behind it (or, at least, their public troll mask), due to their obsessive bashing of Digitiser The Show and its presenters - had paid for those dislikes. I mean, their loss at the end of the day. It all registers on the YouTube algorithm, so... whatever. 

Nonetheless, joining the dots, if the current allegations are true, the person who messaged me around the same time, under the cloak of being helpful, friendly, and selfless, has been exposed as the person behind the troll accounts, and other deceptions. 
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DIGITISER THE SHOW-OFFS
18 months or so ago, several members of the Digitiser The Show team were contacted by this person, and given information that we were being discussed in derogatory terms on a private forum. The implication was that the members of this forum might've been behind the paid-for-dislikes, and, by association, might've had something to do with the troll accounts.

I don't care about people slagging off my work - it's to be expected. Trolls will troll, and you have to remember that anyone who takes the time to troll is kind of a bit messed-up. Due to a deficit of... something... they want power and control, and only get their reward if you act like it's affecting you.

​That said, some of the comments we were told were being made on the forum were extremely unpleasant and personal about some of the show's presenters, and one in particular.

What did make this galling, and of interest, is that the people we were told making these comments, and who - it was being alluded - might've been behind a wider campaign of negativity regarding Digitiser and its cast, were people I'd worked with in the past as a guest at a retro gaming convention they ran.

The person who'd contacted me also made - again entirely unprompted - a bunch of allegations about the business practices of the convention's organiser, and his publishing business. In fact, he spent most of his messages grinding his axe, claiming he hadn't been paid for work he'd done, and reiterating how untrustworthy this person was. 

This is something that, I've since learned, was repeated on one of the troll accounts. I can't help but draw certain conclusions.

Anyway, what made it all the more bizarre is that, around the same time, I received an email from the target of these allegations, asking if they could run an ad on Digitiser The Show for one of their books. It didn't add up, and if it did add up... then it was astonishingly hypocritical.

Given what I'd been told, with no reason to believe anybody would bother to lie so blatantly - and with other members of the team vouching for the source of the allegations as being A Good Bloke - I ignored the email. I had discussed with the rest of the Digi team whether I should confront the aforementioned publisher. Or, at least, email back and ask him to respond to the allegations, given that his behaviour seemed, at best, somewhat disingenuous, having been told he was not only slagging off the show, but also might end up not paying for the ad.

It was suggested I just leave it. So I did.

With hindsight, and given everything we now know (or, at least, suspect), I wish I had sent that email, because it would've given him a chance to respond, and he had the right to know what he was being accused of in private. Perhaps that would've exposed things sooner, and could've nipped in the bud a lot of the drama that has plagued the community in recent years. I dunno.

I noticed the other day that Octav1us had apologised to him for believing what we'd been told, and I did the same. It was the least I could do. 

However, that was the extent of my contact with the person who is, today, being accused of so much ill-behaviour. I don't think we ever messaged again. 
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IT'S BEEN EDUCATIONAL
I think there's a lesson for all of us in this. Or, at least, there's one for me.

Certainly, by taking the allegations at face value, I broke one of my own rules - which is never to believe the truth of something until I know as much of the full truth as possible. Until I've heard it from both sides. I've learned from bitter experience - and been on the receiving end a couple of times too many - that people lie. People are capable of saying anything, even of believing anything, if it helps fit events into their own sense of the world, or their own feelings of rejection, betrayal, or hurt.

What's worse is that even at the time I ignored my own felt sense that something was off. I put it down to this autism this person -  the one now being accused of doing so much wrong - claims to have. 

And that bugs me, because I'm usually pretty good at smelling when somebody isn't being sincere. He wasn't anybody I knew, other than seeing his name online. I never considered him a friend. I knew nothing about him, beyond a couple of people I knew considering him a friend. I had no reason to believe or disbelieve. But I did feel he was an angry person with a lot of bitterness stewing away, and I should've taken into account that this might've been colouring his behaviour. 

