Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a developer in the games industry in the 80s/90s/00s?
This page will try to collect all the information we know about to help paint a picture of what it must have been like.
If you know of any other footage or information that should be added to this page please get in touch, there must be more out there!
Commercial Breaks was a 30 minute documentary series in the UK about businesses and one episode in particular from 1984 is of interest to this site, it was called “The Battle for Santa’s Software”. It followed two British software companies, Imagine software and Ocean, only one remained at the end of the show!
On the Imagine Software side Mark Butler was 23 when the documentary was filmed and it shows his extravagant lifestyle with his fast cars and sponsored motorbike teams. He had 70 people working for them in May 1984 and John Gibson was the only programmer over 30 (Known as Granddad).
The documentary starts with Imagine Software looking great and antisipating the next big game, but sadly ends with bankruptcy. This documentary is great for showing the uncertainty in the early games industry, one minute you are on top and gone the next.
Fortunately, former programmers at Imagine Software went on to establish Psygnosis, known for the Psy-Q development SDKs.
On the other side was Ocean Software and David Ward who managed to survive the time it took to film the documentary and showed off some of their upcoming games for the festive period.
You can find more information about this documentary over on VHiStory: Commercial Breaks – Film 84 – Tomorrow’s World – Micro Live – tape 1 - VHiStory
We have a separate post all about the SEGA documentary from 1993-1995:
![]()
Working at SEGA Documentary
For more information on working at SEGA check out this post.
From the BBC show Working Lunch the reporter Rory Cellan Jones visits the Dundee studios of DMA Design in 1996 as they are working on the Original Grand Theft Auto:
They interview people in the programming (David Kivlin), music (Craig Conner), sound effects, QA (Gordon Ross and Fiona Robertson) and there is a brief view of the motion capture (Darren?) departments for a desperate game.
So far we have listed documentaries that are freely available on youtube, mostly from TV broadcasts, but for a list of video game industry documentaries that you can buy check out IMDB’s list: Video game documentaries
Many Game Boy developers worked freelance and were contracted out by companies to work on a title with a harsh deadline of a couple of months or sometimes even just weeks! Others were hired full-time by companies and would work on a constant stream of new games.
Jas Austin was one of the developers who started off freelance on the Game Boy version of R-Type but did such a good job that he accepted a full time job a B.I.T.S 1.
He heard about the job through his agent which was a common way for game programmers to find work in the late 80s to early 90s. But by the 2000s games had grown so much that they would require whole teams of developers and hiring freelances who worked from home became rarer.
When researching a video game, for reverse engineering or otherwise it can be tricky to find all the relevant sources due to most development being done behind closed doors in a time before the internet was the force it is today. So it is important to keep track of the physical media such as magazines, books and conference proceedings as they contain many information that has never been released to the internet.
Before wide spread access to the internet was common, many game developers would buy magazines to keep up with the latest in the industry and development in general, we have a post covering the most relevant magazines:
![]()
Retro Gaming & Development Magazines (Games Industry)
For more information on all the Game development magazines check out this post.
Due to the sheer number of magazines being published in the late 2000s, Publishers realised they could collate all the material from their monthly magazines into yearly publication. This resulted in a rather thick magazine with no advertisements about the size of a book but with the print quality of a magazine, hence the industry dubbed them bookazines.
We have an entire page dedicated to just Bookazines related to game development and the technical creative industry as a whole here:
![]()
Bookazines (Games Industry)
For more information on all the game development Bookazines check out this post.
One of the main ways for different game developers to speak to each other was at yearly conferences such as GDC or Siggraph:
![]()
Game Industry Conferences
For more information on all the Game industry Conferences check out this post.
Books were a must have for any game developers getting started in the industry, from teaching the basics of assembler/C to more advanced topics such as 3D rendering:
![]()
Books (Games Industry)
For more information on all the Game development Books check out this post.
Museums about video games and game development are rare but they are becoming more popular, some are physical and others might be virtual experiences, but they are all important for preserving the history of video games:
Game Industry Museums and Virtual Experiences
For more information on all the Game related Museums check out this post.
