Being a Digi Geek and blogging about Digital Marketing, eCommerce and tech doesn’t mean that my blog is all business and no fun. Therefore it is time to travel to a different side of the Digi Geek Universe and share my recent experience with Bitmap Books.
Books? How oldskool! How retro! Yup but there are some books that are worth having as books, paper versions aka real books and not as eBook. And the ones that Bitmap Books creates are the perfect example. These books are time capsules that take you back to a different time, a time where 8-bit or 16-bit gaming ruled. And for a lot of geeks out there that means going back to your childhood, or at least a much younger version of yourself.
Who or what is Bitmap Books?
Bitmap Books is a design-led publisher specialising in high-quality, visually stunning books about video games, their history, and the industry behind them. Founded in 2014 by Sam Dyer, the company focuses on celebrating the software, hardware, developers and studios that shaped the gaming world into what it is today.
That is how they describe themselves. So they started in 2014 yet I only recently came across them… Well last year, but this year it was time to place my first order. I had some titles on my wishlist for a while but these were sold out so I had to wait for a fresh batch to arrive. And then in June 2026 it was time to place my order.
Of course you’re curious to see what these books are like in real life – so check their website as the photos and videos are awesome. And yes, they ship worldwide – including to New Zealand – and the trip from the UK to New Zealand didn't take that long, a nice and positive surprise.
From first order to big smile on arrival day
There were actual two surprises on arrival day. The first one is the one you immediately see when you place your order. They use DHL couriers for shipping the books. It’s a bit more expensive than a regular postal shipment but it is also extremely fast. It only took 1 week from the UK to my doorstep in New Zealand.
The second surprise is when you open the package. These books are extremely well packaged: sealed, wrapped, boxed and then put in another box. There is no way the books could move during shipment damage the corners of the cover. Everything is well planned and executed perfectly. The packaging is custom-made and top-notch. Check out these photos.
Showcasing my Bitmap Books collection: a Digi Geek’s treasure trove
Well I wouldn't call it a collection just yet. It’s part of my geeky collection but it’s just 3 Bitmap Books for now. Emphasise on for now. I can imagine more orders will be placed in the future. Let’s rank the current stash from “smallest” to “biggest”.
The Games That Weren’t (644 pages)
The Games That Weren't is the smallest book in size but the biggest in number of pages. And for me this was actually a “cart filler”. Of course, stories about games that were never created or realised is awesome. Often stories of failures or pulled products are much more interesting than success stories. But for me, I just discovered it when going through the Bitmap website to bulk up my order and “reduce shipping costs”. Isn’t that a nice way of saying I just wanted to add another one of these amazing books. :)
And after going through this book you’ll scream a few times “oh crap, such a shame this game was never released or created”. You’ll come across some familiar stories of games that never made it to an official release but you’ll also discover some gems you have never heard of.
And the stories will draw you back in as you want to read it all… The passion, the struggles, the heartbreak and the sheer creativity behind these unreleased masterpieces. It’s a 40-year journey, packed with over 80 games, exclusive interviews with legends like David Crane and Jeff Minter and never-before-seen assets that bring these lost worlds to life.
It’s a journey through gaming history, served with Bitmap Books’ signature flair: fluorescent colours, premium paper and a free digital copy so you can carry these untold tales with you everywhere.
What I really like about this book is that they have packed so much info into a relative small yet thick form factor. The chapters are short but contain a lot of info, from the developers' perspectives to photos, artwork or artist impressions. It is such a pleasure to dig in – with a strong coffee as your sidekick – and go through a few games (chapters). Oh and the radio buttons showing whether a game is playable or not are great. Then you'll know what you are doing next, after finishing these chapters, it's time to find and play that particular game.
More info about The Games That Weren’t.
The Art of Point and Click Adventure Games (528 pages)
Ah the good ol’ days of Sierra Online Games. I have spent many hours on Leisure Suit Larry, Police Quest and King’s Quest – and have called the Sierra hotline many times when stuck (no online walk-throughs or how-to videos, kids) – so this book had to be added to my order. It’s actually what sparked my interest in Bitmap Books.
And yes, they’re all covered in The Art of Point & Click Adventure Games… And more, lots more. Start reading and you’ll want to dust off your old gaming rig and dive back into the golden age of point-and-click adventures.
