Digital Eclipse is set to launch the second game in their ‘Gold Master Series’ titled Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story on March 13, 2024. The announcement of the release date was made during the IGN FanFest 2024, unveiling a brand new trailer that showcases the iconic British video game designer, Jeff Minter. This playable documentary will encompass 42 games that span Minter’s illustrious career in the gaming industry, ranging from his earliest creations on the Sinclair ZX81 and Commodore VIC-20 to the Jaguar. One of the highlights of this collection is the inclusion of Gridrunner, which has been updated by Digital Eclipse with modern graphics and sound that pay homage to the game’s original roots. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to watch clips and videos from an upcoming documentary titled ‘Heart of Neon’, which aims to narrate the tale of one of the pioneering independent game designers and developers.
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story delves into the eccentric world of Jeff Minter, a game developer known for his unique creations in the ’80s and ’90s. This virtual museum of design documents features 42 classic games from 8 different platforms, offering a comprehensive look at Minter’s unconventional style. Players can immerse themselves in titles like Sheep In Space, Andes Attack, Attack of the Mutant Camels, Matrix, Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time, Hellgate, and Laser Zone, among others, with added quality-of-life features to enhance the gaming experience. The remastered version of Gridrunner showcases updated graphics and sound, preserving the core gameplay of the original Commodore 64 version. Moreover, players can explore Minter’s early light synthesizers, Psychedelia and Colourspace, with new features optimized for controller-based gameplay.
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is the second installment in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Master Series, which offers an interactive and playable archive of video game history. The first entry in the series, The Making of Karateka, is currently available on multiple platforms including Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. Gaming enthusiasts can stay updated on the Gold Master Series and upcoming releases by signing up for the Digital Eclipse newsletter. On the other hand, Heart of Neon is a feature documentary directed by industry veteran Paul Docherty that explores the remarkable career of Jeff Minter. The film provides a unique glimpse into the world of video game development and celebrates the artistry inherent in creating and playing captivating digital games. Docherty’s contributions to Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story add an enriching layer to the gaming experience, making it a must-play for both video game aficionados and historians.
As the release of Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story approaches, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the opportunity to delve into the intricate world of Jeff Minter. With a diverse collection of games and supplementary content, this playable documentary promises to offer a unique insight into the visionary mind of one of the industry’s most distinct game developers. Whether you are a fan of classic games or simply intrigued by the history of video game design, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is poised to deliver an immersive and engaging experience that pays tribute to the legacy of Jeff Minter and Llamasoft’s enduring impact on the gaming landscape.
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