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Iam8bit, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment industry
FoundedApril 19, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-04-19)
FounderJon M. Gibson
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
2 offices (2016)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Websiteiam8bit.com

iam8bit, Inc. is a media production and merchandising company, video game publisher and artist collective based in Los Angeles, California. iam8bit hosts an online store that primarily sells collectible vinyl records of video game soundtracks, but also sells t-shirts, artwork, pins and other merchandise. iam8bit also frequently collaborates with Skybound Games to produce physical editions of independent video games.[1][2] The company also owns an art gallery in Los Angeles that hosts various exhibitions annually.

History

iam8bit started off as an art show surrounding pop culture fandom in the spring of 2005. The event, and subsequent company of the same name, were created and founded by video game and tech journalist Jon M. Gibson, and film director Amanda White, who is also known for producing the mockumentary I'm Still Here.[3]

After its inception as an art event, iam8bit became a full-fledged lifestyle brand, focused on the artistic side of gaming. Beginning with a collection of "limited edition" T-shirts adorned with popular images from the exhibition, the company would go on to design events and merchandising for other companies.

Chronicle Books published an official collection of pieces from the inaugural show in April 2005 entitled, iam8bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the '80s, and was promptly carried in stores like Urban Outfitters, Barnes and Nobles, Giant Robot, and many other museum and boutique shops. A sequel to the book, called SUPER i am 8-bit: More Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the '80s, was published by Insight Editions in June 2010.

iam8bit, as a merchandising brand, started off with a collection of limited edition T-shirts adorned with popular images from the art exhibit. The company would branch out to be a collectible vinyl records in 2010, with the promotion of Disney's video game Tron: Evolution.

A partnership with Blik,[4] a manufacturer of vinyl wall decals, was formed [when?] after the company created a custom, large-scale window installation for iam8bit's office. The result was a series of removable Space Invader-style wall stickers that, after several years, had been a consistently selling product for Blik.[citation needed] In 2007, iam8bit formed another partnership with Couch Guitar Straps[5] to create a line of straps created for use with Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

For New Line's 2008 DVD release of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, iam8bit produced numerous supplemental features, including the "iam8bit Music & Gallery," which featured Donkey Kong-inspired art from the first three years of the iam8bit art show, as well as an accompanying soundtrack by renowned micro-musicians like 8 Bit Weapon, ComputeHer, and others. For this DVD, Gibson, as a writer and producer, and director Gabe Swarr also created an original, one-minute animated short, entitled A Really, Really Brief History of Donkey Kong,[6] featuring music by 8 Bit Weapon, which received both critical and fan praise.[7] Gibson, along with IGN Entertainment Editorial Director Chris Carle, provided a full-length commentary track recounting the cultural and historical significance of the 1980s arcade scene.

Productions

Mega Man 9 Press Kit (2008)

In the summer of 2008, iam8bit was hired by Capcom to create the cover artwork for Mega Man 9. The cover art, done by Gerald de Jesus (part of the iam8bit artist collective), was made to be similar the American box art of the original Mega Man game, often considered to be "ugly" by the fanbase.[8] According to Chris Kramer, Senior Director of Communications and Community at Capcom Entertainment, "the marketing group [decided] if we were going to release a game that looked like it came from 1987 that we should run the whole marketing campaign as if we were working in the games industry in 1987".[9]

A "limited edition" press kit using that cover art was then created by iam8bit.[10] Being as faithful to the original 1987 release as possible, the iam8bit crew disassembled hundreds of vintage Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges, magnetized them, and inserted mini "asset" CDs inside, featuring an array of screenshots, character art, etc. originally intended for members of the media, but later sold to fans via the online Capcom Store.[11] The cartridges were then packaged in a custom-created, classic-looking Nintendo Entertainment System box, complete with shrink-wrap and bargain bin price tags (i.e. "SALE $9.99"). The fanfare for the press kit resulted in eBay listings of upwards of $1,200, making it one of the most sought-after promotional items in video game history.[12]

Tricell Progenitor Virus Detection Kit (2009)

In March 2009, the Tricell Progenitor Virus Detection Kit was created to promote the release of Resident Evil 5 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The kit, designed to look like an off-the-shelf pregnancy tester, was sent to select news reporters and members of video game/technology media, and later sold in limited quantities to consumers via the Capcom Store.[13] The box lacks all Capcom or iam8bit company branding, focusing only on the fictional corporation of Tricell from within Resident Evil 5.

