Bartosz,

Your correct, the first alternative to character based video that "i owned" was a 640x200 bit-mapped monochrome CP/M computer. This was acquired out of despair trying to build "tiled" displays with character graphics (even with programmable chars).

Your admiration for the video programming you saw is well understood. Platform limitations sometimes work to define a "striking" if challenging palette of well understood capability. When well understood, real talent seems to find clear expression.

regards,
p