Thorn EMI Computer Software
Template:Short description Thorn EMI Computer Software was a British video games software house set up in the early 1980s as part of the now-defunct British conglomerate Thorn EMI. They released a number of games in the early 1980s, initially for the Atari 8-bit computers, and later for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and VIC-20 computers. In 1984, the Thorn EMI name was dropped in favour of Creative Sparks as the company were reportedly unhappy with their image in the video games market.[1] A budget label, Sparklers, was created in early 1985 to publish titles at £2.50.[2] Later in 1985, Creative Sparks, Sparklers and the distribution company, Creative Sparks Distribution (CSD) gained independence from Thorn EMI after a management buyout.[3]
In July 1987, six months after buying software company Mikro-Gen for a "substantial" sum,[4] Creative Sparks went into receivership with debts estimated at up to £1.5million.[5]
The back catalogue of the company was acquired by Tynesoft, Alternative Software and Maynard International (Top Ten Software).[6] The former management at CSD went on to form Software Publishing Associates, owners of the Crysys and Pirate Software labels.[7]
Releases
Many of the company's games listed below were issued on more than one label over the years. A typical example is River Rescue, first released under the Thorn EMI label,[8] then later sold (with updated artwork) under the Creative Sparks brand.[9] This was followed by a budget release on the company's own Sparklers label[10] then- after Creative Sparks' demise- another budget reissue by Alternative Software.[11]
'Thorn EMI' label
- Blockade Runner[12]
- Carnival Massacre[13]
- Cribbage and Dominoes
- Darts
- Gold Rush[14]
- Home Financial Management[15]
- Mutant Herd
- Orc Attack[16]
- River Rescue[8]
- Road Racer[17]
- Submarine Commander[18]
- Snooker and Billiards
- The VIC Music Composer
- Tower of Evil
- Volcanic Planet[19]
- 8-Ball and Tournament Pool
'Creative Sparks' label
- Black Hawk
- Computer War[20]
- Countdown to Meltdown[21]
- Danger Mouse In Double Trouble[22]
- Danger Mouse In The Black Forest Chateau[23]
- Delta Wing[24]
- Snodgits[25]
- Special Delivery[26]
- Stagecoach[27]
- Story House[28]
- Tower of Evil
- Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee
'Sparklers' label
References
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