I love a good documentary because it tells the best stories ever – real stories. Whether it’s about nature, crime, or a famous person, documentaries educate and entertain at the same time. When it comes to documentaries about video games, they always leave me wanting to play the games instead of watching. Chris Kohler, from Digital Eclipse, felt the same way, which is why he started working on the Gold Master Series.
Digital Eclipse has been preserving video games since 1992, making sure classic games are available on modern platforms. The studio’s focus on game preservation led to the creation of retro game compilations like Mega Man Legacy Collection and Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. These compilations included bonus materials like concept art and development documents, giving players a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite games.
The Gold Master Series, inspired by the Criterion Collection, takes preservation a step further by creating interactive documentaries. The series includes titles like The Making of Karateka and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, which allow players to experience the history of these games through gameplay. These interactive documentaries provide a new way to explore the stories behind classic games and game developers.
Digital Eclipse’s partnership with Atari for the 50th-anniversary celebration led to the creation of Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection, a groundbreaking video game compilation. The success of Atari 50 paved the way for future Gold Master Series titles, like The Making of Karateka and Llamasoft. These games follow a similar format, combining gameplay with documentary-style storytelling to engage players in video game history.
The team at Digital Eclipse, made up of former game journalists, uses the Eclipse Engine to create these interactive documentaries. The engine allows them to run emulators smoothly and provide players with a seamless gaming experience. Each game in the Gold Master Series focuses on a central topic, showcasing the history and development of classic games and game developers.
Digital Eclipse goes above and beyond to ensure their interactive documentaries are rich and comprehensive. From tracking down rare footage to including bonus materials, the studio strives to provide players with a deep dive into video game history. The team hopes to continue creating engaging and educational experiences that celebrate the medium of video games.
The Gold Master Series is like a modern museum exhibit, offering different levels of engagement for players. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan, these interactive documentaries have something for everyone. By combining gameplay with storytelling, Digital Eclipse is paving the way for a new genre of video games that celebrate the history of the medium.
As the Gold Master Series continues to grow, Digital Eclipse aims to attract a wider audience and inspire other studios to create similar projects. By telling their own stories and preserving video game history, the studio hopes to elevate the medium and encourage more respect for video games. With each new title in the series, Digital Eclipse is reshaping the way we experience and appreciate video games.
