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Company

Founded by my Wife Elaine and I, PMC was one of the first specialist entertainment software consultancies established in Europe. We offered Publishers and Developers alike low cost, flexible solutions to help their businesses grow. We worked on the premise that an experienced third-party can often be more objective about a company’s particular situation or specified problem, than the company itself may be able to be.

Position Summary

My role varied according to the needs of our clients; a variety of short-term project assignments, as well as longer term retainers. The tasks undertaken included:

• Executive Producer – where client had contracted with one or more third-parties in the UK and required an expert to oversee the development process, including regular project management and evaluations of work in progress.

• Game Designer – client typically had a property, such as a movie, for which they required a suitable treatment in the form of a game design

• Expert Opinion – client sought advice on how to improve efficiency in the development process. PMC developed a series of solutions based around client requirements, and put together a Development Discipline as solution. This often included evaluation of client employees also

• Developer – client would ask PMC to propose original projects designed by PMC for client to commission. Once commissioned, PMC would act as developer and deliver finished product to client for publication

• Representation – client would hire PMC to represent it’s product or service to the entertainment industry

• Troubleshooting – client was experiencing problems getting a project completed, typically relations with a third-party developer had broken down. PMC would act as mediator, successfully getting the product completed, and where necessary, hiring and co-ordinating additional expertise to assist the completion

Achievements

• Established World-Class Consultancy Client Base; including:-

  • Activision International Ltd (UK)

  • Argonaut Software Ltd (UK)

  • Attention To Detail Ltd (UK)

  • BITS Ltd (UK)

  • Eurocom Developments Ltd (UK)

  • Konix Products Ltd (UK)

  • Linel (Switzerland)

  • LucasArts Inc. (USA)

  • Marjacq Micro Ltd (UK)

  • Microprose Europe Ltd (UK)

  • Mirrorsoft Ltd (UK)

  • Mindscape International Ltd (UK)

  • New Frontier Productions Ltd (UK)

  • Philips Media Inc. (USA)

  • Probe Ltd (UK)

  • System 3 Software Ltd (UK)

  • Takara Ltd (Japan & USA)

  • The Disc Company (France)

  • The Motion Picture House (UK)

  • US Gold Ltd (UK)

  • Vivid Image Developments (UK)

• Executive Producer for many client projects including:

  • WARHEAD

  • CONQUEROR II

  • DREAM WEB

  • DEATH OR GLORY

  • DOMINATOR

  • DLT’s TREBLE TOP

  • FIRST SAMURAI, The

  • HAMMERFIST

  • LAST NINJA 2, The

  • MYTH

  • STREET FIGHTER II

  • TROIKA

  • TUSKER

  • TRANSFORMERS

  • VENDETTA

  Click here to see Softography

• Designed or contributed to Client project designs:-:

  • BUBBLE BOBBLE

  • DIRTY HARRY

  • OUTRUN EUROPA

• Developed projects under commission to Client.  Products, which sometimes were based on client properties, included:

  • GODS & HEROES

  • HOT BLADES

  • INDIANA JONES & THE FATE OF ATLANTIS (Action)

  • NIGHT SHIFT

  • POWERMONGER

  • THE COMPACT MUSIC BOX

  • TUNNELS OF DOOM

  • "DROWNING" – MUSIC VIDEO (see panel on right)

  • "DROWNING" – INTERACTIVE SINGLE

Click here to see Softography

• Represented The Konix Multi System on behalf of Client.

At the January 1989 British Toy & Hobby Fair in London: the publisher and developer support that I had worked hard to gain, was paraded to show publicly the tremendous backing the new system was receiving. It was a who’s who of the European games industry at that time; I had negotiated with every one of them:

(Press picture for the unveiling of the Konix Multi-System: Left to right: Pete Stone of Palace, Mev Dinc of Vivid Image, Peter Bilotta of Mirrorsoft, Jim Mackonochie of Mindscape, Markus Grimmer of Linel, Tim Chaney of US Gold, Jim Woods of Ocean, Rod Cousens of Activision, Mystery programmer from O.D.E, Jeff Minter of Llamasoft, Jez San of Argonaut, Jacqui Lyons of Marjacq, David Pringle of ODE, Luther De Gale of Electrocoin, Gary Bracey of Ocean, Mark Cale of System 3. Seated is Wyn Holloway, inventor or the Konix Multi-System and owner of Konix)

