Get ready to sit at home and fiddle with your joystick once more, as it appears that 1990s TV programme GamesMaster is set to make a return to a terrestrial channel in the Autumn.
Future Publishing has reportedly been working on refreshing the brand - known for its teatime gaming innuendos, golden joysticks and floating Patrick Moore heads - since it acquired the rights to the programme from previous owner Double Act Films.
But why has it taken so long? Well, since 1993, Future has been running a GamesMaster magazine under license from Double Act, but it wasn't allowed to do anything online or on TV. But now - due to a deal done for an undisclosed figure with the rights holder and TV series originator, Jane Hewland - it doesn't have such limitations, and has been approaching production companies, TV channels and presenters about a new series.
One terrestrial channel is said to have expressed an interest for an early evening slot - which is just as well, because that's really the best place for the show. Presenter Dominik Diamond will not be returning, so the hunt is on for a new host for the show.
MCV reports that the new TV show will retain many elements from the old 90s format, fused with a focus on new major releases, larger production values and cross-promotion across the Future network. The GamesMaster magazine is to be relaunched in association with this new direction for the brand in May.
Exciting or what? We certainly are!
Future Publishing has reportedly been working on refreshing the brand - known for its teatime gaming innuendos, golden joysticks and floating Patrick Moore heads - since it acquired the rights to the programme from previous owner Double Act Films.
But why has it taken so long? Well, since 1993, Future has been running a GamesMaster magazine under license from Double Act, but it wasn't allowed to do anything online or on TV. But now - due to a deal done for an undisclosed figure with the rights holder and TV series originator, Jane Hewland - it doesn't have such limitations, and has been approaching production companies, TV channels and presenters about a new series.
One terrestrial channel is said to have expressed an interest for an early evening slot - which is just as well, because that's really the best place for the show. Presenter Dominik Diamond will not be returning, so the hunt is on for a new host for the show.
MCV reports that the new TV show will retain many elements from the old 90s format, fused with a focus on new major releases, larger production values and cross-promotion across the Future network. The GamesMaster magazine is to be relaunched in association with this new direction for the brand in May.
Exciting or what? We certainly are!
Companies:
Future Publishing
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Comments
headcasephil 11 Mar 2010 11:54
1/20
this is cool i remember gamesmaster on tv like it was yesterday i just hope it's as good as i remember it being lol
ohms 11 Mar 2010 12:16
2/20
No DD? Well, Patrick Moore is still around, just about.
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TimSpong 11 Mar 2010 12:56
3/20
Where is Violet Berlin nowadays? Also, a lack of Dexter Fletcher must be a good thing.
Personally, Tom Baker as Games Master and Dara O'Brien to present...
Personally, Tom Baker as Games Master and Dara O'Brien to present...
deleted 11 Mar 2010 13:00
4/20
@headcasephil
It wont be as good....unless
It has two teams of middle class kids with posh accents and superiority complex`s who actually owned a SNES and 500 other kids who were rounded up from local arcades with the offer of sweets and free video games and free screaming, as they can only own second hand Amiga/Speccy/Com64 there dads haggled for through the Loot, Dominic Diamond the only adult who actually knowing something about games unlike 99% of the world (save for Tim!) and Patrick Moore, not quite sure what he was doing in a blue screen room saying funny words like 16 bit and Megabyte (gigabyte being a pipe dream)......
otherwise it will suck!
Serioulsy though the thought of it being aimed at kids nowadays i cant see it working, after all those kids then are adults now, how the hell will they have a game off with MW2?
It wont be as good....unless
It has two teams of middle class kids with posh accents and superiority complex`s who actually owned a SNES and 500 other kids who were rounded up from local arcades with the offer of sweets and free video games and free screaming, as they can only own second hand Amiga/Speccy/Com64 there dads haggled for through the Loot, Dominic Diamond the only adult who actually knowing something about games unlike 99% of the world (save for Tim!) and Patrick Moore, not quite sure what he was doing in a blue screen room saying funny words like 16 bit and Megabyte (gigabyte being a pipe dream)......
otherwise it will suck!
Serioulsy though the thought of it being aimed at kids nowadays i cant see it working, after all those kids then are adults now, how the hell will they have a game off with MW2?
deleted 11 Mar 2010 13:06
5/20
+1,000,000 for Tom Baker!
and I believe Violet is still stuck in Micro Machines 2!
and I believe Violet is still stuck in Micro Machines 2!
Dreadknux 11 Mar 2010 13:17
6/20
haritori wrote:
@headcasephil It wont be as good....unless
It has two teams of middle class kids with posh accents and superiority complex`s who actually owned a SNES
It has two teams of middle class kids with posh accents and superiority complex`s who actually owned a SNES
Like Simon Amstell. Ah, they grow up so fast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezCSYdWFTKY
miacid 11 Mar 2010 14:14
7/20
I think Charlie Brooker should be the GamesMaster!
deleted 11 Mar 2010 14:21
8/20
@Svend_Joscelyne
funny i had that episode in mind too! lolz at the fact he lost.
funny i had that episode in mind too! lolz at the fact he lost.
