Jump to content

Beam Software: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
WanakoDX (talk | contribs)
250 edits
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 14: Line 14:
| revenue =
| revenue =
| former_names = Beam Software (1980–1993)<br>Laser Beam Entertainment (1993—1997)<br>Beam Software<br>Melbourne House (1997–1999)<br>Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (1999–2003)<br>Atari Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (2003–2006)
| former_names = Beam Software (1980–1993)<br>Laser Beam Entertainment (1993—1997)<br>Beam Software<br>Melbourne House (1997–1999)<br>Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (1999–2003)<br>Atari Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (2003–2006)
| parent = [[Infogrames]]/[[Atari]] (2000–2006)<br>[[Krome Studios]] (2006–2010)
| parent = [[Atari SA|Infogrames]] (1999-2000)<br>[[Atari, Inc. (1993-present)|Atari, Inc.]] (2000–2006)<br>[[Krome Studios]] (2006–2010)
| products = ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|The Hobbit]]''<br>''[[The Way of the Exploding Fist]]''<br>''[[Shadowrun (1993 video game)|Shadowrun]]''<br>''[[Le Mans 24 Hours (video game)|Le Mans 24 Hours]]''
| products = ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|The Hobbit]]''<br>''[[The Way of the Exploding Fist]]''<br>''[[Shadowrun (1993 video game)|Shadowrun]]''<br>''[[Le Mans 24 Hours (video game)|Le Mans 24 Hours]]''
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/19981212030918/http://www.melbournehouse.com/ melbournehouse.com] (archived)
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/19981212030918/http://www.melbournehouse.com/ melbournehouse.com] (archived)
Line 25: Line 25:
== History ==
== History ==
=== Home computer era ===
=== Home computer era ===
In the early years, two of Beam's programs were milestones in their respective genres. ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|The Hobbit]]'', a 1982 text adventure by Philip Mitchell and [[Veronika Megler]],<ref>{{citation|title=Author of '80s classic ''The Hobbit'' didn't know game was a hit|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/18/hobbit_author_veronika_megler_reminisces/|publisher=[[The Register]]|date=18 November 2012|access-date=10 December 2012|last=Sharwood|first=Simon}}</ref> sold more than a million copies.<ref name="demaria">DeMaria, Rusel and Wilson, Johnny L. (2004) ''High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games'' McGraw-Hill/Osborne, Berkeley, Calif., p. 347, {{ISBN|0-07-223172-6}}</ref> It employed an advanced parser by Stuart Richie and had real-time elements. Even if the player didn't enter commands, the story would move on.<ref name="demaria" /> In 1985 Greg Barnett's two-player [[martial arts]] game ''[[The Way of the Exploding Fist]]'' helped define the genre of one-on-one fighting games on the home computer.<ref name="demaria" /> The game won Best Overall Game at the [[Golden Joystick Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joysticks-ultimate-list-ultimate-games-1983-2014/ | title=Golden Joysticks Awards' ultimate list of ultimate winners: 1983 - 2016 | publisher=GamesRadar.com | access-date=2017-12-31}}</ref>
In the early years, two of Beam's programs were milestones in their respective genres. ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|The Hobbit]]'', a 1982 text adventure by Philip Mitchell and [[Veronika Megler]],<ref>{{citation|title=Author of '80s classic ''The Hobbit'' didn't know game was a hit|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/18/hobbit_author_veronika_megler_reminisces/|publisher=[[The Register]]|date=18 November 2012|access-date=10 December 2012|last=Sharwood|first=Simon}}</ref> sold more than 500,000 copies.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.beam.com.au/E3/comphist.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971021035824/http://www.beam.com.au/E3/comphist.htm|title=Beam Software Company History|website=beam.com.au|archive-date=October 21, 1997|access-date=March 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Fred|last=Milgrom|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97755746/the-age/|title=Innovator keeps firing|newspaper=[[The Age]]|page=14|date=September 29, 1997|access-date=March 25, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> It employed an advanced parser by Stuart Richie and had real-time elements. Even if the player didn't enter commands, the story would move on.<ref name="demaria">DeMaria, Rusel and Wilson, Johnny L. (2004) ''High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games'' McGraw-Hill/Osborne, Berkeley, Calif., p. 347, {{ISBN|0-07-223172-6}}</ref> In 1985 Greg Barnett's two-player [[martial arts]] game ''[[The Way of the Exploding Fist]]'' helped define the genre of one-on-one fighting games on the home computer.<ref name="demaria" /> The game won Best Overall Game at the [[Golden Joystick Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joysticks-ultimate-list-ultimate-games-1983-2014/ | title=Golden Joysticks Awards' ultimate list of ultimate winners: 1983 - 2016 | date=27 October 2017 | publisher=GamesRadar.com | access-date=2017-12-31}}</ref>


