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− | + | {| align="center" valign="top" | |
+ | [[Image:Amsoft_logo_shadow.png|center|500px]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
− | + | == Background == | |
+ | The software wing of [[Amstrad]], '''Amsoft''' was created with one very specific goal: to get software on the shelves for the launch of the [[CPC old generation|CPC 464]]. [[Amstrad]] owner [[Alan M. Sugar|Alan Sugar]] viewed this as a key component of his strategy for entering the already crowded British home micro market in the mid-1980s. [[Alan M. Sugar|Sugar]] was determined not to make the same mistake as the people behind already doomed machines like the [[Dragon 32]] and [[Oric 1/Atmos|Oric]] and saw a strong software base as a necessity if he was to break the stranglehold of the more established trio of machines being produced by [[Acorn]], [[Commodore]] and [[Sinclair]]. | ||
− | + | This domination of the home micro market made it difficult for any manufacturer to make an impact, particularly a new start in the industry, as the software industry in the UK had not reached its full potential by this point and those companies who had began to establish themselves were mostly unwilling to take a gamble on the expensive production of software for a machine with no user base. | |
− | == Games == | + | [[Alan M. Sugar|Sugar]]'s idea was to take a calculated risk. He reasoned that with the amount of money being invested into producing the machine, a dedicated software wing would be a relatively low additional cost with a potentially high yield return - if his software company got a cut of every game sold then they would soon re-coup at least part of the expenditure particularly when the user base grew enough to have third party developers approaching '''Amsoft''' to publish their games. |
+ | |||
+ | Amsoft was also place in charge of administrating and running the [[Amstrad User Club]] and the publication of [[Amstrad Computer User]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Early Days === | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Amsoft''' and its management team, headed up by [[Roland Perry]] and [[William Poel]] both of whom were still heavilly involved in the development of the [[CPC 464]] itself, were given a straight forward brief of getting as much software on to the shelves as possible to support the launch and first years of the machine's life, with a minimum of regard given to the actual quality of the software itself. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Prior to the machine’s launch, the company approached a number of software houses who had made a name for themselves developing for the [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[C64]], provided them with prototype [[CPC]]’s and commissioned the companies to produce software that could support the machine. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Every game and program produced was sold under the '''Amsoft''' label with developers given a credit on the uniform loading screens and spine of the cassette inlay along with a unique [[Amsoft SOFT Numbers|SOFT Number]], all of which helped make the programs stand out on the crowded computer shop shelves. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Unfortunately, despite a raft of quality games like ''[[Manic Miner]]'', ''[[Pyjamarama]]'' and ''[[Codename MAT]]'' appearing under the label's distinct and brightly coloured livery, '''Amsoft''' quickly developed a bit of a bad reputation in the industry from both frustrated developers unhappy with the cut of profits being taken by '''Amsoft''' through to the games players themselves who became disgruntled at paying top prices (£8.95 per game at a time when new [[ZX Spectrum]] releases were priced at £5.95) for poor titles. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As a result companies such as [[Ocean]] and [[Elite Systems]] decided to strike out on their own, releasing their games under their own labels as they did with other machines, now that the user base had begun to be established. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Roland === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The earliest success for Amsoft, and it's biggest legacy, was the [[Roland]] series. Named after [[Roland Perry]], the character was used as the basis for a number of games none of which (with the exception of ''[[Roland in Time]]'' and ''[[Roland in Space]]'') had anything to do with each other! Instead, the Roland brand was added almost arbitrarily to a selection of games from different developers and all of which sold by the bucket load, regardless of the quality of game itself. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | [[Roland]]’s status as a [[CPC]] icon was firmly established when two of the titles, ''[[Roland on the Ropes]]'' and ''[[Roland in the Caves]]'', were sold as part of the CPC 464 bundle from the beginning of 1985 making [[Roland]]’s games amongst the first played by a large proportion of the [[CPC]] games playing market. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Despite this success and his popularity, the [[Roland]] character was shelved as the company attempted to shed the image it had created for itself of allowing any game to be published under their name. [[Roland]] was felt to be indicative of this approach and he was quietly phased out following the release of ''[[Roland in Space]]''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Decline === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The loss of so many early supporters of the CPC as developers was a blow to the company. As well as [[Ocean]] and [[Elite Systems]], the company’s working relationships with [[Kuma Computers|Kuma]], [[Durell Software|Durell]], [[Mikro-Gen]] and [[Software Projects]] also soured with each of those companies breaking away from the partnership and releasing games under their own banner. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some of these break-ups were due to the tough negotiating stance taken by '''Amsoft''' who refused to be drawn into making bids for ‘expensive’ software when a cheaper alternative could be sought elsewhere. The most infamous example of this being their decision to not even tender a bid for the rights to produce a [[CPC]] version of [[Elite]], arguably the most successful 8-bit game of all time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Not even the re-packaging of their basic ''[[Snooker]]'' and ''[[Pool]]'' games with celebrity endorsement from World Champion Snooker player, Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins could turn their fortunes around. Something had to be done to stop the rot. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Amsoft Gold === | ||
+ | |||
+ | In an attempt to combat the growing number of third party developers who were releasing games directly on to the system themselves, '''Amsoft''' attempted to re-establish their position as the leading [[CPC]] software house with a re-branding exercise to coincide with a marked increase in quality that was to prove confusing for the consumer. | ||
+ | |||
+ | While maintaining the regular '''Amsoft''' range the company also began releasing games under the '''Amsoft Gold''' banner. These games came packaged in distinctive gold clam cases and were purported to be the best games that the company had to offer. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Linking up with a new batch of companies who were set to have a significant impact on the industry including [[US Gold]] and [[Virgin Games]], ‘’Amsoft’’ had seemed to turn a corner with positive reviews coming in for not only ‘’Amsoft Gold’’ games like ''[[Sorcery +]]'' and ''[[Beach Head]]'' but also releases made on the old label like [[Beyond Software]]’s ''[[Lords of Midnight]]'' and ''[[Alien]]'' from [[Argus Press Software]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Almost inevitably though, this was to be a short lived renaissance as the quality control soon dipped again with sub-par titles appearing for the Gold range and the stigma attached to their earlier policy never fully seemed to lift from the company. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The End === | ||
+ | |||
+ | After a period of inactivity, the final releases which, in the past would’ve been greeted by a blaze of publicity, were almost sneaked out by the company. | ||
+ | |||
