"The modern master of the gamebook format" (Rob Sanders)... "Can do dark very well" (Jonathan Oliver)... "Green gets mileage out of his monsters" (SFX Magazine)... "It takes a firm editorial hand and a keen understanding of the tone of each piece to make a collection this diverse work, and Green makes it look effortless" (Starburst Magazine)
Space Invaders has turned 40.
Possibly the most iconic arcade game of all time, it was first released in 1978, and in the years since has gone on to influence the entirety of culture. Its consequences have been felt not only in games, but across various media, including speculative fiction.
It was certainly an influence on the creation of the short story anthology GAME OVER that I edited, and that came out in 2015, even if no-one actually wrote a story about an alien invasion for the book.
Last weekend, I spent a very rewarding three days at the UK Games Expo.
I first attended the convention when it was held at the Clarendon Suites in Edgbaston, and its incredible to consider what Tony Hyams and Richard Denning have achieved, when you think that this year the Expo took over both Hall 1 and Hall 2 of the NEC as well as the Hilton hotel.
I had a great time meeting Facebook friends, Kickstarter backers, and John Robertson of The Dark Room fame. I even caught up with an old university friend who I'd not seen in 22 years, as well as fellow author and editor George Mann and ace artist, and former collaborator, Ralph Horsley.
The UK Games Expo is one of my favourite conventions and I'll already looking forward to next year's event, as well as planning what I'm going to take with me, which will definitely include NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!
