Bitmap Books 2026 Interview | Nintendo Insider

Ever since I purchased The King of Fighters: The Final Historical past from Bitmap Books a few years in the past whereas on vacation, I’ve been a fan of nearly each guide I’ve purchased from the writer since. I’ve even reviewed two of them right here in I’m Too Younger to Die and Set off Joyful. Later this month, Bitmap Books is launching Deadly Fury/Garou Densetsu: The Final Historical past. I had an opportunity to speak with Sam Dyer, inventive director at Bitmap Books, in regards to the writer’s development, essentially the most difficult challenge thus far, how they resolve on a particular challenge, reprints, espresso, and the longer term.

Nintendo Insider: Inform us slightly bit about your self.

Sam Dyer: My identify is Sam Dyer. I dwell within the lovely Georgian metropolis of Bathtub in England with my spouse and two youngsters. A graphic designer by commerce, I’ve a ardour for all issues design and naturally, video video games!

Nintendo Insider: How does it really feel trying again on the early days to now if you do a number of books and reprints frequently?

Sam Dyer: I based Bitmap Books in 2014, initially as a interest challenge within the evenings and weekends. After a tremendous response to our first guide (on the Commodore 64), the enterprise has gone from energy to energy. I do really feel very proud to have such a tremendous customer-base that buys our books frequently. Sometimes I’ve to pinch myself that I now do that as my job – I’m very fortunate.

Nintendo Insider: What has been essentially the most difficult challenge to work on thus far?

Sam Dyer: In all probability 50 Indie Video games That Modified The World. Throughout improvement I used to be useless set on together with idea artwork for every recreation so the reader may actually perceive how the video games have been put collectively, behind the scenes. This was a HUGE job that concerned contacting the homeowners of every recreation and asking them to ship any improvement property. 

When this was multiplied by 50, it was a fairly epic admin job. Plenty of chasing folks, stalking on LinkedIn, and endurance have been required! I’ve to say it was 100% value it in the long run. From a design perspective, N64: a visible compendium was a difficult guide because it was our first that used 3D graphics, against pixel artwork. We needed to take nice care ensuring that the pictures regarded good in-print which concerned a number of enjoying round and print checks. I used to be proud of the end result, and suppose that the guide precisely conveys the N64’s visible aesthetic.

Nintendo Insider: Have you ever run into any authorized points with scans or together with particular video games?

Sam Dyer: No.

Nintendo Insider: The principle draw for Bitmap Books releases after I began shopping for them a number of years in the past was the top quality binding, print high quality, and packaging, however I’ve since additionally found the precise writing since unpacking the 2 books I purchased earlier than. It’s nice to see that it’s nonetheless current even now. Has it been difficult to take care of that degree of high quality whereas delivery worldwide?

Sam Dyer: Sustaining the standard has really been fairly simple. We rigorously funds every guide and ensure that requirements are by no means compromised. Importantly, we use a few printers that perceive the standard the books should be. I’ve additionally been very cautious to not develop the enterprise an excessive amount of as that is the place quality-control can undergo. The top quality is such a key side of Bitmap Books, and one thing I’d not need to change.

Nintendo Insider: I’ve seen your books everywhere in the world together with in small bookstores in Singapore. How has it been working with distribution companions and nonetheless sustaining the pristine high quality of your books?

Sam Dyer: To be sincere, any distribution is a little bit of a lottery. We don’t have any say in how third-party sellers package deal or promote our books. We at all times say that the easiest way to purchase our books is direct, as we will management how they’re packaged and shipped. You additionally get a free digital model when shopping for instantly from our web site.

Nintendo Insider: Was there ever a consideration to take care of the identical bodily dimensions for books so they’re uniform on somebody’s shelf?

Sam Dyer: No, probably not. I perceive this is able to be a visible profit on a bookshelf, however every guide’s dimensions are rigorously thought-about primarily based on the kind of content material and design fashion. Personally, I might discover it boring if each guide was the identical dimension.

Nintendo Insider: How do you resolve what challenge to work on? Is it by journalists or creators pitching you on totally different subjects or do you intend by yourself after which search folks out to work with?

Sam Dyer: It’s a mix of my very own concepts, which we develop by working with a contract author, and concepts proposed instantly by an creator with a guide idea. Each routes have related processes, and I don’t have a specific choice.

Nintendo Insider: Having accomplished so many books on totally different subjects, which of them are your favorites by way of the general challenge and likewise in how inventive you might be with packaging?

Sam Dyer: That is like asking me to choose a favorite baby! It’s laborious, however my favorite guide might be Metallic Slug: The Final Historical past. To be trusted by SNK with one in every of their key IP’s was an enormous privilege. I like the graphic design, and the revolutionary slipcase we created that performed sound-effects from the sport. ROCKET LAWNCHAIR!

Nintendo Insider: Talking of packaging, have you ever run into worldwide delivery points with how elaborate a few of your covers are?

Sam Dyer: I don’t suppose so. Some collector’s editions is usually a problem to ship if they’re huge and heavy, however in these situations, we attempt to create bespoke packaging to scale back the possibility of injury in transit.

Nintendo Insider: What’s your protocol on updating a guide’s content material if you reprint it? Do you like preserving issues as they have been or are you open to fixing any potential points/identify adjustments?

Sam Dyer: We do sometimes replace the odd typo when reprinting. Generally we can also replace a guide with further content material. If we do that, we at all times provide previous prospects the brand new content material in PDF kind without cost.

Nintendo Insider: Is there a approach followers can request particular video games or publishers to be coated in future Bitmap Books releases?

Sam Dyer: Positive! We’re at all times open to new concepts. Simply e mail us at [email protected].

Nintendo Insider: Have you ever ever been commissioned to work on a particular recreation or writer for a possible launch by mentioned writer? Would you be keen to do this?

Sam Dyer: We’ve been approached earlier than to do books on particular video games, however sadly, these didn’t make it previous the preliminary dialogue part. It’s one thing I’d like to do someday, as it might be a dream to someday do books on the Mario or Zelda franchises.

Nintendo Insider: Is there something you’d prefer to say to our readers?

Sam Dyer: An enormous because of everybody that has supported Bitmap Books through the years. Whether or not you’ve got bought our books or unfold the phrase on-line, we actually respect it.

Nintendo Insider: What ought to we count on from Bitmap Books in 2026?

Sam Dyer: In Might, we have now our subsequent huge launch, which is our fourth collaboration with SNK. This time we’ve accomplished a deep delve into the historical past of Deadly Fury/Garou, very a lot within the fashion of our Metallic Slug and KOF books. In the summertime we’re releasing a guide on Arcade video games which interviews just about all the key arcade builders from the 70s 80s and 90s, and consists of a great deal of iconic coin ops. To spherical off the 12 months we have now a guide which covers your entire Quest for Glory sequence of journey/RPG hybrid video games. Thrilling occasions!

Nintendo Insider: That is one thing I ask everybody on the finish of an interview. How do you want your espresso? Go into as a lot element as attainable.

Sam Dyer: Day-to-day I drink my black decaf. If I’m out and about I’ll get a decaf Cappuccino. Fairly boring, sorry!