I went to the Earl's Court computer show - it was either in 1988. I remember picking up a few bits and bobs for my Amiga 500 at the time, including Virus (Zarch) amongst other things.
A treat as always - your opening tune and the click of the cassette set out a nostalgic mood which remains throughout. R.I.P. Earl's Court, won't forget the long walkway from the underground station, leading to the 'hall of wonders'...
So happy you reviewed Gunstar. I bought this with my hard-earned pocket money back in the day and was very happy with this underrated shooter. Great exhibition content too.
I always used to go to those shows on the trade days. '88 would have been the first year I did that legitimately, having started working at Bullfrog in late '87 but I'd made up a pretend company and gone during the week the previous two years. I worked s a computer operator on Mainframes but micros and games were my hobby. I worked night shifts in a building shared by the publisher of Personal Computer Weekly so by steeling magazines from reception I felt like a member of the industry a few years before I joined it. The earls court shows were all part of that and it's great to see them covered here!
Fascinating feedback, thanks for sharing. Check out episode 131 and 133 for a couple of previous shows at Olympia (86 and 87). One more show report to come after this one...
My first visit to Earl’s Court was the first Future Entertainment Show. I think this would have been 1991 or 1992. The Amiga was at its peak at this point and the whole place was absolutely packed - one area for the software companies and a second for traders. The following year it was moved to Olympia. The traders were gone and the event definitely felt more professional. For the show’s final year it had moved back to Earl’s Court. By this time the event was a shadow of its former self. Only one hall was used and much of that was filled with funfair rides. While previous events took you a day to get around, this could be done in an hour or so. You knew the writing was on the wall.
Love the Portal turret reference! 🤣 I have many happy memories of visiting the PC show in the 80s & 90s. One in particular was the year I got to play Mutant Camels '89 on the Konix Multisytem, with Jeff Minter standing behind me as I played. I Never got a chance to try out that iconic motorised chair though - it had broken down before I got there.
@@Dolphination Can't wait! I've been trying to remember what years I was there, as I know I went for maybe three or four years in a row. The two main things I remember are the Konix display and the release of the GameBoy. I was definitely there on those two occasions, and they might even have been the same year - memory is failing me.
@@Dolphination It was a grand building. Upstairs was turned into 30 or so military bars, much merriment was had there. I have some fond memories of that place, such a shame to know it's gone.
Thanks for this segment! It seems there is very little archive photos or film from those and the ZX Microfairs at Ally Pally. My own memories are clinging on but thats not much to go on, other than I know I loved them!
Love the bit about the PCW Show, brings back lots of memories. The latest games, nice giveaways, tons of great info and stuff you could actually touch and try out in person. Too bad the web killed many of them off.
All of the versions of Fred where different how you completed the levels. On the C64 version you collected a Bomb on the level which blew up a Gate to the next level. Great Episode as Always.
I don't think it came out on the ZX Spectrum, but there are still games being created on the C64 version. The Amiga version had some advantages (especially graphics), but the game play was much smoother on the C64, as long as you had fewer than 8 sprites on the screen.
Jeff asked the question I was going to ask... has anyone ever actually completed this? I think I could only get to about level 3-4 back in the day. Does it even have an end, or does it go on forever?
the start of paperboy just showed how many subscribers you have in arcade was the coloured houses deliver to in spectrum version they're lighter coloured and dark for non subscribers not all have the sun sign
This type in at the end, gave me an idea for you, a challenge, choose a type in that you think you could improve, yourself, IE better graphics, audio perhaps, even improve gameplay to make it stand out better. Then show original game, then your improved version. And chat about what you improved and how you did. I think would be really interesting for a future video. This is just a suggestion. Thank you Paul & Geoff for these ongoing interesting videos.
I tried to add a link yesterday but it seems to have been removed - it was just a link to another episode. Does TH-cam not like links to other videos or is something afoot? Anyway search previous episodes by order of 'popular' and you will find it near the top. Hope this comment stays.
I went to the Earl's Court computer show - it was either in 1988. I remember picking up a few bits and bobs for my Amiga 500 at the time, including Virus (Zarch) amongst other things.
That does sound like 1988 to me. Great days.
A treat as always - your opening tune and the click of the cassette set out a nostalgic mood which remains throughout. R.I.P. Earl's Court, won't forget the long walkway from the underground station, leading to the 'hall of wonders'...
So happy you reviewed Gunstar. I bought this with my hard-earned pocket money back in the day and was very happy with this underrated shooter. Great exhibition content too.
Really enjoying the show retrospectives! Paperboy was ace too, played that loads as a kid. Probably am not gonna go back and ruin those memories...
Absolutely loved the feature. Such a goldmine of nostalgia
one more to come, for 1989...
I always used to go to those shows on the trade days. '88 would have been the first year I did that legitimately, having started working at Bullfrog in late '87 but I'd made up a pretend company and gone during the week the previous two years. I worked s a computer operator on Mainframes but micros and games were my hobby. I worked night shifts in a building shared by the publisher of Personal Computer Weekly so by steeling magazines from reception I felt like a member of the industry a few years before I joined it. The earls court shows were all part of that and it's great to see them covered here!
Fascinating feedback, thanks for sharing. Check out episode 131 and 133 for a couple of previous shows at Olympia (86 and 87). One more show report to come after this one...
1:00 Lunar Jetman (loadimg screen) 😀
Congrats on identifying one of my Easter Eggs :)
My first visit to Earl’s Court was the first Future Entertainment Show. I think this would have been 1991 or 1992. The Amiga was at its peak at this point and the whole place was absolutely packed - one area for the software companies and a second for traders. The following year it was moved to Olympia. The traders were gone and the event definitely felt more professional. For the show’s final year it had moved back to Earl’s Court. By this time the event was a shadow of its former self. Only one hall was used and much of that was filled with funfair rides. While previous events took you a day to get around, this could be done in an hour or so. You knew the writing was on the wall.
