Where did 8-bit come from and where is it going? PBS talked to some of the premiere artists in the field of pixelated art and chiptunes to see how they think the medium is evolving.
Beginning with early Atari and Nintendo video games, the 8-bit
aesthetic has been a part of our culture for over 30 years. As it
moved through the generations, 8-bit earned its independence from its
video game roots. The idea of 8-bit now stands for a refreshing level
of simplicity and minimalism, is capable of sonic and visual beauty,
and points to the layer of technology that suffuses our modern lives.
No longer just nostalgia art, contemporary 8-bit artists and chiptunes
musicians have elevated the form to new levels of creativity and
cultural reflection.