Matthew Smith talks at the CGEXPO 2004 1 of 8

Matthew Smith, creator of the classic ZX Spectrum games Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy, shares his experiences at the Classic Gaming Expo 2004.
Recorded from a cam on a hot day and all the fans on ! So you will need to turn the sound up to hear him most of the time .

Put on Youtube for my chums over at WOS forums. :)

1 of 8

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[vapourmile]

I'm actually finding this quite distressing to watch. The memory I have of Matt Smith is the warm fuzzy guy in the woolly jumper as pictured on the Matthew Smith mystery web-page. I feel sorry that the designer of the most inspirational and pivotal games of his era should fall into poverty and hard times. A genius that went astray.

[GlassDarkly]

Hm well I think at the last report it couldnt be said that Matthew had fallen into "poverty" as such,(he's been working and giving the odd talk) however I do agree with you that its a shame that such great young talent wasnt a bigger(and more rewarded)name in the industry.

[ondagubben]

indeed, was he also behind jetpac?

[GlassDarkly]

No that was the Stamper boys, the brothers behind Ultimate Play the Game. Matthew's softography for the Spectrum covers only Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy 1, Styx by Bug Byte and he also did some of the graphics for Birds N the Bees I understand.

[GlassDarkly]

Hmm Yeah he's nervous. Clearly not a natural public speaker. I think though he finds his feet more and more as it goes on, and by the end in at the Q+A session was doing fine. An Interesting guy none the less. :)

[malad1]

Got me into mining.  Been unemployed since 1987.

[manicminer100]

Matthew Smith is responsible for my 27 year gaming addiction, I loved Manic Miner and have always wanted to meet Matt, maybe one day!

[Jesusisthetreeoflife]

ezio should be targeting him in the next assassin creed...a cutting edge platform character meeting his maker

[GR0UCH0MARXIST]

Yes, He is so nervous that it's uncomfortable to watch,

But you know what happens to Geniuses, Either they destroy themselves, or the world destroys them.

1. Being a genius, they can usually conceive of solutions or work-arounds to problems that stump everyone else, thus they get used to not needing to obey the rules. Then find a problem with no solution and no work-around and fall over, hard.

2.The nail that sticks up-gets hammered down !

Mr SMITH

I SALUTE YOU !

[jesseowens]

he can't stand still for a whole second!

[parkeyx]

yes the lad looks nervous

on another vid he looks like he is stoned or on acid lol...

i am wondering if that was his downfall.

but fair play to him . very clever lad and i would buzz off a chat with him...

he is a LEGEND! no dout about it

[rudeydudey05]

Manic Miner was my fav Spectrum game, a game i still play from time to time.

[capricious71]

The early 80s were a great time. It seemed like anyone could write a game and make a fortune. Of course, that wasn't true but what was made possible in just 48K is just incredible.

[leslie collins]

hope to go to cge 2009

[Adam Cornwell]

I never thought Yak would look like he does - I always pictured him 35, short hair, big square glasses - but it didn't make me sad when I found out how he looked!

I think a couple of games - or even one - Can make you a genius or indicate that you're a genius. But in this case I think you are right. Certainly, Matthew has admitted that Manic Miner was liften from Miner 2049er. He took away the 'Donkey Kong' ladders, added crumbling platforms, and was very good and very creative with graphics.