Are the YS writers still "around"?

[PeteProdge]

What's Kamikazi Bear up to, that's what I want to know.

He was Sinclair User's creation!

[Vampyre]

He was Sinclair User's abomination!

FTFY.

[ZXDunny]

Bear a Grudge did not deserve to have such a bangin' AY tune.

[bucephalus]

Coincidentally, I was today reading the Nov 2004 issue of Your Sinclair which came with Retro Gamer and had a cover feature on YS writers entitled 'Where are they now?'. There's also a bit of history from Phil South.

Portrait photos taken and uploaded below - I stress portrait as when I look at the results on the file host, they're in landscape.

Anyway:

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[Lee Bee]

Coincidentally, I was today reading the Nov 2004 issue of Your Sinclair which came with Retro Gamer and had a cover feature on YS writers entitled 'Where are they now?'. There's also a bit of history from Phil South.

Blimey! I had no idea this even existed! I did pick up a few Retro Gamer issues over the years, but obviously missed this one! Thanks so much for this, buddy!

Why YS meant so much to me

It's easy to forget, but back in the pre-internet world we all once lived in, magazines like this carried so much significance in our quiet little lives. Before the days of YouTube, Wikipedia, or forums like this, we were entirely dependent upon these magazines for all our information about what was going on. Magazines like YS were a bit like a 'wardrobe into Narnia', providing our only connection the exciting world of games - a mysterious new frontier, unknown to our parents and most adults.

And it wasn't just about having a source of information—these magazines gave us a sense of national community and identity, with a shared vocabulary. We were "Spec-chums". While adults had their more formal newspapers and TV, we had our own little world - this very intelligent, very daft community, with editorial 'wibble' perfectly hitting the balance somewhere between childhood and maturity. (I especially loved YS's vibrant use of colour.)

Unlike what we have today, the 8-bit micro scene wasn't just some big, faceless global commercial industry with 'end users' buying products. Back then, it was a network of young (often, teenage) enthusiasts producing home-brew content in their bedrooms—a network we all somehow felt part of, with these magazines treating their young readers like a part of that family, with the appropriate level of respect and inclusion.

In those pre-internet days, magazines like this were our "social media". They were like friends to us, providing us with a sense of continuity, giving something to look forward to each month that we could hold in our hands, reassuring us we weren't alone in our love of Speccy games and that there would always be another issue "coming next month".

That's why I found the last YS more than a little sad!

But, hurrah, the Speccy is still going strong, and kicking bottom, with a great online community! So here's to all the Spec-chums out there, and thanks again for the above post, bucephalus!

[Joefish]

It wasn't just about the character of the writers. To me, YS was so great because it didn't just cover Spectrum games like Crash did. There were bits on movies and arcade games which I'd never have heard about from anywhere else, having only the one regular subscription. It was a big part of my culture generally growing up, besides what was on TV and what gizmos and toys had appeared in the latest Argos catalogue.

[JonNorth]

Jon North has not been around for years altough he did make a brief appearence on some of the forums. He'd had a daughter last time I head or spoke to him but that was years ago.

Hello!

[HEXdidnt]

Phil South is also listed as the "News and Documentation" person for the folks who make the Checkmate Amiga boxes and the customisable gaming monitors.

My sister had a major crush on Phil, back in the day. At one of the Microfairs (pretty sure it was at Hammersmith, but could have been Earls Court), she plucked up the courage to rock up to Your Sinclair's stand and ask for his autograph.

[PeteProdge]

If you've ever wanted to see Rich Pelley in a tutu, a dress or looking like Harry Hill, then this article published today in the Guardian is just for you.

[ANDREWRYALS]

Hello!

Hello, fancy seeing you here! I've sent you a PM. Let's have a chat.