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Superior Software
Superior Software Ltd (also known as Superior Interactive) is a video game publisher. It was one of the main publishers for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in the 1980s and early 1990s. It currently releases games for Microsoft Windows, iOS and Android; mostly updates of its original games. History Superior Software was established in 1982 by Richard Hanson and John Dyson, two graduates of the University of Leeds, England. They had previously programmed software published by Micro Power, and they wrote Superior's first four-game releases for the BBC Micro: three were written by Hanson and one by Dyson. Describing the early days, Hanson commented: Superior mostly focused on the machines of Acorn Computers Ltd and also published software for other platforms including the Oric-1 and Commodore 64. Key management personnel have included Steve Botterill, Chris Payne and Steve Hanson. Major software developers Peter Johnson, Tim Tyler, Martin Edmondson, Nicholas Chambe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Video Game Publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that have been developed either internally by the publisher or externally by a video game developer. They often finance the development, sometimes by paying a video game developer (the publisher calls this ''external development'') and sometimes by paying an internal staff of developers called a ''studio''. The large video game publishers also distribute the games they publish, while some smaller publishers instead hire distribution companies (or larger video game publishers) to distribute the games they publish. Other functions usually performed by the publisher include deciding on and paying for any licenses used by the game; paying for localization; layout, printing, and possibly the writing of the user manual; and the creation of graphic design elements such as the box design. Some large publishers with vertical structure also own publishing subsidiaries (labels). Large publishers may also attempt to boost effic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acorn Computers Ltd
The acorn, or oaknut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives (genera ''Quercus'' and ''Lithocarpus'', in the family Fagaceae). It usually contains one seed (occasionally two seeds), enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns are long and on the fat side. Acorns take between 5 and 24 months (depending on the species) to mature; see the list of ''Quercus'' species for details of oak classification, in which acorn morphology and phenology are important factors. Etymology The word ''acorn'' (earlier ''akerne'', and ''acharn'') is related to the Gothic name ''akran'', which had the sense of "fruit of the unenclosed land". The word was applied to the most important forest produce, that of the oak. Chaucer spoke of "achornes of okes" in the 14th century. By degrees, popular etymology connected the word both with "corn" and "oak-horn", and the spelling changed accordingly. The current spelling (emerged 15c.-16c.), derives from associat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palace Of Magic
''Palace of Magic'' is a platform game released on 1 November 1987 for the Acorn Electron and BBC Micro by Superior Software. Combining platform elements with problem solving, it similar gameplay to the earlier ''Citadel''. Both are early examples of the Metroidvania genre. Plot The game begins with the player character in a palace, having been shrunk and taken out of your normal place and time by an evil wizard called Caldeti (an anagram of Citadel). The objective is to magically restore the character to his original size and find the teleporter to their home world. This involves moving through the Palace and other locations such as a church, woods, and dungeon, overcoming obstacles and enemies along the way. Similarities to ''Citadel'' The player is not automatically killed if they come into contact with hazards; instead the player is allocated a set amount of energy (but this time measured by a bar, subdivided into units), which is depleted through contact, and can be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stryker's Run
''Stryker's Run'' is a video game designed by Chris Roberts and Philip Meller for the BBC Micro and BBC Master which was published by Superior Software in 1986. It was also later converted to the Acorn Electron. It is a 2D side-scrolling action game. It was well received, particularly for its graphics. Gameplay ''Stryker's Run'' is a 2D side-scrolling action game. The game is set during a futuristic war. The player takes the role of Commander John Stryker of the Allied Nations who has obtained plans of an attack by the enemy Volgans. The objective of the game is to escape with the plans and reach the Allied headquarters. Stryker is armed with a laser pistol and grenades. He can also commandeer aircraft that can be used until the fuel runs out. The Volgans have a wide variety of weapons including rifles, pistols, grenades, machine guns, mortars, mines, helicopter gunships, rocket launchers and SAM missiles.Original inlay, Superior Software As well as enemies, the game feature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Galaforce
''Galaforce'' is a fixed shooter video game for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron, written by Kevin Edwards and published by Superior Software in 1986. It spawned a sequel, ''Galaforce 2'' (1988), and later, ''Galaforce Worlds'' (2003). Gameplay The game is set in the 25th century, in the fictional Magellanic galaxy. The player takes the role of a pilot of the Galaforce, an elite unit of the United Cosmological Federation, on a mission to conquer and overthrow hordes of "savage" aliens.''Galaforce'' at Acorn Electron World ''Galaforce'' is inspired by games, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Overdrive (video Game)
''Overdrive'' is an arcade-style motor racing game which was written by Peter Johnson for the Acorn Electron and BBC Micro and released in 1984 by Superior Software. Gameplay The game was probably inspired by the hugely successful Namco/Atari arcade game ''Pole Position'', one of the most popular arcade games of the era. It is also influenced by Sega's 1981 game ''Turbo''. Like those arcade games, ''Overdrive'' uses the "rear-view racer format" but there are no bends in the track. The aim of the game is to finish in the top 12 in order to qualify for the next track. There are five different tracks but as there are no bends, the only difference is the change in scenery (fields, night, snow, desert and riverside scenes) as well as a change in the grip. Points are awarded for the distance travelled as well as a bonus given at the end of each level depending on the number of computer-controlled cars that have been passed. If the player collides with another car, they explode and reg ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Repton (computer Game)
