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Vortex Software
Vortex Software was a video game developer founded by Costa Panayi and Paul Canter in the early 1980s to sell the game ''Cosmos'' which Panayi had developed for the Sinclair ZX81. They converted the game to the ZX Spectrum, but due to the low sales of the ZX81 version they licensed the game to Abbex. Luke Andrews, Costa's brother-in-law, and Crete Panayi, Costa's brother, became involved to handle the business affairs and advertising respectively. The company was based in Manchester. In the summer of 1984, Mark Haigh-Hutchinson was offered a position and ported several of the games to the Amstrad CPC in addition to writing '' Alien Highway'' for the ZX Spectrum. Chris Wood and David Aubrey-Jones were also associated with Vortex as outside contractors. The company produced several notable games for the 8-bit home computers of the period. '' Deflektor'' was also ported to the Amiga and Atari ST. After the production of '' Hostile All Terrain Encounter'' in 1988, Costa spent t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alien Highway
''Alien Highway: Encounter 2'' is an isometric action game released by Vortex in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was programmed by Mark Haigh-Hutchinson and is the sequel to ''Highway Encounter''. Gameplay Gameplay is similar to ''Highway Encounter'', with the player controlling a "Vorton" robot in its attempt to deliver a bomb to an alien base at the end of a highway. Various enemies and obstacles lie in its path. A notable difference is that the player has a single Vorton with an energy meter, instead of five lives; accordingly, the bomb must be pushed by the player, whereas in the previous game it was pushed by the player's spare Vortons. Development Mark Haigh-Hutchinson, the developer "After ''Highway'' Costa anayiwanted to come up with something completely different again. Since I was now working full-time for Vortex it was decided that I should write ''Alien Highway'' whilst Costa developed his new ideas. I had previously written ''Android One'' for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tornado Low Level
''Tornado Low Level'' (also known as ''T.L.L.'') is a multidirectional flight game developed by Costa Panayi and published in 1984 by the company he co-founded, Vortex Software. The game was released for the ZX Spectrum in 1984, with ports for the Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 in 1985. The game has the player control a Panavia Tornado fighter jet, tasked to destroy targets throughout the map. ''Tornado Low Level'' received positive reviews for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC versions by video game critics, both on release and in retrospective reviews. The game was also a commercial success, with the Spectrum version debuting at number three on ''Personal Computer Games'' top fifty charts. The success of the game led to a sequel titled ''Cyclone'', which featured a similar graphical style and similar play. Gameplay The player controls a Panavia Tornado fighter jet and must manoeuvre the plane at low altitude in order to destroy targets on the landscape by flying very low over ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Highway Encounter
''Highway Encounter'' is a video game published for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commodore 64, Sharp MZ, and Tatung Einstein by Vortex Software in 1985. It was written by Costa Panayi who also coded ''Android'', '' Android Two'', '' TLL'', ''Cyclone'', and ''Revolution''. Summary ''Highway Encounter'' is a strategy/action game played from a 3D isometric perspective in which you must successfully chaperone a bomb along a long, straight stretch of highway and into the alien base at the end of it. There are thirty screens to pass through and most are filled with hazards that threaten to block your progress (such as barrels) or destroy you (aliens and explosive mines). Players control a robotic "Vorton" (resembling a dalek from ''Doctor Who'') and one of the features that provides ''Highway Encounter'' with its unique appeal is that the bomb is constantly being pushed onwards by your extra lives - four more Vortons, who accompany you along the highway. A key strategic element ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gremlin Graphics
Gremlin Graphics Software Limited, later Gremlin Interactive Limited and ultimately Infogrames Studios Limited was a British software house based in Sheffield, working mostly in the home computer market. Like many software houses established in the 1980s, their primary market was the 8-bit range of computers such as the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commodore 16 and Commodore 64. The company was acquired by French video game publisher Infogrames in 1999, and was renamed Infogrames Studios in 2000. Infogrames Studios closed down in 2003. History The company, originally a computer store called Just Micro, was established as a software house in 1984 with the name Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd by Ian Stewart and Kevin Norburn with US Gold's Geoff Brown owning 75% of the company until mid-1989. Gremlin's early success was based on games such as '' Wanted: Monty Mole'' for the ZX Spectrum and ''Thing on a Spring'' for the Commodore 64. In 1994, it was renamed as Gremlin Inter ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1987 In Video Gaming
1987 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as '' Castlevania II: Simon's Quest'', ''Dragon Quest II'', '' Final Lap'', and '' Zelda 2'', along with new titles such as '' After Burner'', '' Contra'', '' Double Dragon'', ''Final Fantasy'', ''Metal Gear'', '' Operation Wolf'', ''Phantasy Star'', ''Shinobi'', ''Street Fighter'' and '' The Last Ninja''. ''The Legend of Zelda'' was also introduced outside of Japan. The year's highest-grossing arcade game worldwide was Sega's ''Out Run''. The year's bestselling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) for the fourth year in a row. The best-selling 1987 home video game release in Japan was '' Dragon Quest II: Akuryō no Kamigami'', while the year's best-selling home video games in Western markets were ''The Legend of Zelda'' in the United States and ''Out Run'' in the United Kingdom. Financial performance Highest-grossing arcade games The year's highest-grossing arcade game worldwide was Sega's ''Out ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Revolution (computer Game)
