Audiogenic
Encyclopedia
Audiogenic Software is one of the oldest United Kingdom
video game developer
s. It was established in 1985 out of the ashes of an earlier Audiogenic company that had been founded in the late 1970s. It published its last new title in 1997, after the core of the development team were taken over by Codemasters
to create Brian Lara Cricket
on the PlayStation
. The company is, however, still in existence and continues to license its portfolio of titles to third parties for conversion onto new formats.
Though almost unknown in the United States
, the company was especially successful in the United Kingdom
and in Australia
with a popular line of cricket and rugby games, some versions of which were licensed to other publishers. Several games were also published under licence in Japan
, notably World Class Rugby for the Super NES
, and a follow-up, World Class Rugby 2, both of which were published by Imagineer
.
in 1975 by Martin Maynard. It was one of the first 8 track studios to operate outside London
. By comparison with modern studios the recording equipment was very basic; however, it still attracted acts such as The Vibrators
, XTC
, Stadium Dogs, Van Morrison
, Alan Clayson
and The New Seekers
. A cassette duplication service was offered and the company also made arrangements for pressing vinyl
. Terry Clark recently performed (February 2008 JonesFest) a song about the studio at a tribute concert for Garry Jones at the South Street centre in Reading.http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2564233829189727384&q=jonesfest&total=15&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
Around 1979 Audiogenic became interested in the Commodore PET
computer and gained a contract to duplicate computer software on cassette. Subsequently Commodore International
gave Audiogenic the software manufacturing
and selling rights, but this arrangement came to an end with the advent of the Commodore VIC-20
. Martin Maynard flew to California
where alliances were made with United Microware Industries, Cosmi, Creative Software and Broderbund, some of the biggest suppliers of VIC software at that time.
Audiogenic became one of the leading publishers of software in the UK, but a decision to diversify by importing peripherals, notably the Koala Pad and the Entrepo Quick Data Drive (a continuous loop storage device for the Commodore 64
) contributed to a dramatic decline in profitability which led to the company ceasing to trade in 1985. Martin Maynard returned to the audio duplication business, and is still operating Sounds Good Ltd in Theale, Berkshire.
, run by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard, a minority stake was held by Martin Maynard. At this time the company employed Darryl Still, who produced a number of successful releases for the BBC Micro, such as Psycastria and Thunderstruck, written by former members of the Icon Software team in North East England. Peter Scott and Gary Partis amongst them. Maynard left the board in 1987 and Still went on to manage the launch of the Atari ST, Lynx handheld and Jaguar consoles in Europe, before stints with Electronic Arts and Nvidia.
In 1996 the Audiogenic came to an arrangement with Codemasters
as a result of which the latter acquired the development team behind the Brian Lara series of cricket games, and the following year the company ceased developing new titles. Peter Calver still owns Supersoft
and Audiogenic, but now runs LostCousins, a leading family history website.
, which had been developed by Supersoft
, and the company continued to release sports games. For many years it was the world's leading producer of cricket games: Brian Lara Cricket
and Lara '96 were developed by Audiogenic for the Mega Drive and released by Codemasters
- both reached No.1 in the UK charts. Other sports titles included Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
, Graham Gooch World Class Cricket
, Allan Border Cricket, European Champions, Lothar Matthäus, Super League Manager, Rugby League Coach, World Class Rugby, European Champions, Wembley International Soccer, Wembley Rugby League, Shane Warne Cricket, and Super Tennis Champs.
With Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
in 1988 Audiogenic pioneered the concept of a fast-moving sports simulation featuring on-screen commentary, named players and management elements; later with World Class Rugby and then European Champions Audiogenic introduced the concept of sports simulations with a choice of viewpoints.
Other titles included Exterminator (a coin-op conversion), Helter Skelter, Impact, Krusty's Super Funhouse, Bubble & Squeak, Exile, and Loopz
.
