A project to produce books detailing the history of Mastertronic budget computer games has gone live on Kickstarter.
Founded in 1983 by Martin Alper, Frank Herman and Alan Sharam, British company Mastertronic went on to become one of the UK’s biggest home video game publishers of the 1980s.
The company’s marketing strategy of putting games on shelves at the low price of just £1.99, when most other games sold from £4.99, resulted in booming sales and massive profits for the London-based company.
The Kickstarter appeal aims to produce both a standard volume and an enhanced collector’s volume detailing the history of these games.
The project is being organised by publishers Player One Books of Canberra, Australia. The books are unofficial publications.
Standard edition
First up is the Standard Edition 256 page hardcover book covering all of the Mastertronic £1.99 releases including game reviews, game credits, screen shots, cover images and more.
Collector’s Edition
The special 512 page Collector’s Edition includes everything in the Standard Edition, PLUS an additional 256 pages featuring game reviews, game credits, screen shots, cover images and more of the other Mastertronic labels such as M.A.D., Americana, Rebound, Rack-It, etc PLUS the unique disk releases.
“199 RANGE” limited collector’s edition
The “199 Range” Limited Collector’s Edition pledge includes the “199 Range” 512 page Collector’s Edition featuring a unique cover design, PLUS a signed and numbered “199 Range” bookplate, PLUS a 128 page Cover Art Gallery book featuring a range of game covers including commentary by select original cover artists, PLUS a limited edition “199 Range” USB cassette, featuring a custom “199 Range” inspired hand numbered inlay, and containing a 512 page PDF copy of the The Mastertronic Archives Collector’s Edition, and a 128 page PDF copy of the cover gallery book PLUS a set of limited edition postcards.
Funding options are shown in Australian dollars on the Kickstarter site, not to be confused with US dollars.
Around the globe
UK and EU backers: Books will be shipped from within the UK to minimise shipping costs and delivery times. North America backers: Books will be shipped from within North America to minimise shipping costs and delivery times. Australian backers: Books will be shipped from within Australia to minimise shipping costs and delivery times.
Further details
For further details of the books and other aspects of the project, including perks and current funding status, check out the Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/15723376/the-mastertronic-archives
As well as the Kickstarter, Player One Books can also be contacted via Twitter: https://twitter.com/player1books
