The projects are categorized as follows - click these to jump to a category or just scroll through!

• Licensed Property / Treatment

• Original

• Sports

• Coin-Op Conversion

• Non-Game

Key to my contribution:

Producer / Exec Producer / VP

Designer / Design Contribution

(Atari ST, IBM PC) ( Activision )

(IBM-PC, Commodore Amiga) (Microprose)

A sophisticated flight simulator and air strategy game, which I co-designed and produced. This was a number-1 best seller for Microprose.

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(Atari ST, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

(IBM-PC, Commodore Amiga) (Electronic Arts)

A state-of-the-art flight simulator, providing accurate simulation of more than 40 different fighter aircraft. The project was some five years late when I became involved (at Argonaut)! Getting it shipped was a huge priority not only for Argonaut, but for their publisher, the American company Electronic Arts. Not only was I able to code release the troubled lead Amiga sku, but bring out a PC version (by subcontracting the work to Chris Sawyer, now a best selling programmer in his own right, with the "Railroad Tycoon" series). The project was a huge commercial success attaining number one sales positions in Europe and North America

(Commodore 64) ( Electric Dreams )

(Microsoft XBox, Sony PS2) ( Encore / Kodiak )

http://www.hailrome.com

(click image to expand) 

(Commodore 64) ( Electric Dreams )

(Commodore Amiga, Atari ST) ( Empire )

(Atari ST, IBM PC) ( Activision )

(Atari ST) ( Live Studios )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

(Commodore 64) ( Activision )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(Commodore 64, BBC Micro) ( Electric Dreams )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Vivid Image )

(Click Image To Expand)

(Sony PS2) ( Kodiak )

(IBM PC) ( Sprytes )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(MSX, MSXII) ( Activision )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision ) 

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Konix Multi System, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Vivid Image )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(IBM PC) ( Crush! )

• Cops 'n' Robbers - you play either side!
• Close Quarter Street Racing/ Chasing; 1st and 3rd Person Views - user selectable.
• Real-time 3D graphics
• Stylized artwork
• Cops - Prevent The 'Heist'; Chase the Gang; Stop Them Getting To The Border;
• Gang - Execute The 'Heist'; Avoid Capture; Race To The Border Before It Closes.
• Multi-player /internet game.

My involvement included originating the concept & storyline

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(IBM PC) ( Sprytes/Crush! )

(Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

Created by one of the UK’s leading programmers, Archer Maclean, "IK+" ("International Karate Plus") won many awards for Maclean and Software Studios, in the areas of gameplay and technical innovation, including "Zzap Sizzler"

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision ) 

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Nintendo SNES) (Jaleco)

A fantasy game of strategy and action; assemble an army of knights, foot soldiers and medieval weaponry. Then deploy them on missions with the intent of conquering all the known lands. An original Argonaut design that I contributed to, started and completed during my tenure, a top-ten commercial success for the publisher, