The Awful Highlander Game and the Tragedy of Canvas Software | Kim Justice

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We look into the legend that Ocean's awful Highlander game was made bad on purpose, and in so doing uncover the rather sad story of a failed development studio by the name of Canvas. Enjoy!
Some game footage taken from the excellent RZX Archive: / rzxarchive
Archive footage courtesy of Mark R. Jones: / mlucifersam
My Twitter: / kimxxxjustice
My Patreon: / kimblejustice
My PayPal: www.paypal.me/kimxxxjustice
My Facebook: / themegaweeviews
My 2nd channel: / @kimandsophia8079
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#retrogaming #highlander #ocean #zxspectrum #canvas #documentary

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Опубликовано:

3 фев 2019

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Комментарии : 226

@Kim_Justice 5 лет назад

If you liked this then think about having a gander through my social media, and get yourself on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/KimbleJustice

@sargonsblackgrandfather2072 5 лет назад

Kim Justice what’s the theme music you use at the beginning? I recognise hearing it from the eighties but I’m not sure what it is, tomorrow’s world?

@guitarHero1885 5 лет назад

seriously - the film series is worth watching - 2 is crazy, like they just ignored the premise of the original! then 3 picks up where 1 left off and the rest of the films from there completely ignore 2! with some imagination they can be very enjoyable (provided you like sword fighting and using your imagination) :) this series may very well be the sort of fodder that makes for great kim justice analysis.

@guitarHero1885 5 лет назад

barbarian for st - the best decapitation in gaming history. (it always happened to me) :')

@razerow3391 2 года назад

I dont think its Asperger's syndrome...

@the.internet 5 лет назад

What a shame that that young man took his own life. A brilliant mind that, as you say, was fantastic at something which resulted him lacking in some social aspects. What a shame that he couldn't get the help he needed. Amazing that he left a small legacy which you're able to talk about and reflect on today. I love your work Kim and so glad you're motivated to bring us more of these documentaries!

@FlatCapAndy 5 лет назад

You need to have a word with your Mrs. Highlander is a great piece of Neo-Noir cinema in my opinion. Amazing soundtrack obviously too.

@Highlander1518 5 лет назад

Agreed. Sophia is so wrong with this one.

@JohnnyOrgan 5 лет назад

@bigevilworldwide1 He didn't mention the sequels. But please...Enjoy your rant

@TMAS01 5 лет назад

Highlander is fucking brilliant on all levels. That is all.

@Highlander1518 5 лет назад

I'd go as far as saying Sophia's 'review' is borderline ignorant. To be honest, I think Kim should've re-watched Highlander before doing this review. Saying it was 'a film with silly accents and long sword fights' doesn't really do Highlander any justice whatsoever.

@katrus 5 лет назад

The TV show wasn't bad. The sequels were largely unneeded, though.

@ryanyoder7573 5 лет назад

As a developer and once a game developer in the 90s I enjoy your detailed look at these early game development companies. Nice job.

@RAFMnBgaming 5 лет назад

"Clancy Brown is just chewing the scenery" Yeah, that's why you hire Clancy Brown.

@Highlander1518 5 лет назад

HASEnoncorperated agreed. Clancy is amazing in Highlander.

@antster1983 2 года назад

Also the voice of Mr. Krabs in Spongebob Squarepants. He likes money, and so does Mr. Krabs.

@JohnnyOrgan 5 лет назад

The Highlander movie is a classic, Kim. You should watch it again.

@olschoolTonyCarter 4 года назад

The tv series was a better though.

@sobo5476 3 года назад

I will put this as 1 of your best videos. It could have been a really simple "shit game, this is why" but you went a bit deeper and told a really good story that hits a lot of different areas.

@DarthPerkins 5 лет назад

"Interviewed while he was still alive" But Kim...the alternative is positively ghoulish.

@shaolinpunkFTW 5 лет назад

A long time watcher here. Thanks for your amazing documentaries Kim, they are always super well researched, insightful and captivating.