We can't, and never should, accept anything at face value. The only people we know are ourselves, and even then that's a mystery half the time. 

That applies equally to the person at the centre of the current storm. We don't know him, however much suspicion there is. I dunno if he's responsible for all those troll accounts. I don't know if he was the one really behind Horacegate. I don't know if he damaged Digitiser The Show, and cost us money.

None of us know anything for certain. We don't know how broken he is inside, what might drive someone to act this way, on such a grand scale. Although, pretty damn broken, if everything he's accused of is true. 

In a way, I hope he is responsible, because being exposed like this might finally put an end to a pretty wretched time. I have no desire for retribution - like many in the retro community seem to do - but a lot of vulnerable people have been hurt, damaged, and upset by all that has happened in recent years, by campaigns of harassment, hatred, and lies, which this person is alleged to either be responsible for directly, or to have at least had a hand in. I hope this is the end of it.
WhatHoSnorkers
13/2/2020 02:13:36 pm

A cogent, thoughtful, well-written piece about all the nasty shit that has been going around.

Thank you.

Electronic Arse link
13/2/2020 02:24:44 pm

+1.

Pete Davison link
13/2/2020 02:18:00 pm

I've been really disappointed to see these dramas unfolding over the course of the past year or so; I'd always thought of the retro community, particularly in the UK, as better than that -- perhaps a case of "old enough to know better" or something. It seems that was not the case.

The person you're referring to has sown a great deal of discord, it's absolutely true. At the same time, I, like you, am really not a fan of how some people on the "correct" side (such as it is) seem to revel in the drama -- taking every opportunity to tear someone down that they've seemingly hated for a long time. It makes me very uncomfortable any time I see that sort of behaviour; who is next? What happens if they get it wrong?

Life is much, much too short for petty squabbles and infighting, and I respect you for being able to take a step back and recognise when things weren't quite adding up.

Hopefully this week's revelations will see things calm down a bit. One can hope.

Keep doing your thing, Biffo; your work, gaming-related or not, remains a pleasant and enjoyable escape from the nonsense elsewhere in life and on the Internet.

Nikki
13/2/2020 02:21:50 pm

Thank you, great post.

It might be purely coincidental, but it's also worth noting that a bunch of troll accounts that existed purely to harass certain retro gamers, and digi folk, disappeared the same day as the person in question's twitter account finally shut down along with their youtube channel.

On the other hand, it is nice to see relationships getting repaired.

Jopijedd
13/2/2020 02:28:47 pm

The opening stanza of this article pretty well sums up my feelings over the past year or so too. I've never been particularly "a part of" the retro gaming movement, but i do have an interest in it. I follow plenty of people involved in it on Twitter and used to derive some pleasure from that. Ever since the cycle of aggressor / victim driven drama started, it has just ended up feeling like something i didn't want to be a part of, even less so something that i wanted to trawl through dozens of Twitter conversations trying to understand. I just went off and played something on my laptop through a CPC Emulator instead, and i think through that i've missed out on stuff because i've unfollowed or muted certain people who (whilst i'm sure are mostly perfectly decent, lovely people) seemed to be at the centre of it all the time.

I would be lovely if we could get back to people enjoying old games again, without all the politics. So, like you i hope this brings the miserable chapter to a close.

Pete Davison link
13/2/2020 02:46:22 pm

This is exactly how I've felt. The videos I make on YouTube are directly relevant to the retro gaming community and it would be great to get more people watching them... but just recently I haven't really felt comfortable raising my head and trying to get noticed by anyone, because there's been so much other chaos going on.

Having a combination of Aspergers-fuelled social anxiety and a fear of conflict really do be like that sometimes.

