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C64: CLASSIC GAME INSIGHTS VOL 1

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🎮 Take a Byte Out of Gaming History! 🚀

Calling all retro gamers, C64 diehards, and pixel-pushing pioneers—Gracious Films is dropping an absolute must-watch for your collection:

📼 COMMODORE 64: CLASSIC GAME INSIGHTS VOL 1

This documentary is a deep dive into the golden age of home computing, celebrating the brilliance and legacy of the Commodore 64—the best-selling computer of all time. Get behind-the-scenes insights from developers, game designers, and industry legends who shaped the 8-bit revolution.

From legendary titles to forgotten gems, Volume 1 is packed with nostalgia, interviews, and rich context that brings the era back to life. Whether you lived it or just love discovering gaming’s roots, this one’s for you.

🎬 Ready to plug in, load up, and rewind time? 👉 Watch or grab your copy now

Press play. Stay retro. Level up your knowledge.

image source: Gracious Films LTD

TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming – A Spine-Chilling Journey into Gaming’s Darkest Corners

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If you’ve ever felt your pulse quicken while creeping through the foggy streets of Silent Hill, or if you still get shivers remembering the first time a zombie turned its head in Resident Evil, then brace yourself—because TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming is about to take you on a deep dive into the genre’s terrifying history.

A Love Letter to Horror Gaming

Horror in gaming has always been about more than just jump scares. It’s an art form—one that thrives on tension, atmosphere, and a creeping sense of dread that lingers long after you put down the controller. TerrorBytes is a five-episode documentary series that explores this unique world, shining a light on the creators, innovations, and eerie legends that have shaped horror gaming into what it is today.

With a stacked cast of over 50 industry legends, including Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka, DOOM co-creator John Romero, and Deadly Premonition director Swery65, this is no ordinary gaming retrospective. Even horror movie icon John Carpenter joins the fray, proving that the love of horror knows no boundaries between mediums.

John Carpenter
Akira Yamaoka

What’s Lurking in the Shadows?

Each episode of TerrorBytes dissects a different aspect of horror gaming’s evolution:

  • Survival Horror – The genre that made you count every bullet and check every shadow.
  • Licensed Horror Games – From Friday the 13th to Alien: Isolation, the best (and worst) horror adaptations.
  • FMV & Interactive Horror – A look at the eerie rise of full-motion video and cinematic storytelling in horror.
  • The Indie Horror Revolution – How small teams and solo developers are redefining terror.
  • Cursed & Controversial Games – The legends, mysteries, and moral panics that have haunted the genre.

From classic franchises like Resident Evil and Clock Tower to modern indie nightmares like Iron Lung and FAITH: The Unholy Trinity, TerrorBytes doesn’t just explore games—it dissects them like a mad scientist in a horror flick.

How to Get Your Hands on TerrorBytes

Ahead of its April release, TerrorBytes has launched a final pre-sale campaign, giving horror fans the chance to score exclusive perks. Pre-ordering grants early digital access to the first two episodes, your name in the credits, a digital copy of FPS: First Person Shooter, and access to the Darkness Unlimited streaming service—a must-have for horror aficionados.

A Documentary Born from Fear and Passion

Richard Moss, writer and director of TerrorBytes, sums it up best: “Horror games provide an incredible breadth of experience, emotion, and catharsis away from the conventional gaming power fantasy.” Producer Daniel Richardson adds, “It has been a dream come true shooting all over the globe with the people that shaped horror gaming history.”

For those brave enough to delve into gaming’s darkest corners, TerrorBytes is shaping up to be an essential watch. Don’t miss out—secure your copy now at terrorbytesdoc.com and prepare to confront the evolution of horror gaming like never before.

image source: TerrorBytes

 

Dive into the Arcade Era: A Journey Back in Time

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The golden age of arcade videogames was a magical time of groundbreaking innovation that gave birth to some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. Think of classics like SPACE INVADERS, PAC-MAN, DONKEY KONG (featuring the debut of the legendary Mario), GALAGA and ASTEROIDS. These games weren’t just about pressing buttons and joystick maneuvers; they were about embarking on epic adventures and chasing high scores.

More Than Just Gaming

Arcades were much more than gaming hubs. They were vibrant social hotspots where friends gathered under the neon glow. It was here that players navigated mazes, jumped over barrels, and dodged alien lasers, all in the heroic pursuit of a high score. The camaraderie and competition forged friendships and created memories that lasted a lifetime.


Source: ACMI – The Story of the Moving Image – Videogames

The Lasting Impact

The influence of the arcade era is still felt today. These pixelated pioneers and their synth-laden soundtracks continue to be celebrated and revisited, serving as the beating heart of the 80s nostalgia. Whether it’s through modern reboots, retro gaming events, or pop culture references, the spirit of the arcade lives on.

