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Company

Argonaut is one of the best established British entertainment software developers. They have always specialized in 3D technologies, making a name for themselves with the first 3D game for the Atari ST, "Starglider".

Under their entrepreneurial founder, Jez San, in 1992 the company embarked on the design of custom 3D chips for video game consoles and PCs, most notably the SFX chip for Nintendo.

At this time, I was hired as a consultant to assist in the management of their on-going software projects. We recommended a restructuring of Argonaut’s business, which led to my full-time involvement with the company for 15 months.

Position Summary

My role was to assist Jez San in the restructuring of the Argonaut business. The intention was to get more focus – Argonaut now had two core activities; chip design and high-end 3D entertainment software, and the plan was to split the business into two operating divisions. Whilst San would oversee the growing of the new hardware/chip division, my role was to re-structure, re-focus and grow the software group.

Achievements

• Proposed and implemented a restructuring programme
• Budgeting and planning
• Evaluated the existing workforce, motivated the strong and moved on the weaker personnel
• Implemented formal contracts of employment and standard terms
• Implemented a performance related bonus scheme
• Implemented project scheduling and a custom development discipline
• Created a game design and testing group
• Expanded the company from 15 to 45 employees, including all interviewing and job offers
• Improved communication flow through the company via weekly staff meetings and email
• Code released six projects in fifteen months – more than the company had done in its history, including:

  Advanced Tactical Air Command (ATAC)

  Birds Of Prey

  King Arthur's World

  StarFox

  Race Drivin'

  Click here to see Softography

Reason For Leaving

I was welcome to stay at Argonaut, and indeed would have liked to have remained, but the traveling from my family home into London each day was a drain on me, and at that time it was not possible for me to relocate closer to London due to family commitments (in the form of twins!)

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I believe that it was because of my work in re-structuring and focusing Argonaut at such a critical time in their history, that the company was well positioned to exploit it's unique mix of creativity and technology.  Argonaut went on to achieve great commercial success in 1993 and beyond, of which I am proud to have played a part.  Starfox remains one of the best selling 3D games of all time, notching up more than 4m units

StarFox

Advanced Tactical Air Command

King Arthur's World