In 1987 Beam's UK publishing arm,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=12-18 February 1987|title=Mastertronic Buys Melbourne House|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=2946&page=4|magazine=Popular Computing Weekly|pages=4}}</ref> Melbourne House, was sold to [[Mastertronic]] for £850,000.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guter |first=Arthur |title=A History of Mastertronic |url=http://www.aguter.plus.com/mastertronic/mastertronic_history.htm |website=Mastertronic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224213520/http://www.aguter.plus.com/mastertronic/mastertronic_history.htm |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |date=June 2016}}</ref> Beam chairman Alfred Milgrom recounted, "...around 1987 a lot of our U.K. people went on to other companies and at around the same time the industry was moving from 8-bit to 16-bit. It was pretty chaotic. We didn't have the management depth at that time to run both the publishing and development sides of things, so we ended up selling off the whole Melbourne House publishing side to Mastertronic."<ref name=NGen33/> Subsequent games were released through varying publishers. The 1988 fighting games ''[[Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo|Samurai Warrior]]'' and ''Fist +'', the third instalment in the Exploding Fist series, were published through Telecomsoft's [[Telecomsoft#Firebird|Firebird]] label. 1988 also saw the release of space-[[shoot'em-up]] ''Bedlam'', published by GO!, one of [[U.S. Gold]]'s labels, and ''[[The Muncher]]'', published by [[Gremlin Graphics]].
In 1987 Beam's UK publishing arm,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=12-18 February 1987|title=Mastertronic Buys Melbourne House|url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=2946&page=4|magazine=Popular Computing Weekly|pages=4}}</ref> Melbourne House, was sold to [[Mastertronic]] for £850,000.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guter |first=Arthur |title=A History of Mastertronic |url=http://www.aguter.plus.com/mastertronic/mastertronic_history.htm |website=Mastertronic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224213520/http://www.aguter.plus.com/mastertronic/mastertronic_history.htm |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |date=June 2016}}</ref> Beam chairman Alfred Milgrom recounted, "...around 1987 a lot of our U.K. people went on to other companies and at around the same time the industry was moving from 8-bit to 16-bit. It was pretty chaotic. We didn't have the management depth at that time to run both the publishing and development sides of things, so we ended up selling off the whole Melbourne House publishing side to Mastertronic."<ref name=NGen33/> Subsequent games were released through varying publishers. The 1988 fighting games ''[[Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo|Samurai Warrior]]'' and ''Fist +'', the third instalment in the Exploding Fist series, were published through Telecomsoft's [[Telecomsoft#Firebird|Firebird]] label. 1988 also saw the release of space-[[shoot'em-up]] ''Bedlam'', published by GO!, one of [[U.S. Gold]]'s labels, and ''[[The Muncher]]'', published by [[Gremlin Graphics]].
Line 39: Line 39:


=== 2000s ===
=== 2000s ===
They continued to cement a reputation as a racing game developer with ''[[Le Mans 24 Hours (video game)|Le Mans 24 Hours]]'' and ''[[Looney Tunes: Space Race]]'' (both [[Dreamcast]] and [[PlayStation 2]]), followed by ''[[Grand Prix Challenge]]'' ([[PlayStation 2]]), before going into third-person shooters with ''[[Men in Black II: Alien Escape]]'' ([[PlayStation 2]], [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/men-in-black-ii-alien-escape|title=Men in Black II: Alien Escape|website=Metacritic|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref>
They continued to cement a reputation as a racing game developer with ''[[Le Mans 24 Hours (video game)|Le Mans 24 Hours]]'' and ''[[Looney Tunes: Space Race]]'' (both [[Dreamcast]] and [[PlayStation 2]]), followed by ''[[Grand Prix Challenge]]'' ([[PlayStation 2]]), before going into third-person shooters with ''[[Men in Black II: Alien Escape]]'' ([[PlayStation 2]], [[GameCube]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/men-in-black-ii-alien-escape/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=Men in Black II: Alien Escape|website=Metacritic|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref>