@ccshade7294 5 лет назад

such a shame what happened. that ian was broken, and that canvas decided to go quantity instead of quality when they had so much talent on hand

@scottbreon9448 5 лет назад

A lot of times rushed games are more the fault of the publishers rushing the coders than the coders themselves, I think this one is a rare exception where EVERYONE is EQUALLY to blame

@scottbreon9448 5 лет назад

mPky1 There are SOME exceptions: Spider-Man 2 on the PS2 comes to my mind. But TV shows make even worse games in my opinion.

@spiderjerusalem100 5 лет назад

Highlander's a great movie. I'm genuinely mad.

@TheMadAfrican1 Год назад

Same here. I had to skip that part of the video I was so annoyed.

@chrishopkins209 5 лет назад

Kim: “Highlander was the worst game that Ocean ever released” Transformers “Hold my beer....”

@ninjawacker5442 5 лет назад

A sad video indeed but still an important one. Great video as always. Being part of a UK indie development team, looking at the history of the British computer era is always really interesting as I grew up in those day.

@MikeRox83 5 лет назад

It's so strange that Canvas was a studio I'd never heard of until some recent retro core "Battle of the Ports" videos.

@PixelsAtDawn 5 лет назад

A fascinating, if tragic, story of a developer I don't think I was really aware of whilst all this was going on, even though I had a few of their games. Thanks for adding this to the retrogaming canon Kim.

@billiondollarman3847 5 лет назад

Fantastic review, not just the game but the whole backstory of development. So indepth and poignant you are a very talented Kim Justice in your video editing and story telling. This was so much more than a just another bad licenced speccy game.

@danielmorley4667 5 лет назад

The highlight was your girlfriends review of the film. Thanks for releasing this video, the last week has been one of the hardest of my life and this gave me a brief respite. Much appreciated.

@mikemayberry7121 5 лет назад

You have some of the most interesting gaming docs on RU-vid. I'm from the USA, and a big videogame history buff. Most things I know about the 80s British computer boom I've learned from Retro Gamer Magazine and you. Please continue doing insightful and well researched documentaries just like this. I really enjoy them.

@BackyardEpicMovies 5 лет назад

Highlander is pure B-movie goodness with great music by Queen and Michael Kamen.

@handsomebrick 5 лет назад

I see, so the rumor comes from Ocean knowing that Canvas will do a bad job, but hiring them anyway. But who knows, it's possible that Ocean sent projects to Canvas to weasel out of obligations, and quietly dropped them once people caught on to this trick.

@realityisdigital 4 года назад

5:47 I feel like taking the Highlander logo off and making this into a Lord of the Rings Tie In....here it's Frodo Vs Pippin.

@vitalgreenspace 2 года назад

This is currently my favourite RU-vid channel. Thanks for making such brilliant content

@thecornettmultiverse 5 лет назад

I would dare say that executives from the AAA space SERIOUSLY need to watch this. THIS is what they're driving their talent toward.

@Clipperwhiz1 Год назад

Agreed.

@eightcoins4401 2 месяца назад

Its pretty clear they dont care about talent as long they get alot of money quick. Its why almost every game is a crappy online experience with more microtransactions than gameplay by now

@CountDrunkula 5 лет назад

Unrelated comedy around a game vs amazing insight around the industry. I'm humbled by the quality of this. And I'm a cheeky comedy boi!

@judasgoat4230 5 лет назад

Nah, Highlander is a classic movie, join the cult

@raggersragnarsson6255 11 месяцев назад

A detailed deep dive into this terrible game and also the truly tragic end. Very sad indeed. Thank you for telling us its story in such detail.

@bethanyharris5890 5 лет назад

I love your content kim, very in depth, well researched and the passion you have for your work is clear. It's a true injustice that you don't have more subscribers as you definitely deserve it

@MikeHunt45 5 лет назад

Hi Kim, watched your shopping trip in Camden. Loved having a walk around (virtually) with yourself and the other half. Loved this too

@michaellaverty7349 5 лет назад

As someone who never even played any of these computer systems and games, it's fascinating watching these stories and learning about the highs and lows of this period in gaming history. Another awesome doco Kim, thanks for putting out so much good content.