Perhaps the most covered news item in the computer press during 1989/90 was the Konix Multi-System and the software support it promised. In an industry dominated by Japanese giants Nintendo and Sega, how was this tiny British operation going to compete? A real David & Goliath scenario which fascinated the press. Even more, they were openly amazed at the inventiveness of the hardware and software that was promised. The Multi-System never launched due to poor distribution arrangements by Konix, but the hardware went on to become the Atari Jaguar. Some of the press articles can be found on the right-hand bar of this page, including trade interviews with me.

In the Spring of 2004, Craig Vaughan of Retro Gamer magazine contacted me with a view to learning more about the Multi-System.  In addition to a few Q&As by email, I also sent him some videos of the KMS tools and software in development.  I used to film projects I was working on so that I could show my clients.  Most of the Konix project material on 8mm survived, so I was able to copy it to my PC, edit it and send it on as supporting info.  To my surprise, the material ended up on the cover disc - apparently its now a rare collectors item - you can see them now at the Slipstream: Konix Multi-System archive, here.  Craig's article was a terrific piece of research, and an important read for anyone wishing to understand the place of the KMS in gaming history.

Two years later, I received an email out of the blue from Mark Campbell,  who was in the process of creating an archive website to capture all that was known about the Multi-System.  It went live in September 2007; he has done a terrific job of interviewing those of us directly involved, or on the periphery of the project at that time, as well as providing an historical context.  It is a fascinating read, and I believe his archive to be the primary source for Konix Multi-System information now.   www.konixmultisystem.co.uk Interview

I

• Attention To Detail - Startup

I was instrumental in helping the award-winning developer, Attention To Detail (ATD) to start up in 1988. They were five highly talented programmers – the best honors students in their year at Aston University in Birmingham, England.  I acted as business manager and secured contract work for them through PMC. We entered into a two-year exclusive arrangement and we shared royalties and development proceeds. ATD became one of the finest independent development companies in the World.

• Restructured Argonaut Software

Click here for more details

• Establishing and overseeing the business of Sprytes

Sprytes Limited, of Leeds, England, was formed by Global Entertainment Limited to be a games development company, but had never had a dedicated staff. Global’s founders – both game industry veterans – Ian Oliver and Andy Craven, approached me with a view to helping them establish Sprytes. I recruited a full-time development staff, opening offices in Leeds and Newbury in England.

Within one year of establishing Sprytes, I negotiated on behalf of PMC to acquire the Newbury business of Sprytes that I had established for Global. Following the successful acquisition, PMC became a development company in its own right. It was my intent to sell the business on to a third party to provide long-term stability.

• Negotiating the sale of the PMC to Creative Insights Inc., USA

Recognizing that the acquisition of Sprytes by PMC was opportunistic, I sought a buyer for the PMC business. I concluded an agreement with Creative Insights Inc., of California, USA. who acquired PMC outright.

Reason For Leaving

Sale of the business to Creative Insights, Inc

Back to Employment History

This workload was varied and entailed travel throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. It was very challenging and I experienced a great deal of different aspects of the entertainment software business.  I relished being a small business, and one for which I had control.

"Drowning"
Music video & interactive single performed by The Wounded Arm  (c)1993 Muzik Ltd

Konix Multi System Press: Ace Magazine Cover
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Slipstream: KMS Archive Website
(click above image to link)

KMS Feature in Retro Gamer
Journalist Craig Vaughan's research into the KMS story - including an interview with me.  I also supplied never-before seen video for the magazine, which it published. (click above image to link)

Trade Press Coverage of Konix Software
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Konix Multi System Press: Pop Comp Weekly Cover
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CTW Trade Interview with me re: Konix Part 1
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CTW Trade Interview with me re: Konix Part 2
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CTW Trade Interview with me re: Konix Part 3
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Konix Multi System Press: Ace Part 1
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Konix Multi System Press: Ace Part 2
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Konix Multi System Press: Ace Part 3
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Konix Multi System Press: Ace Part 4
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Konix Multi System Press: C & VG
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