Bitmap Books stands out in the video game publishing world with its design-first approach. Founder Sam Dyer, the creative director and sole employee, is dedicated to creating tangible art that is both suitable for the coffee table and collector's shelf and enjoyable when read cover-to-cover.

Defining Bitmap's Journey

Since its inception in 2014, Bitmap Books has maintained a balance between aesthetic appeal and informational depth. While the discourse on game preservation and physical media has grown, Dyer's initial goal was not centered around preservation. It was born out of his passion for craft design and games, aiming to produce beautiful gaming books that evoke nostalgia. 1: Dyer emphasizes the importance of being cautious with how nostalgia is used in business. Retro gaming books aim to bring back happy memories, but there is a fine line between celebration and predation. He is wary of companies that prey on people's nostalgia in their advertising. Bitmap started with Dyer's desire to create things he would want to buy, reminding him of his childhood. 2: Dyer's childhood was marked by the wonder he felt after his parents bought him a Commodore 64. Despite no one in his family knowing about games, he taught himself how to load, code, and play. His initial interest in art and graphic design came from being fascinated by the load screens of his favorite games.

The Evolution of Bitmap

1: Dyer's path took a detour as he pursued art college and focused on desktop publishing, typography, and graphic design. But as he got older and had children, he started looking back to his childhood. This led him to found Bitmap Books when he was working on a Commodore 64 book in his spare time and needed a platform to publish it. 2: The first challenge was securing funding, which he eventually did through Kickstarter. The success of the campaign showed there was interest in his product. After the book was fully-funded, Dyer focused on defining and growing his company's audience. Designing and producing the books came naturally to him as he had experience in graphic design and marketing.

Sustaining and Growing the Audience

1: Dyer attributes his success to delivering a consistent product. Producing well-considered, cohesively designed books that provide good value for money has helped him thrive in the niche. He believes loyalty is more important than volume and focuses on building a group of loyal customers. 2: The demographic makeup of Bitmap's audience is mainly male, around 40 to 50 years old, as these are the ages when the classic game consoles were part of their childhood. Dyer considers himself his target customer and designs the books with that in mind.

Shipping and Control

1: Bitmap ships its books worldwide, with the UK, Germany, France, and Spain being notable hotspots. In the last five years, the US has become the biggest market. Dyer controls every aspect of the business, from proposal to shipping, ensuring consistency and quality. 2: Producing three books a year feels like the right amount for Dyer and his customers. It creates a sense of anticipation and prevents burnout. He values the quality over quantity approach.

Preservation and Growth

1: Bitmap's sustainable business model is a boon to the video game industry. Dyer is a passionate advocate for physical media and is proud that a copy of each of his books is in the British Library. This is a strong form of preservation. 2: Looking to the future, Dyer wants to expand partnerships with developers and studios to create unique artefacts that enhance the industry's connection to its audience. Working with SNK and Atari is a blueprint for his dreams, and he hopes to one day work with Nintendo.