Loopz
, designed by Ian Upton, is one of the few computer games to have been converted to a coin-operated arcade game, and whilst Capcom (the licensee) never brought the game to market, a video of the completed game exists. It was also licensed to Barcrest for release as a skill-with-prizes amusement machine, but this version also failed to make it to market. However versions were released for 18 different computer and video game formats including NES
, Game Boy
, IBM PC
, Amiga
and Atari ST
. A follow up game, Super Loopz, was licensed to Imagineer for the Super NES
and was published for the Amiga
by Audiogenic.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
video game developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
s. It was established in 1985 out of the ashes of an earlier Audiogenic company that had been founded in the late 1970s. It published its last new title in 1997, after the core of the development team were taken over by Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
to create Brian Lara Cricket
Brian Lara Cricket
Brian Lara Cricket is the first in a series of cricket games to be endorsed by Brian Lara. There have been more games in the series, Brian Lara Cricket '96, Brian Lara Cricket '99, Brian Lara International Cricket 2005 and Brian Lara International Cricket 2007. Brian Lara Cricket was released on...
on the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
. The company is, however, still in existence and continues to license its portfolio of titles to third parties for conversion onto new formats.
Though almost unknown in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the company was especially successful in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
with a popular line of cricket and rugby games, some versions of which were licensed to other publishers. Several games were also published under licence in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, notably World Class Rugby for the Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, and a follow-up, World Class Rugby 2, both of which were published by Imagineer
Imagineer
Imagineer may refer to:* Disney Imagineer, a position at the Walt Disney company* Imagineer Systems, a visual effects software company* Imagineer , a Japanese video game, mobile, software company...
.
The First Audiogenic
The original company, Audiogenic Limited, was started as a recording studio called Sun in Reading, BerkshireBerkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
in 1975 by Martin Maynard. It was one of the first 8 track studios to operate outside London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. By comparison with modern studios the recording equipment was very basic; however, it still attracted acts such as The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
, XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, Stadium Dogs, Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, Alan Clayson
Alan Clayson
Alan Clayson is a singer-songwriter, who was popular in the late 1970s as leader of Clayson and the Argonauts...
and The New Seekers
The New Seekers
The New Seekers are a British-based pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the break-up of his group, The Seekers. The idea was that the New Seekers would appeal to the same market as the original Seekers, but their music had rock as well as folk influences...
. A cassette duplication service was offered and the company also made arrangements for pressing vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. Terry Clark recently performed (February 2008 JonesFest) a song about the studio at a tribute concert for Garry Jones at the South Street centre in Reading.http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2564233829189727384&q=jonesfest&total=15&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
Around 1979 Audiogenic became interested in the Commodore PET
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
computer and gained a contract to duplicate computer software on cassette. Subsequently Commodore International
Commodore International
Commodore is the commonly used name for Commodore Business Machines , the U.S.-based home computer manufacturer and electronics manufacturer headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which also housed Commodore's corporate parent company, Commodore International Limited...
gave Audiogenic the software manufacturing
Software manufacturing
Software manufacturing is the process of producing software in ways similar to the manufacturing of tangible goods. In this way of conducting business, each copy of the software is priced and sold as though it was a tangible product...
and selling rights, but this arrangement came to an end with the advent of the Commodore VIC-20
Commodore VIC-20
The VIC-20 is an 8-bit home computer which was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore's first personal computer, the PET...
. Martin Maynard flew to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where alliances were made with United Microware Industries, Cosmi, Creative Software and Broderbund, some of the biggest suppliers of VIC software at that time.
Audiogenic became one of the leading publishers of software in the UK, but a decision to diversify by importing peripherals, notably the Koala Pad and the Entrepo Quick Data Drive (a continuous loop storage device for the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
) contributed to a dramatic decline in profitability which led to the company ceasing to trade in 1985. Martin Maynard returned to the audio duplication business, and is still operating Sounds Good Ltd in Theale, Berkshire.
The Second Audiogenic
The second Audiogenic, Audiogenic Software Limited was formed to acquire the assets and goodwill of the original company. Although financed and controlled by SupersoftSupersoft
Supersoft is a software and computer game developer and publisher founded in England in 1978. It was founded by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard to develop and publish software primarily for the Commodore PET.-Hardware:...
, run by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard, a minority stake was held by Martin Maynard. At this time the company employed Darryl Still, who produced a number of successful releases for the BBC Micro, such as Psycastria and Thunderstruck, written by former members of the Icon Software team in North East England. Peter Scott and Gary Partis amongst them. Maynard left the board in 1987 and Still went on to manage the launch of the Atari ST, Lynx handheld and Jaguar consoles in Europe, before stints with Electronic Arts and Nvidia.