You’ll find yourself flipping through its glossy pages, rediscovering classics like The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst, King’s Quest, and Blade Runner. Classic games that defined what it meant to think, explore and click your way through unforgettable worlds. And you’ll uncover hidden gems and homebrew efforts that might have slipped under your radar. All brought to life through stunning visuals and the words of the legends who made them.
Enjoy interviews with the legends that built the point & click genre, like Al Lowe, Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, Éric Chahi. Their stories, their struggles, their triumphs, it’s all here. This book doesn’t just show you the art; it tells you the history, the passion, and the magic behind it.
This isn’t a book you read in one sitting. It’s another book you’ll enjoy over and over. Start browsing through it for the first time to enjoy the artwork and maybe read a little. Then you want to go for a deep dive with a nice cup of coffee in the morning or a great craft beer in the evening to go over each page and take in every little detail.
More info about The Art of Point and Click Adventure Games.
50 Indie Games that Changed the World (452 pages)
50 Indie Games That Changed the World is a dangerous book… A book that will lead to your Steam or GOG games library massively increasing in a short amount of time. You will come across indie games you may have heard of but never played or never paid any attention to it. The stories behind these games, how they were created, the challenges & struggles, the music and the artwork, it will all lead to you wanting to play these games – or at least add ‘em to your wishlist.
You will discover new games to play and to enjoy. I don't want to give away too much info or share things you can also find on the Bitmap Books info page but I can share with you what I wrote in my review on their site:
“You probably have played a few of these 50 indie games that changed the world, so it's great to read the stories behind 'em: how they were created and the sketches and artwork involved.
But you will definitely discover games you haven't played yet and maybe haven't even heard of. So prepare for your games wishlist or library to grow while reading this book.
Oh and when I say reading, it's more slow browsing. Take your time. Take in each game's story and move slowly through this 452 pages book. One or two games per day and you'll be busy for a long time 😁 This isn't fast food, it's a luxury meal at a fancy restaurant so digest slowly and enjoy it. Then come back the next day or later in the week for more.”
More info about 50 Indie Games that Changed the World.
Bitmap Books are the perfect gifts for retro gamers
Games have always played a major role in my life. From the first games played in arcades to games on systems like the Atari 600XL and 1024ST, DOS PCs, modern PCs and now consoles and portable devices. Gaming has always been present in my geeky life. Maybe not always front and centre but in some form or shape gaming has always been there.
Using the amazing emulators that are out there, several time trips have been made back to the arcade days. And now with Bitmap Books added to the collection that gaming time travel experience has been taken to the next level.
Bitmap Books are the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in gaming history, the stories behind games or the art work of games. There is always a book in their range for every kind of geek, whether they're into gaming, tech or design.
And as the price-quality is just perfect – your are getting a lot for a decent price – there's no need to hunt for discount codes or ways to find Bitmap Books cheaper. Their business model is transparent and fair. There are no hidden discounts, no Easter Eggs and no cheat codes. They even subsidise shipping costs by £12–£15, so you’re basically getting a power-up without the grind. If you’re on the fence, trust me: this is the kind of quality that is worth it. You'll spend hours and hours devouring the amazing content.
Do I have any regrets about getting these Bitmap Books?
Well, not about the books themselves or about the ordering process of Bitmap Books. That’s all been great and I love having these amazing books in my collection.
My only regrets are the familiar ones… Why didn’t I discover Bitmap Books earlier? Why don’t I have more time to enjoy these books? It’s great to enjoy a few chapters every day but just like a good game, you’ll always want more. Just try and finish this level. Just one more chapter or story. Hahaha, you don’t want to put this books away. Once you start, you just want to continue.
Bonus level unlocked: where to go from here?
As you can see I’m stoked with my first Bitmap Books order. I just had to share my experience with the world as I guess there are probably more people who have never heard of Bitmap Books. And there’s always some geek’s birthday coming up and before you know it it’s Christmas again so this blog post can also serve as inspiration for an awesome gift for your own favourite geek,
Which Bitmap Books would you add to your wish-list? Or would you like to know more about these books? Share your thoughts or post a question in the comments! I’m always happy to answer them or add more info to this article.
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