In 2004 the studio released ''[[Transformers Armada#PlayStation 2 video game|Transformers]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] [[games console]] based on the then current [[Transformers Armada]] franchise by [[Hasbro]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Dunham |first=Jeremy |date=2003-12-09 |title=Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon Hands-On |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/09/transformers-armada-prelude-to-energon-hands-on |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The game reached the top of the UK [[PlayStation 2]] games charts, making it Melbourne House's most successful recent title.
In 2004 the studio released ''[[Transformers Armada#PlayStation 2 video game|Transformers]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] [[games console]] based on the then current [[Transformers Armada]] franchise by [[Hasbro]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Dunham |first=Jeremy |date=2003-12-09 |title=Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon Hands-On |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/09/transformers-armada-prelude-to-energon-hands-on |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The game reached the top of the UK [[PlayStation 2]] games charts, making it Melbourne House's most successful recent title.
Line 55: Line 55:
* 1984: ''[[Castle of Terror]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Hampstead (computer game)|Hampstead]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Mugsy (video game)|Mugsy]]'' (ZX Spectrum), ''[[Sherlock (video game)|Sherlock]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''Zim Sala Bim'' (Commodore 64)
* 1984: ''[[Castle of Terror]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Hampstead (computer game)|Hampstead]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Mugsy (video game)|Mugsy]]'' (ZX Spectrum), ''[[Sherlock (video game)|Sherlock]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), ''Zim Sala Bim'' (Commodore 64)
* 1985: ''[[Gyroscope (video game)|Gyroscope]]'', ''[[Lord of the Rings: Game One]]'', ''[[Terrormolinos]]'', ''[[Way of the Exploding Fist|The Way of the Exploding Fist]]'' (Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum)
* 1985: ''[[Gyroscope (video game)|Gyroscope]]'', ''[[Lord of the Rings: Game One]]'', ''[[Terrormolinos]]'', ''[[Way of the Exploding Fist|The Way of the Exploding Fist]]'' (Acorn Electron, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum)
* 1986: ''[[Asterix and the Magic Cauldron]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asterix and the Magic Cauldron [Commodore 64/128] {{!}} Melbourne House {{!}} 1986 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/100089--asterix-and-the-magic-cauldron-computer-game-for-commodore-64128/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''Fist: The Legend Continues'' (Antstream, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fist: The Legend Continues (1986) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/fist-the-legend-continues |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Judge Dredd (1986 video game)|Judge Dredd]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-19 |title=A brief history of 2000AD's 8-bit games |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-brief-history-of-2000ads-8-bit-games |access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref> ''Knuckle Busters'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Knuckle Busters (1986) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/knuckle-busters |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Mugsy's Revenge]]'', ''Rock 'n' Wrestle''
* 1986: ''[[Asterix and the Magic Cauldron]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asterix and the Magic Cauldron [Commodore 64/128] {{!}} Melbourne House {{!}} 1986 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/100089--asterix-and-the-magic-cauldron-computer-game-for-commodore-64128/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''Fist: The Legend Continues'' Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fist: The Legend Continues (1986) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/fist-the-legend-continues |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Judge Dredd (1986 video game)|Judge Dredd]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-19 |title=A brief history of 2000AD's 8-bit games |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-brief-history-of-2000ads-8-bit-games |access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref> ''Knuckle Busters'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Knuckle Busters (1986) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/knuckle-busters |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Mugsy's Revenge]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-055/page/n27/mode/2up?view=theater |access-date=30 October 2023 |title=CVG Magazine Issue 055 |date=May 1986 }}</ref> ''[[Rock'n Wrestle]]''
* 1987: ''[[Bad Street Brawler]]'' (Commodore 64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum),<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bad Street Brawler [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1989 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119672--bad-street-brawler-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Inspector Gadget and the Circus of Fear]]'' (Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget and the Circus of !!Fear!! (1987) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/inspector-gadget-and-the-circus-of-fear |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Shadows of Mordor]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Commodore 64, Macintosh, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Bop'n Rumble|Street Hassle]]'' (Commodore 64, MS-DOS, NES, ZX Spectrum)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Bop%27n_Rumble|title=Bop'n Rumble - C64-Wiki|website=www.c64-wiki.com}}</ref>
* 1987: ''[[Inspector Gadget and the Circus of Fear]]'' (Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget and the Circus of !!Fear!! (1987) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/inspector-gadget-and-the-circus-of-fear |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Shadows of Mordor]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Commodore 64, Macintosh, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum), ''[[Bop'n Rumble|Street Hassle]]'' (Commodore 64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Bop%27n_Rumble|title=Bop'n Rumble - C64-Wiki|website=www.c64-wiki.com}}</ref>
* 1988: ''[[Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref name="GSpyBio">{{cite web | publisher = Gamespy | title = Company bio: Beam Software | url = http://www.gamespy.com/company/026/026025.html | access-date = 9 August 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Muncher]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Muncher at Spectrum Computing - Sinclair ZX Spectrum games, software and hardware |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=3323 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=Spectrum Computing |language=en}}</ref>
* 1988: ''[[Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo]]'' (Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum),<ref name="GSpyBio">{{cite web | publisher = Gamespy | title = Company bio: Beam Software | url = http://www.gamespy.com/company/026/026025.html | access-date = 9 August 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Muncher]]'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Muncher at Spectrum Computing - Sinclair ZX Spectrum games, software and hardware |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=3323 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=Spectrum Computing |language=en}}</ref>
* 1989: ''[[Back to the Future (1989 video game)|Back to the Future]]'' (NES), ''[[Bad Street Brawler]]'' (NES),<ref name=":3" /> ''Aussie Games'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum)