Inside of the kit had Tricell-branded protective nitrile gloves, surgical mask, hand sanitizer, and a bio-hazard bag, as well as a two "Advanced Detection & Suppression Technology Discs".[14] Inserting the discs into the console had a fictitious anti-virus detector "analyze" your system, detecting various levels of infection with the Progenitor virus.[15]

Tron Evolution Vinyl (2010)

In promotion for the release of the 2010 video game "Tron: Evolution," iam8bit Productions produced a custom vinyl picture disc[16] that was sent out to an exclusive list of journalists. Only 200 vinyls were reportedly printed, featuring some of the game's soundtrack produced by DJ Sascha Dikiciyan, and visual design by artist Jim Rugg.

Marvel VS Capcom 3 Fight Club LA (2011)

Days before the launch of Marvel VS Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, iam8bit threw another in their seminal "Fight Club" series.[clarification needed] The event hosted over 1,500 fans over 3 hours and featured an almost complete version of the game. It was also the first public demo location to have the Nintendo 3DS handheld, featuring Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition. Community members started lining up for the event at 1:00 am, 19 hours before doors opened.[citation needed]

I'm With Coco (2010)

In January 2010, in collaboration with artist Mike Mitchell, iam8bit took part in the viral sensation "I'm With Coco" (the original image was created by Mitchell).

The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary – Hyrule Room (2011)

To commemorate The Legend of Zelda's 25th Anniversary, Nintendo of America enlisted the help of iam8bit to create a Zelda style conference room in their Redwood City, California headquarters. The design and artwork for the conference room was done by Gerald de Jesus, and featured various references to the series' games.[17]

Alita: Battle Angel – Passport to Iron City (2019)

In February 2019, Twentieth Century Fox collaborated with iam8bit to create "Passport to Iron City", a recreation of Alita: Battle Angel's setting for fans to tour. "Passport to Iron City" was available in New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin, Texas.[18]

Exhibitions

The iam8bit art exhibition is produced annually and held in Los Angeles. Featured artists include Gary Baseman, James Jean, Tim Biskup, Seen, Luke Chueh, Joe Ledbetter, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Amy Sol, Brandon Bird, Mike Mitchell, and hundreds of others.

Year Show Date Location Official Title
2005 April 18 – May 19 Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight
2006 April 18 – May 19 Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight
2007 April 17 – May 12 Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight
2008 August 14 – September 7 World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
2011 August 11 – September 10 iam8bit Gallery (2147 W. Sunset Blvd)
2013 June 7 – June 30 iam8bit Gallery (2147 W. Sunset Blvd) iam8bit Entertainment System
2015 June 18 – July 5 iam8bit Gallery (2147 W. Sunset Blvd) iam8bit: 10th Anniversary
2017 June 13 – June 25 iam8bit Gallery (2147 W. Sunset Blvd) iam8bit: A Love Story