@MattHayesVinyl 5 лет назад

Another outstanding documentary. Thanks, Kim.

@tony1kenobi202 5 лет назад

Your documentaries are always top drawer! Thank you!

@anavash 5 лет назад

At first I thought you were going to cover the Jaguar version! That's awful about the young developer. What a time to be alive for him he was on cloud 9. Success like that at a young age must be hard. Thanks for this doc I love them all. I didn't even know what a Speccy was until I found your stuff. :D No one really knows about the European side of games and South America (Your Sega Tec Toy doc was great!). It's all Japan and USA (Yank here.) I had no idea about USA Gold's story or Imagine or Psygnosis and it's amazing! I miss my Amiga 500! (Yes I had one and made music on it ha!) Cheers mate and be excellent!

@bombjack1984 5 лет назад

Well that was a sad tale. Excellent documentary again Kim.

@1984Brandon 5 лет назад

It is interesting one of my best friends said like in 2009 there was a proposed Highlander game. The whole idea was you make a character and learn different sword techniques through out the ages, like starting as a Gladiatrix then a Samurai, depending on choices you choose and create fighter with a personalized style. I don't really follow the Highlander series myself but I would have thought as a Free Roaming Sandbox game done properly it would have been good. I guess it got lost to the cutting room floor.

@FarelForever 5 лет назад

I had a rough day, and this video really helped. Thanks Kim!

@cptmachine 5 лет назад

Thanks for sharing Kim, I love to hear about all the business behind the micro computers I was nearly aware of with my C64 and small game collection.

@orderofmagnitude-TPATP 5 лет назад

Rest well Ian....

@ridcullyshat8522 5 лет назад

Your documentaries are fantastic. So interesting and informative.

@ccharalara1 5 лет назад

Once again, another amazing documentary from the fantastic Kim Justice!

@rushbury 5 лет назад

Nice documentary. Ian Weatherburn was one of the most intriguing characters in the zx spectrum story.

@simonlindsell1267 5 лет назад

Great, GREAT video...and that knockout punch at the end 😥

@orderofmagnitude-TPATP 5 лет назад

Aww long time no view .... love the nastolgia early 80s vcr type intro. Like open university??! I'm glad you covered this top top game and do it justice.......I'll get my coat.

@ChrisSmout 5 лет назад

Nice balanced and informative review from Ms Justice, perfect for a Monday evening. Great vid!

@CatWeazle21 5 лет назад

Another fab vid, thanks so much KJ!

@beetooex 5 лет назад

Can't say how much I enjoy these videos Kim. You're really building a significant body of work documenting social history. You'll be a bloody academic soon...

@pedroschurmann3345 5 лет назад

Sad story... Great video as usual Kim👍

@VVc0w 5 лет назад

Great vdeo Kim, very sad. Gift from the Gods was one of the first games that I ever played, think I'll give Highlander a miss, though I like the film a lot

@TwiddleFingersDB 5 лет назад

Glad you're back, Kim! :D

@kevinpoulton 5 лет назад

I am one that highlander is one of my favourite films of all time

@boyflea 5 лет назад

nice journalism! Glad to see a fleshed-out story about this, and man: the Wakelin covers make more sense now: (ooo Athena... forever burned into my mind, despite never playing the game). Ally noble is lovely btw and still in the biz, met her when porting football games to mobile about 10 years ago... the industry keeps changing but the story of greed and no quality-control still sound pretty relevant. It is a shame some do get caught out and find themselves apparently with no options, but at least videos like this show how the human side can be affected and - we would like to think - there are more sympathetic options and support nowadays. Highlander was a ridiculous film btw, made my brother buy all the Queen albums: dark times... ;) love your work and thanks for the great video.