+ | All the more strangely, these titles were solid ports of high profile arcade games ''[[Tapper]]'' and ''[[Hard Ball]]''and came out at a time when former partners [[US Gold]], [[Elite Systems]] and [[Ocean]] were leading the charge with home computer versions of all the most popular arcade games of the time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Amsoft''' seemed almost apologetic for still being involved in the software business and the company finally pulled the plug on their software publishing wing at the beginning if 1987. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Their final game, a conversion of [[Sega]]'s ''[[Spy Hunter]]'' was never released in '''Amsoft''' packagaing and was later brought out by [[US Gold]] as a launch title for their [[US Gold|Kixx]] budget label, the title screen of which still bore the '''Amsoft''' name – a final reminder of this once powerful unit’s presence on the [[CPC]] scene. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Softography == | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Games === | ||
− | |||
*[[Friss Man|Friss Man]] (1985) | *[[Friss Man|Friss Man]] (1985) | ||
*[[Seesaw|Seesaw]] (1985) | *[[Seesaw|Seesaw]] (1985) | ||
*[[Supertripper|Supertripper]] (1985) | *[[Supertripper|Supertripper]] (1985) | ||
− | |||
*[[Kingdoms|Kingdoms]] (1985) | *[[Kingdoms|Kingdoms]] (1985) | ||
*[[Overlord 2|Overlord 2]] (1985) | *[[Overlord 2|Overlord 2]] (1985) | ||
*[[Campeones|Campeones]] (1985) | *[[Campeones|Campeones]] (1985) | ||
− | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" | |
− | + | !''Title''!!''House''!!''Year''!!''{{EN}} Soft N.''!!''{{ES}} Soft N.''!!''{{DE}} Soft N.''!!''{{FR}} Soft N.'' | |
− | + | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[3D Boxing]]||James Software||1985||06025 / 07025|| | + | |[[3D Boxing]]||[[James Software]]||1985||06025 / 07025||AMC-171 / AMD-112||||46025 / 47025 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Cyrus 2 Chess|3D Chess]] | + | |[[Cyrus 2 Chess|3D Chess]]||[[Intelligent Software]]||1985||06026 / 07026||AMC-169 / AMD-110||26026 / 27026||46026 / 47026 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[3D Grand Prix]]||Exopal Software||1985||961 / 1961|| - / | + | |[[3D Grand Prix]]||[[Exopal Software]]||1985||961 / 1961||AMC-170 / AMD-111|||| - / 41961 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[3D Invaders]]||Quark Data|| | + | |[[3D Invaders]]||[[Quark Data]]||1984||136||AMC-142 / S-511||||436 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[3D Stunt Rider]]||DJL Software||1985||183 / 1183|| | + | |[[3D Stunt Rider]]||[[DJL Software]]||1985||183 / 1183||AMC-164||||4183 / - |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hunter Killer|50000 Lieues Sous Les Mers]]||[[Protek Computing]]||1984||135 / 1135||S-135||||435 / 41135 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Admiral Graf Spee]]||Temptation Software||1984||146|||| | + | |[[Admiral Graf Spee]]||[[Temptation Software]]||1984||146||AMC-118 / S-146||||446 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Airwolf]]||[[Elite Systems]]||1985||06011 / 07011|||| | + | |[[Airwolf]]||[[Elite Systems]]||1985||06011 / 07011||AMC-170 / AMD-107||||46011 / 47011 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Cyrus 2 Chess|Ajedrez Tridimensional]]||[[Intelligent Software]]||1985||06026 / 07026||AMC-169 / AMD-110||26026 / 27026||46026 / 47026 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Alex Higgins | + | |[[Alex Higgins World Pool]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||964 / 1964||||2964|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Alex Higgins World Snooker]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||978 / 1978|||||| - / 41190 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Alien | + | |[[Alien (Game)|Alien]]||[[Argus Press Software]]||1985||956 / 1956||AMC-163|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Alien Break In|Alien Break-In]]||[[Romik]]||1984||137||AMC-136 / S-137||237||437 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Admiral Graf Spee|Almirante Graf Spee]]||[[Temptation Software]]||1984||146||AMC-118 / S-146||||446 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Space Hawks|Aguilas del Espacio]]||[[Durell Software]]||1984||177 / 1177||S-115||||477 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[American Football]]||[[Argus Press Software]]||1984||901|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Amsgolf]]||[[Computersmith]]||1984||185 / 1185||S-130||285||485 / 41185 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Assault on Port Stanley|Asalto]]||[[Shirekilo]]||1985||06022 / 07022||AMC-174|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Assault on Port Stanley]]||[[Shirekilo]]||1985||06022 / 07022||AMC-174|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Astro Attack]]||[[Ian Beynon]]||1984||175||S-175||||475 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Atom Smasher]]||[[Romik]]||1984||139||S-139||||439 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Astro Attack|Attaque Astrale]]||[[Ian Beynon]]||1984||175||S-175||||475 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Laserwarp|Attaque au Laser]]||[[Mikro-Gen]]||1984||126||AMC-109 / S-126||||426 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Classic Adventure]]||Abersoft||1984||187|||| | + | |[[Classic Adventure|Aventure Classique]]||[[Abersoft]]||1984||187||||||487 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Beach Head]]||[[US Gold]]/[[Access]]||1985||07001||AMD-113|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Snooker|Billar (Snooker)]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||190 / 1190||S-190||||490 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Blagger]]||[[Alligata Software]]||1984||926||S-506|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Stockmarket|Bourse]]||[[Argus Press Software]]||1985||903||||||4903 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Braxx Bluff]]||[[Micromega]]||1985||955 / 1955||AMC-166|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Bridge-It]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||913||S-503|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Atom Smasher|Briseur D'Atomes]]||[[Romik]]||1984||139||S-139||||439 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Catastrophes]]||[[Andromeda Software]]||1985||934 / 1934||AMC-153||||4934 / 41934 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Catastrophes|Catastrophies]]||[[Andromeda Software]]||1985||934 / 1934||AMC-153||||4934 / 41934 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Centre Court]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||921 / 1921||S-508||2921|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Classic Adventure]]||[[Abersoft]]||1984||187||||||487 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Classic Racing]]||[[Paul Neil]]||1985||928 / 1928|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Codename MAT]]||[[Micromega]]||1984||129 / 1129||S-129||||429 / 41129 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Star Commando|Commandos Galactiques]]||[[Terminal Software]]||1984||147||AMC-119 / S-147||||447 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Crazy Golf]]||[[Mr. Micro]]||1984||149||AMC-140 / S-509||||449 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Cubit]]||[[Mr. Micro]]||1985||166||S-510||266|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Cyrus 2 Chess|Cyrus II Chess]]||[[Intelligent Software]]||1985||06026 / 07026||AMC-169 / AMD-110||26026 / 27026||46026 / 47026 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Detective]]||[[Argus Press Software]]||1984||902||||||4902 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Doors of Doom]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||06047 / 07047||AMC-176|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Dragons]]||[[O. Goodman]]||1985||977 / 1977||AMC-165||||4977 / 41977 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Dragon's Gold]]||[[Romik]]||1985||935 / 1935||||||4935 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Master Chess|Echec et Mat]]||[[Mikro-Gen]]||1984||125 / 1125||S-125||225||425 / 41125 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Spannerman|El Hombre de la LLave Inglesa]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||114 / 1114||AMC-103 / S-114||214||414 / 41114 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Sultan's Maze|El Laberinto del Sultan]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||113||AMC-134 / S-113||||413 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Roland Ahoy!