Quicksilver Software
Encyclopedia
Quicksilver Software, Inc. was founded in 1984 by three Intellivision
programmers from Mattel Electronics. Two of the three, William Fisher and Stephen Roney, currently work there (the third, Michael Breen
, is currently a Principal Engineer at Johnson Controls
). The company specializes in the creation of strategy, simulation, and educational products, and on focused high-technology R&D projects.
Early in its history, Quicksilver landed a productive deal with arcade-game manufacturer Data East USA, Inc.
that ultimately resulted in the creation of 28 different titles for Apple II
, Commodore 64
, IBM PC
, Apple Macintosh, and Atari ST
home computers. These included adaptations of well-known games such as Karnov
and the Ikari Warriors
series.
The company’s work on another Data East title, Heavy Barrel
, earned it the attention of publisher Interplay Productions, which contracted Quicksilver to develop what would become one of Interplay’s first titles as an independent publisher, Castles for the IBM PC, which ultimately sold more than 400,000 copies. This was followed by additional strategy titles such as Castles II, Conquest of the New World (over 500,000 copies), and Star Trek
: Starfleet Command (over 300,000 copies and several sequels).
Quicksilver also established an active relationship with publisher Activision
. Beginning with some research and development work on Activision’s digital video display technology, ultimately used in the top-selling title Return to Zork
, Quicksilver rapidly expanded into developing a long series of four titles in the Shanghai line of tile-based solitaire games. Quicksilver also ported other titles for Activision, such as the Windows 3.1 and Mac OS versions of Zork: Nemesis
and the DVD-ROM versions of Spycraft: The Great Game and Muppet Treasure Island.
At the same time, Quicksilver also worked on a series of educational software titles, such as the Math At Work line of math products and the highly acclaimed title Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, a massive 8.5-gigabyte interactive DVD-ROM version of the popular WNET television series. Quicksilver developed all of the underlying technology for Heritage, while the New York-based asset development team created the content for the game.
From 2001 through 2005 Quicksilver developed a series of military training products for the U.S. Army and the Singapore Armed Forces. Its products, Full Spectrum Command and Full Spectrum Leader, are designed to provide cognitive training for company commanders and platoon leaders. During this same time period, the company created the strategy game Master of Orion III
, a game now known for its lack of polish and steep learning curve. The company also developed two online games for the Rich Dad
line of financial education games, based on the board games CASHFLOW 101
and CASHFLOW 202.
In 2004, Quicksilver diversified into mobile and handheld games. The company developed several games for mobile phones, its best known product being AMF Xtreme Bowling, published by Vir2L Entertainment, a ZeniMax Media company. In 2005, the company once again worked on a Star Trek title, Star Trek
: Tactical Assault for Nintendo DS
and Sony PSP, published by Bethesda Softworks
.
In 2006 through 2008, Quicksilver released several additional military training titles, including a Patriot missile battery deployment trainer and an award-winning logistics trainer (DMCTI: Distribution Management Cognitive Training Initiative). As with Quicksilver's other military titles, these products were developed in conjunction with the Army-funded USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT).
In October, 2008, Quicksilver released Type to Learn 4 for publisher Sunburst, the latest in Sunburst's popular keyboard skill development lineup.
Also in October, 2008, Quicksilver premiered an interactive poker game show called The Real Deal at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
The following is a list of earlier projects.
Intellivision
The Intellivision is a video game console released by Mattel in 1979. Development of the console began in 1978, less than a year after the introduction of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. The word intellivision is a portmanteau of "intelligent television"...
programmers from Mattel Electronics. Two of the three, William Fisher and Stephen Roney, currently work there (the third, Michael Breen
Michael Breen
Michael Breen may refer to:* Michael Breen wrote The Koreans* Mike Breen * Michael Breen from Montreal, Canada who was nominated at the Juno Awards of 1989* Mike Breen founder of ....
, is currently a Principal Engineer at Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded in 1885 by professor Warren S. Johnson, inventor of the first electric room thermostat....
). The company specializes in the creation of strategy, simulation, and educational products, and on focused high-technology R&D projects.
Early in its history, Quicksilver landed a productive deal with arcade-game manufacturer Data East USA, Inc.
Data East
also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, when it declared bankruptcy...
that ultimately resulted in the creation of 28 different titles for Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
, 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...
, 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...