* 1989: ''[[720°]]'' (NES), ''[[Back to the Future (1989 video game)|Back to the Future]]'' (NES), ''[[Bad Street Brawler]]'' (NES),<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bad Street Brawler [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1989 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119672--bad-street-brawler-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''Aussie Games'' (Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum), [[Sgt. Slaughter's Mat Wars|Sgt. Slaughter’s Mat Wars]] (Commodore 64)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Worth |first=Jason |title=Sgt. Slaughter's Mat Wars {{!}} WWE Games & Wrestling Games Database |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/games/sgt-slaughter-s-mat-wars |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The SmackDown Hotel |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* 1990: ''[[Back to the Future Part II & III]]'' (NES), ''[[Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum]]'' (NES), ''[[Boulder Dash]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[NBA All-Star Challenge]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[The Punisher (1990 NES video game)|The Punisher]]'' (NES),<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Punisher [computer game] {{!}} LJN Entertainment, Inc. {{!}} 1990 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119714--the-punisher-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''Road Blasters'' (NES), ''Bigfoot'' (NES)
* 1990: ''[[Back to the Future Part II & III]]'' (NES), ''[[Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum]]'' (NES), ''[[Fisher-Price#Video games|Fisher-Price: Perfect Fit]]'' (NES), ''[[Boulder Dash (video game)|Boulder Dash]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[NBA All-Star Challenge]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[The Punisher (1990 NES video game)|The Punisher]]'' (NES),<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Punisher [computer game] {{!}} LJN Entertainment, Inc. {{!}} 1990 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119714--the-punisher-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''Road Blasters'' (NES), ''[[Bigfoot (video game)|Bigfoot]]'' (NES), ''[[Battle Chess]]'' (NES)
* 1991: ''[[Choplifter II]]'' (Game Boy),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Choplifter II [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1991 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119676--choplifter-ii-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Hunt for Red October (console game)|Hunt for Red October]]'' (Game Boy, NES), ''[[Smash TV#Ports|Smash TV]]'' (NES), ''Family Feud'' (NES), ''[[J. R. R. Tolkien's Riders of Rohan]]'' (MS-DOS), ''[[Aussie Rules Footy]]'' (NES),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aussie Rules Footy [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1991 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119670--aussie-rules-footy-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Power Punch II]]'' (NES), ''[[Star Wars (1991 video game)|Star Wars]]'' (NES)
* 1991: ''[[Choplifter II]]'' (Game Boy),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Choplifter II [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1991 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119676--choplifter-ii-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Hunt for Red October (console game)|Hunt for Red October]]'' (Game Boy, NES), ''[[Smash TV#Ports|Smash TV]]'' (NES), ''Family Feud'' (NES), ''[[J. R. R. Tolkien's Riders of Rohan]]'' (MS-DOS), ''[[Aussie Rules Footy]]'' (NES),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aussie Rules Footy [computer game] {{!}} Laser Beam (Beam Software) {{!}} 1991 {{!}} ACMI collection |url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/119670--aussie-rules-footy-computer-game/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Power Punch II]]'' (NES), ''[[Star Wars (1991 video game)|Star Wars]]'' (NES)
* 1992: ''[[Aussie Rules Footy]]'' (NES),<ref name=":0" /> ''[[International Cricket]]'' (NES),<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Nightshade (1992 video game)|Nightshade]]'' (NES), ''[[T2: The Arcade Game]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[NBA All-Star Challenge 2]]'' (Game Boy), ''Tom and Jerry'' (Game Boy), ''Super Smash TV'' (SNES), ''[[George Foreman's KO Boxing]]'' (Game Boy)
* 1992: ''[[Aussie Rules Footy]]'' (NES),<ref name=":0" /> ''[[International Cricket]]'' (NES),<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Nightshade (1992 video game)|Nightshade]]'' (NES), ''[[T2: The Arcade Game]]'' (Game Boy), ''[[NBA All-Star Challenge 2]]'' (Game Boy), ''Tom and Jerry'' (Game Boy), ''Super Smash TV'' (SNES), ''[[George Foreman's KO Boxing]]'' (Game Boy)
Line 67: Line 67:
* 1995: ''[[Bug!]]'' (PC port), ''[[Cricket (video game series)#Cricket 96|Cricket 96]]'' (MS-DOS)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cricket 96 for DOS (1996) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/cricket-96 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref>
* 1995: ''[[Bug!]]'' (PC port), ''[[Cricket (video game series)#Cricket 96|Cricket 96]]'' (MS-DOS)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cricket 96 for DOS (1996) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/cricket-96 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref>
* 1996: ''5 in One Fun Pak'' (GG); ''[[Wildcats (comics)#Video game|WildC.A.T.S]]'' (SNES)
* 1996: ''5 in One Fun Pak'' (GG); ''[[Wildcats (comics)#Video game|WildC.A.T.S]]'' (SNES)
* 1997: ''Caesars Palace'' (PlayStation),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caesars Palace for PlayStation (1997) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/caesars-palace_ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Cricket 97]]'' (MS-DOS, Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=1997-06-07 |title=Chairman's Report to Beam International Limited Shareholders |url=http://www.beam.com.au/1103972.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970607085724/http://www.beam.com.au/1103972.htm |archive-date=1997-07-07 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=beam.com.au}}</ref>
* 1997: ''Caesars Palace'' (PlayStation),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caesars Palace for PlayStation (1997) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/caesars-palace_ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> ''[[Cricket 97]]'' (MS-DOS, Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=1997-06-07 |title=Chairman's Report to Beam International Limited Shareholders |url=http://www.beam.com.au/1103972.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970607085724/http://www.beam.com.au/1103972.htm |archive-date=1997-06-07 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=beam.com.au}}</ref>
* 1997: ''[[KKnD (video game)|Krush, Kill 'n' Destroy]]'' (MS-DOS, Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 1997 |title=Beam announces Release Date For KKnD |url=http://www.beam.com.au/2602971.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970607085659/http://www.beam.com.au/2602971.htm |archive-date=June 7, 1997 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=beam.com.au}}</ref>
* 1997: ''[[KKnD (video game)|Krush, Kill 'n' Destroy]]'' (MS-DOS, Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 1997 |title=Beam announces Release Date For KKnD |url=http://www.beam.com.au/2602971.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970607085659/http://www.beam.com.au/2602971.htm |archive-date=June 7, 1997 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=beam.com.au}}</ref>
* 1998: ''[[DethKarz|Dethkarz]]'' (Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gentry |first=Perry |date=30 October 1998 |title=What's in Stores Next Week (We Think) |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2233,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817181921/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2233,00.html |archive-date=17 August 2000 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=[[CNET#Gamecenter|CNET Gamecenter]] |publisher=[[CNET]]}}</ref>
* 1998: ''[[DethKarz|Dethkarz]]'' (Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gentry |first=Perry |date=30 October 1998 |title=What's in Stores Next Week (We Think) |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2233,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817181921/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2233,00.html |archive-date=17 August 2000 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=[[CNET#Gamecenter|CNET Gamecenter]] |publisher=[[CNET]]}}</ref>
Line 74: Line 74:
* 1999: ''[[GP 500]]'' (PC)
* 1999: ''[[GP 500]]'' (PC)