''Repton'' is a video game originally developed by 16-year-old Briton Tim Tyler for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron and released by Superior Software in 1985. The game spawned a series of follow up games which were released throughout the 1980s. The series sold around 125,000 copies between 1985 and 1990Acornelectron.co.uk Repton on Acorn Electron World with ''Repton 2'' selling 35,000 itself. The games have since been remade for several modern systems, including ''iRepton'' for the iPhone / iPod Touch in 2010, and iRepton website /ref> ''Android Rep ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acornsoft
Acornsoft was the software arm of Acorn Computers, and a major publisher of software for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. As well as games, it also produced a large number of educational titles, extra computer languages and business and utility packages – these included word processor ''VIEW'' and the spreadsheet '' ViewSheet'' supplied on ROM and cartridge for the BBC Micro/Acorn Electron and included as standard in the BBC Master and Acorn Business Computer. History Acornsoft was formed in late 1980 by Acorn Computers directors Hermann Hauser and Chris Curry, and David Johnson-Davies, author of the first game for a UK personal computer and of the official Acorn Atom manual "Atomic Theory and Practice". David Johnson-Davies was managing director and in early 1981 was joined by Tim Dobson, Programmer and Chris Jordan, Publications Editor. While some of their games were clones or remakes of popular arcade games (e.g. ''Hopper'' is a clone of Sega's ''Frogger'', '' Snappe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nick Pelling
Nick Pelling is a British-born computer programmer and investigative writer best known as the creator of the 1984 game '' Frak!''."Desert Island Disks: Nick Pelling". ''Retro Gamer'' 26, pp. 82-85. Games Developed As Aardvark Software * ''Arcadians'' (1982) * ''Zalaga'' (1983) (port of Galaga) * '' Frak!'' (1984) * '' Firetrack'' (1987) * '' Sharkey's 3D Pool'' (1989) * ''3D Pocket Pool'' (2001) Independently * '' Bangkok Knights'' (1987) * ''Shinobi'' (1989) * '' Loopz'' (1990) * '' Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' (1993) * '' The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man'' (1993) * ''The Pagemaster'' (1994) * ''Mortal Kombat II'' (1994) * '' Wolverine: Adamantium Rage'' (1994) * ''Primal Rage'' (1995) * ''Batman Forever'' (1995) * ''The X-Files Game'' (1999) * '' In Cold Blood'' (2000) * ''Street Fighter Alpha 3'' (2002) * '' Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer'' (2002) * ''Championship Manager 5'' (2005) * '' Buzz!: The Music Quiz'' (2005) * '' Buzz!: The BIG Quiz'' (2006) * '' B ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geoff Crammond
Geoff Crammond is a computer game designer and programmer who specialises in motor racing games. A former defence industry systems engineer, he claims to have had little interest in motor racing before programming his first racing game (Revs) back in 1984, but he holds a physics degree, which may explain the realism of some of his programming. As a consequence of that project he became a big fan of Formula One motor racing. At the end of the 80s, this interest, plus the ever improving capabilities of home computers, inspired him to specialise in programming Formula One racing simulations. Games One of his early releases was ''Aviator'', a Spitfire simulator released by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro in March 1984. Having been motivated to make his own flight simulator from the hardware level upwards, Crammond identified the possibility of using one of the increasingly sophisticated home computers, if only "to cannibalise it". Recognising the potential of the BBC Micro, he ordered ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ian Bell (programmer)
Ian Colin Graham Bell (born 31 October 1962 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) programmed, designed and developed the computer game '' Elite'' (1984) with David Braben, which met with much acclaim. Education Bell attended the independent St Albans School. He studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with a degree (1st) in Mathematics in 1985, and a Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science in 1986. Career Worked as a Senior Software Engineer for Autodesk. Bell was a speaker at the 2009 GameCity game festival. Bell mentioned in his speech about the impact of games:You're reaching into the minds and the imaginary spaces of children, and you're to an extent shaping their characters and their life stories. I'm glad liteisn't Doom because I'm glad that even though we didn't really think in these terms, I think its effect on players and on people's lives is good, both in the sense of giving them good memories but also in making people think in different ways and awakening interest. Gam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Braben
David John Braben (born 2 January 1964) is a British video game developer and designer, founder and CEO of Frontier Developments, co-creator of the '' Elite'' series of space trading video games, first published in 1984. He is also a co-founder of and works as a trustee for the Raspberry Pi Foundation which in 2012 launched a low-cost computer for education. Personal life Braben attended Buckhurst Hill County High School in Chigwell in Essex. He studied Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge, specialising in Electrical Science in his final year. In May 1993, he married Katharin Dickinson in Cambridge. His current wife is Wendy Irvin-Braben and he has two sons. Work In 2008, Braben was an investor and non-executive director of Phonetic Arts, a speech generation company led by Paul Taylor. Phonetic Arts was acquired by Google in 2010, for an undisclosed sum. In May 2011, Braben announced a new prototype computer intended to stimulate the teaching of basic computer sci ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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