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Bug-Byte
Bug-Byte Software Ltd. was a video game company founded in 1980 by Tony Baden and Tony Milner, two Oxford chemistry graduates. It was one of the first to develop a range of 8-bit computer games during the early 1980s, for Sinclair, Commodore and other home computer brands, particularly for the Spectrum. Among the better known titles are ''Manic Miner'' and '' Twin Kingdom Valley''. The company was based in Mulberry House, Canning Place, Liverpool, England, and helped found a number of software houses in that region. In 1983, programmer Eugene Evans and two of the senior staff left to form Imagine Software. Later in the year Matthew Smith, a freelance developer who wrote ''Manic Miner'', left to join Software Projects. In June 1985, after a difficult trading season and a shake-out in the industry, the company went into voluntary liquidation, and the rights to their name and logo were purchased by Argus Press PLC. Argus continued to release both new games and budget versions of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manic Miner
''Manic Miner'' is a Platform game, platform video game originally written for the ZX Spectrum by Matthew Smith (games programmer), Matthew Smith and released by Bug-Byte in 1983 in video gaming, 1983 (later re-released by Software Projects). It is the first game in the Miner Willy series and among the early titles in the platform game genre. The game itself was inspired by the Atari 8-bit family game ''Miner 2049er''. It is considered one of the most influential platform games of all time and has been ported to numerous home computers, video game consoles and mobile phones. Original artwork was created by Les Harvey. Later Software Projects artwork was supplied by Roger Tissyman. Gameplay At the time, its stand-out features included Computer and video game music, in-game music and sound effects, high replay value, and colourful graphics, which were well designed for the Attribute clash, graphical limitations of the ZX Spectrum. The Spectrum's video display allowed the backgr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aardvark (video Game)
''Aardvark'' is a maze video game for the Commodore 64, and Commodore 16 published by Bug-Byte in 1986. ''Aardvark'' is based on 1982 arcade game ''Anteater'' and 1983 Atari 8-bit family ''Ardy The Aardwark'' designed by Chris Oberth''. Gameplay The player must collect ant larva using the snout of an aardvark The aardvark ( ; ''Orycteropus afer'') is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. Unlike .... References 1986 video games Bug-Byte Software games Commodore 16 and Plus/4 games Commodore 64 games Fictional aardvarks Single-player video games Video game clones Video games about ants Video games about insects Video games developed in the United Kingdom {{8bitcomputer-game-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dunjunz
''Dunjunz'' is an action game made for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron home computers and released by Bug-Byte in 1987. It is essentially a clone of the popular video game ''Gauntlet (1985 video game), Gauntlet'' where players controlled fantasy characters from a top down view. Unlike ''Gauntlet'', each of the characters is given their own viewport onto the dungeon and can explore independently. Gameplay Up to four players are able to play simultaneously, sharing the keyboard to control their characters (ranger, wizard, barbarian, and female warrior). Each player views their character's progress via one of four viewports that divide the screen. As their character leaves a room, the viewport changes to show the new room. The objective is to reach the exit on each level, or the chalice on level 25, avoiding or killing enemies, collecting treasure and upgrades, and opening doors with the appropriate keys. Additionally, items of food can be collected to restore health, potions can b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Styx (Spectrum Video Game)
''Styx'' is a maze shoot 'em up game published by Bug-Byte Software in 1983. It was the first ZX Spectrum game written by Matthew Smith, and the first of his three-game contract with the company. He went on to write ''Manic Miner'' in the same year. Gameplay The screen is split into three sections: a brick maze, an underwater section and a final confrontation with the Grim Reaper. The first maze section is similar to ''Wizard of Wor'' and enemy spiders regenerate when shot until the generator-a larger spider-is destroyed. In the aquatic section enemy fish reappear from the screen edge when shot. In the final stage the Grim Reaper sends energy bolts that ricochet around the screen. These can be destroyed and the Grim Reaper will not regenerate them. Shooting the Grim Reaper ends the level. The game then begins again with an increase in generated monsters. The player is armed with a laser that only shoots horizontally, although it can destroy several enemies with one shot. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mazogs
''Mazogs'' is a maze video game and developed by Softsync and published in 1982 for the Timex Sinclair 1000. Another version was programmed by Don Priestley and published for the ZX81 by Bug-Byte. Don Priestly followed up the game with ''Maziacs'' for the ZX Spectrum. Reception Dick Olney for ''Personal Computer World'' said "Overall, this is undoubtably one of the best games of its type which I've played on the ZX81. Arthur B. Hunkins for ''Compute!'' said "Mazogs is an excellent, single-player, treasure/maze game [...] Its full screen graphics make excellent use of the Sinclair/Timex capability." Fred Blechman for ''Electronic Fun with Computers & Games'' said "Highly recommended - unless you already have high blood pressure." References {{reflist 1982 video games Action video games Bug-Byte Software games Fantasy video games Maze games Top-down video games Video games developed in the United Kingdom ZX81 games ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grange Hill (video Game)
''Grange Hill'' is a 1987 video game from Bug-Byte for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. It is based on ''Grange Hill'', a popular children's television show. The music was done by David Whittaker, but did not include the TV show's theme tune. The Commodore 64 version was coded by Michael Delves. Plot The game's protagonist is Luke "Gonch" Gardener, with Paul "Hollo" Holloway as an assistant (see the list of pupils in Grange Hill). The object of the game is to retrieve Gonch's personal stereo A personal stereo, or personal cassette player, is a portable audio player using an audiocassette player, battery power and in some cases an AM/FM radio. This allows the user to listen to music through headphones while walking, jogging or relaxing ... from the school after hours, which his teacher confiscated. References 1987 video games Amstrad CPC games Commodore 64 games ZX Spectrum games Video games based on television series Video games scored by David Whitta ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Twin Kingdom Valley