=== As Infogrames Melbourne House/Atari Melbourne House/Krome Studios Melbourne ===
=== As Infogrames Melbourne House/Atari Melbourne House ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
Line 105: Line 105:
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|2003}}
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|2003}}
| ''[[Men in Black II: Alien Escape]]''{{efn|Ported by [[Torus Games]].}}<ref name=":1" />
| ''[[Men in Black II: Alien Escape]]''{{efn|Ported by [[Tantalus Media|Tantalus]].}}<ref name=":1" />
| [[GameCube]]
| [[GameCube]]
|-
|-
Line 119: Line 119:
| ''[[Test Drive Unlimited]]''{{efn|Ported for [[Eden Games]].}}
| ''[[Test Drive Unlimited]]''{{efn|Ported for [[Eden Games]].}}
| [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
| [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
|}

=== As Krome Studios Melbourne ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Platform(s)
! Publisher(s)
! Note(s)
|-
| {{Dts|2007}}
| ''[[Viva Piñata: Party Animals]]''
| [[Xbox 360]]
| [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
| rowspan="3" | Co-developed with [[Krome Studios]]
|-
| rowspan="4" | {{Dts|2008}}
| ''[[Hellboy: The Science of Evil]]''
| [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]]
| [[Konami]]
|-
| ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed]]''
| [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
| [[Lucasarts]]
|-
| ''[[Scene It? Box Office Smash]]''
| [[Xbox 360]]
| [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|-
| ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Duels]]''
| [[Wii]]
| [[Lucasarts]]
| rowspan="6" | Co-developed with [[Krome Studios]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|2009}}
| ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (video game)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''
| [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 2]]
| [[Activision]]
|-
| ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes]]''
| [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
| [[Lucasarts]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|2010}}
| ''[[Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (video game)|Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole]]''
| [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]]
| [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]]
|-
| ''[[Blade Kitten]]''
| [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]]
| [[Atari]] / [[Krome Studios]]
|-
| {{Dts|2015}}
| ''[[Blade Kitten|Blade Kitten: Episode 2]]''
| [[Microsoft Windows]]
| [[Krome Studios]]
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 19:16, 25 October 2024