''Revolution'' is an isometric 3D puzzle video game released by U.S. Gold in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was programmed by Costa Panayi and is a development of the earlier 3D games ''Highway Encounter'' and '' Alien Highway''. Gameplay The player controls a bouncing ball on a series of superimposed levels, each consisting of an array of square tiles, on which are arranged a number of puzzles. Each puzzle consists of two black cubes that turn temporarily white when touched by the player's ball, before turning black again. To solve the puzzle, both cubes must touched in rapid succession so that they both turn white simultaneously. There are nine levels in total. When all the puzzles on one level are complete the player ascends to the next. The height of the ball's bounce is controlled by the "fire" button, while the direction controls steer it around the map. The player must take care not to fall off the edge of the level, or through the gaps between tiles. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1986 In Video Gaming
1986 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as '' Super Mario Bros. 2'', along with new titles such as ''Arkanoid'', ''Bubble Bobble'', '' Castlevania'', ''Dragon Quest'', ''Ikari Warriors'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', '' Metroid'', ''Out Run'' and ''R.B.I. Baseball''. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were '' Hang-On'' in Japan, ''Hang-On'' and ''Gauntlet'' in the United States, and ''Nemesis'' (''Gradius'') in London. The year's bestselling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) for the third year in a row, while the year's best-selling home video games in Western markets were '' Super Mario Bros.'' in the United States and '' Yie Ar Kung-Fu'' in the United Kingdom. Financial performance In the United States, the home video game industry recovered with the arrival of the third generation of video game consoles led by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Highest-grossing arcade games Japan In Japan, the following titles were th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1985 In Video Gaming
1985 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as '' Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Kung Fu'', along with new titles such as ''Commando'', '' Duck Hunt'', ''Gauntlet'', ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'', '' Gradius'', '' Hang-On'', ''Space Harrier'' and '' The Way of the Exploding Fist''. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were '' Hang-On'' and '' Karate Champ'' in the United States, and ''Commando'' in the United Kingdom. The year's bestselling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) for the second year in a row, while the year's bestselling home video game was ''Super Mario Bros.'' Financial performance In the United States, annual home video game sales fell to ( adjusted for inflation) in 1985. Meanwhile, the arcade game industry began recovering in 1985. Highest-grossing arcade games Japan In Japan, the following titles were the top-grossing arcade video games on the bi-weekly '' Game Machine'' charts in 1985. United Kingdom and United States In ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyclone (computer Game)
''Cyclone'' is a multidirectional helicopter game for the ZX Spectrum released by Vortex Software in 1985. It was written by Vortex co-founder Costa Panayi who also coded the similarly styled ''Tornado Low Level''. Gameplay The player controls a rescue helicopter and must retrieve five supply crates containing essential medical supplies from a collection of 14 islands, while a dangerous cyclone is in the area. While searching for the missing crates, the player may optionally earn bonus points by rescuing refugees from the islands. There is no limit on the number of crates or refugees the helicopter can carry, and the player only needs to return to Base Island after the last crate has been found and loaded. Hindering progress is the cyclone itself, which can cause the helicopter to behave erratically at long range, and crash at close range. The position and progress of the cyclone can be monitored on the map enabling the player to determine when to vacate the area or when to carry ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1984 In Video Gaming
1984 saw many sequels and prequels along with new titles such as ''1942'', ''Boulder Dash'', ''Cobra Command (1984 video game), Cobra Command'', ''Jet Set Willy'', ''Karate Champ'', ''Kung-Fu Master (video game), Kung-Fu Master'', ''Tetris'', ''Yie Ar Kung-Fu'' and ''Punch-Out!! (arcade game), Punch-Out!!'' The year's highest-grossing arcade games were ''Pole Position'' in the United States, for the second year in a row, and ''Track & Field (video game), Track & Field'' in the United Kingdom. The year's best-selling home system was Nintendo's Family Computer (Famicom), which was only sold Video games in Japan, in Japan at the time. Financial performance In Video games in the United States, the United States, home video game Video game crash of 1983, sales fall to ( adjusted for inflation). Highest-grossing arcade games Japan Video games in Japan, In Japan, the following titles were the top-grossing arcade video games of each month on the '':ja:ゲームマシン, Game Machine'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Android Two
''Android Two'' is a shoot 'em up maze video game written by Costa Panayi and published by Vortex Software in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and in 1985 for the Amstrad CPC. It is the sequel to '' Android One: The Reactor Run'', released earlier in 1983. Gameplay The aim of the game is to destroy five Millitoids – large worm-like creatures – which roam a white-walled maze. The maze is also filled with other enemies, landmines, trees and other features. The Millitoids are destroyed with three shots to the head. When all five are destroyed, the player moves onto the next of three mazes. The maze is presented in a scrolling top-down view, using the same 3D effect Costa Panayi would later use in games like ''Tornado Low Level''. Reception ''Sinclair User ''Sinclair User'' was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum (while also occasionally covering arcade games). Initially published by ECC Publications, and late ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1983 In Video Gaming
1983 has seen many sequels and prequels in video games, such as '' Mario Bros.'' and ''Pole Position II'', along with new titles such as '' Astron Belt'', '' Champion Baseball'', '' Dragon's Lair'', '' Elevator Action'', '' Spy Hunter'' and ''Track & Field''. Major events include the video game crash of 1983 in North America, and the third generation of video game consoles beginning with the launch of Nintendo's Family Computer (Famicom) and Sega's SG-1000 in Japan. The year's highest-grossing video game was Namco's arcade game ''Pole Position'', while the year's best-selling home system was Nintendo's Game & Watch for the third time since 1980. Financial performance * In the United States, arcade video game revenues are worth $2.9 billion (equivalent to $ adjusted for inflation). * In the United States, home video game sales are worth $2 billion (equivalent to $ adjusted for inflation). * In Japan, home video game sales approach ¥400 billion (equivalent to at the time ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
