The Comfort Blanket of Retro Gaming in the Face of Tragedy

My last post began with the title "Surviving 2025". This one is going to be even tougher to write, I think. But I'll give it a go anyway.

At the time of writing, the final month of January is nearly done, and last week I had the worst news; someone who I was very close to has sadly and tragically passed. As one might imagine, this has put extraordinary pressure on me and my family, but I know I will get through. Time is a great healer. But mostly, I am concerned greatly for my child, and angry at a system that failed the departed. I hope she has found peace.

Before I continue (as I must: writing is cathartic for me), may I remind you, dear reader, that if you are feeling low or are at risk to yourself, it is never too late to seek help. You are enough, and there is always someone to talk to. Help is only a few clicks away: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/ - I also believe that these hoodies send a positive message too: https://live2lives.org/

The comfort blanket of video gaming has again been a companion for me this week, but this time I went to the Amiga, or, more precisely, THEA500 Mini from Retro Games Ltd. With some WHDLoad magic, there was quite a few games to play through. And I found one that I was still good at: Turrican! This classic game from the great mind of Manfred Trenz is probably my all time favourite. I got to that bit where the platforms are vertically stacked (Level 1-2 I think). This took me an age to learn back in 1990, but I got there. I was struggling though in the here and now. What was I doing wrong? The issue wasn't my skills at this fab game, but that I was using as a controller and not a joystick. I just couldn't get on with Turrican and the bundled A500 Mini control pad here. So I got out my joystick from THEC64 Black Edition. And that was much better. Progress became easier. And my mind, for a short while at least, was distracted.

Soon it was back to reality though: life, like many video games from the 1980s and early 1990s, well it isn't always fair. You're not able to switch to easy mode, and there is no walkthough, except the daily one that we all experience. Please look after yourselves, and look out for anyone who might be in crisis. Your actions could be the difference to make someone's life a little easier.

Surviving 2025: Therapy, Friends, and the Comfort Blanket of 8-Bit ZX Spectrum Magic

2025 was a year I'd rather forget, except for many excellent entertainment software releases for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and the likes

2025 might not have been the best year for humanity, and if you forgive the self-indulgence for a short while, it was not for me personally either. Before I get into my usual meandering gaming topics, there is a good reason why I support mental health and anti-suicide charities; without wishing to dwell too much on this sore and often painful topic, I can guarantee that unless one lacks empathy or humanity, seeing suicide, or suicidal attempts, up close and personal isn't a pleasant situation to live through. Even if the tragic loss happens to someone who you have fallen out with, or thought ill of in life, such a desperate final act is no less saddening, indeed heart-breaking. The phrase "I'd rather listen to your problems than attend your funeral" is especially pertinent. So, please, if you are feeling low, or have thoughts of self harm or ending one's own mortal existence, reach out to someone. I find this resource to be useful for those who need it: Suicidal Crisis Support. Reaching out can help; it is never too late to seek support.

What got me through 2025, aside from Mind, some talking therapies and beautiful, supportive people around me was the comfort blanket of 8-bit gaming. It was a really great year for entertainment software, and joining the Break Space team from issue two really helped me to focus on something positive. Sometimes, because of external pressures, it was all a bit of a blur, and I'd wager that many of my submissions [to Break Space] weren't my best, but then again, as someone who left School without any GCSEs, I suppose I've done quite well. This fact perhaps also explains my err... let's call it unique, clumsy and deviant writing style. This is a self-critique here; one may opine about it using different nomenclatures.

At the time of writing, Break Space issue four has just been released, and I've already authored two pieces for consideration by the editorial overlord Mpk who put in a tremendous effort to get this issue finished. I don't envy him one bit, as this is clearly a passion project not just for him, but for the whole review team. Not to mention that all of this gaming goodness is provided for free, so even if you only have a passing interest in 8-bit computer software, it's certainly worth a look. All current issues are available to download from https://breakspace.itch.io/ - it's certainly the most cost effective 8-bit gaming 'zine currently on the market, so download and [one hopes] enjoy!