Bit Slap - Video Gamers

What’s the connection?

Sol Campbell – Uri Geller – Sam Fox – Ronnie O Sullivan – Prince Naseem - Frank Bruno

That’s right, they all sold their souls to be guest stars on the UK's first and finest Video game TV show - Gamesmaster… Now, any gamer from the Uk is going to know this one, but just in case you weren’t lucky enough to catch it during the 90s, lets jump back a couple of decades.

Broadcasted through the 16, 32 and 64-bit era Gamesmaster is disputed as the first ever video game TV show.  Presented by Patrick Moore as the Gamesmaster and the cheeky chappy Scotsman, Domonik Diamond.

In a nutshell the 25 minute show would consist of a couple of challenges, some pre pubescent kids competing for a Golden Joystick, a celebrity challenge and some gaming news or reviews. The show evolved over the years, but the structure stayed true. Uniquely Gamesmaster had actual computer game journalists (from such magazines as “Mean Machines”) commentating over challenges, adding adrenaline and authority to what had been “that shit that nerds do”. Gaming was here and getting bigger..

Diamond, being a Scotsman, had a quirky, overwhelmingly, charming quality that really kept the show from getting stale. Patrick Moore (world renowned for his work in astronomy) was cast mainly due to his features looking like that of a baby (I kid you not).

To truly appreciate Gamesmaster impact on gamers in the Uk is hard to describe and properly still unrecognized. Way before game reviews and walkthroughs were accessible in seconds through the net, there were no real games conventions or demos to check out. Literally for a 10 year old buying a Megadrive or SNES game was a hell of an investment… Making a bad purchase (After Burner for example) would often leave you with 6 months playing the same garbage. Pocket money didn't kick it back in the day, and buying a game was like a buying a used car (a god dam, freaking minefield). Gamesmaster gave us the first look at new games, up to date news on the gaming industry, and guidance about what was hot, and what sucked balls.

Gamesmaster also hosted the first UK “Virtual Fighter Tetsujin”, where a single Japanese VF master held off 100 handpicked Uk gamers in a one episode special. Other competitions such as the Tekken Tournaments and Mortal combat best fatalities were introduced soon after that.

Too many highlights just check out these links and see what you think!

Street Fighter Special

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciUEnPHr_dE&feature=related

Dave Perry Pissed Off Super S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFr6ACZ8sI