The 8-bit documentaries of Kim Justice

Every so often, the YouTube algorithm suggests something that I might actually want to watch. So it has proved with the Kim Justice channel.

This channel contains well constructed documentaries on the 8-bit computer era, focusing mainly on the UK games industry. As I was growing up in the UK during this time, it’s of great interest to me- but not just me!

The videos on this channel have good scripts and contain a lot of footage from the era. Honestly they would do well as a Netflix release, with maybe a little polish here and there. They benefit from meticulous research and a real passion about the subject matter.

I’ll leave three of my favourites below for those with similar interests:

The 1980s and early 1990s were like a wild west for computer games in the UK. It really was possible to walk into a shop selling computers, ask a few questions about programming based on your own experience, and walk out with a job offer from a software company located in the room above. Or get published by walking into a company’s offices and demonstrate a game you had written in your spare time.

These days indie games are all the rage once again, and single and small-team games have been made possible by platforms like Steam. It’s a bit like the 1980s come again, but without the terrible fashion and with better controls.