|El Pirata]]||[[Computersmith]]||1984||192 / 1192||AMC-128 / S-502||||492 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Electro Freddy]]||[[Softspot Software]]||1984||144 / 1144||S-144||244||444 / 41144 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Harrier Attack|Exocet]]||[[Durell Software]]||1984||112 / 1112||S-112||212||412 / 41112 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Fantastic Voyage]]||[[Edmonds Software]]||1985||984 / 1984||AMC-148||||4984 / 41984 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Frank 'n' Stein]]||[[PSS Software]]||1985||907||AMC-156 / S-156|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Electro Freddy|Fred L'Electronicien]]||[[Softspot Software]]||1984||144 / 1144||S-144||244||444 / 41144 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Fruit Machine]]||[[Paul Aitman]]||1984||919||AMC-137|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Fu-Kung in Las Vegas]]||[[Romik]]||1985||979 / 1979||||||4979 / 41979 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Gatecrasher]]||[[Exopal Software]]||1985||958||AMC-157|||| / 41958 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Gems of Stradus]]||[[Kuma Computers]]||1984||121||||||421 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Glen Hoddle Soccer]]||[[Shirekilo]]||1985||06021 / 07021||AMC-173 / AMD-115|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Golden Path]]||[[Magic Logic]]||1986||07055|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Grand Prix Driver]]||[[Britannia Software Ltd]]||1984||110||S-110|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Grand Prix Rally II]]||[[Loriciels]]||1985||06012 / 07012||AMC-161 / AMD-108|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hard Ball]]||[[Accolade]]||1986||06063 / 07063|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Harrier Attack]]||[[Durell Software]]||1984||112 / 1112||S-112||212||412 / 41112 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Haunted Hedges]]||[[Micromega]]||1984||128||S-128||||428 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Home Runner]]||[[Britannia Software Ltd]]||1984||109||AMC-100 / S-109|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hunchback]]||[[Ocean]]||1984||132 / 1132||S-132||||432 / 41132 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hunter Killer]]||[[Protek Computing]]||1984||135 / 1135||S-135||||435 / 41135 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[3D Invaders|Invasores]]||[[Quark Data]]||1984||136||AMC-142 / S-511||||436 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Jammin]]||[[Taskset]]||1985||911 / 1911||AMC-150|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Haunted Hedges|Jardins Hantes]]||[[Micromega]]||1984||128||S-128||||428 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Quack a Jack|Jeannot le Rouge]]||[[Paul Shirley]]||1984||181 / 1181||S-181||||481 / 41181 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Jet-Boot Jack]]||[[English Software]]||1985||172||AMC-144|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[L'Apprenti Sorcier]]||[[R. Meyer]]||1984||||||||4202 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Dragon's Gold|L'Or des Dragons]]||[[Romik]]||1985||935 / 1935||||||4935 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[3D Invaders|La Troisieme Dimension]]||[[Quark Data]]||1984||136||AMC-142 / S-511||||436 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Laserwarp]]||[[Mikro-Gen]]||1984||126||S-126||||426 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Crazy Golf|Le Golf des Dingues]]||[[Mr. Micro]]||1984||149||AMC-140 / S-509||||449 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Sultan's Maze|Le Labyrinthe du Sultan]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||113||AMC-134 / S-113||||413 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Spannerman|Le Mecano de la Centrale]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||114 / 1114||AMC-103 / S-114||214||414 / 41114 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Punchy|Le Polichinelle]]||[[Mr. Micro]]||1984||150 / 1150||S-150||250||450 / 41150 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Dragons|Les Dragons]]||[[O. Goodman]]||1985||977 / 1977||AMC-165||||4977 / 41977 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Alien Break In|Les Envahisseurs de L'Audela]]||[[Romik]]||1984||137||S-137||237||437 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Space Hawks|Les Faucons de L'Espace]]||[[Durell Software]]||1984||177 / 1177||S-115||||477 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Doors of Doom|Les Portes du Destin]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||06047 / 07047||AMC-176|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Lords of Midnight]]||[[Beyond Software]]||1985||957 / 1957|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Macrocosmica]]||[[Datacom]]||1986||06042 / 07042|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Manic Miner]]||[[Software Projects]]||1984||173||S-173||273||473 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Master Chess]]||[[Mikro-Gen]]||1984||125 / 1125||S-125||225||425 / 41125 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Mr. Wong's Loopy Laundry]]||[[Artic Computing]]||1984||923||S-505||||4923 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Mutant Monty]]||[[Artic Computing]]||1984||922 / 1922||S-507||||4922 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Codename MAT|Nom de Code : MAT]]||[[Micromega]]||1984||129 / 1129||S-129||||429 / 41129 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Nuclear Defence]]||[[James Software]]||1986||06031 / 07031|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Oh Mummy|Oh Momies!]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||115||AMC-138||215||415 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Oh Mummy|Oh Mummy!]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||115||AMC-138||215||415 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[The Galactic Plague|Plaga Galactica]]||[[Indescomp]]||1984||196||AMC-125 / S-201||||496 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Traffic]]||Andromeda Software||1985||929 / 1929|||| | + | |[[Alex Higgins World Pool|Pool Billard]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||964 / 1964||||2964|| |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Punchy]]||[[Mr. Micro]]||1984||150 / 1150||S-150||250||450 / 41150 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Pyjamarama]]||[[Mikro-Gen]]||1984||943 / 1943||AMC-146 / AMD-104||||4943 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Qabbalah]]||[[Gem Software]]||1986||06062 / 07062|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Quack a Jack]]||[[Paul Shirley]]||1984||181 / 1181||S-181||||481 / 41181 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Hunchback|Quasimodo]]||[[Ocean]]||1984||132 / 1132||S-132||||432 / 41132 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Raid]]||[[US Gold]]/[[Access]]||1985||07002||AMD-116|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Subterranean Stryker|Raid Souterrain]]||[[Insight Software]]||1985||06010 / 07010||AMC-162||||46010 / 47010 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland Ahoy!|Roland a L'Abordage]]||[[Computersmith]]||1984||192 / 1192||AMC-128 / S-502||||492 / | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland Ahoy!]]||[[Computersmith]]||1984||192 / 1192||AMC-128 / S-502||||492 / | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland on the Ropes|Roland aux Oubliettes]]||[[Indescomp]]||1984||118 / 1118||S-118||218||418 / 41118 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland goes Digging|Roland en el Infierno]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||169 / 1169||S-202||269||469 / 41169 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland in Time|Roland en el Tiempo]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||170 / 1170||AMC-115 / S-136||270||470 / 41170 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland on the Run|Roland en Fuite]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||199 / 1199||S-199||||499 / 41199 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland goes Digging|Roland Fait des Petits Trous]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||169 / 1169||S-202||269||469 / 41169 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland goes Digging]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||169 / 1169||S-202||269||469 / 41169 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland goes Square Bashing]]||[[Durell Software]]||1985||937 / 1937||AMC-155||||4937 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland in Space]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||927 / 1927||AMC-145 / AMD-102|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland in the Caves]]||[[Indescomp]]||1984||117 / 1117||S-117||217|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland in Time]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||170 / 1170||AMC-115 / S-136||270||470 / 41170 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland on the Ropes]]||[[Indescomp]]||1984||118 / 1118||S-118||218||418 / 41118 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland on the Run]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||199 / 1199||S-199||||499 / 41199 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland in Time|Roland Voyage dans le Temps]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||170 / 1170||AMC-115 / S-136||270||470 / 41170 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Roland goes Square Bashing|Roland y los Cubos]]||[[Durell Software]]||1985||937 / 1937||AMC-155||||4937 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Grand Prix Rally II|Rally II]]||[[Loriciels]]||1985||06012 / 07012||AMC-161 / AMD-108|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Satellite Warrior]]||[[D. M. Lock]]||1985||949 / 1949|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Snooker]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||190 / 1190||S-190||||490 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Sorcery +]]||[[Virgin Games]]||1985||1983||AMD-109||21983||41983 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Space Hawks]]||[[Durell Software]]||1984||177 / 1177||S-115||||477 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Spannerman]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||114 / 1114||AMC-103 / S-114||214||414 / 41114 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Spitfire 40]]||[[Mirrorsoft]]||1985||07052|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Splat!]]