So, next time you find yourself reminiscing about the good old days or watching a movie with a killer 80s soundtrack, remember the arcade. It was a place where heroes were made, high scores were chased, and friendships were forged. The arcade era might be a thing of the past, but its legacy continues to inspire and entertain.

Unleash Your Inner Assassin with the New John Wick Pinball Games!

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Unleash Your Inner Assassin with the New John Wick Pinball Games!

Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush, John Wick fans – Stern Pinball has teamed up with Lionsgate to bring the high-octane world of the billion-dollar grossing film franchise to the pinball table!

Immerse Yourself in the Thrilling World of John Wick

These new pinball machines are packed with all the intense action, gritty style, and pulse-pounding thrills that you know and love from the movies. As you launch the ball and navigate the intricate table layouts, you’ll feel like you’re right there alongside Keanu Reeves’ iconic character, taking down legions of bad guys and racing through the streets of New York.

Innovative Gameplay Featuring Stern’s Dynamic AI Combat System

The John Wick pinball games introduce Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system – a revolutionary innovation that brings the frenetic combat of the films to life on the playfield. Enemy icons will move tactically around the table, dynamically responding to your actions and challenging you in unique ways with each game session.

Stunning Visuals and Authentic Film Touches

From the realistic 3D models of John Wick and his arsenal of weapons, to the cinematic video modes that bring the movies to life, every aspect of these pinball games has been crafted with meticulous attention to detail. You’ll even find pieces of John Wick’s iconic suits used in the film production included in the Limited Edition model!

John Wick Pro, Premium and LE pinball machines

Take the Fight Home or Challenge Your Friends

Whether you want to install one of these beauties in your home game room or compete against your friends at the local arcade, the new John Wick pinball tables are sure to provide hours of addictive, adrenaline-fueled fun. So grab your coins, load your magazine, and get ready to enter the world of John Wick like never before!

Model Rane & Pricing ($AUD – not yet confirmed):

  • Pro Edition: $US 6,999 / $AUD 11,950
  • Premium Edition: $US 9,699 / $AUD 15,500
  • Limited Edition: $US 12,999 / $AUD 20,500

 

Still Standing BONUS Featurette: Australian Pinball Museum

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Let’s start with the obvious, if you haven’t as yet watched the amazing and absolute banger of a documentary, Still Standing, then hop to it immediately – it’s available on SBS On-Demand, Viceland, Amazon Prime (US) and a swag of other streaming services!

If you have already watched Still Standing, we recommend you probably watch it again – it is that good. We are pretty chuffed to see that the creator of this award-winning documentary, Brad Gilbertson, has made available extra bonus footage that couldn’t fit into the 74 minute feature.

The first of these bonus featurettes is on the Australian Pinball Museum, where its owner, Lyndon Carter, takes us on a very insightful and magical tour of this must-see museum in Nhill (Victoria).


source: BGVC Films via YouTube

STILL STANDING is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand in Australia

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“The emotive and amazing stories and histories will have you gripped like a Darth Vader choke-hold right till the end.” – Ausretrogamer, Feb 2023

A year ago (almost to the day) on February 23rd, 2023, we told you all that the documentary, STILL STANDING, was a must watch, giving it a 5-star rating! This is still the case, and this time it is even easier to catch one of the best made docos on the Australian arcade and pinball culture of the past.

Still Standing’s cinematographer and producer, Brad Gilbertson, has been working hard to bring this awesome doco to the masses via a national broadcaster. Well, after some very hard toiling by Brad, he had this good news to announce (via Facebook):

After a slight delay, Still Standing is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand here in Australia! Thanks so much for your patience while this was sorted out, and a HUGE thanks to the community, groups, our Still Standing cast and locations that have supported, shared and liked our recent posts! It has been overwhelming to say the least and we appreciate each and everyone of you enormously! Please enjoy the film and stay tuned for more exciting news very soon!

If you haven’t done so, and you have the slightest of interest in the Australian arcade and pinball scene from the past, then STILL STANDING is an absolute MUST WATCH! Head on over to SBS On-Demand right now!

image source: SBS On-Demand



Docuseries – TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming

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Our good friend Richard Moss, who has written some awesome books and produced great podcasts, has now turned his talent into movie making, specifically a documentary series called TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming.

TerrorBytes will be five hour-long episodes, each digging into a different aspect of horror gaming — survival horror, licensed (and unlicensed but closely-inspired by film/book/TV) horror, FMV and interactive movie horror, indie horror, and “cursed and controversial” horror games (i.e., horror games that were banned, censored, or that never existed beyond an urban myth).

