Last Updated 5th May 2019
The BBC Games Archive - digital memories
Audiogenic
A big company, but one which spread its resources throughout the 8-bit platforms, never really dedicating to one platform, and consequently it was much respected, but never really had the image of 'belonging' to one machine, like Ultimate Play The Game (the speccy) and Superior Software. The games were good, the star programmers were undoubtably the multi-talented Peter Scott and the technically amazing Gary Partis.
Audiogenic were orginally set up by Martin Maynard, and based down in Theale, Berkshire. This all changed when the MD of Supersoft - Peter Calver, bought a 50% stake in the company, and it became a different legal entity - ASL.
For a while, the company stayed in Theale, and when Icon Software got into financial difficulties ASL bought the rights to all their games and oher assets such as the Newcastle-based development team, which included Gary Partis.
Darryl Still ran this new 'arm' of ASL, heading up the northern development team, re-releasing some of the old Icon titles, and launching new projects with this team (Thunderstruck, Psycastria et al.), whilst developing titles such as Ziggy from the berkshire based authors like Dean Lester.
The joint Managing Directorship of Peter Calver and Martin Maynard was not a happy one, apparently both were very strong personalities and both wanted control of the company, and in the end, Martin Maynard sold out his 50% of the company to Peter Calver, and went to set up Maynard International and the budget arm of that company, Top Ten.
ASL re-located to the old Supersoft offices in Harrow, London. Shark, Loopz and Helter Skelter are all titles developed in this phase of ASL's lifetime.
By this time, the northern development teams contracts were all finishing up, so Gary Partis and Peter Scott and the rest all became free agents and went on to develop for other companies. Darryl Still (despite offers from both Calver to continue with ASL and Maynard to work for Maynard International) also left and founded his own label, Godax.
Audiogenic are still around today, though they are very much smaller now than they ever were before, the website address is:
Please contact me if you have any additional information about the company or its games!
BBC Bonanza
Released:
Author: Unknown
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A compilation disk by Audiogenic, this came as an 80t flippy disk, and has on it: Psychastria, Thunderstruck, Ultron, Contraption, Wizzys Mansion, Space Ranger and Last Of The Free.
Blast
Released:
Author: Unknown
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A great game this one, you are in control of a floating space ship, a bit like the one from Thrust, but much smaller on the screen. You have to blast your way through everything that moves on the screen.When you have blown up everything, you move on to the next level. It is quite hard because you have to balance the ship and stop it from smashing into any aliens/walls as well as firing. It is great fun to play, and highly original. The graphics are well done, as is the sound.
Breakthrough
Released:
Author: Unknown
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Puzzle game in which you have to place blocks and melt them in order to get to the keys hidden somewhere on the screen. It is quite difficult and the gameplay is very good. Graphics are maybe a tiny bit on the poor side, but this doesn't matter as the puzzles take the focus off them. Definitely worth a few plays!
Bug Eyes 2
Released:
Author: Unknown
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A platform game in which you have to guide the spaceman around the levels. It is very annoying, partly because most of it is not actually controlled by you, you just see graphical displays of the man moving on a bike extra (which are actually done quite well). The worst thing is that you cannot fire, simply move left or right, and there are a lot of enemies! The graphics are good.....shame about the gameplay.
Complete BBC
Released:
Author: Unknown
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Bug Eyes 1 and 2, Drain Mania, Flip, Chrysalis, Genesis Project, International Megasports
Despatch Rider
Released:
Author: Unknown
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This is a really enjoyable game, you ride a motorbike, and have to get through the level by dodging various objects, jumping over ramps, and collecting power-ups. The action is viewed from the side on, and you move the bike up or down, and can speed it up or slow it down. The graphics are good, if a bit green, and it is great fun to play for a while, but sometimes you do get confused about where you need to move.
Emlyn Hughes Sports
Released:
Author: Unknown
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Quiz show with the old Question Of Sport team leader asking the questions. It's pretty good fun, the questions aren't too difficult, and the graphics are also pretty good. Worth playing if you like to test your trivia knowledge.
Fab Four
Released:
Author: Unknown
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Compilation with Sphere of Destiny 2, Thunderstruck 2, Psycastria 2 and Omega Orb.
Fab Four 2
Released:
Author: Unknown
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Another compilation with Ransack, Ziggy, Despatch Rider and Impact on.
Fruit Raid
Released:
Author: Unknown
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