The explosion in interest in retro gaming in recent years has unsurprisingly resulted in books joining the myriad of t-shirts, retro console remakes, documentaries, and rereleased games.
Crowdfunding is a regular home for video game nostalgia, and recently fulfilled on Kickstarter is From Vultures to Vampires: 25 years of Copyright Chaos and Technology Triumphs. With £42,813 pledged of the £25,000 goal, this book by David John Pleasance and Trevor Dickinson tells the story of the post-Commodore era of the Amiga computer…
Starting from the day when Escom were the highest bidder at Commodore’s liquidator’s auction in New York (I was there), how their attempts to relaunch the Amiga spectacularly failed, then the troublesome years when our beloved computer bounced around from company to company, Viscorp, Quickpack, Gateway 2000, etc. and beyond.
This book leaves no stone unturned in revealing how the Commodore-Amiga assets became the target of a multiple of companies and individuals, some of whom were seemingly only interested in what they could gain out of it financially, and not even interested in supporting any of the many devotees who were trying to keep the dream alive.
In fact there was so much underhand and sometimes vicious activity with “Cease and Desist” orders and lawsuits aplenty (some still ongoing!) it was bringing a cloud over our erstwhile “happy go lucky” community.
However, all throughout this, what some people may call, “dark period” and almost in spite of it, there have been some genius individuals and legitimate companies who have produced and brought to market some of the most technologically advanced software and hardware ever seen.
This book exposes those companies and individuals who brought negativity and celebrates those who have against all odds prevailed and are now ensuring the Amiga not only “lives on”, but improves the potential to expand our community.
But who are the authors?
David John Pleasance is considered one of Commodore’s most significant Senior Executives, with a 12 ½ year global career. It is widely recognised that his marketing initiatives were responsible for Commodore UK holding the top spot of all the CBM subsidiary offices.
Trevor Dickinson is a highly regarded Commodore and Amiga expert, with an in-depth knowledge of the company, its people and products. Trevor is also the man behind A-EON Technology, the designers and manufacturer of the AmigaOne X1000 & X5000 next generation PowerPC computers and the AmigaOne A1222 mid-range machine.
Backing the 368 pp book also enters you in a competition to win a Vampire V4 standalone system from Apollo!
From Vultures to Vampires is expected to be released in early 2021. Head to the Kickstarter page to learn more.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.