, Apple Macintosh, 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...
home computers. These included adaptations of well-known games such as Karnov
Karnov
is a 1987 platform arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is the debut of Data East's mascot of the same name. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon, a company comprised with former Data East staff, acquired the rights to Karnov, along with multiple other Data...
and the Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors is a 1986 arcade game by SNK, published in the United States and Europe by Tradewest. Known simply as in Japan, this was SNK's first major breakthrough US release and became something of a classic. The game was released at the time when there were many Commando clones on the market...
series.
The company’s work on another Data East title, Heavy Barrel
Heavy Barrel
is a 1987 overhead run and gun arcade game by Data East.-Gameplay:thumb|left|Arcade ScreenshotTerrorists have seized the underground control complex of a nuclear missile site, and it is up to the player to infiltrate the base and kill the enemy leader. Players begin armed with a laser gun with...
, earned it the attention of publisher Interplay Productions, which contracted Quicksilver to develop what would become one of Interplay’s first titles as an independent publisher, Castles for the IBM PC, which ultimately sold more than 400,000 copies. This was followed by additional strategy titles such as Castles II, Conquest of the New World (over 500,000 copies), and Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
: Starfleet Command (over 300,000 copies and several sequels).
Quicksilver also established an active relationship with publisher Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
. Beginning with some research and development work on Activision’s digital video display technology, ultimately used in the top-selling title Return to Zork
Return to Zork
Return to Zork is a 1993 adventure game in the Zork series. It was developed by Activision and was the final Zork game to be published under the Infocom label.-Gameplay:...
, Quicksilver rapidly expanded into developing a long series of four titles in the Shanghai line of tile-based solitaire games. Quicksilver also ported other titles for Activision, such as the Windows 3.1 and Mac OS versions of Zork: Nemesis
Zork: Nemesis
Zork Nemesis: The Forbidden Lands is a 1996 graphical adventure game developed by Zombie Studios and published/edited by Activision. It is the eleventh game in the Zork series, and the first such title not to appear under the Infocom label...
and the DVD-ROM versions of Spycraft: The Great Game and Muppet Treasure Island.
At the same time, Quicksilver also worked on a series of educational software titles, such as the Math At Work line of math products and the highly acclaimed title Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, a massive 8.5-gigabyte interactive DVD-ROM version of the popular WNET television series. Quicksilver developed all of the underlying technology for Heritage, while the New York-based asset development team created the content for the game.
From 2001 through 2005 Quicksilver developed a series of military training products for the U.S. Army and the Singapore Armed Forces. Its products, Full Spectrum Command and Full Spectrum Leader, are designed to provide cognitive training for company commanders and platoon leaders. During this same time period, the company created the strategy game Master of Orion III
Master of Orion III
Master of Orion III is a 4X turn-based strategy game and the third in the Master of Orion series. MoO3 was developed by Quicksilver Software and published by Infogrames on February 25, 2003.-Backstory:...
, a game now known for its lack of polish and steep learning curve. The company also developed two online games for the Rich Dad
Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Toru Kiyosaki, born April 8, 1947) is an American investor, businessman, self-help author and motivational speaker. Kiyosaki is best known for his Rich Dad Poor Dad series of motivational books and other material published under the Rich Dad brand. He has written 15 books which have combined...
line of financial education games, based on the board games CASHFLOW 101
Cashflow 101
Cashflow 101 is an educational tool in board game format designed by Robert Kiyosaki , which aims to teach the players concepts of investing by having their money work for them in a risk free setting while simultaneously increasing their financial literacy and stressing the imperative nature of...
and CASHFLOW 202.
In 2004, Quicksilver diversified into mobile and handheld games. The company developed several games for mobile phones, its best known product being AMF Xtreme Bowling, published by Vir2L Entertainment, a ZeniMax Media company. In 2005, the company once again worked on a Star Trek title, Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
: Tactical Assault for Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
and Sony PSP, published by Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks, LLC, is an American video game company. A subsidiary of ZeniMax Media, the company was originally based in Bethesda, Maryland and eventually moved to their current location in Rockville, Maryland...
.
In 2006 through 2008, Quicksilver released several additional military training titles, including a Patriot missile battery deployment trainer and an award-winning logistics trainer (DMCTI: Distribution Management Cognitive Training Initiative). As with Quicksilver's other military titles, these products were developed in conjunction with the Army-funded USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT).
In October, 2008, Quicksilver released Type to Learn 4 for publisher Sunburst, the latest in Sunburst's popular keyboard skill development lineup.