GamesAnimal 11 Mar 2010 15:27
9/20
I hear Dave Perry will still be up for a job. Who can forget the hilarious moment he lost Super Mario 64. I worked for DP for a while and he still had a sense of resentment for Dominic Diamond after all those years. A sad pathetic man really. But one worth humiliating me thinks. I mean he still looks like he did even now (leather and bandanas). Check YouTube if you need a reminder...
TimSpong 11 Mar 2010 15:28
10/20
Mate of mine from old Future days just sent this reminder: "I'll await my invite in case they need someone to commentate on a game of Mortal Kombat III between Heavy D and the Boyz and Mark Curry."
Ahhh... bless
Ahhh... bless
TimSpong 11 Mar 2010 15:31
11/20
GamesAnimal wrote:
I hear Dave Perry will still be up for a job. Who can forget the hilarious moment he lost Super Mario 64. I worked for DP for a while and he still had a sense of resentment for Dominic Diamond after all those years. A sad pathetic man really. But one worth humiliating me thinks. I mean he still looks like he did even now (leather and bandanas). Check YouTube if you need a reminder...
God, I remember Dave Perry. I was working down at Future in Bath when GM launched... I do believe that mr P came down. I was either on New Computer Express or Amiga Format at the time... we went for a beer or 10 and forgot to ask someone or other.
Tim
Dreadknux 11 Mar 2010 15:31
12/20
You know what I miss the most from GamesMaster? The epic hairstyles of the games journos during the Reviews segments. Who was the chap with the stunning half-shaved mullet? Truly a beauty to behold.
deleted 11 Mar 2010 17:11
13/20
Spinface 11 Mar 2010 17:34
14/20
What is wrong with Dominic Diamond's face?
GamesMaster should be a hot chick. Failing that, it should be presented by a hot chick. Failing that, they should just have hot chicks in repulsor bikinis doing general stuff. I'm going to nominate Alex Sim-Wise to present.
Or maybe I'm just missing the whole damn point. I dunno...
GamesMaster should be a hot chick. Failing that, it should be presented by a hot chick. Failing that, they should just have hot chicks in repulsor bikinis doing general stuff. I'm going to nominate Alex Sim-Wise to present.
Or maybe I'm just missing the whole damn point. I dunno...
TimSpong 11 Mar 2010 17:37
15/20
haritori wrote:
OMFG... he looks ... OMFG
config 11 Mar 2010 17:37
16/20
Well, you little pipsqueak, let's hope they leave Dexter Fletcher to his role in "Hotel Babylon"!
Heh. I watched Sky At Night, er, the other night, and by the gods - Patrick Moore really is right in line for some GM-style cyborg gear - just to hoist his not inconsiderably carcase from the chair. At this rate he's going to be the first human to reach critical mass, implode and become his very own black hole. Apt.
@miacid - right on with the Brooker vibe. Sweary Mary vitriol and everything, I says.
Heh. I watched Sky At Night, er, the other night, and by the gods - Patrick Moore really is right in line for some GM-style cyborg gear - just to hoist his not inconsiderably carcase from the chair. At this rate he's going to be the first human to reach critical mass, implode and become his very own black hole. Apt.
@miacid - right on with the Brooker vibe. Sweary Mary vitriol and everything, I says.
TimSpong 11 Mar 2010 17:59
17/20
Svend Joscelyne wrote:
You know what I miss the most from GamesMaster? The epic hairstyles of the games journos during the Reviews segments. Who was the chap with the stunning half-shaved mullet? Truly a beauty to behold.
I believe you are referring to the legendary Julian Rignall...
Amanda Dyson 11 Mar 2010 18:08
18/20
I remember filming a GamesMaster video review for Prince of Persia on Sega Game Gear. Desperately trying to hold it together and not laugh at Andy Dyer.
headcasephil 11 Mar 2010 18:58
19/20
thank you spong for this news its been a giggle all day playing old gamesmaster streams iv not had so much fun still not found the episode were a kid was asking for help with a game were you had to spit
deleted 11 Mar 2010 22:30
20/20
Spinface wrote:
GamesMaster should be a hot chick. Failing that, it should be presented by a hot chick. Failing that, they should just have hot chicks in repulsor bikinis doing general stuff. I'm going to nominate Alex Sim-Wise to present. Or maybe I'm just missing the whole damn point. I dunno...
Maybe just a large pair of "Titties" on screen at all times with names of retro classic video games circling the areola, with the odd 1-2 sec shot of Patrick Moore Looking Surprised and Shocked in a Carry `On Styling!!
Id Watch It! Point or No Point, In fact I Reckon Channel 5 would buy 4 hours a week of it! prime time Saturdays
In fact im off to you-tube to make it!