||[[Incentive Software]]||1984||909 / 1909||AMC-139 / S-504||||4909 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Star Commando]]||[[Terminal Software]]||1984||147||AMC-119 / S-147||||447 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Stockmarket]]||[[Argus Press Software]]||1985||903||||||4903 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Strangeloop +]]||[[Virgin Games]]||1985||07058||AMD-119|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Subterranean Stryker]]||[[Insight Software]]||1985||06010 / 07010||AMC-162||||46010 / 47010 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Sultan's Maze]]||[[Gem Software]]||1984||113||AMC-134 / S-113||||413 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Pipeline II]]||[[Taskset]]||1985||987 / 1987||AMC-151||||- / 41987 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Tank Command]]||[[Magic Logic]]||1986||06023 / 07023|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Tapper]]||[[Bally Midway]]/[[Sega]]||1987||06007 / 07007|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Centre Court|Tenis]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||921 / 1921||S-508||2921|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Centre Court|Tennis]]||[[Epicsoft]]||1984||921 / 1921||S-508||2921|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[The Scout Steps Out|Toujours Pret!]]||[[H.R. Software]]||1985||988 / 1988||AMC-147||||4988 / 41988 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Fantastic Voyage|The Fantastic Voyage]]||[[Edmonds Software]]||1985||984 / 1984||AMC-148||||4984 / 41984 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[The Galactic Plague]]||[[Indescomp]]||1984||196||AMC-125 / S-201||||496 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Dragons|The Game of Dragons]]||[[O. Goodman]]||1985||977 / 1977||AMC-165||||4977 / 41977 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[The Key Factor]]||[[Paul Aitman]]||1985||975||AMC-149 / S-149|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[The Prize]]||[[Arcade Software]]||1985||952||AMC-143|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[The Scout Steps Out]]||[[H.R. Software]]||1985||988 / 1988||AMC-147||||4988 / 41988 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Tombstowne]]||[[Premier Software]]||1985||06040 / 07040|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Traffic]]||[[Andromeda Software]]||1985||929 / 1929||AMC-152|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Mr. Wong's Loopy Laundry|Une Lessive Eprouvante pour Monsieur Wong]]||[[Artic Computing]]||1984||923||S-505||||4923 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | == | + | === Compilations === |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" | ||
+ | !''Title''!!''House''!!''Year''!!''{{EN}} Soft N.''!!''{{ES}} Soft N.''!!''{{DE}} Soft N.''!!''{{FR}} Soft N.'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Amsoft 12-Pack]]||Amsoft||||999|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[6128 Games Collection]]||||1986|||||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Amstrad PP5 Compilation Disk|Amstrad PP5 Promotional Pack]]||Amsoft||1987||07073||||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Amstrad PP8 Promotional Pack]]||Amsoft||||||||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Amstrad PP15 Promotional Pack]]||Amsoft/[[Mastertronic]]||1988||||||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Games I]]||Schneider||19--|||||||28565|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Games II]]||Schneider||19--|||||||28566|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Games III]]||Schneider||19--|||||||28756|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Sport I]]||Schneider||19--|||||||28567|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Super Sport II]]||Schneider||19--|||||||28996|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | === Educational Software === | ||
− | {| | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" |
− | + | !''Title''!!''House''!!''Year''!!''{{EN}} Soft N.''!!''{{ES}} Soft N.''!!''{{DE}} Soft N.''!!''{{FR}} Soft N.'' | |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Animal Vegetable Mineral|Animal, Vegetable, Mineral]]||Bourne Educational Software||1984||104 | + | |[[Animal Vegetable Mineral|Animal, Vegetable, Mineral]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||104||AMC 300||||404 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Animal Vegetable Mineral|Animal, Vegetal, Mineral]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||104||AMC 300||||404 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Teach Yourself Amstrad Basic - A Tutorial Guide - Part I|Curso Autodidactico de BASIC I]]||Amsoft||1984||111||AML-100||211||411 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Teach Yourself Amstrad Basic - A Tutorial Guide - Part II|Curso Autodidactico de BASIC II]]||Amsoft||1985||156||LA-615||256|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Happy Letters]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||105 / 1105||||205||405 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Happy Numbers]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||102 / 1102||||202||402 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Happy Writing]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||106 / 1106||||206||406 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Happy Writing|L'Ardoise Magiques]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||106 / 1106||||206||406 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Timeman One | + | |[[Timeman One|L'Horloger 1]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||107 / 1107||||207||407 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Timeman Two | + | |[[Timeman Two|L'Horloger 2]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||108 / 1108||||208||408 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[World - Wise|Le Geographe]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||103 / 1103||||203||403 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Wordhang|Le Pendu]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||101 / 1101||||201||401 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Xanagrams]]||Dean Software||1984||133 | + | |[[Happy Numbers|Les Chiffres Magiques]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||102 / 1102||||202||402 |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Happy Letters|Les Lettres Magiques]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||105 / 1105||||205||405 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Map Rally]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||148 / 1148|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Star Watcher|Mirando a las Estrellas]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||915 / 1915||AMD 300|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Osprey!]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||947 / 1947|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Physics Revision]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1985||960 / 1960|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Pitman Typing Tutor]]||[[Pitman Publishing]]||1984||924 / 1924|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Star Watcher]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||915 / 1915||AMD 300|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Teach Yourself Amstrad Basic - A Tutorial Guide - Part I]]||Amsoft||1984||111||AML-100||211||411 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Teach Yourself Amstrad Basic - A Tutorial Guide - Part II]]||Amsoft||1985||156||LA-615||256|| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Timeman One]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||107 / 1107||||207||407 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Timeman Two]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||108 / 1108||||208||408 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Wordhang]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||101 / 1101||||201||401 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[World - Wise]]||[[(BES) Bourne Educational Software]]||1984||103 / 1103||||203||403 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Xanagrams]]||[[Dean Software]]||1984||133|||||| | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | == Utilities == | + | === Utilities === |