@DavidAinsworth37 5 лет назад

jeez, what a powerful story, brilliantly communicated and shared, thank you Kim.

@StRoRo 5 лет назад

Its great finding out all what went on behind the scenes of the games I remember from a child.

@adamphillip5305 5 лет назад

Another great vid. Noticed you couldnt resist chucking The Highlanders tag team in there lol

@inksyplays7375 5 лет назад

Wait so bandersnatch is almost a true story then I mean some dark shit happened and people did lose their minds

@bananonymouslastname5693 5 лет назад

I don't know if I just never noticed or if you recently changed it, but I am thrilled to death that your avatar is Mondu, Lord of Fat, master of the fight palace. You win.

@paulslade3374 5 лет назад

Great video Kim! Love it :)

@AmigosRetroGaming 5 лет назад

Very interesting and well done! Quite a sad tale... BTW, I actually LOVE the Highlander film and wish it had been given a proper game!

@willmistretta 5 лет назад

You know the Highlander series has it rough when I saw that title and thought, "Which one?

@jasonstreet2835 5 лет назад

Great vid Kim, keep em coming....

@walshdigitalarchiving5461 5 лет назад

Great video. Poignant stuff. Thanks!!!

@thegreathadoken6808 5 лет назад

There's a very early fighter for the Amiga called Moebius, that you control using the mouse, clicking icons to do the moves! Highlander cannot POSSIBLY be worse than that...

@leegsy 5 лет назад

5:11 - This is why I loved watching videos like this. "Two men are locked in mortal combat" Lambo was in the movie Mortal Kombat, which of course is a movie based on a game that probably got its name from that line. Illuminati confirmed.

@mikerohlfs2836 7 месяцев назад

There were 4 movies we rented constantly, Aliens,Predator,Hellraiser,and Highlander. If you were 13-15 when those were out ,and a boy, you were set.

@satan3959 5 лет назад

Makes that half-assed Chase HQ port on the C64 look like an amazing game in comparison, and that was a HORRIFIC conversion. However, their horrible port of Green beret on the C16 even gives this one a run for its money

@1970cgb 5 лет назад

Gimme the prize ,rocking Queen track

@AstralPhnx 5 лет назад

"Now that was a while ago and I believe she's still going" PFFFT

@EastyyBlogspot 5 лет назад

I did wonder if Bethesda bought Canvas Software and renamed it Nylon Software

@desther7975 5 лет назад

Moral of the story: Don't judge a game by its cover art. Good cover art may well be masking utter shit. I've noticed something similar in music albums, incidentally.

@muckypup-riot 5 лет назад

Thank God for your documentaries Kim Justice

@uselessDM 5 лет назад

Ian Weatherburns life reminds me of the famous quote from Blade Runner: The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly, Ian.

@velvetvandal 5 лет назад

What is Sophia talking about, Highlander is great! And besides, what else are you gonna do with Clancy Brown except get him to chew scenery?

@salaciouscreations4323 5 лет назад

They could have used the barbarian engine. Keep up the great work your an important content creator. The wife and child enjoy watching as well

@steempy1973 5 лет назад

This is awesome, I've wanted to hear about this for a long time..

@jesuszamora6949 5 лет назад

Horrible little story, and yeah, all too common. Kids stumbling into unimaginable success before they know how to handle it ends in tragedy too often.

@kandigloss6438 5 лет назад

I found the video more interesting than depressing, nice work.

@nriab23 5 лет назад

Love your videos Kim, many have kept me company on lonely nights. especially the FF7 review videos :)

@Commanderziff 5 лет назад

Jesus... I mean it's easy to see how someone could dislike/hate later pieces of the Highlander franchise, but the ORIGINAL? There's someone out there who hates the ORIGINAL Highlander movie? How does something like that happen?

@davedogge2280 5 лет назад

I vaguely remember this back in the day but no one even pirated it, I don't think there was a sequel, there can only be one. I'll take my coat and hat and leave now.

