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Pixels Invading The Silver Screen

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Pixels_TitleOn the back of the Wreck’It Ralph success, it seems that video game characters and themes are the hottest ticket in Hollywood right now! Sony Pictures Entertainment have released their second official trailer for their upcoming Pixels movie.

Set for release this (northern hemisphere) summer, the movie sees four mates (Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad and Peter Dinklage) use their former arcade gaming prowess to save the world from invading intergalactic aliens, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede and Space Invaders!

The movie will hit Australian cinemas on July 30! Are you game to watch Pixels? Let the the trailer whet your appetite.


source: Sony Pictures Entertainment

C64 SEUCK Competition 2015

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SEUCK_Comp_2015_headerThe voting has opened for the 2015 C64 S.E.U.C.K. Competition! The coders that slaved over their creations for your gaming pleasure, now need you to cast your vote. You have some very important decisions to make! Who deserves your vote?

Once again, this year is full of great SEUCK (Shoot’Em Up Construction Kit) game creations, from Ant Stiller’s awesome Abyssonaut, to Alf Yngve’s GigaBlast, the decision to pick the best is going to be extremely difficult. If you haven’t already, please download each contender’s game to experience them for yourself and then cast your all important vote. Have fun, and as usual, your vote counts, so hop to it!

SEUCK_Comp_Contenderssource: TND – The New Dimension 64

Read-Only Memory announces The Bitmap Brothers: Universe art history book

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tbbu_case_cropThe Bitmap Brothers: Universe is a singular collection of never-before-seen concept artwork and archive material, covering seminal titles such as Xenon 2: Megablast, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe and The Chaos Engine.

The book also features an authoritatively written inside story of the company and its games. Written by Duncan Harris (contributor to Edge and Rock, Paper, Shotgun), it weaves together new and original first-hand interviews with The Bitmap Brothers’ key figures, including founder Mike Montgomery and lead artist Dan Malone – offering an unrivaled glimpse at the groundbreaking, enigmatic, Ray-Ban-wearing Bitmaps team. This luxurious hardback will include:

  • Contributions from Mark Coleman (Artist — Speedball, Xenon 2: Megablast, Magic Pockets, Gods, Z, World War II: Frontline Command), Sean Griffiths (Programmer — Cadaver and Magic Pockets), Martin Heath (Founder, Director — Rhythm King, Founder — Renegade Software), John Foxx (Musician — Nation 12, and Ultravox) and many more;
  • Staggeringly intricate hand-drawn artwork, such as unused character concepts for Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe and pencil renderings of The Chaos Engine’s iconic cut-scenes;
  • Unearthing of several unreleased/unannounced games, such as the high-tech dystopian racing game called ‘Bike’/‘Havoc’/‘Triple X’, and an as-yet-unmade 2D Speedball successor.

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The Kickstarter campaign for The Bitmap Brothers: Universe runs until 11 May 2015, and is seeking to raise £40,000. Special items available via the campaign are a signed, dedicated copy of the book (by Mike Montgomery), and a signed, specially-commissioned Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe print by original artist Dan Malone.

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The Bitmap Brothers: Universe will join the stable at videogame history publisher Read-Only Memory, which includes the celebrated Sensible Software 1986–1999 (2013) and Sega Mega Drive/ Genesis: Collected Works (2014) – which we said ‘This is the only Sega Mega Drive /Genesis book you will ever need’!

tbbu_sb2_revolverimage source: Read-Only Memory

Steven Spielberg To Direct ‘Ready Player One’

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spielberg plus cover

Deadline have reported Steven Spielberg is set to direct the film adaptation of Ernest Cline’s sci-fi bestseller Ready Player One (Random House Crown, 2011). If you haven’t read the book yet, check out diaf23’s review here.

Ready Player One Cover

Ready Player One is expected to follow Spielberg’s The BFG. Interestingly, this will be his first film with Warner Bros. since A.I. Artificial Intelligence in 2001.

Apparently the two biggest hurdles will be acquiring the rights to the myriads of pop culture references and finding the technology to bring Ready Player One’s virtual world to life. It will be very interesting to see which references do and do not end up in the movie.

With The BFG due for release in 2016, you still have plenty of time to read (or re-familiarise yourself with) the book – so get reading!

Source: Deadline via IGN

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Editor and Researcher at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Amiga: 30 Years

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Amiga30_Title

Can you believe that the Amiga is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! To mark this momentous occasion, the Amiga30 group in the Netherlands has gathered a galaxy of Amiga superstars for a very special event – from the creators of the wonder machine (Ed: RJ Mical anyone!), to the great game developers and even ex-Commodore management, everyone will be there and you are invited!