Krome Studios Melbourne
FormerlyBeam Software (1980–1993)
Laser Beam Entertainment (1993—1997)
Beam Software
Melbourne House (1997–1999)
Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (1999–2003)
Atari Melbourne House Pty Ltd. (2003–2006)
IndustryVideo games
Founded1980 in Melbourne, Australia
FounderAlfred Milgrom
Naomi Besen
DefunctOctober 15, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-10-15)
Headquarters
Australia Edit this on Wikidata
ProductsThe Hobbit
The Way of the Exploding Fist
Shadowrun
Le Mans 24 Hours
Number of employees
40
ParentInfogrames (1999-2000)
Atari, Inc. (2000–2006)
Krome Studios (2006–2010)
Websitemelbournehouse.com (archived)

Krome Studios Melbourne, originally Beam Software,[1] was an Australian video game development studio founded in 1980 by Alfred Milgrom and Naomi Besen and based in Melbourne, Australia.[2][3] Initially formed to produce books and software to be published by Melbourne House, a company they had established in London in 1977,[1] the studio operated independently from 1987 until 1999, when it was acquired by Infogrames, who changed the name to Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd..[4] In 2006 the studio was sold to Krome Studios.[4]

The name Beam was a contraction of the names of the founders: Naomi Besen and Alfred Milgrom.

History

[edit]

Home computer era

[edit]

In the early years, two of Beam's programs were milestones in their respective genres. The Hobbit, a 1982 text adventure by Philip Mitchell and Veronika Megler,[5] sold more than 500,000 copies.[6][7] It employed an advanced parser by Stuart Richie and had real-time elements. Even if the player didn't enter commands, the story would move on.[8] In 1985 Greg Barnett's two-player martial arts game The Way of the Exploding Fist helped define the genre of one-on-one fighting games on the home computer.[8] The game won Best Overall Game at the Golden Joystick Awards.[9]

In 1987 Beam's UK publishing arm,[10] Melbourne House, was sold to Mastertronic for £850,000.[11] Beam chairman Alfred Milgrom recounted, "...around 1987 a lot of our U.K. people went on to other companies and at around the same time the industry was moving from 8-bit to 16-bit. It was pretty chaotic. We didn't have the management depth at that time to run both the publishing and development sides of things, so we ended up selling off the whole Melbourne House publishing side to Mastertronic."[2] Subsequent games were released through varying publishers. The 1988 fighting games Samurai Warrior and Fist +, the third instalment in the Exploding Fist series, were published through Telecomsoft's Firebird label. 1988 also saw the release of space-shoot'em-up Bedlam, published by GO!, one of U.S. Gold's labels, and The Muncher, published by Gremlin Graphics.