Thanks Rob! There will be a bit more about this in the final part...
Love the Portal turret reference! 🤣 I have many happy memories of visiting the PC show in the 80s & 90s. One in particular was the year I got to play Mutant Camels '89 on the Konix Multisytem, with Jeff Minter standing behind me as I played. I Never got a chance to try out that iconic motorised chair though - it had broken down before I got there.
Look out for the final show retrospective on 1989, coming soon....
@@Dolphination Can't wait! I've been trying to remember what years I was there, as I know I went for maybe three or four years in a row. The two main things I remember are the Konix display and the release of the GameBoy. I was definitely there on those two occasions, and they might even have been the same year - memory is failing me.
That sounds like 89 and 90 to me. Keep an eye out for Konix and Gameboy in the final feature.
@@Dolphination
Will do.
Loved the chat as always. Can't wait for the new type-ins on your site too. Thanks!
Thank you again, Paul. Love these shows!
I took part in the 100th Royal Tournament at Earls court in the early 90's, can't believe they have pulled it down. More of our history gone.
It was odd to visit the site to research this video. Stepping out of the tube station and not seeing Earl's Court was really weird.
@@Dolphination It was a grand building. Upstairs was turned into 30 or so military bars, much merriment was had there. I have some fond memories of that place, such a shame to know it's gone.
Wow Earl’s Court is gone? That’s sad. Went to a couple of InfoSec shows in the 2000s. Sad. Always liked the place.
Thanks for this segment! It seems there is very little archive photos or film from those and the ZX Microfairs at Ally Pally. My own memories are clinging on but thats not much to go on, other than I know I loved them!
Glad it brought back memories.
Love the bit about the PCW Show, brings back lots of memories. The latest games, nice giveaways, tons of great info and stuff you could actually touch and try out in person. Too bad the web killed many of them off.
It was a long way to travel for many people but you got your admission fee back in software discounts etc.
Yeah, I remember not being allowed in the business hall!!
lol I can't remember how it was policed...
The Live Show Was Good.
I had no idea Earls Court has been demolished. I love that place. I supposed the Excel Centre has taken over.
remember getting game pack with my green screen 464 had a 8 pack of games a few roland game lol my first computer mid 80's happy times 🙂
I musta missed the tie pin. Was looking forward to that
Always looking out for the next episode - keep going you guys - great stuff👍
Thanks Paul, another entertaining posting.
Great episode again!
All of the versions of Fred where different how you completed the levels. On the C64 version you collected a Bomb on the level which blew up a Gate to the next level. Great Episode as Always.
24:34 "Hopman" reminds me of "Mountain King" on the Atari 8-Bits.
That Stuart Campbell gets everywhere!
Great episode as always. I haven't heard of Gunstar before, I must give that a go as it does look quite fun, if difficult.
Another great show, I loved paperboy on the speccy
Really good episode,
Another cracking episode Paul. 👍
I love this channel.
1987 wasnt late in the spectrum scene!
Was I the only person who thought that 'Gunstar' game looked really good? I really want to play it now!
For a second I thought I was watching a video by Jango Hazzard.
I liked Paperboy on the Speccy.
With regards to Fred on the speccy. Only in British games can a drop of water 💧 kill you. 😂. Great game though Paul.
Fred on the cover illustration looks like Mike Reid in a Fedora..
The artist made "Fred" a portrait of either the author of the game or someone at Quicksilva if I remember right.
Formula 1 manager, pygamerama, finders keepers, wheelie, talisman, great playable games.
The only problem with CRL's Formula 1 Manager was eventually your team got so good they could never lose.
can any one remember the "the shoot em up construction kit" for the 8bits?
I don't think it came out on the ZX Spectrum, but there are still games being created on the C64 version. The Amiga version had some advantages (especially graphics), but the game play was much smoother on the C64, as long as you had fewer than 8 sprites on the screen.
You can use lighter fluid to remove glue from cardboard
earl's court computer shows are gone???? :(
Jeff asked the question I was going to ask... has anyone ever actually completed this? I think I could only get to about level 3-4 back in the day. Does it even have an end, or does it go on forever?
The RZX Archive has a walkthough (using a poke) and it looks like it does end. I'd be very surprised if anyone completed it thouogh
Instant like👍
the start of paperboy just showed how many subscribers you have in arcade was the coloured houses deliver to in spectrum version they're lighter coloured and dark for non subscribers not all have the sun sign
This type in at the end, gave me an idea for you, a challenge, choose a type in that you think you could improve, yourself, IE better graphics, audio perhaps, even improve gameplay to make it stand out better.
Then show original game, then your improved version.
And chat about what you improved and how you did.
I think would be really interesting for a future video.
This is just a suggestion.
Thank you Paul & Geoff for these ongoing interesting videos.
Great suggestion
Not a bad idea.... does it have to be in BASIC or can any tool be used for the improved version?
@@BuckingTheTrend2008- Up to Paul really, maybe try it in ZX- Basic first, then super charged version using AGDx
Like the idea I'd be up for something like that, I think new Crash used to have a competition along similar lines.
In Fred I still don´t see the rats. To me those are hedgehogs.
Hi Paul, I'm sure I'm not the first person to ask or you may have even done an episode but any exposure to the ZX Spectrum Next?
I tried to add a link yesterday but it seems to have been removed - it was just a link to another episode. Does TH-cam not like links to other videos or is something afoot? Anyway search previous episodes by order of 'popular' and you will find it near the top. Hope this comment stays.
Good
ZX cola is beyond all the best rip off coke ever. All hail Aldi.