− | {| | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" |
− | + | !''Title''!!''House''!!''Year''!!''{{EN}} Soft N.''!!''{{ES}} Soft N.''!!''{{DE}} Soft N.''!!''{{FR}} Soft N.'' | |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Easi-Amsword|Amlettres]]||[[Juniper Computing]]||1984||154||S-154 / AMC-502||254||454 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Amsbase]]||||1984||||S-501|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Ams Calc]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1984||153||S-153||253||453 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Amsdraw]]||||1984||||AMC-703|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Amstest]]||||1985||06017||AMC-706|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Amsword]]||[[Tasman Software]]||1984||164 / 1164||S-164 / AMD-511|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Cashbook Accounts]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1985||07014|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Decision Maker]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||918 / 1918||AMD-501|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[DFM Database + Labels]]||[[Dialog Software]]||1984||941 / 1941||AMC-507|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Easi Amscalc]] | + | |[[Easi-Amscalc]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1984||153||S-153||253||453 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Easi-Amsword]]||[[Juniper Computing]]||1984||154||S-154 / AMC-502||254||454 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Easy-Topcalc]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1984||153||S-153||253||453 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Easi-Amsword|Easy-Topword]]||[[Juniper Computing]]||1984||154||S-154 / AMC-502||254||454 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Entrepreneur]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||917 / 1917|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Fig-Forth (Amsoft)|Fig-Forth]]||[[Abersoft]]||1984||188 / 1188||AMC-705|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Forth]]||[[Abersoft]]||1984||188 / 1188||AMC-705|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hisoft Devpac]]||[[Hisoft]]||1984||116 / 1116||S-116||216|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hisoft Pascal 4T]]||[[Hisoft]]||1984||155 / 1155||S-155 / AMD-700|| / 21155|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Hisoft Pascal 4T|Hisoft Pascal]]||[[Hisoft]]||1984||155 / 1155||S-155 / AMD-700|| / 21155|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Home Accounts Manager]]||[[Dialog Software]]||1984||942 / 1942|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Home Budget]]||[[Kuma Computers]]||1984||119|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Invostat]]||[[Dialog Software]]||1984||939 / 1939||AMC-506|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Mastercalc]]||[[Campbell Systems]]||1985||905 / 1905||AMC-510|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Masterfile 464|MasterFile 464]]||[[Campbell Systems]]||1984||914 / 1914||||||4914 / - |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Microfile/Microword]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||||07053|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[MicroGraph]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1985||1014|||||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[MicroPen]]||[[Intelligence]]||1984||1011||AMD-502|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[MicroScript]]||[[Intelligence]]||1984||1010||AMD-503|||| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Transact]]||Dialog Software||||938/1938|| | + | |[[MicroSpread]]||[[Saxon Computing]]||1985||1012||AMD-508|||| |
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Easi-Amsword|Procesador de Texto]]||[[Juniper Computing]]||1984||154||S-154 / AMC-502||254||454 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Project Planner]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||916 / 1916|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Screen Designer]]||[[DJL Software]]||1984||197 / 1197|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Shape & Sound]]||[[Gem Software]]||1985||06037 / 07037|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Stock-Aid]]||[[Dialog Software]]||1984||940 / 1940|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[SuperCalc 2]]||[[Sorcim/IUS]]||1985||07028|||||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Decision Maker|Tomando Decisiones]]||[[Triptych Publishing]]||1984||918 / 1918||AMD-501|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[Transact]]||[[Dialog Software]]||1984||938 / 1938|||||| | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Storage / Media === | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Amsoft [[C15 Personal Computer Cassette Tape]] [http://jonathanen.com/pages/Items/Amstrad/Cassette/C15_Tape.jpg] | ||
+ | * Amsoft [[CF2 Compact Floppy Disc]] | ||
+ | * Amsoft Printer Paper (mentioned in DMP1 Users Manual, page 8) | ||
+ | * Amsoft PL-1 Printer Cable (mentioned in DMP2000 Users Manual, chapter 1, page 6) | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Logos == | ||
+ | |||
+ | [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amsoft_logo.png Amsoft logo in PNG format] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amsoft_vector_logo.svg Amsoft vector graphics logo in SVG format] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amsoft_logo_shadow.png Amsoft logo with shadow in PNG format] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amsoft_vector_logo_shadow.svg Amsoft vector graphics logo with shadow in SVG format] | ||
+ | |||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
− | * http://www. | + | * [http://www.wirtzmann.de/schneider.html Pentagon web (CPC Imperium)] |
[[Category:CPC_related_companies]] [[Category:Computer_and_video_game_companies]] | [[Category:CPC_related_companies]] [[Category:Computer_and_video_game_companies]] |
Latest revision as of 05:48, 18 August 2020
Background
The software wing of Amstrad, Amsoft was created with one very specific goal: to get software on the shelves for the launch of the CPC 464. Amstrad owner Alan Sugar viewed this as a key component of his strategy for entering the already crowded British home micro market in the mid-1980s. Sugar was determined not to make the same mistake as the people behind already doomed machines like the Dragon 32 and Oric and saw a strong software base as a necessity if he was to break the stranglehold of the more established trio of machines being produced by Acorn, Commodore and Sinclair.
This domination of the home micro market made it difficult for any manufacturer to make an impact, particularly a new start in the industry, as the software industry in the UK had not reached its full potential by this point and those companies who had began to establish themselves were mostly unwilling to take a gamble on the expensive production of software for a machine with no user base.
Sugar's idea was to take a calculated risk. He reasoned that with the amount of money being invested into producing the machine, a dedicated software wing would be a relatively low additional cost with a potentially high yield return - if his software company got a cut of every game sold then they would soon re-coup at least part of the expenditure particularly when the user base grew enough to have third party developers approaching Amsoft to publish their games.
Amsoft was also place in charge of administrating and running the Amstrad User Club and the publication of Amstrad Computer User.
Early Days
Amsoft and its management team, headed up by Roland Perry and William Poel both of whom were still heavilly involved in the development of the CPC 464 itself, were given a straight forward brief of getting as much software on to the shelves as possible to support the launch and first years of the machine's life, with a minimum of regard given to the actual quality of the software itself.
Prior to the machine’s launch, the company approached a number of software houses who had made a name for themselves developing for the ZX Spectrum and C64, provided them with prototype CPC’s and commissioned the companies to produce software that could support the machine.
Every game and program produced was sold under the Amsoft label with developers given a credit on the uniform loading screens and spine of the cassette inlay along with a unique SOFT Number, all of which helped make the programs stand out on the crowded computer shop shelves.
