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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Never seen before - a run through of 'Can't Buy Me Love' by #TheBeatles for #TopOfThePops recorded on 19 March 1964. This take wasn't used in the broadcast as it nearly breaks down at 1:18 with #JohnLennon & #PaulMcCartney doing some silly dancing. youtu.be/vxQMu-BO_As?...

youtu.be

The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love (Top of The Pops, March 19th 1964)

YouTube video by The Beatles Performances

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A #ZXSpectrum only game that wasn't advertised in any of the usual mags, no ads in Crash, Your Spectrum or Your Sinclair. The only time I've sent it advertised was in 1 issue of Your Computer from 1984. Even the advert doesn't mention what machine it's for! 'Stay Kool' from #BugByte #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A 3rd set of sketches from early issues of #Crash by #OliverFrey that have been upscaled and coloured. #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

More sketches from issue 1 of #Crash Sketches from early issues of #Crash magazine by #OliverFrey that have been upscaled and coloured. #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Sketches from early issues of #Crash magazine by #OliverFrey that have been upscaled and coloured. #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

More #ZXSpectrum related adverts that were never (AFAIK) printed in colour #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

#ZXSpectrum related adverts that were never (AFAIK) printed in colour #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

#ZXSpectrum related art looking super smooth & clean pt.3 - before & after shown. Both from Carnell's 'Wrath of Magra' #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

#ZXSpectrum related art looking super smooth & clean pt.2 - before & after shown. 1. Manic Miner 2. Maziacs #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

#ZXSpectrum related art looking super smooth & clean pt.1 - before & after shown. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork / adverts were made using real models, people, puppets etc instead of illustrations pt.11 1. Land of Ultimatum map 2. #OceanSoftware Xmas ad 3. The Boggit 4. Dark Sceptre #RetroGaming #UltimatePlayTheGame

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

This is amazing! It's running on a 48k #ZXSpectrum. NOT a 128k! "We are the robots" youtu.be/7cOu32m3wvQ?...

youtu.be

We are Vocoders

YouTube video by DEMOSCENE

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork / adverts were made using real models, people, puppets etc instead of illustrations pt.11 1. Dynamite Dan II 2. Fred 3. Ant Attack 4. Scuba Dive #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork / adverts were made using real models, people, puppets etc instead of illustrations pt.10 1. Mag Max 2. Pud Pud 3. Zombie Zombie 4. H.E.R.O. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real models instead of illustrations pt.9 1. Sacred Armour of Antiriad 2. Dynamite Dan 3. I, of the Mask 4. Dingo (by yours truly!) #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.6 1. Legend of Avalon 2. Dragontorc 3. Lords of Midnight 4. Doomdark's Revenge Released by #HewsonConsultants & #BeyondSoftware #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.5 1. Tir Na Nog 2. Dun Darach 3. Marsport 4. Heavy on the Magick All original art for #GargoyleGames. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.4 1. Manic Miner 2. Jet Set Willy 3. Jet Set Willy II 4. Perils of Willy All original art by #RogerTissyman for #BugByte & #SoftwareProjects #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.2 1. Lord of the Rings 2. Everyone's a Wally 3. MOVIE 4. Hunchback #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.2 1. Lord of the Rings 2. Everyone's a Wally 3. MOVIE 4. Hunchback #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

If #ZXSpectrum artwork was made with real photos instead of illustrations pt.1 1. Alchemist 2. Mikie 3. Ghosts'n Goblins 4. Fairlight #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Super proud to have my grainy footage from 2005 included in the new 'Rik Mayall Magnificent B'stard' documentary on Sky Arts! I even got a credit! #SkyArts #RikMayall