The Pink Oboe
13/2/2020 02:29:43 pm

Dear Dr Bisto,

What a strange creature the human is, eh? I only know little bits of this drama stuff, i'm just a little oboe in Aberdeen who is far removed from the glamour of the Youtube/Social Media Retro gaming world. I have seen a video this weeks with Wotsits and i'm assuming it's got to do with whatever that chap was talking about, and it really does make me wonder. Why would people make such a big deal and start shit especially in the retro world? It's systems and games from 20+ years ago and I just can't see why anyone would want to start shit over something so unimportant as retro gaming. Does having a Youtube channel honestly turn people into megalomaniac nutcases who have to try and destroy anyone else's channel? What a strange phenomenon this is. What a sad story.

Lots of Love, The pink Oboe

Pete Prodge link
13/2/2020 02:34:21 pm

Wonderfully put. Fandoms do tend to attract some strange people. I know exactly who you are referring to. There was someone very similar to him when I was running a website dedicated to a cult TV show. A guy who made out he was with the 'in crowd', he had contacts, etc. And we let him into our inner circle. But over the years, he had spread nasty hateful gossip to each of us, trying to divide us, and then capitalise on his association with us.

The retrogaming troll exposed this week, he's someone I've only ever met in real life once, at an event last year . I don't think we'll see him again. I hope he's learnt his lesson.

S Hawke
13/2/2020 03:17:03 pm

I feel like I'm missing out on a whole other world by not having a twitter account.

Adam
13/2/2020 09:20:40 pm

Articles like this remind me why I don't have one either. More trouble than it's worth!

Alex
13/2/2020 03:21:05 pm

This is all so Mumsnet circa 2009. The whole drama I mean, not your post on it. There's not enough casual racism for Mumsnet in your post.

Nick
13/2/2020 03:22:39 pm

Is this person the reason we couldn’t talk about the Jaguar in the comments?

Learned Robb @ 8/16/32bit
13/2/2020 03:24:04 pm

If the person alluded to is indeed responsible for all the bullshit of the past few months, then I fear that their involvement in the retro scene may well be over.

Indeed, they have a history stretching back some years within the scene, and have been noted to be somewhat of a Walter Mitty type character. Personally, I've never had any issues directly with them, but if what is being said is true (and there are far too many sources for at least some of it not to be true), then it is time to call it quits with regards to entertaining this person.

What really disgusts me though is that he uses his self professed autism as a "get out" when he is rumbled for another of his misdemeanours. I know a few genuine autistics, and I've never once had one of them blame their autism for any bad behaviour. Never.

ChinnyHill10
13/2/2020 07:21:28 pm

He played the lot of us, stole content and ran what can only be described as a campaign of being a two faced git. And projected his own failings onto others (him stealing other peoples footage while accusing myself and other channels via fake accounts of doing the same thing).

It's now all out in the open and we all understand what was going on. I think if there is any lesson from this, things need to be out in the open more. And also, perhaps, the community needs to be less accepting of some of the half assed chancers who fancy being a professional Youtube. I'm a bumbling amateur and I intend to keep it that way. Join me next week on ChinnyVision for 7 times Mario got NAKED!

James Walker
14/2/2020 12:08:06 am

Ignorance is bliss eh I suppose.


It’s that fucker Gannon isn’t it?

Phoenix_Z80
14/2/2020 01:53:37 pm

There are some course attitudes in this link, but it gives you a better idea as to where it all came from. Various people now chipping in to give their own stories...

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/300891-the-review-of-a-z-of-atari-st-games-volume-3-book-retrolaird-is-trying-to-delete/page/1/#comments

Captain Von Blinker Hoffen
15/2/2020 09:29:50 am

I quite like I have no idea about this drama at all... However a thought provoking post...

Jason Birch (Argys Attic Repairs) link
15/2/2020 10:45:04 am

I came back to a retrogaming scene and was confronted by the individual on two occasions.
First off the death of Total Biscuit. I'd never heard of KH until this point. However I placed my condolence post in a popular gaming group on Facebook, only to be met with abuse towards me because of his own personal feeling of the deceased. I was shocked however let it go by.
The second time, very recent was over his post on twitter concerning the subject of Blast Processing on the Mega Drive. I felt I needed to factually correct him, as for someone who makes fact videos on retrogaming subjects, being armed with the facts of the matter would in some way enrich the gentleman. From this point on I realised I'd made a mistake correcting him, to a point where he'd a fully twisted the narrative to make it look like I had been abusive towards him. I tend to treat folk the way I wish to be treated.. Alas I blocked him.