Unfortunately, despite a raft of quality games like Manic Miner, Pyjamarama and Codename MAT appearing under the label's distinct and brightly coloured livery, Amsoft quickly developed a bit of a bad reputation in the industry from both frustrated developers unhappy with the cut of profits being taken by Amsoft through to the games players themselves who became disgruntled at paying top prices (£8.95 per game at a time when new ZX Spectrum releases were priced at £5.95) for poor titles.
As a result companies such as Ocean and Elite Systems decided to strike out on their own, releasing their games under their own labels as they did with other machines, now that the user base had begun to be established.
Roland
The earliest success for Amsoft, and it's biggest legacy, was the Roland series. Named after Roland Perry, the character was used as the basis for a number of games none of which (with the exception of Roland in Time and Roland in Space) had anything to do with each other! Instead, the Roland brand was added almost arbitrarily to a selection of games from different developers and all of which sold by the bucket load, regardless of the quality of game itself.
Roland’s status as a CPC icon was firmly established when two of the titles, Roland on the Ropes and Roland in the Caves, were sold as part of the CPC 464 bundle from the beginning of 1985 making Roland’s games amongst the first played by a large proportion of the CPC games playing market.
Despite this success and his popularity, the Roland character was shelved as the company attempted to shed the image it had created for itself of allowing any game to be published under their name. Roland was felt to be indicative of this approach and he was quietly phased out following the release of Roland in Space.
Decline
The loss of so many early supporters of the CPC as developers was a blow to the company. As well as Ocean and Elite Systems, the company’s working relationships with Kuma, Durell, Mikro-Gen and Software Projects also soured with each of those companies breaking away from the partnership and releasing games under their own banner.
Some of these break-ups were due to the tough negotiating stance taken by Amsoft who refused to be drawn into making bids for ‘expensive’ software when a cheaper alternative could be sought elsewhere. The most infamous example of this being their decision to not even tender a bid for the rights to produce a CPC version of Elite, arguably the most successful 8-bit game of all time.
Not even the re-packaging of their basic Snooker and Pool games with celebrity endorsement from World Champion Snooker player, Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins could turn their fortunes around. Something had to be done to stop the rot.
Amsoft Gold
In an attempt to combat the growing number of third party developers who were releasing games directly on to the system themselves, Amsoft attempted to re-establish their position as the leading CPC software house with a re-branding exercise to coincide with a marked increase in quality that was to prove confusing for the consumer.
While maintaining the regular Amsoft range the company also began releasing games under the Amsoft Gold banner. These games came packaged in distinctive gold clam cases and were purported to be the best games that the company had to offer.
Linking up with a new batch of companies who were set to have a significant impact on the industry including US Gold and Virgin Games, ‘’Amsoft’’ had seemed to turn a corner with positive reviews coming in for not only ‘’Amsoft Gold’’ games like Sorcery + and Beach Head but also releases made on the old label like Beyond Software’s Lords of Midnight and Alien from Argus Press Software.
Almost inevitably though, this was to be a short lived renaissance as the quality control soon dipped again with sub-par titles appearing for the Gold range and the stigma attached to their earlier policy never fully seemed to lift from the company.
The End
After a period of inactivity, the final releases which, in the past would’ve been greeted by a blaze of publicity, were almost sneaked out by the company.
All the more strangely, these titles were solid ports of high profile arcade games Tapper and Hard Balland came out at a time when former partners US Gold, Elite Systems and Ocean were leading the charge with home computer versions of all the most popular arcade games of the time.
Amsoft seemed almost apologetic for still being involved in the software business and the company finally pulled the plug on their software publishing wing at the beginning if 1987.
Their final game, a conversion of Sega's Spy Hunter was never released in Amsoft packagaing and was later brought out by US Gold as a launch title for their Kixx budget label, the title screen of which still bore the Amsoft name – a final reminder of this once powerful unit’s presence on the CPC scene.
Softography
Games
- Friss Man (1985)
- Seesaw (1985)
- Supertripper (1985)
- Kingdoms (1985)
- Overlord 2 (1985)
- Campeones (1985)
Title | House | Year | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3D Boxing | James Software | 1985 | 06025 / 07025 | AMC-171 / AMD-112 | 46025 / 47025 | |
3D Chess | Intelligent Software | 1985 | 06026 / 07026 | AMC-169 / AMD-110 | 26026 / 27026 | 46026 / 47026 |
3D Grand Prix | Exopal Software | 1985 | 961 / 1961 | AMC-170 / AMD-111 | - / 41961 | |
3D Invaders | Quark Data | 1984 | 136 | AMC-142 / S-511 | 436 | |
3D Stunt Rider | DJL Software | 1985 | 183 / 1183 | AMC-164 | 4183 / - | |
