Mastertronic - Revision history

Border 7: /* Mastertronic */

2014-08-04T05:15:47Z

Mastertronic

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:15, 4 August 2014
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	* [[Nonamed]]		* [[Nonamed]]
	* [[Nonterraqueous]]		* [[Nonterraqueous]]
	* [[Nonterraqueous 2 (Soul of a Robot)]]
	* [[Octoplex]]		* [[Octoplex]]
	* [[One Man And His Droid]]		* [[One Man And His Droid]]

Border 7: /* Mastertronic */

2014-08-04T05:15:28Z

Mastertronic

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:15, 4 August 2014
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	* [[One Man And His Droid]]		* [[One Man And His Droid]]
	* [[Super Pipeline II\|Pipeline 2]] (re-release)		* [[Super Pipeline II\|Pipeline 2]] (re-release)
			* [[Nonterraqueous_2_(Soul_of_a_Robot)\|Soul of a Robot]]
	* [[Pulsoid]]		* [[Pulsoid]]
	* [[The Quest For The Golden Eggcup]]		* [[The Quest For The Golden Eggcup]]

Border 7: /* Mastertronic */

2014-08-04T05:14:01Z

Mastertronic

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:14, 4 August 2014
Line 51:		Line 51:
	* [[Nonamed]]		* [[Nonamed]]
	* [[Nonterraqueous]]		* [[Nonterraqueous]]
			* [[Nonterraqueous 2 (Soul of a Robot)]]
	* [[Octoplex]]		* [[Octoplex]]
	* [[One Man And His Droid]]		* [[One Man And His Droid]]
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	* [[Rogue]]		* [[Rogue]]
	* [[Rollaround]]		* [[Rollaround]]
	* [[Soul Of A Robot]]
	* [[Speed King]]		* [[Speed King]]
	* [[Speedzone]]		* [[Speedzone]]

Border 7: /* Mastertronic */

2014-08-04T05:04:20Z

Mastertronic

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:04, 4 August 2014
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	=== Mastertronic ===		=== Mastertronic ===
	* [[Agent X II: The Mad Prof's Back]]		* [[Agent X II: The Mad Prof's Back]]
	* [[~~The~~ Apprentice]]		* [[Apprentice (the)]]
	* [[Back To Reality]] (a.k.a. Project Genesis)		* [[Back To Reality]] (a.k.a. Project Genesis)
	* [[Bomb Fusion]]		* [[Bomb Fusion]]

Ritch at 08:18, 25 July 2014

2014-07-25T08:18:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:18, 25 July 2014
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	* [[Infection]]		* [[Infection]]
	* [[Jungle Warfare]]		* [[Jungle Warfare]]
			* [[Megaplay Volume 1]]
	* [[Missile Ground Zero]]		* [[Missile Ground Zero]]
	* [[Robot Attack]]		* [[Robot Attack]]
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	* [[Gregory Loses His Clock]]		* [[Gregory Loses His Clock]]
	* [[Jonah Barrington's Squash]]		* [[Jonah Barrington's Squash]]
	* [[Megaplay Volume 1]]
	* [[Micro Mouse Goes De-Bugging]]		* [[Micro Mouse Goes De-Bugging]]
	* [[Protector]]* [[Psycho Hopper]]		* [[Protector]]* [[Psycho Hopper]]

Ritch at 08:17, 25 July 2014

2014-07-25T08:17:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:17, 25 July 2014
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	* [[Locomotion]]		* [[Locomotion]]
	* [[Master Chess (Mastertronic)\|Master Chess]]		* [[Master Chess (Mastertronic)\|Master Chess]]
	* [[Megaplay 1]]
	* [[Milk Race]]		* [[Milk Race]]
	* [[Mindtrap]]		* [[Mindtrap]]
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	* [[Gregory Loses His Clock]]		* [[Gregory Loses His Clock]]
	* [[Jonah Barrington's Squash]]		* [[Jonah Barrington's Squash]]
			* [[Megaplay Volume 1]]
	* [[Micro Mouse Goes De-Bugging]]		* [[Micro Mouse Goes De-Bugging]]
	* [[Protector]]* [[Psycho Hopper]]		* [[Protector]]* [[Psycho Hopper]]

Ritch at 11:00, 24 July 2014

2014-07-24T11:00:27Z

Show changes

Ritch at 03:29, 24 July 2014

2014-07-24T03:29:06Z

Show changes

Ritch: /* History */

2014-07-23T10:15:33Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:15, 23 July 2014
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	Formed in 1983, Mastertronic established itself as a one of the premier budget software houses of the 8-bit era, producing games for the CPC as well as its main competitors the [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]].		Formed in 1983, Mastertronic established itself as a one of the premier budget software houses of the 8-bit era, producing games for the CPC as well as its main competitors the [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]].


	Mastertronic identified a gap in the market for low cost games (originally retailing for £1.99 in the United Kingdom, 9,95 DM (= 5,09€) in Germany & $9.99 in Australia) and as well as producing titles for 'The Big 3' specialised in releasing original games for some of the lesser served systems like the BBC Electron and Commodore C16.		Mastertronic identified a gap in the market for low cost games (originally retailing for £1.99 in the United Kingdom, 9,95 DM (= 5,09€) in Germany & $9.99 in Australia) and as well as producing titles for 'The Big 3' specialised in releasing original games for some of the lesser served systems like the BBC Electron and Commodore C16.


	Mastertronic paved the way for companies like [[Alternative Software]] and [[Codemasters]] to follow in their stead (and in fact published [[The Darling Brothers]] first game - the C64 only BMX Racers).		Mastertronic paved the way for companies like [[Alternative Software]] and [[Codemasters]] to follow in their stead (and in fact published [[The Darling Brothers]] first game - the C64 only BMX Racers).