Also in October, 2008, Quicksilver premiered an interactive poker game show called The Real Deal at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
Product list
Quicksilver has created a large number of titles since its founding in 1984. Unless otherwise noted, the company was responsible for full design and development of each title, including artwork and audiovisual elements. More recent projects include:| Publisher | Title and platforms | Release date(s) | Sales, if known |
|---|---|---|---|
| TimePlay | Real Deal Poker (programming) | October, 2008 | N/A |
| U.S. Army | DMCTI Logistics Trainer | October, 2008 | N/A |
| Sunburst Technologies | Type to Learn 4 | October, 2008 | N/A |
| Bethesda Softworks Bethesda Softworks Bethesda Softworks, LLC, is an American video game company. A subsidiary of ZeniMax Media, the company was originally based in Bethesda, Maryland and eventually moved to their current location in Rockville, Maryland... |
Star Trek: Tactical Assault Star Trek: Tactical Assault Star Trek: Tactical Assault is a Star Trek video game for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable that was developed by Quicksilver Software, also the creators of Star Trek: Starfleet Command.-Single-player:... |
October, 2006 | N/A |
| Encore | Hoyle Casino 3D (completion from Alpha) | March, 2005 | N/A |
| U.S. Army | Full Spectrum Leader (Windows) | March, 2005 | N/A |
| Vir2L | AMF Xtreme Bowling (Java/BREW phones) | July, 2004 | not disclosed |
| U.S. Army | Full Spectrum Command 1.5 (Windows) | May, 2004 | N/A |
| IDville | ID Maker (Windows) | 2002 | not disclosed |
| Rich Dad’s Game LLC | Rich Dad’s CASHFLOW 202 (Windows, Mac OS) | February, 2004 | not disclosed |
| Rich Dad’s Game LLC | Rich Dad’s CASHFLOW 101 (Windows, Mac OS) | March, 2003 | not disclosed |
| Atari | Master of Orion 3 (Windows, Mac OS) | February, 2003 | over 200,000 |
| Baudville | Award Maker 2003 (Windows, Mac OS) | 2003 | not disclosed |
| U.S. Army | Full Spectrum Command 1.0 (Windows) | February, 2003 | N/A |
| Intellivision Productions | Intellivision Rocks, Windows Emulator | 2002 | not disclosed |
| Thirteen•WNET NY | Heritage: Civilization and the Jews (engine only) | 2000–2005 | unknown |
| Future Pastimes | Cosmic Encounter Online (design) | 2000–2002 | unknown |
| Interplay Productions | Star Trek: Starfleet Command Star Trek: Starfleet Command Star Trek: Starfleet Command is a computer game based on the table-top wargame Star Fleet Battles. It simulates starship operations, and ship-to-ship combat and fleet warfare in the Star Trek universe.... (Windows) |
July, 1999 | over 300,000 |
| Activision, Inc. | Shanghai: Second Dynasty (Windows, Mac OS) | December, 1999 | over 100,000 |
| Activision, Inc. | Shanghai: Dynasty (Windows, Mac OS) | 1998 | unknown |
| Activision, Inc. | Shanghai: Great Moments (Windows, Mac OS) | 1997 | over 600,000 |
| Interplay Productions | Conquest of the New World Conquest of the New World Conquest of the New World is a computer game produced by Interplay Entertainment in the mid-1990s. The game is a strategy game, involving single player playing, or multi-player playing either by hotseat, on LAN, modem, or even PBEM... (MS-DOS, Mac OS) |
1996 | over 500,000 |
| Interplay Productions | Castles II: Siege and Conquest Castles II: Siege and Conquest Castles II: Siege and Conquest is a strategy video game developed for the Macintosh, Amiga and DOS by Interplay Entertainment in 1992, designed and developed by Quicksilver Software; the Macintosh version of the game was published by Interplay Entertainment under the MacPlay brand name... CD (MS-DOS, Mac OS) |
1994 | over 100,000 |
| Interplay Productions | Castles (MS-DOS) | 1991 | over 400,000 |
The following is a list of earlier projects.