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

What #ZXSpectrum game is Granny giving a go in this photo? Taken either at Christmas 1983 or 1984. I found it in my Google Photos folder so apologies if those are your relatives! #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Just received my copy of the new hardcover Gold edition of the #OceanSoftware book by Fusion Retro. This has 328 pages, compared to 264 in the original so there's loads of new content! I'm in it of course! 😁 Available to purchase here: fusionretrobooks.com/products/the... #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Computer programmer finally finishes game sequel... 37 years later - Head Over Heels 2 www.itv.com/watch/news/c... #OceanSoftware #AtariST #HeadOverHeels #RetroGaming

itv.com

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

News article from (probably) sometime late 85 / early 86 from a local newspaper about #OceanSoftware. I had not seen that photo of Paul Owens, Jon Woods & David Ward down in the dungeons before! Thanks to Kevin Edwards for digging this up. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

A VIP Evening with #OCEANSOFTWARE at ZZAP! Live 2026. With Gary Bracey, Simon Butler, Colin Porch, Paul Hughes, Mathew Cannon, Barry Leitch, Andrew Sleigh & Lee Cowley. Hosted by Mike James. youtu.be/2iTeLY3PZjI?... #RetroGaming #ZXSpectrum #Commodore64 #AmstradCPC

youtu.be

A VIP Evening with OCEAN SOFTWARE at ZZAP! Live 2026. Adult Strong Language Warning.

YouTube video by Back to 8-bit with Hermski. (Paul Davies)

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Look at what some moron wrote today in a well known #ZXSpectrum forum about my #TotalRecall loading screen from 1990! Duhhh! #RetroGaming #OceanSoftware

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Did you know I managed to get #OceanSoftware artist Mark K. Jones to draw the initials (NHCC) of the games shop I frequented (& worked in) on the loading screen to the 1st #Renegade game on the #AmstradCPC from 1987? If you didn't you do now and you can sleep at night! #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I didn't realise until recently that there's 2 slightly different versions of the artwork for 'Heavy on the Magick' on the #ZXSpectrum by #GargoyleGames in 1986. Look at the title of the book on the right & the man's right arm for a start. There's quite a few of them. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

'Ralli Building', now demolished, the very 1st home of #OceanSoftware back in 1983 before moving to the more well known 6 Central Street. #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Full version of the #StarstrikeII artwork. Previous best version (Pic2), taken from a shop poster, is partly obscured by screenshots but has the colours the right way round (green & brown). (Pic1) is unobscured but has the colour error, as did the inlay & all the adverts #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I have never seen this earlier, crude attempt at hiding the 'GREEN BERET II' tag on #TheVindicator artwork before. Found in a game catalogue. 'STRIKE BACK'?? Ughhh! 1. Original art. 2. Catalogue ad. 3. Magazine ad. (still crude!) #OceanSoftware #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I've had a go using AI to improve the clarity of this #GreenBeret artwork. The original was lost & this most complete version is from an advert. Didn't look quite as nice blown up to poster size when Bob was out selling prints. #OceanSoftware #ZXSpectrum #BobWakelin #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

AI does quite a nice job of improving the clarity of this #NOMAD artwork. See a Before and After here. It did change the word TOAD to TOAO though but, other than, it's pretty good. #OceanSoftware #ZXSpectrum #BobWakelin #RetroGaming

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Mark R. Jones @markrjones1970.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Does anyone know what game this toy was made for? I got this as a promotional item in 1990 when I worked in a games shop. 1st 2 pics are from a home video from October 1990. Pic 3 was printed in a 1990 issue of #SinclairUser magazine. #RetroGaming

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Reposted by Mark R. Jones

mark semczyszyn @marksemczyszyn.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

What a cool Friday treat. Bill @harbonaut.co.uk Harbison has started an Ocean Dev Stories channel on YouTube. First up, creating the Robocop loading screen on the ZX Spectrum. Have a feeling this will be a cool series. Thanks Bill. youtu.be/ykh7en7NJok?...

youtu.be

ocean dev stories - Robocop on ZX Spectrum: The Story Behind That Legendary Loading Screen

YouTube video by Will Harbison

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