It’s hard to imagine how a colouring book can amass over £43,000 on a Kickstarter, especially when the goal they were originally hoping to meet was just £6500 – yet that is exactly what happened for Neil Thomas…
Neil Thomas of RMC – The Cave
With 1479 backers, the activity to acquire extra funds for the start of a new retro computer and console exhibition certainly captured the imagination of many enthusiasts. Stoo Cambridge, known for his sprite work on Cannon Fodder and Sensible Soccer would also be creating the actual retro nostalgia filled pages too, where armed with a crayon you could add a splash of colour all of your own invention to the various hardware featured.
Stoo Cambridge via Kickstarter page
The digital version of the colouring book (with the physical copies not far behind) have now been received by eager Kickstarter backers and if you funded at a certain level, you could also sponsor one of the pages – which indeed I did. I have long been a supporter of Neil’s YouTube channel and I was lucky enough to interview him on my podcast and work with him as a researcher on his book too – so when I heard he was raising funds for an exhibition I wanted to help where I could.
My sponsored page on the Colouring Book of Retro Computing
Retro has seen quite a resurgence in the console and computing world. As the hardware and software starts to really show its age though, we really need dedicated individuals, communities and indeed exhibitions to keep these important pieces of technology alive so we can introduce new generations to its wonder and place in history.
I look forward to visiting Neil’s exhibition myself in the near future! Congratulations to everyone involved.
James Woodcock is a UK-based freelance journalist, copywriter, author, blogger and podcaster with a passion for gaming, gadgets and technology, both retro and modern. He is also the founder of Pixel Refresh, which originally started as his personal blog in 2006 and was later rebranded to Pixel Refresh in 2021.
Ever since he experienced the first controllable pixel movement on the television screen, he has been entranced by the possibilities and rewarding entertainment value generated from these metal and plastic boxes of delight. Writing hundreds of articles, including commentary and reviews on various gaming platforms, whilst also interviewing well-known industry figures for popular online publications.