To whet your bloodthirsty appetite, TerrorBytes will be interviewing 40 well-known people from the horror gaming genre, including (but not limited to!):

  • Ken and Roberta Williams (Sierra co-founders; Phantasmagoria)
  • Jane Jensen (Gabriel Knight)
  • David Mullich (I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Dark Seed II)
  • Graeme Devine (The 7th Guest, The 11th Hour)
  • Rob Fulop (Night Trap)
  • Noah Falstein (Sinistar)
  • Hifumi Kouno (Clock Tower)
  • Hubert Chardot (Alone in the Dark)
  • Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill composer)
  • John Romero (DOOM, Quake)
  • James Rolfe (aka The Angry Video Game Nerd)
  • Christopher Carton (author of A Guide to Movie Based Games)

TerraBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming can be pre-ordered now, but you better hurry if you want all the ghoulish goodies, as this pre-sales window closes on March 3rd!

image source: TerrorBytes



Heart of Neon – New Trailer

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Just in case you haven’t been following, back in 2019 we told you about the documentary, Heart of Neon, a Paul Docherty film, centred around Jeff Minter and Llamasoft.

It’s been a hard slog since then, but it was great to see a new trailer drop (which premiered last week at the NY Game Awards), which you can check out below.

Paul has succinctly put it like this (about the Heart of Neon documentary):

Jeff Minter is an exceptional video game developer who for four decades has remained independent in an industry where corporations dictate the terms. HEART OF NEON charts Jeff’s career from pioneer to legend, mapping the landscape of the game development industry where only the most talented and tenacious can survive.



‘Zelda’ Film Needs a Good Script

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Off the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” we are now getting a “The Legend of Zelda” film adaptation. Money talks. It’s smart for Nintendo to get a “Zelda” film in pre-production. The “Mario Bros. Movie” made $1.36 billion at the box office, globally. And it had a budget of $100 million.

The thing about the “Mario” film was that everybody knows “Super Mario Bros.” Do people know “The Legend of Zelda,” yes, but is it as massive a global brand like “Mario”?

Nintendo must have an exceptional script. A good story that sticks to the video game’s lore is essential. That’s what the “Mario” film did so well, and audiences went back to see it more than once.

I hope the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the “Zelda” games have a more serious tone than the “Mario” games. The movie should still be a fun ride. If it’s live action, whoever is cast as Princess Zelda and Link is crucial. The film would be better if it was animated like “Mario.” They could have the same studio, Illumination, that worked on the “Mario” movie. Live action could work, but why take that risk when Nintendo hit a homerun with “Mario”? The voice acting was superb in “Mario,” especially Jack Black as Bowser. Will there be musical numbers in the “Zelda” film?

The “Mario” movie had a smart structure to it. It didn’t feel overstuffed with easter eggs, and the runtime was just right. “Zelda” will probably have to be a longer film. It needs to have the feel of an epic and still have a tight runtime and be fun for children. That’ll be tough to pull off, but with an intelligent, entertaining script, a good film is certainly possible.



The Legend of Zelda Live-Action Movie Is In The Works

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Not to be outdone by Mario, Nintendo’s other massive franchise, The Legend of Zelda, is going to get the love-action movie treatment!

Currently in the works with Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Legend Of Zelda film soon be a reality – Wahoo, or should that just be “woohoo”?!

Wes Ball, the visionary director behind the Maze Runner trilogy, will step into the director’s chair for this upcoming live-action Zelda feature film. The live-action film, set to be distributed by Sony, is a joint venture between Nintendo and Avi Arad’s Arad Productions, Inc., promising an epic collaboration that merges the gaming and cinematic worlds.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the iconic Nintendo representative director and visionary behind legendary franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, is set to produce the film. Miyamoto shared the exciting news on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, revealing that he and Arad have been tirelessly crafting the live-action adaptation for many years.

In this unprecedented partnership, gaming giant Nintendo and entertainment powerhouse Sony are co-financing the project, signaling a groundbreaking moment where two industry giants unite to bring a beloved gaming universe to life on the big screen. The collaboration promises to deliver an immersive and captivating experience for fans and newcomers alike.

Fans can expect nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece (Ed: we hope!!) as Ball takes on the challenge of bringing iconic Nintendo characters and worlds to life in a way that has never been seen before.

The anticipation is building as the creative forces behind this project continue to unveil their vision for the live-action adaptation. With Wes Ball at the helm, supported by the creative genius of Shigeru Miyamoto and the backing of Nintendo and Sony, this collaboration is set to redefine the boundaries of gaming and cinema, promising an unforgettable journey into the heart of beloved Nintendo classics. Stay tuned for more updates as this epic adventure unfolds!