50000 Lieues Sous Les Mers | Protek Computing | 1984 | 135 / 1135 | S-135 | 435 / 41135 | |
Admiral Graf Spee | Temptation Software | 1984 | 146 | AMC-118 / S-146 | 446 | |
Airwolf | Elite Systems | 1985 | 06011 / 07011 | AMC-170 / AMD-107 | 46011 / 47011 | |
Ajedrez Tridimensional | Intelligent Software | 1985 | 06026 / 07026 | AMC-169 / AMD-110 | 26026 / 27026 | 46026 / 47026 |
Alex Higgins World Pool | Gem Software | 1985 | 964 / 1964 | 2964 | ||
Alex Higgins World Snooker | Gem Software | 1985 | 978 / 1978 | - / 41190 | ||
Alien | Argus Press Software | 1985 | 956 / 1956 | AMC-163 | ||
Alien Break-In | Romik | 1984 | 137 | AMC-136 / S-137 | 237 | 437 |
Almirante Graf Spee | Temptation Software | 1984 | 146 | AMC-118 / S-146 | 446 | |
Aguilas del Espacio | Durell Software | 1984 | 177 / 1177 | S-115 | 477 | |
American Football | Argus Press Software | 1984 | 901 | |||
Amsgolf | Computersmith | 1984 | 185 / 1185 | S-130 | 285 | 485 / 41185 |
Asalto | Shirekilo | 1985 | 06022 / 07022 | AMC-174 | ||
Assault on Port Stanley | Shirekilo | 1985 | 06022 / 07022 | AMC-174 | ||
Astro Attack | Ian Beynon | 1984 | 175 | S-175 | 475 | |
Atom Smasher | Romik | 1984 | 139 | S-139 | 439 | |
Attaque Astrale | Ian Beynon | 1984 | 175 | S-175 | 475 | |
Attaque au Laser | Mikro-Gen | 1984 | 126 | AMC-109 / S-126 | 426 | |
Aventure Classique | Abersoft | 1984 | 187 | 487 | ||
Beach Head | US Gold/Access | 1985 | 07001 | AMD-113 | ||
Billar (Snooker) | Gem Software | 1984 | 190 / 1190 | S-190 | 490 | |
Blagger | Alligata Software | 1984 | 926 | S-506 | ||
Bourse | Argus Press Software | 1985 | 903 | 4903 | ||
Braxx Bluff | Micromega | 1985 | 955 / 1955 | AMC-166 | ||
Bridge-It | Epicsoft | 1984 | 913 | S-503 | ||
Briseur D'Atomes | Romik | 1984 | 139 | S-139 | 439 | |
Catastrophes | Andromeda Software | 1985 | 934 / 1934 | AMC-153 | 4934 / 41934 | |
Catastrophies | Andromeda Software | 1985 | 934 / 1934 | AMC-153 | 4934 / 41934 | |
Centre Court | Epicsoft | 1984 | 921 / 1921 | S-508 | 2921 | |
Classic Adventure | Abersoft | 1984 | 187 | 487 | ||
Classic Racing | Paul Neil | 1985 | 928 / 1928 | |||
Codename MAT | Micromega | 1984 | 129 / 1129 | S-129 | 429 / 41129 | |
Commandos Galactiques | Terminal Software | 1984 | 147 | AMC-119 / S-147 | 447 | |
Crazy Golf | Mr. Micro | 1984 | 149 | AMC-140 / S-509 | 449 | |
Cubit | Mr. Micro | 1985 | 166 | S-510 | 266 | |
Cyrus II Chess | Intelligent Software | 1985 | 06026 / 07026 | AMC-169 / AMD-110 | 26026 / 27026 | 46026 / 47026 |
Detective | Argus Press Software | 1984 | 902 | 4902 | ||
Doors of Doom | Gem Software | 1985 | 06047 / 07047 | AMC-176 | ||
Dragons | O. Goodman | 1985 | 977 / 1977 | AMC-165 | 4977 / 41977 | |
Dragon's Gold | Romik | 1985 | 935 / 1935 | 4935 | ||
Echec et Mat | Mikro-Gen | 1984 | 125 / 1125 | S-125 | 225 | 425 / 41125 |
El Hombre de la LLave Inglesa | Gem Software | 1984 | 114 / 1114 | AMC-103 / S-114 | 214 | 414 / 41114 |
El Laberinto del Sultan | Gem Software | 1984 | 113 | AMC-134 / S-113 | 413 | |
El Pirata | Computersmith | 1984 | 192 / 1192 | AMC-128 / S-502 | 492 | |
Electro Freddy | Softspot Software | 1984 | 144 / 1144 | S-144 | 244 | 444 / 41144 |
Exocet | Durell Software | 1984 | 112 / 1112 | S-112 | 212 | 412 / 41112 |
Fantastic Voyage | Edmonds Software | 1985 | 984 / 1984 | AMC-148 | 4984 / 41984 | |
Frank 'n' Stein | PSS Software | 1985 | 907 | AMC-156 / S-156 | ||
Fred L'Electronicien | Softspot Software | 1984 | 144 / 1144 | S-144 | 244 | 444 / 41144 |
Fruit Machine | Paul Aitman | 1984 | 919 | AMC-137 | ||
Fu-Kung in Las Vegas | Romik | 1985 | 979 / 1979 | 4979 / 41979 | ||
Gatecrasher | Exopal Software | 1985 | 958 | AMC-157 | / 41958 | |
Gems of Stradus | Kuma Computers | 1984 | 121 | 421 | ||
Glen Hoddle Soccer | Shirekilo | 1985 | 06021 / 07021 | AMC-173 / AMD-115 | ||
Golden Path | Magic Logic | 1986 | 07055 | |||
Grand Prix Driver | Britannia Software Ltd | 1984 | 110 | S-110 | ||
Grand Prix Rally II | Loriciels | 1985 | 06012 / 07012 | AMC-161 / AMD-108 | ||
Hard Ball | Accolade | 1986 | 06063 / 07063 | |||
Harrier Attack | Durell Software | 1984 | 112 / 1112 | S-112 | 212 | 412 / 41112 |
Haunted Hedges | Micromega | 1984 | 128 | S-128 | 428 | |
Home Runner | Britannia Software Ltd | 1984 | 109 | AMC-100 / S-109 | ||
Hunchback | Ocean | 1984 | 132 / 1132 | S-132 | 432 / 41132 | |
Hunter Killer | Protek Computing | 1984 | 135 / 1135 | S-135 | 435 / 41135 | |
Invasores | Quark Data | 1984 | 136 | AMC-142 / S-511 | 436 | |
Jammin | Taskset | 1985 | 911 / 1911 | AMC-150 | ||
Jardins Hantes | Micromega | 1984 | 128 | S-128 | 428 | |
Jeannot le Rouge | Paul Shirley | 1984 | 181 / 1181 | S-181 | 481 / 41181 | |
Jet-Boot Jack | English Software | 1985 | 172 | AMC-144 | ||
L'Apprenti Sorcier | R. Meyer | 1984 | 4202 | |||
L'Or des Dragons | Romik | 1985 | 935 / 1935 | 4935 | ||
La Troisieme Dimension | Quark Data | 1984 | 136 | AMC-142 / S-511 | 436 | |
Laserwarp | Mikro-Gen | 1984 | 126 | S-126 | 426 | |
Le Golf des Dingues | Mr. Micro | 1984 | 149 | AMC-140 / S-509 | 449 | |
Le Labyrinthe du Sultan | Gem Software | 1984 | 113 | AMC-134 / S-113 | 413 | |
Le Mecano de la Centrale | Gem Software | 1984 | 114 / 1114 | AMC-103 / S-114 | 214 | 414 / 41114 |
Le Polichinelle | Mr. Micro | 1984 | 150 / 1150 | S-150 | 250 | 450 / 41150 |
Les Dragons | O. Goodman | 1985 | 977 / 1977 | AMC-165 | 4977 / 41977 | |
Les Envahisseurs de L'Audela | Romik | 1984 | 137 | S-137 | 237 | 437 |
Les Faucons de L'Espace | Durell Software | 1984 | 177 / 1177 | S-115 | 477 | |
Les Portes du Destin | Gem Software | 1985 | 06047 / 07047 | AMC-176 | ||