''Twin Kingdom Valley'' is a text adventure game with animated pictures (on most formats) for the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, Commodore 16, and ZX Spectrum. It was released in 1983 by Bug-Byte. Gameplay ''Twin Kingdom Valley'' is a work of interactive fiction where the player enters commands such as "take jug" at a command prompt and is told the outcome of their move ("I have it now"). Each such command takes up one unit of time, during which other non-player characters will also move and take actions. It was one of the first text adventure games to have active non-player characters. The characters are interactive, and have their own personalities: some are friendly, and will follow and defend the player, while others are hostile. Witches and kings are complex characters, whereas gorillas and trolls are simpler. Battle sequences have additional features including weapons which can be dropped, broken, thrown or taken away by enemies. Plot The main character of this g ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Turmoil (1984 Video Game)
Turmoil is a platform game released in 1984 in video gaming, 1984 for the ZX Spectrum, and in 1986 in video gaming, 1986 for the MSXhttp://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb/softwareinfo/2682 by Bug Byte. The player takes control of Mechanic Mick who has been employed by a rich Arabian Sheikh. The Sheikh has refused to pay Mick for work done, so Mick decides to steal his collection of expensive cars in lieu of payment. He must build the cars by collecting oil from a dripping oil tank. The oil can also be used as an offensive weapon against the pursuing Arabian guards. Gameplay The playing area consists of a number of platforms, ladders, conveyor belts and swinging ropes which Mick must negotiate. First he must collect an oil can, which he must take to a tap which is dripping oil. The oil that has been collected must be taken to the garage. Once there Mick can empty his can, a drop at a time, to fill his car. The car is invisible initially, and is built up as each drop of oil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Software Projects
Software Projects was a computer game development company which was started by ''Manic Miner'' developer Matthew Smith, Alan Maton and Colin Roach. After leaving Bug-Byte as a freelance developer, Smith was able to take the rights to his recently developed ''Manic Miner'' game with him, due to an oversight in his freelance contract. Software Projects was then able to market and publish the ZX Spectrum hit game separately from Bug-Byte. Their logo was a Penrose triangle. Released games * ''Anaconda'' * ''Astronut'' * '' BC's Quest for Tires'' * ''Binky'' * ''Crazy Balloon'' * ''Crypt Capers'' * ''Dinky Doo'' * ''Dodo Lair'' * ''Dragon's Lair'' * '' Dragon's Lair Part II - Escape from Singe's Castle'' * ''Ewgeebez'' * ''Fatty Henry'' * ''Galactic Gardener'' * ''Harvey Smith Showjumper'' * ''Hunchback at the Olympics'' * ''Hysteria'' * ''Jet Set Willy'' * ''Jet Set Willy II'' * ''Karls Kavern'' * ''Learning with Leeper'' * ''Ledgeman'' * ''Legion'' * ''Loderunner'' * ''McKensie'' * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matthew Smith (games Programmer)
Matthew Smith (born 1966) is a British computer game programmer. He created the games ''Manic Miner'' and ''Jet Set Willy'' for the ZX Spectrum, released in 1983 and 1984 respectively. Smith left the games industry in 1988 and later moved to the Netherlands. He has since returned to the UK and has worked on some games as well as appearing at conventions and in documentaries. Early life Smith was born in Penge. His family moved to Wallasey when he was seven years old. Programming career 1980s He started out programming when he received a TRS-80 for Christmas in 1979. His first commercial game was a ''Galaxian'' clone for the TRS-80 called ''Delta Tau One''. He then went on to produce ''Monster Muncher'' on the VIC-20. Smith has said that he wrote Monster Muncher in 3 hours. He obtained a ZX Spectrum on loan from Bug-Byte Software Ltd. in return for a freelance contract for three games. The first of these was '' Styx'' in 1983 for which Matthew received £3,000. He wrote ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imagine Software
Imagine Software was a British video games developer based in Liverpool which existed briefly in the early 1980s, initially producing software for the ZX Spectrum and VIC-20. The company rose quickly to prominence and was noted for its polished, high-budget approach to packaging and advertising (at a time when this was not commonplace in the British software industry), as well as its self-promotion and ambition. Following Imagine's high-profile demise under mounting debts in 1984, the name was bought and used as a label by Ocean Software until the late 1980s. History Founding and early success Imagine Software was founded in 1982 by former members of Bug-Byte including Mark Butler, David Lawson and Eugene Evans. Butler and Evans had previously worked at Microdigital, one of the first computer stores in the UK. The owner of Microdigital, Bruce Everiss, was invited to join the company to run the company day-to-day and run the PR department. Imagine Software produced several very ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Savage Pond
Savage Pond is an action pond simulation game which was written by Peter Judd for the Acorn Electron and BBC Micro and Gwyll Jones for the 16k versions of the Atari 8-bit family of home computers in 1983 and the Commodore 64 in 1984. It was originally released under the Starcade label and was reissued in 1985 when Argus acquired the Bug-Byte budget label. Overview The game is set in a pond with the player taking the role of a tadpole. The aim of the game is to build up a colony of frogs while avoiding the many hazards. The setting and characters are all quite true to life which was quite unique at the time. Most contemporary arcade games, even if not set in space, such as Frogger (with frogs that can't swim) and Centipede (which is basically a space shoot 'em up with characters that look like insects), were far from realistic. The instructions include descriptions of all the 'cast' including their Latin names and information not relevant to the game itself. Although it may appea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |