Artcade.

[TrekMD]

A new update has been posted!

The book is going to happen...!

...and I'm very, very happy to tell you that it'll be published as a Bitmap Books title :-)
Many of you will already have backed one or more of the Bitmap Books Kickstarter campaigns. Sam and I have been in touch since before his first one launched and I consider him a friend. He has stepped in with an offer to publish the book, making sure that Artcade doesn't just fade away as a nice idea that disappointed a lot of people. We have agreed the details of how things will work and I received the contract today.
Sam will take responsibility for the final design and publication of the book, including making sure that every backer gets their copy/copies along with the t-shirts and CDs. I'll ship out the few outstanding artwork rewards shortly (over the next couple of weeks)
At this point, we haven't discussed a publication date, but I know Sam will want to get things moving quickly, while delivering the best possible quality. As soon as we've worked out what will happen when, I'll let everyone know.
Thanks for sticking things out - it will definitely be worth it :-)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tim

[zapiy]

Fantastic news..

[Greyfox]

Freaking awesome news, delighted for Tim, that this has been much deserved been rescued and its in safe hands with Bitmap Books, Sam knows what he's doing!!

Fantastic news this!!

[TrekMD]

Latest update:

Hello Artcade backers,
Some of you may know me, but I run a publishing company called Bitmap Books where we specialise in books all about retro gaming. So far we have successfully used Kickstarter to fund and produce books on the Commodore 64 and Amiga, with a book on the ZX Spectrum due out in November. I have known Tim for a while and for the last few months we have been discussing how I can help with the Artcade book.

I am a graphic designer by trade so very experienced in book design and print/production. I also have very high standards of production so Artcade will be produced to a very high finish.
My No.1 priority at this stage is to deliver the book to you backers. I will also take responsibility for shipping the British IBM CDs and T-Shirts. Tim will be handling canvasses.

All the amazing artwork that Tim has produced is finished, so that is a huge chunk of work already done and he is in the process of transferring these large digital files to me. The reality is that I am going to have to start from scratch with the design and layout and start pulling together the book that everyone's been waiting for. Please note that I will not be altering the design style as seen in the original Kickstarter. Part of Tim's wish is that the project is seen through how he imagined it right at the beginning.

As far as timings go, design will start right away. Working alongside my other book commitments (and imminent new arrival to the family) I am setting a publication date of April 2015 at the latest. The digital PDF will be distributed as soon as book shipping starts. I appreciate that this may be a long time to wait but I will make sure I share regular updates showing progress.

I believe you can still change your addresses as some of you have probably moved since first filling it out. On the main project page, under your selected pledge will be a 'Your response' link which will allow you to edit your address.

I cannot comment on these updates so If anyone has any questions about the book/shipping please email me directly on mailto:sam@bitmapbooks.co.uk">sam@bitmapbooks.co.uk and any updates on the books progress will be posted here as updates by Tim from me.

Thanks,
Sam Dyer

[Greyfox]

wow, the white knight has rode in officially now folks.  can't wait to see wht he does with it as he has to possible make dramatic changes to the design and possible fonts and layout and correct all those margins and bleed, as doing a digital publication is a breeze from my experience, doing a printed version that's a different story altogether Works continue with me too, so I'll have to keep an eye on this 

[TrekMD]

I'm assuming he meant April 2016 on that update. 

[zapiy]

I would hope so lol..

[TrekMD]

Here's another update:

Hi Artcade backers ,
I received all of the marquee files from Tim at the weekend so now I can start on the book.
The first job to start paginating and creating a page plan and then I can start the design. As with Tim's original vision for the book design, each double page spread will feature a single marquee in all its glory. At the back of the book will then be an index which will have the details of the specific games, the artist (if known) and a small review of the artwork. I have loads of these amazing marquees to include and I am even more excited now I have seen them all as a set. They will appear in chronological order within the book so you can see the evolution of the artwork throughout time.
Also within the book, which Tim and I have recently spoken more about, will be x2 interview/features with prominent artists Larry Day and and the late Python Anghelo. Within these features will be unseen concept artwork which will look fantastic and be fascinating to read about.
I am also really pleased that Tim will be working with me in an active roll to complete the book and oversee proceedings.
Now that we are officially underway, I will commit to regular updates on progress to keep you all in the loop as I've done with my other books.
Any questions, please email me on mailto:sam@bitmapbooks.co.uk">sam@bitmapbooks.co.uk as I can't comment here.
Thanks,
Sam Dyer

[zapiy]

Did not know he was redesigning it?

Surely it looked amazing as it was?

[TrekMD]

I didn't know until I read that.  I guess he must have seen things he could improve upon.

[Greyfox]

For what it's worth, this is the right move, in some instances people who believe that they can do it all themselves, graphic design, layouts etc. feel what looks right to them may or may not be what the finished product will appeal to those you are potential customers. Sam is applying his Graphic design background to this now and is officiously working on a formula that caters to such an audience with the reshuffle in the design and layout of the book.

I feel this will make it better that it was originally intended to be, I'm still eager to know what the book format size will be, as for artwork of this nature Landscape or even panoramic is required because of the orientation of the Marquee artwork with possible fold out pages in doing so which would be an incredible and unique feature to have in this book, but that would probably out weight production costs, but something to keep in mind maybe as a special edition version of the book perhaps?.

I myself spend many hours formulating the layout and look of the Coin-Op book which I have to say has been a massive undertaking and an amazing experience in producing what i have produced so far, so I understand the reason and angle in which Sam direction for it is taking place. The interviews ideas is a good one along with concept or sketch drawing or artwork is a great way to break up the sections in the book. I found the subject matter though to be exclusive in the manner that it's not widely available to incorporate into an Arcade book because of all the different territories in where the games themselves were originally created.

I look forward with eager eyes to see what he produces and have a great informative and visually stunning book from Sam & Tim.

[Shadowrunner]

Nice to see this is back on track. Looking forward to it

[zapiy]

I digress to your superior knowledge pal, if you feel this is a good decision then I am fully behind it.

[TrekMD]

A new update has been posted:

Hey there Artcadians,
I'm posting an update for Sam (see below) but before that, I just want to say that this book is shaping up to be bigger and better than I ever imagined :-) Sam and I are working hard to get everything ready, making edits and design changes along the way to ensure that it's absolutely the best it can possibly be. Sam's commitment to the project is clear (especially taking into account that he recently became a daddy again!) and the result of that commitment will be a book that's even more spectacular than then I originally imagined.
The sample pages I'll post after Sam's message should give you guys a taste of what's to come - enjoy!
Tim
Ps. Everyone gets a bonus set of cool Artcade postcards too :-)
-------
Hi Artcade backers,
Just an update from me on how things are going.
The design of the book is progressing really well. Pretty much all the marquees are in the design and I'm working with Tim to get these finalised.
We are aiming for a March 2016 publication date.
There is still a lot to do to bring the final book together but all is going smoothly so far and I'm really excited to how it's shaping up.
To help finance this project I'm going to start pre-selling the book from my website (http://www.bitmapbooks.co.uk). BUT, you original backers will be taken care of first and foremost so please don't worry about that. The sales performance isn't important though - this WILL be printed no matter how the sales go.
More updates and and when I have news. Any questions, please get in touch at mailto:hello@bitmapbooks.co.uk">hello@bitmapbooks.co.uk
Thanks,
Sam

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[Greyfox]

beautiful, I take each game now gets a introduction text of some sort before the showcased Marquee artwork, delighted for Tim and Sam that this will be finally make it into the wild and hope to show my support by purchasing a copy of the book when it's released into the wild.