Lords of Midnight | Beyond Software | 1985 | 957 / 1957 | |||
Macrocosmica | Datacom | 1986 | 06042 / 07042 | |||
Manic Miner | Software Projects | 1984 | 173 | S-173 | 273 | 473 |
Master Chess | Mikro-Gen | 1984 | 125 / 1125 | S-125 | 225 | 425 / 41125 |
Mr. Wong's Loopy Laundry | Artic Computing | 1984 | 923 | S-505 | 4923 | |
Mutant Monty | Artic Computing | 1984 | 922 / 1922 | S-507 | 4922 | |
Nom de Code : MAT | Micromega | 1984 | 129 / 1129 | S-129 | 429 / 41129 | |
Nuclear Defence | James Software | 1986 | 06031 / 07031 | |||
Oh Momies! | Gem Software | 1984 | 115 | AMC-138 | 215 | 415 |
Oh Mummy! | Gem Software | 1984 | 115 | AMC-138 | 215 | 415 |
Plaga Galactica | Indescomp | 1984 | 196 | AMC-125 / S-201 | 496 | |
Pool Billard | Gem Software | 1985 | 964 / 1964 | 2964 | ||
Punchy | Mr. Micro | 1984 | 150 / 1150 | S-150 | 250 | 450 / 41150 |
Pyjamarama | Mikro-Gen | 1984 | 943 / 1943 | AMC-146 / AMD-104 | 4943 | |
Qabbalah | Gem Software | 1986 | 06062 / 07062 | |||
Quack a Jack | Paul Shirley | 1984 | 181 / 1181 | S-181 | 481 / 41181 | |
Quasimodo | Ocean | 1984 | 132 / 1132 | S-132 | 432 / 41132 | |
Raid | US Gold/Access | 1985 | 07002 | AMD-116 | ||
Raid Souterrain | Insight Software | 1985 | 06010 / 07010 | AMC-162 | 46010 / 47010 | |
Roland a L'Abordage | Computersmith | 1984 | 192 / 1192 | AMC-128 / S-502 | 492 / | |
Roland Ahoy! | Computersmith | 1984 | 192 / 1192 | AMC-128 / S-502 | 492 / | |
Roland aux Oubliettes | Indescomp | 1984 | 118 / 1118 | S-118 | 218 | 418 / 41118 |
Roland en el Infierno | Gem Software | 1984 | 169 / 1169 | S-202 | 269 | 469 / 41169 |
Roland en el Tiempo | Gem Software | 1984 | 170 / 1170 | AMC-115 / S-136 | 270 | 470 / 41170 |
Roland en Fuite | Epicsoft | 1984 | 199 / 1199 | S-199 | 499 / 41199 | |
Roland Fait des Petits Trous | Gem Software | 1984 | 169 / 1169 | S-202 | 269 | 469 / 41169 |
Roland goes Digging | Gem Software | 1984 | 169 / 1169 | S-202 | 269 | 469 / 41169 |
Roland goes Square Bashing | Durell Software | 1985 | 937 / 1937 | AMC-155 | 4937 | |
Roland in Space | Gem Software | 1985 | 927 / 1927 | AMC-145 / AMD-102 | ||
Roland in the Caves | Indescomp | 1984 | 117 / 1117 | S-117 | 217 | |
Roland in Time | Gem Software | 1984 | 170 / 1170 | AMC-115 / S-136 | 270 | 470 / 41170 |
Roland on the Ropes | Indescomp | 1984 | 118 / 1118 | S-118 | 218 | 418 / 41118 |
Roland on the Run | Epicsoft | 1984 | 199 / 1199 | S-199 | 499 / 41199 | |
Roland Voyage dans le Temps | Gem Software | 1984 | 170 / 1170 | AMC-115 / S-136 | 270 | 470 / 41170 |
Roland y los Cubos | Durell Software | 1985 | 937 / 1937 | AMC-155 | 4937 | |
Rally II | Loriciels | 1985 | 06012 / 07012 | AMC-161 / AMD-108 | ||
Satellite Warrior | D. M. Lock | 1985 | 949 / 1949 | |||
Snooker | Gem Software | 1984 | 190 / 1190 | S-190 | 490 | |
Sorcery + | Virgin Games | 1985 | 1983 | AMD-109 | 21983 | 41983 |
Space Hawks | Durell Software | 1984 | 177 / 1177 | S-115 | 477 | |
Spannerman | Gem Software | 1984 | 114 / 1114 | AMC-103 / S-114 | 214 | 414 / 41114 |
Spitfire 40 | Mirrorsoft | 1985 | 07052 | |||
Splat! | Incentive Software | 1984 | 909 / 1909 | AMC-139 / S-504 | 4909 | |
Star Commando | Terminal Software | 1984 | 147 | AMC-119 / S-147 | 447 | |
Stockmarket | Argus Press Software | 1985 | 903 | 4903 | ||
Strangeloop + | Virgin Games | 1985 | 07058 | AMD-119 | ||
Subterranean Stryker | Insight Software | 1985 | 06010 / 07010 | AMC-162 | 46010 / 47010 | |
Sultan's Maze | Gem Software | 1984 | 113 | AMC-134 / S-113 | 413 | |
Super Pipeline II | Taskset | 1985 | 987 / 1987 | AMC-151 | - / 41987 | |
Tank Command | Magic Logic | 1986 | 06023 / 07023 | |||
Tapper | Bally Midway/Sega | 1987 | 06007 / 07007 | |||
Tenis | Epicsoft | 1984 | 921 / 1921 | S-508 | 2921 | |
Tennis | Epicsoft | 1984 | 921 / 1921 | S-508 | 2921 | |
Toujours Pret! | H.R. Software | 1985 | 988 / 1988 | AMC-147 | 4988 / 41988 | |
The Fantastic Voyage | Edmonds Software | 1985 | 984 / 1984 | AMC-148 | 4984 / 41984 | |
The Galactic Plague | Indescomp | 1984 | 196 | AMC-125 / S-201 | 496 | |
The Game of Dragons | O. Goodman | 1985 | 977 / 1977 | AMC-165 | 4977 / 41977 | |
The Key Factor | Paul Aitman | 1985 | 975 | AMC-149 / S-149 | ||
The Prize | Arcade Software | 1985 | 952 | AMC-143 | ||
The Scout Steps Out | H.R. Software | 1985 | 988 / 1988 | AMC-147 | 4988 / 41988 | |
Tombstowne | Premier Software | 1985 | 06040 / 07040 | |||
Traffic | Andromeda Software | 1985 | 929 / 1929 | AMC-152 | ||
Une Lessive Eprouvante pour Monsieur Wong | Artic Computing | 1984 | 923 | S-505 | 4923 |
Compilations
Title | House | Year | ![]() |
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![]() |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amsoft 12-Pack | Amsoft | 999 | ||||
6128 Games Collection | 1986 | |||||
Amstrad PP5 Promotional Pack | Amsoft | 1987 | 07073 | |||
Amstrad PP8 Promotional Pack | Amsoft | |||||
Amstrad PP15 Promotional Pack | Amsoft/Mastertronic | 1988 | ||||
Super Games I | Schneider | 19-- | 28565 | |||
Super Games II | Schneider | 19-- | 28566 | |||
Super Games III | Schneider | 19-- | 28756 | |||
Super Sport I | Schneider | 19-- | 28567 | |||
Super Sport II | Schneider | 19-- | 28996 |
Educational Software
Utilities
Storage / Media
- Amsoft C15 Personal Computer Cassette Tape [1]
- Amsoft CF2 Compact Floppy Disc
- Amsoft Printer Paper (mentioned in DMP1 Users Manual, page 8)
- Amsoft PL-1 Printer Cable (mentioned in DMP2000 Users Manual, chapter 1, page 6)
Logos
Amsoft vector graphics logo in SVG format
Amsoft logo with shadow in PNG format
Amsoft vector graphics logo with shadow in SVG format