GamesMaster series returns with producers Barcroft Studios and Alaska TV

Future plc's production company, Barcroft Studios, is co-producing the return of iconic UK games series GamesMasteralongside Alaska TV, commissioned by Channel 4 and in partnership with Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook.

GamesMaster, a Future brand, launched in January 1992 and ran for seven series. It was the first British show dedicated to gaming. Across the run, it became a cultural phenomenon with names such as Ian Wright and Zoe Ball as celebrity guests and a young Simon Amstell as a hopeful contestant.

The 3 x 60' initial series will premiere on E4's YouTube channel before a linear transmission on E4. This updated series is well positioned to reach a larger audience than ever before with its social-first approach, which includes Future's substantial gaming and entertainment audience of nearly 42 million global users each month.

Claire MacLellan, Chief Growth Officer of Future plc said: 'Future acquired Barcroft Studios in 2019 to diversify and grow our video audience. Since then we've launched a number of successful new channels and continue to grow our audience, regularly topping 500 million organic views per month from Barcroft Brands across social media.'

John Farrar, Executive Producer from Barcroft Studios said: 'I grew up watching GamesMaster and feel a real sense of pride and responsibility in bringing this groundbreaking brand back to life. We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Channel 4, Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook and Alaska TV on this cross-platform, social-first proposition. Although the games have changed, the energy, mayhem and punk spirit of the original show will be unmistakably the same.'