Games published

Title Original release year Developer(s) Additional publisher(s) Genre(s) Platform(s) Ref.
Aladdin 1993 Virgin Games USA Nighthawk Interactive Platform Sega Genesis [19]
The Artful Escape 2021 Beethoven & Dinosaur Annapurna Interactive Platform PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [20]
Battletoads 1991 Rare Xbox Game Studios Beat 'em up Nintendo Entertainment System [21]
Bear and Breakfast 2022 Gummy Cat Armor Games Studios Management simulation Nintendo Switch [22]
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery 2021 Silver Lining Studio Akupara Games, Akatsuki Taiwan Adventure PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [23]
Carto 2020 Sunhead Games Humble Games Puzzle PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [24]
Cozy Grove 2021 Spry Fox The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild Adventure, simulation PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [25]
Creature in the Well 2019 Flight School Studio, NWM Interactive Flight School Studio Action, dungeon crawler PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [26]
Cuphead 2017 Studio MDHR Studio MDHR Run-and-gun PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [27]
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut 2019 ZA/UM ZA/UM Role-playing PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [28]
Donut County 2018 Ben Esposito Annapurna Interactive Puzzle PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [29]
Earthworm Jim 1+2 1994, 1995 Shiny Entertainement Interplay Entertainment Run-and-gun Super Nintendo Entertainment System [30]
Eastward 2021 Pixpil Chucklefish Action-adventure Nintendo Switch [31]
Etherborn 2019 Altered Matter Akupara Games Adventure, puzzle PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [32]
Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum 2022 Retrotainment Games, Digital Eclipse None Platform Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Entertainment System [33]
Gone Home 2013 The Fullbright Company Annapurna Interactive Adventure Nintendo Switch [34]
Gorogoa 2017 Buried Signal Annapurna Interactive Puzzle PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [35][29]
Grim Fandago Remastered 2015 Double Fine Productions Double Fine Productions Adventure PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [36]
Grindstone 2019 Capybara Games Capybara Games Puzzle, adventure Nintendo Switch [37]
Hyper Light Drifter 2016 Heart Machine Heart Machine Action role-playing PlayStation 4 [38]
Inside 2016 Playdead Playdead Puzzle, platform PlayStation 4 [39]
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 2020 Cardboard Computer Annapurna Interactive Adventure PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [40]
The Lion King 1994 Westwood Studios Nighthawk Interactive Platform Super Nintendo Entertainment System [19]
Manifold Garden 2019 William Chyr Studio William Chyr Studio Puzzle PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [41]
Mega Man 2 1988 Capcom Capcom Action, platform Nintendo Entertainment System [42]
Mega Man X 1993 Capcom Capcom Action, platform Super Nintendo Entertainment System [42]
Mutazione 2019 Die Gute Fabrik Akupara Games Adventure PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [43]
Neon White 2022 Angel Matrix Annapurna Interactive First-person shooter, platform PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [44]
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition 2015 Moon Studios Xbox Game Studios Metroidvania Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [45]
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 2020 Moon Studios Xbox Game Studios Metroidvania Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [45]
Ori: The Collection 2021 Moon Studios Xbox Game Studios Metroidvania Nintendo Switch [46]
The Pathless 2020 Giant Squid Annapurna Interactive Action-adventure PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [47]
Psychonauts 2005 Double Fine Productions Double Fine Productions, Limited Run Games Platform PlayStation 4, Xbox One [48]
Psychonauts 2 2021 Double Fine Productions Xbox Game Studios Platform PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [48]
Rez Infinite 2016 Enhance Games, Resonair, Monstars Enhance Games Music PlayStation 4 [49]
Sayonara Wild Hearts 2019 Simogo Annapurna Interactive Action, music PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [50]
Spinch 2020 Queen Bee Games Akupara Games Platform Nintendo Switch [51]
Spiritfarer 2020 Thunder Lotus Games Thunder Lotus Games Management simulator PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [52]
Stray 2022 BlueTwelve Studio Annapurna Interactive Adventure PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [53]
Street Fighter II 1991 Capcom Capcom Fighting Super Nintendo Entertainment System [54]
Telling Lies 2019 Sam Barlow, Furious Bee Annapurna Interactive Interactive film PlayStation 4 [35]
Untitled Goose Game 2019 House House Panic Stealth PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [55]
Wattam 2019 Funomena Annapurna Interactive Puzzle, platform PlayStation 4 [56]
We Are OFK 2022 Team OFK Team OFK Visual novel, music PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [57]
What Remains of Edith Finch 2017 Giant Sparrow Annapurna Interactive Adventure PlayStation 4 [58]
What the Golf? 2019 Triband Triband Sports Nintendo Switch [59]

References

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  3. ^ "I'm Still Here". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  4. ^ "Blik Surface Graphics' iam8bit mini-site Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine"
  5. ^ "Couch Guitar Straps Archived 2009-05-18 at the Wayback Machine iam8bit mini-site/"
  6. ^ Gabe Swarr (2008-02-07). "A Really, Really Brief History of Donkey Kong(The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters)". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  7. ^ "Ain't it Cool News DVD review of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
  8. ^ "Poll: Box Art Brawl #40 - Mega Man". Nintendo Life. 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
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  13. ^ "Tricell Progenitor Virus Detection Kit (Press Kit)". Capcom Store. Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
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  15. ^ Tricell - Progenitor Virus Detection Kit, retrieved 2023-02-21
  16. ^ "Tron Evolution Game Soundtrack Released on Futuristic Vinyl". Game Informer.
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  29. ^ a b Hawkins, Cameron (2019-08-14). "Donut County and Gorogoa are Getting Physical Releases on Nintendo Switch". DualShockers. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  30. ^ McCumbers, Alex. "Earthworm Jim Getting New SNES Double Rom Cart from iam8bit". Forever Classic Games. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  31. ^ Gray, Kate (2022-05-25). "Retro-Styled RPG Eastward Gets Physical Edition, Vinyl Soundtrack, And TWO Board Games". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
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  33. ^ Vore, Bryan. "Exclusive First Preview – Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike And The Quest For Stale Gum". Game Informer. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
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  57. ^ Verbrugge, Kieron (2022-08-02). "We Are OFK Is Launching This Month And There's A Vinyl And Physical Release Coming". Press Start. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
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