@ian_b 3 года назад

That was an unexpectedly dark ending. My condolences to all those touched by the tragedies described.

@hildawgsoldtimetastytampon2042 5 лет назад

i'm always curious as to who the sad septic scrotal sacks are that dislike kims videos. They're well made, well researched, audio is perfect, narration is spot on. etc

@jiilaa_with_randomness 5 лет назад

What's the final song on the video? I know it, but cannot place it!!!! Anyway, cool video again. Cheers.

@glenhayman8722 23 дня назад

loving the chip tune queen in the background good on you for that

@Gundamuk 5 лет назад

Superb work :)

@shkeni 5 лет назад

That was great, thanks for this video.

@veganmonter 5 лет назад

Oh my gosh! More of Sophia critiquing please! I loved her in the Spitalfield video.

@heimomies 5 лет назад

I tought that this game was impossible to win but then I read a tip on some C64 magazine. Just put on autofire on joystick and do nothing. Your fighter wins the fights. It worked on C64 version.

@thehelpfulhobbyist5355 Год назад

I'm impressed in you managing to research that far back to the 80's. I do agree that the Highlander was terrible!

@thescopedogable 5 лет назад

well the sprite art was not that bad at least

@ninjawacker5442 5 лет назад

Yeah, the graphics are not bad... Shame the game design was poor.

@mlucifersam 5 лет назад

There's some fine animation going thanks to Mr Butler

@cousinmerl 5 месяцев назад

Steve Kane! that takes me back... worked with him on his very last game 'Made man'..... sadly he passed away afterwards.

@cousinmerl 5 месяцев назад

Always remember him in a good light, he aways chatted to me while I tinkered away on my render farm. Always had a way of rubbing his face like he was a hamster cleaning his face or a character from the 3 stooges. Visited his funeral, but wish I recalled who was there from the industry. Good guy. He will be missed.

@cousinmerl 5 месяцев назад

Sad to hear about the story of weatherburn and the others 😢

@Clipperwhiz1 5 лет назад

What's the song that starts playing at 20:52? It's a beautiful but sad music piece that fits the ending of this excellent video.

@me.genius 3 года назад

I wanna know too! [update] found it: watch?v=BKZ0r8MYB9g

@Clipperwhiz1 3 года назад

@@me.genius The link doesn't work :(

@Clipperwhiz1 3 года назад

Whoops, it's a RU-vid link, not a web link **; And it DOES work, thank you :)

@dminalba 5 лет назад

Also Cannon took over ABC cinemas in the 1980s , One of the Cannon cinemas in Glasgow the Muirend Toledo hold a very special place in my heart.

@LordmonkeyTRM 5 лет назад

Great story, well told

@LucatheDingo88 2 года назад

Wow, your partner sounded like she really really hated Highlander the Movie (rest her soul) I do recall my Dad really liked Highlander the Movie, it's somewhat Nostalgic in my family in the late 90's, as I recall it was one of the first movies by Dad bought when he purchased our family's first DVD Player, it was a very bare bones early DVD, no special features beyond the film, fullscreen, and picture quality barely better then a VHS tape.

@Highlander1518 8 месяцев назад

Probably the 2000 DVD release. I think it had one interview on it (Christopher Lambert) and possibly the trailer for the film.

@alexnewman3516 5 лет назад

Do you really think Jack Burton Big Trouble In Little China was that bad? I remember I had it on Amstrad, and I loved it... except it was hard as hell and I couldn't never finish it -- I think I reached Lo Pan just once.

@furthermoore1863 5 лет назад

The way highlander moved reminded me of Hook on the NES. Another Ocean game. Had to learn to accept the awful character movement due to low games

@madblank 5 лет назад

Music from Thanatos at the end if I'm not mistaken. Liked that game a lot.

@Wallyworld30 5 лет назад

I'm impressed when I can tell what a game is supposed to be when I see the Speccy version. They tried to pull off very complex games with such weak hardware it's quite an achievement.