I have seen over the past 3 or 4 years a trend in which folk elevate themselves, within the retrogaming community, to a level where they get noticed, but like attention, of both positive and negative varieties. They create a world for themselves where they "think" they are at the top of a tree, where in fact we are all equals.
I blame HERO WORSHIP from sociopathic individuals. The scene attracts many different types of people as its universally accepted isn't it. It's a sad part of the scene, however one I think as a community we can self police.
So many dramas as of late... Upsetting as retrogaming is supposed to be a happy pastime

Pixels Ltd link
15/2/2020 11:37:40 am

I just posted an apology to a YouTuber who I had been lead to believe was responsible for much of the trolling of some of my closest friends. They have made critical videos of them and it felt disloyal to post, but as I have seen several of those friends now make public comments on this matter, I feel I
wasnt breaking any trust by doing so. I'm now pretty sure they had zero to do with the trolling or issues, and only made a few videos confined to their own channel. I just took those negative videos as evidence to back up the far more serious allegations I had been told, as did many. I also was warned about the events and publications I should boycott and again, believed everything at face value.

Having my own mental health issues I've been pretty much unable to be on social media for the last year or so, especially as I've been going through a lot of other crap in my personal life. I have filmed and edited many videos during that time but can't quite yet bring myself to post them, simply because there had been so much drama in the community every damn time I'm about to upload, and I only want to talk about games and not get dragged into it. The fact the vast majority of this may have been caused by one man has me both very angry, and slightly relieved that it wasn't a coordinated effort of many.

Avoiding social media like the plague right now, I only just found out about this mess through reading this blogpost, and when I did, my heart sank as I instantly got a strong gut feeling, both that I knew who it was referring to, and that it was someone I considered a friend and even occasionally confidant. Still avoiding Twitter I googled his name and found the AA thread and my suspicions were confirmed. I didn't want to believe it but much of the growing evidence seems insurmountable unless some drastic new information comes to light.

Everything Biffo says here very closely mimicks my own initial experience with getting private emails and messages warning me about certain individuals. Being good friends IRL with some Digi show presenters I naturally asked their opinion and was told the accused was "a good bloke". We became online friends and chatted a lot. I heard some stories about him being stalked, persecuted and lied about by jealous people in the industry, and believed him and offered advice and a sympathetic ear. He offered me support through some of my problems too. I feel somewhat like I may have been "groomed", if that's the term.

Last year I met him in real life at a convention and spent a good 20 minutes or so enjoying a chat whilst we waited for an event. He seemed a really nice guy, if a little gossipy and keen to point out people who had wronged him, which made me slightly uncomfortable and I kept changing the subject back to games. Perhaps I should have taken that as a sign, but like Biffo, I put that down to his Autism, and trusted that he was indeed, a "good bloke".

Sadly, I'm 99% sure that same event and day was when Horracegate's seeds were sewn, though not in any way related to our interactions, more just by happenstance of this being the launch place of the Horrace plushies, them blowing up on social media, and the attention causing some minor controversy with some more vocal "characters" at the event.

Assuming this is all true, I don't for a second blame my friends who vouched for him. He was very convincing, seemed credible from his previous work and associations ("exagerated", it appears) it just seems that many wholesale believed what we were told. I am very sad that we have lost who we thought was a trusted friend, and a valuable member of the community, and it feels like a true betrayal of the trust of some of the kindest, loveliest people I've ever known.

If all or the majority of the trolls were in fact one person, and now many of the accounts have been deleted, I hope perhaps there can be less animosity in the scene moving forward. I just want to talk about games and make friends who also like to do that. The world has enough nastiness in it. I hope we can all get along and just go back to enjoying reminiscing about our favourite old games.


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