In 1996 the Audiogenic came to an arrangement with Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
as a result of which the latter acquired the development team behind the Brian Lara series of cricket games, and the following year the company ceased developing new titles. Peter Calver still owns Supersoft
Supersoft
Supersoft is a software and computer game developer and publisher founded in England in 1978. It was founded by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard to develop and publish software primarily for the Commodore PET.-Hardware:...
and Audiogenic, but now runs LostCousins, a leading family history website.
Games
Audiogenic published and/or developed many popular games for a wide variety of computers and games consoles. The company's first release in 1985 was Graham Gooch's Test CricketGraham Gooch's Test Cricket
Graham Gooch's Test Cricket is a 1985 cricket game released for the Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum by Audiogenic. It was later reissued by budget label Alternative Software as Graham Gooch's Match Cricket.-Gameplay:...
, which had been developed by Supersoft
Supersoft
Supersoft is a software and computer game developer and publisher founded in England in 1978. It was founded by Peter Calver and Pearl Wellard to develop and publish software primarily for the Commodore PET.-Hardware:...
, and the company continued to release sports games. For many years it was the world's leading producer of cricket games: Brian Lara Cricket
Brian Lara Cricket
Brian Lara Cricket is the first in a series of cricket games to be endorsed by Brian Lara. There have been more games in the series, Brian Lara Cricket '96, Brian Lara Cricket '99, Brian Lara International Cricket 2005 and Brian Lara International Cricket 2007. Brian Lara Cricket was released on...
and Lara '96 were developed by Audiogenic for the Mega Drive and released by Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
- both reached No.1 in the UK charts. Other sports titles included Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer is a soccer computer game first released in 1988 by Audiogenic Software Ltd.. The game is named after the popular English footballer Emlyn Hughes...
, Graham Gooch World Class Cricket
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket is a cricket video game developed and published by Audiogenic in 1993. It is endorsed by former England cricketer Graham Gooch. It is available for the Amiga and PC computer systems.-Game play:...
, Allan Border Cricket, European Champions, Lothar Matthäus, Super League Manager, Rugby League Coach, World Class Rugby, European Champions, Wembley International Soccer, Wembley Rugby League, Shane Warne Cricket, and Super Tennis Champs.
With Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer is a soccer computer game first released in 1988 by Audiogenic Software Ltd.. The game is named after the popular English footballer Emlyn Hughes...
in 1988 Audiogenic pioneered the concept of a fast-moving sports simulation featuring on-screen commentary, named players and management elements; later with World Class Rugby and then European Champions Audiogenic introduced the concept of sports simulations with a choice of viewpoints.
Other titles included Exterminator (a coin-op conversion), Helter Skelter, Impact, Krusty's Super Funhouse, Bubble & Squeak, Exile, and Loopz
Loopz
Loopz is a puzzle video game originally designed and programmed created by Ian Upton for the Atari ST in 1989. Ian Upton had previously worked as head game designer for Audiogenic, who acquired exclusive rights to the game, then in 1990 arranged for Mindscape to publish the computer game in North...
.
Loopz
Loopz
Loopz is a puzzle video game originally designed and programmed created by Ian Upton for the Atari ST in 1989. Ian Upton had previously worked as head game designer for Audiogenic, who acquired exclusive rights to the game, then in 1990 arranged for Mindscape to publish the computer game in North...
, designed by Ian Upton, is one of the few computer games to have been converted to a coin-operated arcade game, and whilst Capcom (the licensee) never brought the game to market, a video of the completed game exists. It was also licensed to Barcrest for release as a skill-with-prizes amusement machine, but this version also failed to make it to market. However versions were released for 18 different computer and video game formats including NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
, IBM PC
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
. A follow up game, Super Loopz, was licensed to Imagineer for the Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and was published for the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
by Audiogenic.
External links
- (The official Audiogenic website, at www.audiogenic.com, is currently down.)
- BBC Games Archive page for Audiogenic
- Audiogenic at ehis64.net
- Audiogenic at MobyGames