Attack of the Flickering Skeletons
By Stuart Ashen
More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of
Unbound Exclusives
About the book
The European computer game market of the early eighties to mid nineties was a thing of terrible beauty. Crazy ideas and potential profit were at the front of publisher’s minds. And quality control was often at the back of their minds, hidden behind a vague memory of that time they fell off their bike and lost their door key.
In my previous book Terrible Old Games You’ve Probably Never Heard Of I showcased a bevy of amusingly awful titles. And now I’m going to do it again, because what the world needs right now is to know exactly how bad Domain of the Undead for the Atari 8-bit computers was.
And because I like to confound expectations, the book will be larger than the previous volume yet cost the same! This second excavation of gaming’s buried past will not only unearth more appalling excuses for digital entertainment, but also feature several special interest chapters not based around single specific games. And more guest contributors will be telling us about their most disappointing gaming purchases, so we can feel a bit better the next time we pick up a cheap game on a whim and discover it’s about as much fun as banging your face against a fridge door.
The core criteria of the games eligible for entry will remain the same. They must have been:
- Released between 1980 and 1995 inclusive
- Released commercially, i.e. sold for money
- Released on a home computer format, not a dedicated games console
- So incredibly poor that it would be almost impossible for a reasonable person to enjoy playing them
That way we keep out all the ones you’ve heard of a million times in YouTube videos. These are truly obscure and truly dreadful games – the very worst the industry ever offered up. We may have all been disappointed with Aliens Colonial Marines, but it doesn’t seem quite so bad when you’ve spent a few minutes wrestling with the controls of Cisco Heat on the Commodore 64...
If you’d like a copy of Attack of the Flickering Skeletons: More Terrible Old Games You’ve Probably Never Of , pledge now and we’ll be on the way to making it a reality. Let’s not let these games slip under the radar just because they’re terrible, they’re old and... well... you’ve probably never heard of them.
Will any mystical bald men with bewitching facial hair feature this time round?
I'm not sure I have the power to stop him appearing.
What if I have heard of the games? Will I get a refund?
Our lawyers confirm that "probably" is loose enough to avoid refunds.
Will this book be available in stores once it's been fully funded?
Probably!
Hi, will you also ship abroad? If so, what would be the postage to the Czech Republic? And lastly, are there more Atari XL/XE (that is my home platform) games than just a few? :) P.S.: Glad you used the Atari ROM font on the book cover :D
Hi Zdenek, Yes we do ship overseas. You can ready about our shipping charges here: http://help.unbound.com/unbound-for-readers/pledging-for-a-project/what-are-the-delivery-charges. Best wishes, Unbound Support
There can't possibly be anything worse than SQIJ! Right?
I have uncovered more information about SQIJ! - there may be an update in the second book.
Hi wiLloyd there be a signing tour for this book as well
wiLLoyd says: "Thanks for thinking of me! There may be a tour, we're not sure yet."
If I buy a hardback edition and pay all the shipment taxes can it be sent to Brazil? [Fuck is indeed my lastname if you are wondering... What a lucky man am I! Or not.]
Hi Leonardo, Yes, we dispatch to Brazil. Just enter your delivery address during the checkout process and the shipping cost will be calculated before you finish the payment. Best wishes, Unbound support
If my mother orders the book for me will my name still get in the book
Hi Liam, You can read about how to change the names included in the book here: http://help.unbound.com/unbound-for-readers/managing-your-subscriptions/changing-the-supporter-name-thats-printed-in-a-book. Best wishes, Caitlin - Community Manager
Will I starve now having spent my shopping budget on a piece of crap book by you?
Yes. Bye!
What type of Sad Onion would this book receive?
Glorious.
What is your favourite soup?
Crab meat and sweetcorn.
Is this books suitable for vegans?
Yes. But we don't recommend eating it anyway.
What is the music in the background of the video Stuart? It's driving me made that I can't remember...
Ghouls & Ghosts, Commodore 64.
Is the "Collectable" tier book signed by a real person (hopefully Stuart ashen)? Or is it one of those photocopied jobs?
They will all be signed by me. Using a real pen and everything!
Did you really play robobolt for an hour?
It was actually longer, as with all the games I write about. I don't like to think about it.
I can't seem to find the last day pre-orders will be offered. I've got to wait till around the end of the month.
Hi Ian, We'll be taking pre-orders right up until we send the book to the printers, so you've got plenty of time as Stuart is currently in the process of writing the book. Best wishes, Unbound support
Ive not had a chance to order this yet. Is it too late now to back this and recieve a copy?
Hi Louis, Thanks for getting in touch. It's not too late to pre-order and get your name in the back of the book as Stuart is still writing at the moment. Best wishes, Caitlin - Community manager
What format will the eBook be in? *Hopes it's not ePub as I have a Kindle*
Hi Breffni, We create the ebook in ePub, Mobi (kindle) and PDF formats so they're able to be read on all eReaders. Thanks for supporting Unbound! Best wishes, Caitlin - Community Manager
What is the intended date for the book to come out?
HI Tim, Thanks for getting in touch. We're working towards a late Autumn publication date for the special editions. Hope this helps! Best wishes Unbound Support
when the book will be shiped?
Hi Moshe, Thanks for getting in touch. The book is scheduled for publication this Autumn, 2017. Best wishes, Caitlin
Are there plans for a more phone-friendly Kindle edition? Because the current gatefold design is frankly unreadable at phone size.
Hi Matthew, Thanks for getting in touch and sorry about this. We're working on getting a new and improved mobi. version created so we should have an ebook which works better for you soon. Please watch out for an update about this. Best wishes, Unbound Sipport
Have there been any updates as to when the special edition books will be shipped?
Hi Michael, The special editions have landed and should start going out to subscribers this week (w/c 4th December), so they'll arrive with supporters over the next week. Best wishes, Unbound Support
Could you remind me of the details for the Gathering Of Horror? I appear to have lost the email ...
Hi Nick, It's on Saturday 13th January at the Cambridge Computer Museum. We'll be sending another email tomorrow with a map, timings and how to RSVP. Looking forward to it! Caitlin - Unbound Community Manager
Hi, I'm just worried because I swear I backed this project for a gift for my husband but it's not showing I did. And all the sites say it's out of stock... Will there be more for me to get for him..? :(
Hi there, It looks like the book is on the way back to us. Please look out for an email asking you to re-confirm your address before we can send this out again. Thanks! Unbound Support