Shift to consoles and PCs

[edit]

In 1987 Nintendo granted a developer's licence for the NES and Beam developed games on that platform for US and Japanese publishers. Targeted at an Australian audience, releases such as Aussie Rules Footy and International Cricket for the NES proved successful.[12] In 1992 they released the original title Nightshade, a dark superhero comedy game. The game was meant to be the first part in a series, but no sequels were ever made; however, it served as the basis for Shadowrun. Released in 1993, Shadowrun also used an innovative dialogue system using the acquisition of keywords which could be used in subsequent conversations to initiate new branches in the dialogue tree. Also in 1993 they released Baby T-Rex, a Game Boy platform game that the developer actively sought to adapt the game to a number of different licensed properties in different countries around the world including the animated film We're Back! in North America and the puppet character Agro in their home country of Australia.[13]

In 1997, Beam relaunched the Melbourne House brand,[14] under which they published the PC titles Krush Kill 'n' Destroy (KKND), and the sequels KKND Xtreme and KKND2: Krossfire.[15] They released KKND2 in South Korea well before they released it in the American and European markets, and pirated versions of the game were available on the internet before it was available in stores in the U.S. They were the developers of the 32-bit versions of Norse By Norse West: The Return of the Lost Vikings for the Sega Saturn, PlayStation and PC in 1996.[15] They also helped produce SNES games such as WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling, Super Smash TV and an updated version of International Cricket titled Super International Cricket.[15] They ported the Sega Saturn game Bug! to Windows 3.x in August 1996.

1998 saw a return to RPGs with Alien Earth, again with a dialogue tree format.[16] Also in 1998, the studio developed racing games DethKarz[15] and GP 500.

In 1999 Beam Software was acquired by Infogrames and renamed to Infogrames Melbourne House Pty Ltd.

2000s

[edit]

They continued to cement a reputation as a racing game developer with Le Mans 24 Hours and Looney Tunes: Space Race (both Dreamcast and PlayStation 2), followed by Grand Prix Challenge (PlayStation 2), before going into third-person shooters with Men in Black II: Alien Escape (PlayStation 2, GameCube).[17]

In 2004 the studio released Transformers for the PlayStation 2 games console based on the then current Transformers Armada franchise by Hasbro.[18] The game reached the top of the UK PlayStation 2 games charts, making it Melbourne House's most successful recent title.

The studio then completed work on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable ports of Eden's next-generation Xbox 360 title Test Drive: Unlimited.

In December 2005, Atari decided to shift away from internal development, seeking to sell its studios, including Melbourne House.[19] In November 2006, Krome Studios acquired Melbourne House from Atari and was renamed to Krome Studios Melbourne.[20] It was closed on 15 October 2010, along with the main Brisbane office. Next to the game development, Beam Software also had the division Smarty Pants Publishing Pty Ltd., that created software titles for kids, as well as the proprietary video compression technology VideoBeam, and Famous Faces, a facial motion capture hardware and software solution.

Games

[edit]

As Beam Software

[edit]

As Infogrames Melbourne House/Atari Melbourne House

[edit]
Year Title Platform(s) Publisher(s)
2000 Le Mans 24 Hours Dreamcast Infogrames
Looney Tunes: Space Race
2001 Le Mans 24 Hours PlayStation 2
2002 Space Race
Le Mans 24 Hours Windows
Men in Black II: Alien Escape[17] PlayStation 2
Grand Prix Challenge
2003 Men in Black II: Alien Escape[a][17] GameCube
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines[b] PlayStation 2, Xbox Atari
2004 Transformers[18] PlayStation 2
2007 Test Drive Unlimited[c] PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable

As Krome Studios Melbourne

[edit]
Year Title Platform(s) Publisher(s) Note(s)
2007 Viva Piñata: Party Animals Xbox 360 Microsoft Game Studios Co-developed with Krome Studios
2008 Hellboy: The Science of Evil Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Konami
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable Lucasarts
Scene It? Box Office Smash Xbox 360 Microsoft Game Studios
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Duels Wii Lucasarts Co-developed with Krome Studios
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Wii, PlayStation 2 Activision
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable Lucasarts
2010 Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Blade Kitten Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Atari / Krome Studios
2015 Blade Kitten: Episode 2 Microsoft Windows Krome Studios