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/bookazines">Bookazines (Games Industry)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/bookazines">
<img src="/public/images/categories/Games Industry Bookazines.jpg" alt="Bookazines (Games Industry)">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Bookazines (Games Industry) in this s<a href="/bookazines">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/bookazines" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/bookazines" class="post-tag">bookazines</a>
<a href="/magazines" class="post-tag">magazines</a>
<a href="/books" class="post-tag">books</a>
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/books">Books (Games Industry)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/books">
<img src="/public/images/categories/Games Industry Books.jpg" alt="Books (Games Industry)">
</a>
</div>
<p>
<p>Awesome list of Historic Retro Games Industry Books and their impact on the industry</p> <a href="/books">...</a>
<p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/books" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/companies/codemasters">Codemasters (Creator of the Game Genie)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/companies/codemasters">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/" alt="Codemasters (Creator of the Game Genie)">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Codemasters (Creator of the Game Genie) in this s<a href="/companies/codemasters">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/companies/codemasters" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/companies" class="post-tag">companies</a>
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/codemasters" class="post-tag">codemasters</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/conferences">Game Industry Conferences</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/conferences">
<img src="/public/images/categories/Games Industry Conferences.jpg" alt="Game Industry Conferences">
</a>
</div>
<p>
<p>Awesome list of Historic Retro Games Industry Conferences including Audio and Video recordings</p> <a href="/conferences">...</a>
<p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/conferences" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/copyright">Copyright Infringement in the games industry</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/copyright">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/" alt="Copyright Infringement in the games industry">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Copyright Infringement in the games industry in this s<a href="/copyright">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/copyright" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/legal" class="post-tag">legal</a>
<a href="/copyright" class="post-tag">copyright</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/develop-magazine">Develop (UK) Game Development Magazine/Journal</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/develop-magazine">
<img src="/public/images/magazines/Develop UK Magazine.jpg" alt="Develop (UK) Game Development Magazine/Journal">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Develop (UK) Game Development Magazine/Journal in this s<a href="/develop-magazine">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/develop-magazine" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/magazines" class="post-tag">magazines</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/gdc">Game Developers Conference (GDC) - Full list of historical sessions</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/gdc">
<img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d3665255-3b43-4787-819f-92a49fcd1030" alt="Game Developers Conference (GDC) - Full list of historical sessions">
</a>
</div>
<p>
<p>Awesome list of Historic GDC Conferences including Audio and Video recordings</p> <a href="/gdc">...</a>
<p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/gdc" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/cracking-software">Game Cracking Software used back in the day</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/cracking-software">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/" alt="Game Cracking Software used back in the day">
</a>
</div>
<p>
<p>A quick look at software used to crack early games industry titles such as SoftICE, W32Dasm and OllyDbg</p> <a href="/cracking-software">...</a>
<p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/cracking-software" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/software" class="post-tag">software</a>
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/hacking">Hacking</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/hacking">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/" alt="Hacking">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Hacking in this s<a href="/hacking">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/hacking" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/consoles/Nintendo 64.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/indie">Indie Game Development</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/indie">
<img src="/public/kCxNlbEqQBTmGsgDrzeh4w_img_0.png" alt="Indie Game Development">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Indie Game Development in this s<a href="/indie">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/indie" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/magazines">Retro Gaming & Development Magazines (Games Industry)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/magazines">
<img src="/public/images/categories/Games Industry Magazines.jpg" alt="Retro Gaming & Development Magazines (Games Industry)">
</a>
</div>
<p>
<p>Awesome list of Historic Retro Games Development Magazines and articles</p> <a href="/magazines">...</a>
<p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/magazines" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/images/RetroReversingLogoSmall.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/museums">Game Industry Museums and Virtual Experiences</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/museums">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/" alt="Game Industry Museums and Virtual Experiences">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Game Industry Museums and Virtual Experiences in this s<a href="/museums">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/museums" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="/public/consoles/Sega Genesis.png" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/sega-documentary">Working at SEGA Documentary</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/sega-documentary">
<img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/lCnaw07LaS0/sddefault.jpg" alt="Working at SEGA Documentary">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Working at SEGA Documentary in this s<a href="/sega-documentary">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/sega-documentary" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/documentary" class="post-tag">documentary</a>
<a href="/megadrive" class="post-tag">megadrive</a>
<a href="/sega" class="post-tag">sega</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/companies/crossproducts/">Cross Products (Creator of Development Tools)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/companies/crossproducts/">
<img src="/public/images/companies/Cross Product - Company.jpg" alt="Cross Products (Creator of Development Tools)">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Cross Products (Creator of Development Tools) in this s<a href="/companies/crossproducts/">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/companies/crossproducts/" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/companies/datel/">Datel</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/companies/datel/">
<img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/aba51bd0-98ea-45cd-b05b-7df105868461" alt="Datel">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about Datel in this s<a href="/companies/datel/">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/companies/datel/" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/companies" class="post-tag">companies</a>
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/datel" class="post-tag">datel</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post post-card">
<div class="post-header">
<div>
<img src="" alt="">
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="post-title">
<a href="/companies/snsystems/">SN Systems (Creator of Development Tools)</a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-thumbnail">
<a href="/companies/snsystems/">
<img src="/public/images/companies/SN Systems - Company.jpg" alt="SN Systems (Creator of Development Tools)">
</a>
</div>
<p>Read all about SN Systems (Creator of Development Tools) in this s<a href="/companies/snsystems/">...</a></p>
<div class="post-footer">
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="/companies/snsystems/" role="button">Read More</a>
<div class="post-tags">
<a href="/companies" class="post-tag">companies</a>
<a href="/industry" class="post-tag">industry</a>
<a href="/snsystems" class="post-tag">snsystems</a>
</div>
<a class="float-right p-t-10" href="#"><i class="fa fa-heart-o"></i> 2 likes</a>
</div>
</div>