So, when is it and where? Here are the details:

Event: Amiga: 30 Years
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CEST)
Where: The Lighthouse, Krijn Taconiskade 432, 1087 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tickets: Going fast! Go here

To get more details about who will be there, what you can bring and what to expect at the event, head on over to the Amiga30 site immediately!

We wish we could attend this unprecedented feast of Amiga history! Viva Amiga!

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Amiga_goodiessource: Amiga30

From Bedrooms to Billions: The Amiga Years

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TheAmigaYearsFollowing their critically acclaimed first feature length documentary, From Bedrooms To Billions, Nicola and Anthony Caulfield are back with a follow-up film based on Commodore‘s wonder computer, the Amiga. Coinciding with the Amiga‘s 30th anniversary, Nicola and Anthony have kicked off their From Bedrooms to Billions: The Amiga Years Kickstarter campaign with a bang!

This film will have a whole new set of interviews to add to the already extensive list to create a standalone, immersive and highly nostalgic film that really explores why the release of the Commodore Amiga and the era that soon followed, was a key period in the evolution of video games.

Regardless of your allegiance to Commodore or the Amiga, this is one Kickstarter campaign you cannot miss. Back this project now!

Amiga_Ballimage source: From Bedrooms To Billions: The Amiga Years

Super Bread Box: Superb C64 Fun

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NEWSFLASH: RGCD has announced that Super Bread Box is available for download for all you C64 fanatics (Ed: proud to be a C64 fanatic). This news is great for all retro gaming fans, as Paul Koller’s game is damn awesome. Even if you do not possess a C64, you can get in on the action via VICE on your Windows machine.

Super Bread Box is available for free, but if you can spare a few coins, please throw some over to show your support and reward the developer for their great effort. What are you waiting for? Hop to it!

Super Bread Box on RGCD.DEV

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SBB_Screen2source: RGCD

Sponsored Video: Don’t Mess Up Christmas

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PS_TitleDear Family,

Thank you very much for all the socks and undies from Christmas’ past. My feet and bottom will be well covered for years to come.

I know it is the thought that counts when it comes to receiving gifts, but for this year, I thought I would make life a little easier and let you know what I wish for – It will save you from hunting those elusive elf printed socks in size 7-11.

My gift wishlist contains wondrous Sony PlayStation items that would bring lots of happiness, fun and entertainment. Not only can you play video games on the PS4, but you can also watch TV and surf the web! Heck, I’d even share the fun with you. The PS4 is truly family friendly.

Video gaming has come a long way since we all played Pong, but the essence remains the same – it brings families together in the spirit of fun. You guys remember how much fun we used to have turning the knobs and hitting a white square from one end of the screen to another? Well, the PS4 does this, but infinitely better. As the say, families that play together, stay together.

Just in case this message isn’t getting the point across, perhaps you should watch the video below. Look at how Shaun reflects on past Christmas gifts (sound familiar?) and then receives the gift he has always wanted. See his joy? That’s what I would like to experience this Christmas.

Loving you always,

Alex

Sponsored post

 

Australian Pinball Expo

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pinball_4Rolling on from the major video gaming events in October, November also gets in on the event action with the Australian Pinball Expo.

To be held at the Penrith Panthers, The Exhibition Marquee (NSW) from November 14 to 16, the Australian Pinball Expo will feature 180 pinball tables from the 1940s onward, exhibitors, classic arcade machines, lock-ins and your chance to play the new Wizard of Oz 75th anniversary pinball machine!

Make no mistake, this will be Australia’s largest pinball event. Tickets are $30 and will be available online soon or you can take the chance at getting some at the door.

For further details, hit the Australian Pinball Expo site!

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image source: Australian Pinball Expo

Weird and Retro presents: The Retro Roadshow at PAX Aus 2014

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WaR_Retro_RoadshowLookout Antiques Roadshow, Weird and Retro is coming at ya with their even cooler Retro Roadshow at PAX Aus 2014!

Don’t worry about bringing your grandmother’s ‘Torquay Fake’ porcelain deer to this roadshow, Weird and Retro want you to bring along and showcase your rarest or weirdest items from your retro (and not so retro) video games collection!

Pack your weird or rare items and bring them along to show them off at the Retro Roadshow at PAX Aus on November 2nd 2014 at 12:30pm in the Kookaburra Theatre. See you there!