	Success allowed the company to expand and as well as their self-titled orginal label, they were soon releasing games under their offshoot labels most notably '''M.A.D.''' (Mastertronic Added Dimension) which retailed at a slightly higher price than the basic line.		Success allowed the company to expand and as well as their self-titled orginal label, they were soon releasing games under their offshoot labels most notably '''M.A.D.''' (Mastertronic Added Dimension) which retailed at a slightly higher price than the basic line.


	As well as M.A.D., Mastertronic also ran the shortlived '''Entertainment USA''' and '''Bulldog''' labels designed to showcase the best in American and British releases respectively.		As well as M.A.D., Mastertronic also ran the shortlived '''Entertainment USA''' and '''Bulldog''' labels designed to showcase the best in American and British releases respectively.


	Mastertronic continued to grow and in 1988 acquired the Australian software outfit [[Melbourne House]]. Keeping the label name alive, Mastertronic used the Melbourne House moniker to enter the full price software market. Around the same time, Mastertonic launched '''Ricochet''' a re-release label that they used to re-market games from publishers such as the afore-mentioned Melbourne House, [[Gargoyle]], [[Hewson]], [[Ultimate]] and [[Activision]].		Mastertronic continued to grow and in 1988 acquired the Australian software outfit [[Melbourne House]]. Keeping the label name alive, Mastertronic used the Melbourne House moniker to enter the full price software market. Around the same time, Mastertonic launched '''Ricochet''' a re-release label that they used to re-market games from publishers such as the afore-mentioned Melbourne House, [[Gargoyle]], [[Hewson]], [[Ultimate]] and [[Activision]].


	With great expansion comes great risk and as the budget market became saturated Mastertronic's position as the leading light began to wane. Several big projects for the group (including an attempt to enter the arcade market) proved to be finacially challenging. Thanks, however, to being able to secure the distribution rights to Sega's [[Master System]] console in the UK, France and Germany, the company remained a viable acquisition. Spotting an opportunity to expand, Richard Branson's [[Virgin Games]] bought a controlling interest in Mastertronic, eventually merging the two companies into '''Virgin Mastertronic'''.		With great expansion comes great risk and as the budget market became saturated Mastertronic's position as the leading light began to wane. Several big projects for the group (including an attempt to enter the arcade market) proved to be finacially challenging. Thanks, however, to being able to secure the distribution rights to Sega's [[Master System]] console in the UK, France and Germany, the company remained a viable acquisition. Spotting an opportunity to expand, Richard Branson's [[Virgin Games]] bought a controlling interest in Mastertronic, eventually merging the two companies into '''Virgin Mastertronic'''.


	Two final labels appeared bearing the Mastertronic name after the merger '''Mastertronic Plus''' and '''Tronix'''. These were used for original and re-release budget titles while Melbourne House was finally retired in favour of Virgin Mastertronic's self titled label.		Two final labels appeared bearing the Mastertronic name after the merger '''Mastertronic Plus''' and '''Tronix'''. These were used for original and re-release budget titles while Melbourne House was finally retired in favour of Virgin Mastertronic's self titled label.

Ritch: /* History */

2014-07-23T10:14:50Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:14, 23 July 2014
Line 1:		Line 1:
	== History ==		== History ==

	Formed in 1983, Mastertronic established itself as a one of the ~~premiere~~ budget software houses of the 8-bit era, producing games for the CPC as well as its main competitors the [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]].		Formed in 1983, Mastertronic established itself as a one of the premier budget software houses of the 8-bit era, producing games for the CPC as well as its main competitors the [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Commodore 64]].

	Mastertronic identified a gap in the market for low cost games (originally retailing for £1.99 in the United Kingdom, 9,95 DM (= 5,09€) in Germany & $9.99 in Australia) and as well as producing titles for 'The Big 3' specialised in releasing original games for some of the lesser served systems like the BBC Electron and Commodore C16.		Mastertronic identified a gap in the market for low cost games (originally retailing for £1.99 in the United Kingdom, 9,95 DM (= 5,09€) in Germany & $9.99 in Australia) and as well as producing titles for 'The Big 3' specialised in releasing original games for some of the lesser served systems like the BBC Electron and Commodore C16.
Line 15:		Line 15:
	With great expansion comes great risk and as the budget market became saturated Mastertronic's position as the leading light began to wane. Several big projects for the group (including an attempt to enter the arcade market) proved to be finacially challenging. Thanks, however, to being able to secure the distribution rights to Sega's [[Master System]] console in the UK, France and Germany, the company remained a viable acquisition. Spotting an opportunity to expand, Richard Branson's [[Virgin Games]] bought a controlling interest in Mastertronic, eventually merging the two companies into '''Virgin Mastertronic'''.		With great expansion comes great risk and as the budget market became saturated Mastertronic's position as the leading light began to wane. Several big projects for the group (including an attempt to enter the arcade market) proved to be finacially challenging. Thanks, however, to being able to secure the distribution rights to Sega's [[Master System]] console in the UK, France and Germany, the company remained a viable acquisition. Spotting an opportunity to expand, Richard Branson's [[Virgin Games]] bought a controlling interest in Mastertronic, eventually merging the two companies into '''Virgin Mastertronic'''.

	Two final labels appeared bearing the Mastertronic name after the merger '''Mastertronic Plus''' and '''Tronix'''. These were used for original and re-release budget titles while Melbourne House was finally retired in favour of Virgin Mastertronic's self titled label.		Two final labels appeared bearing the Mastertronic name after the merger '''Mastertronic Plus''' and '''Tronix'''. These were used for original and re-release budget titles while Melbourne House was finally retired in favour of Virgin Mastertronic's self titled label.

	== Releases ==		== Releases ==