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Crookes, David. "The Wizards of Oz". Retro Gamer. No. 36. Imagine. pp. 38–42.
  2. ^ a b "NG Alphas: Melbourne House". Next Generation. No. 33. Imagine Media. September 1997. pp. 116–8.
  3. ^ "CRASH 3 - Melbourne House". www.crashonline.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Beam Software Timeline". Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)"Beam Software Timeline". Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Documentation for a 2007 exhibition.
  5. ^ Sharwood, Simon (18 November 2012), Author of '80s classic The Hobbit didn't know game was a hit, The Register, retrieved 10 December 2012
  6. ^ "Beam Software Company History". beam.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 October 1997. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  7. ^ Milgrom, Fred (29 September 1997). "Innovator keeps firing". The Age. p. 14. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b DeMaria, Rusel and Wilson, Johnny L. (2004) High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games McGraw-Hill/Osborne, Berkeley, Calif., p. 347, ISBN 0-07-223172-6
  9. ^ "Golden Joysticks Awards' ultimate list of ultimate winners: 1983 - 2016". GamesRadar.com. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Mastertronic Buys Melbourne House". Popular Computing Weekly. 12–18 February 1987. p. 4.
  11. ^ Guter, Arthur (June 2016). "A History of Mastertronic". Mastertronic. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018.
  12. ^ a b c "Why Cricket video games are vital to Australia's national identity". GamesHub. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  13. ^ Mansfield, Dylan (24 February 2019). "Baby T-Rex: The Game Revised 10 Times". Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ "In the Studio". Next Generation. No. 29. Imagine Media. May 1997. p. 17.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Company bio: Beam Software". Gamespy. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  16. ^ Al Giovetti. "Alien Earth". The Computer Show.
  17. ^ a b c "Men in Black II: Alien Escape". Metacritic. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  18. ^ a b Dunham, Jeremy (9 December 2003). "Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon Hands-On". IGN. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  19. ^ Foster, Lisa (17 February 2006). "Atari plans studio sell-off". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  20. ^ "Krome Studios expands with new studio in Melbourne". Krome Studios. 3 November 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  21. ^ "Strike Force (TRS-80)". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Penetrator (1982)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  23. ^ "H.U.R.G. [Spectrum 48K] | Melbourne House | 1983 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Asterix and the Magic Cauldron [Commodore 64/128] | Melbourne House | 1986 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Fist: The Legend Continues (1986)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  26. ^ "A brief history of 2000AD's 8-bit games". Eurogamer.net. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Knuckle Busters (1986)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  28. ^ "CVG Magazine Issue 055". May 1986. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Inspector Gadget and the Circus of !!Fear!! (1987)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  30. ^ "Bop'n Rumble - C64-Wiki". www.c64-wiki.com.
  31. ^ "The Muncher at Spectrum Computing - Sinclair ZX Spectrum games, software and hardware". Spectrum Computing. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  32. ^ "Bad Street Brawler [computer game] | Laser Beam (Beam Software) | 1989 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  33. ^ Worth, Jason. "Sgt. Slaughter's Mat Wars | WWE Games & Wrestling Games Database". The SmackDown Hotel. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  34. ^ "The Punisher [computer game] | LJN Entertainment, Inc. | 1990 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Choplifter II [computer game] | Laser Beam (Beam Software) | 1991 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  36. ^ "Aussie Rules Footy [computer game] | Laser Beam (Beam Software) | 1991 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  37. ^ "Shadowrun [SNES] | Data East USA | 1992 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  38. ^ Fahs, Travis (21 November 2008). "Rescue Me: The History of Choplifter". IGN. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  39. ^ "Stargate [computer game] | Acclaim Entertainment Ltd | 1994 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  40. ^ "Super International Cricket [computer game] | Nintendo | 1994 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  41. ^ "The Dame Was Loaded [DOS] | Philips Interactive Media, Inc. | 1996 | ACMI collection". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  42. ^ "Cricket 96 for DOS (1996)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  43. ^ "Caesars Palace for PlayStation (1997)". MobyGames. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  44. ^ "Chairman's Report to Beam International Limited Shareholders". beam.com.au. 7 June 1997. Archived from the original on 7 June 1997. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Beam announces Release Date For KKnD". beam.com.au. 26 February 1997. Archived from the original on 7 June 1997. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  46. ^ Gentry, Perry (30 October 1998). "What's in Stores Next Week (We Think)". CNET Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  1. ^ Ported by Tantalus.
  2. ^ Support developer for Black Ops Entertainment, worked on sound design.
  3. ^ Ported for Eden Games.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Beam_Software&oldid=1253394157"