It was the week after the biggest computer show of the year, and questions were being asked. Questions are always asked the week after computer shows, of course - particularly, "How much did we spend on entertainment?" - but this week 10 years ago, the whole industry was asking, "What's going on at Konix?"

Konix had, for several years, been manufacturing the world's finest joysticks. Their Speed King model had long been the stick of choice for all gamers who took the art of playing seriously. The Welsh company had bigger ambitions though, and had spent a good part of the year promising to unveil the future of home entertainment at 1989's PC Show, the industry's prime leisure event. Rough sketches had been circulated of what to expect throughout the year, and the Konix Multi System did indeed look the part, at least on paper. It was a games console that came with an innovative joystick system that converted from a steering wheel into a flight yoke or even a set of handlebars. A joystick that adapted itself to the game's demands, no less. Not only that, but there was also an optional 'chair' for the Multi System that moved with the player. Exciting stuff indeed.

The first day of the three-day show was always the most successful, when retailers (including your correspondent) descended from all over the UK, before trooping back to our stores that same evening. And so it was to be. The Sunday saw hundreds of us heading straight for the Konix stand. The system was to be available to buy immediately after the show, it was said, and many of the industry's leading software publishers had software ready to go.

We looked up at the impressive signs for the Multi System. We looked up at the 'artist's impression' posters. And we waited for Konix personnel to set up the system. Sadly, we were to be disappointed. There were no Konix personnel.

We waited some more. We wandered around a bit and went back. Still nothing. The show ended. We went home.

The Monday of the show, when there were very few attendees, saw Konix personnel finally manning the stand. They sheepishly explained that the system hadn't appeared the day before due to certain bits of it being delayed in traffic. Models of the Multi System and chair were duly displayed, but there was a distinct lack of anything actually working. And, it must be said, a distinct lack of enthusiasm. A major opportunity had been fluffed.

Post-show, the 'what's going on at Konix?' questions began to circulate. We didn't have to wait too long to find out. About two weeks, in fact...