waiching liu
TV shows on video and computer games are very rare and not often produced these days on terrestrial TV. Gamesmaster was a very good programme which was eventually axed by the mid-90s, thus accumulating in the downward spiral of video and computer games in general. But as we are in the 21st century, the popularity and growth of video games has surged once again, thanks to the arrival and huge sales of next generation consoles such as Microsoft's X Box 360, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's Playstation 3.Therefore, if ever there was a need for Gamesmaster to make a return to our screens, then the proof of the X Box, Wii and PS3's existence and its games titles is it. ITV had their own version of a computer games show, mainly aimed at kids entitled: Bad Influence, although in contrast, this was a poor man's Gamesmaster.Gamesmaster was the first ever TV show dedicated towards video games, alas its success in the 1990s was spearheaded by characters such as Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo's Super Mario. The show which ran for approximately 7 years was first presented by Scot, Dominic Diamond and featured games challenges, the latest games previews, news, reviews by leading video game magazine writers, and tips and cheats, courtesy of the Gamesmaster himself played by astrologist Patrick Moore.Dexter Fletcher replaced Dominic in the latter series of the show, of whom didn't fare any better and his arrival had in turn led to the demise of Gamesmaster and resulted in the programme being axed. The axe also brought to an end the Sega Megadrive's, Nintendo's Gameboy, SNES's reign in sales. However, thanks to the global success of the next-gen consoles and games, it can be only be appropriate in this context for Gamesmaster to make a swift return to Channel 4.Gamesmaster was cult viewing for video game fanatics everywhere: it was a refreshing, different, unique type of show that not only gave the video game industry more attention and publicity it needed, but it invited the viewers to see what all the hype surrounding video games was. Certainly in today's context, the video games industry is arguably now one of the fastest growing, richest mediums around alongside music, TV and film, which is why there is a need for shows- good quality TV shows dedicated towards computer games in today's increasingly technological age.Video games are no longer a niche-type of thing, back during the 70s, 80s and 90s, which only the computer geeks can enjoy. Of all the terrestrial channels, Channel 4 in the UK had the most innovative, daring, original and creative programmes in the 80s and 90s and since shows like this went off the air, Channel 4 hasn't been the same channel since.All I can say is, Gamesmaster needs to be brought back on air- irrespective of whether it has Dom Diamond as its presenter because this was a good show
Izak86
There has been many video games shows made over the past 20 years or so but none have been as good as GamesMaster.GamesMaster ran from 1992 until 1998, in a time when gaming was a more of a niche hobby than it is today, yet GamesMaster is still the best video games show ever.Most other video game shows focus mainly on reviews and previews but GamesMaster's focus was on challenges making it more a game show than a video game show and this is what made it fun.It seems very strange to me how Channel 4 commissioned a television show dedicated to video games in 1992 when it was really just a niche market for kids yet have no such programme in 2007 when video games are a huge hobby enjoyed by millions of people at any age.Bring back GamesMaster!!
auto2113
This was a revolutionary piece of television back in the early 90's, for it was the first major one to feature video games being used for contests. Sure, Fred Savage had done it in 'The Wizard', but that film has so much cheesiness in it you can simply forget about it because Gamesmaster was LIVE and real. The best part's were when you would get an awful contestant and you got to watch them totally fluff up the game they were playing. You had the consultation zone which would have children mostly going up to the great disembodied head himself, Gamesmaster, and giving him video game related queries which would help them progress in their chosen game. You had the game reviews, conducted by the leading computer game magazine reviewers, which were always true to their word. And you had the ladies on nearly every series. Wahey! :D The presenters were brilliant and awful. Dominic Diamond was amazing, Dexter FLetcher was terrible! Mr. Diamond had an amazing little red jacket with a white rose in it, he had that excellent scottish accent, he had innumerable hair styles, he was THE man. Dexter Fletcher on the other hand looked liked he'd walked off the set of Crystal Maze by mistake and he also had the enthusiasm of a potato. And Patrick Moore... god knows what he thought when he agreed to do Gamesmaster as the big floating head, but he did, and he was brilliant! Probably the only successful consistent aspect of the show. The show was dropped way back in 98 or 99 I think, and god knows why. The magazine which came out during the first series is still going, up to it's 120th issue now I think, and i've been in three of them. Respect! If ever you can find a way to see Gamesmaster again, please do. It was a fantastic show with excellent wit from Diamond, and an annoying twit called Fletcher. Please enjoy. :D