| Publisher | Title and Platforms |
|---|---|
| Activision | Muppet Treasure Island (Windows/Mac OS DVD-ROM port) |
| Activision | Spycraft: The Great Game Spycraft: The Great Game Spycraft is an adventure CD-ROM game published by Activision in 1996. It details the attempted assassination of the President of the United States and the CIA and SVR attempts to save him... (Windows/Mac OS DVD-ROM port) |
| Activision | Zork: Nemesis Zork: Nemesis Zork Nemesis: The Forbidden Lands is a 1996 graphical adventure game developed by Zombie Studios and published/edited by Activision. It is the eleventh game in the Zork series, and the first such title not to appear under the Infocom label... (Windows 3.1 and Mac OS ports) |
| Activision | HyperBlade HyperBlade HyperBlade is an action video game, depicting a futuristic sport in a futuristic world. The sport is a mutated version of Hockey, played in an egg-shaped arena rather than on a flat field or rink, which is loaded with weapons and deadly traps.... (Windows 3.1 completion) |
| Atari | Track and Field (Apple II) |
| Atari | APB (Atari Lynx) |
| Baudville | Award Maker Plus (IBM PC, Mac OS) |
| Baudville | Laser Award Maker (IBM PC, Mac OS) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Bad Dudes Bad Dudes Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja, often referred to simply as Bad Dudes, and known in Japan simply as , is a 1988 beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is based on the U.S... (IBM PC, Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Batman Batman (1986 video game) Batman is a 3D isometric action-adventure game that was released in 1986 under the Batman licence by Ocean Software for the Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum and MSX microcomputers.An Amstrad PCW version was also available.-Gameplay:... (Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Commando (IBM PC, Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Guerrilla War (IBM PC, Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Heavy Barrel Heavy Barrel is a 1987 overhead run and gun arcade game by Data East.-Gameplay:thumb|left|Arcade ScreenshotTerrorists have seized the underground control complex of a nuclear missile site, and it is up to the player to infiltrate the base and kill the enemy leader. Players begin armed with a laser gun with... (IBM PC, Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Ikari Warriors II (IBM PC, Apple II, Commodore 64) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Ikari Warriors Ikari Warriors Ikari Warriors is a 1986 arcade game by SNK, published in the United States and Europe by Tradewest. Known simply as in Japan, this was SNK's first major breakthrough US release and became something of a classic. The game was released at the time when there were many Commando clones on the market... (IBM PC, Apple II, Commodore 64) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Karnov Karnov is a 1987 platform arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is the debut of Data East's mascot of the same name. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon, a company comprised with former Data East staff, acquired the rights to Karnov, along with multiple other Data... (IBM PC, Mac OS, Atari ST) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Kid Niki, Radical Ninja (Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Lock-On Lock-On Lock-On is a 1986 first-person shooter and combat flight simulator video game with a futuristic theme. It is developed by Tatsumi and licensed to Data East for US distribution. Features scaling sprites and a full-screen rotation effect.... (IBM PC, Mac OS, Atari ST) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Platoon (IBM PC, Apple II) |
| Data East USA, Inc. | Tag Team Wrestling Tag Team Wrestling Tag Team Wrestling, known in Japan as , is a arcade video game published by Data East and developed by Technōs Japan.-Gameplay:In the game, two professional wrestling tag-teams, the Strong Bads and the Ricky Fighters, battle against each other in tag-team action, or a single player competes in a... (Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM PC) |
| Davidson/Simon & Schuster | Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess (Windows) |
| Davidson | Kid Keys (MS-DOS, Mac OS) |
| Interplay Productions | Battle Chess Battle Chess Battle Chess is a computer game version of chess in which the chess pieces come to life and battle one another when capturing. It was released for the Commodore Amiga and subsequently on the 3DO, MS-DOS, Apple IIGS, Apple IIe, Commodore 64, Amiga CDTV, CD32, Atari ST, Apple Macintosh, Acorn... (CDTV) |
| Interplay Productions | Battle Chess Battle Chess Battle Chess is a computer game version of chess in which the chess pieces come to life and battle one another when capturing. It was released for the Commodore Amiga and subsequently on the 3DO, MS-DOS, Apple IIGS, Apple IIe, Commodore 64, Amiga CDTV, CD32, Atari ST, Apple Macintosh, Acorn... (FM TOWNS and Mac OS, combat animations) |
| Interplay Productions | Shadow of the Comet Shadow of the Comet Shadow of the Comet is a computer game in the adventure game genre. The game is based around H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos... (PC, voice-over production) |
| SNK | Prehistoric Isle (IBM PC) |
| SNK | Ikari Warriors III (IBM PC) |