UK video game market in the 80s

UK video game market in the 80s (Full Version)

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Rodia -> UK video game market in the 80s (8/5/2013 11:13:15 PM)
How much do you think it was (in pounds) at the top of the 8 bit era? The only info I've found is recent (2010): UK Games Market Worth Ł3.78 Billion It's for a job, but I can do with an educated guess, no pressure. [:)]

wings7 -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 2:08:29 PM)
I would say 500 million pounds.

SapperAstro_MatrixForum -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 2:28:02 PM)
Including the computers that ran the games? Or just the games? The UK had quite a tech manufacturing base back then, with 7 or 8 different computer companies putting out their own models. They had quite a few software houses. God knows how many magazines in print for games across the various platforms. And the top of the 8 bit era had the 16 bits just starting to make a splash. Again, the UK had a big presence in the 16 bit era too. I am sure the amount would probably surprise us. God knows what happened to all that though...I think they make the raspberry pi these days...

VPaulus -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 2:57:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SapperAstro The UK had quite a tech manufacturing base back then, with 7 or 8 different computer companies putting out their own models. They had quite a few software houses. God knows how many magazines in print for games across the various platforms. And the top of the 8 bit era had the 16 bits just starting to make a splash. Again, the UK had a big presence in the 16 bit era too. Exactly. I have the feeling that British gaming industry ruled in whole Europe during 8-bit era, specially in what concerns computer video gaming. UK only lost its leading position when consoles begun to take a bigger share in the video gaming market and the small developer/publisher studios begun to be acquired by the larger ones. But it's hard to guess a figure. During the 8-bit era prices were lower, you could purchase a top title for less than Ł10. The number of sold copies were also considerable inferior to those sold nowadays.

Rodia -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 3:18:53 PM)
Yes, including hardware: Spectrum, Amstrad, Oric, Acorn. The only non UK hardware then was Apple (not really seen in Europe) and Commodore 64, but Spectrum was first and huge. Wikipedia says in Sinclair Research page that this company alone had a revenue of Ł102 million GBP in 1985. But products and brand was sold to Alan Sugar (Amstrad) for Ł5 million (and Ł11 million in incoming pays). So... hmmm... wild guess, very wild guess, quote: ORIGINAL: wings7 I would say 500 million pounds. this is right?

SapperAstro_MatrixForum -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 3:27:47 PM)
Commodore did manufacture the whole line of their computers in the UK too.

Rodia -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 3:32:14 PM)
Ah, I did not know, thanks. It was a nice machine too, always wanted one when kid. [:)]

catwhoorg -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 3:32:52 PM)
Who can forget the Firebird software (part of BT at the time). Two pounds fifty for some very ingenious games. Some horrid, some classics.

Rodia -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 3:38:14 PM)
Yes, Firebird. Favorite developer ever, just because I loved Elite so much. Was the first game that truly blew my mind. That and The Way of Exploding Fist form Melbourne House. Dad was more kind of Arnhem and Desert Fox adaptations from Amsoft if I remember right. Amazing what the people at that era did.

wings7 -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 4:03:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Rodia Yes, including hardware: Spectrum, Amstrad, Oric, Acorn. The only non UK hardware then was Apple (not really seen in Europe) and Commodore 64, but Spectrum was first and huge. Wikipedia says in Sinclair Research page that this company alone had a revenue of Ł102 million GBP in 1985. But products and brand was sold to Alan Sugar (Amstrad) for Ł5 million (and Ł11 million in incoming pays). So... hmmm... wild guess, very wild guess, quote: ORIGINAL: wings7 I would say 500 million pounds. this is right? Rodia, the 500 million pounds is educated/uneducated guess. Patrick

catwhoorg -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 4:07:15 PM)
They also had Rebelstar, the game that led eventually led to the XCOM franchise. Ah Arnhem. One game that had a showstopping bug from the get go. You simply couldn't play the whole campaign, it bugged to the victory screen after one turn.

VPaulus -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 4:16:35 PM)
The moment I saw "The Way of Exploding Fist" running in a C64 I knew that I had to sold my Atari 800XL very quickly. They sold around 200000 copies of that game, which is a considerable amount for the 80's. Elite was also the first game that completely blew up my mind. I love tom play sandbox games when they are well conceived. And Elite was such a game.

kemmo -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/6/2013 4:18:16 PM)
You could also get the Atari 8 bit computer in the UK,used to play SSI AND Microprose games on one,think it was an 800XL.

Rodia -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/8/2013 12:12:07 PM)
Wings7, do not worry, I'm not going to quote anyone here. [:)] While looking for info about Imagine demise, I found this video from a 1984 BBC documentary, really interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt9BsZCifgU

VPaulus -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/8/2013 1:40:26 PM)
Retro Gamer is a good magazine for those who are interested in the 8-bit, 16-bit era and in the history of the video/computer gaming. http://www.retrogamer.net/flashindex.html

Neilster -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/8/2013 1:53:55 PM)
My dad was unimpressed that the Amstrad CPC 6128 he bought me in 1985 couldn't have a typed conversation [&:] "What?! I paid nine hundred dollars for this!" I think for that sort of money he expected HAL 9000. But he was blown away when I wrote a one line program that asked his name and then said, "Hello Brian. How are you today?" [:D] Cheers, Neilster [image]local://upfiles/10515/89A5B2845D324DD0B3E857E048F58050.jpg[/image]

wings7 -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/8/2013 2:59:00 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Rodia Wings7, do not worry, I'm not going to quote anyone here. [:)] While looking for info about Imagine demise, I found this video from a 1984 BBC documentary, really interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt9BsZCifgU Thanks for sharing that video, that brings back very fond and exciting memories. [:D] The computer and console game market was really exploding then (though alot of companies didn't make it). I'll never forget it...It sounds like David Frost doing the broadcast. So, how are you doing with your research question? Patrick

Rodia -> RE: UK video game market in the 80s (8/8/2013 3:28:56 PM)
Hey, Patrick Research is going fine, it's an ongoing thing, mostly done for hobby. Right now I'm rewatching that Imagine video because they drop a lot of numbers here & there, but for whatever reason I can only pay attention to those looks. [:D] Damn you, nostalgia.

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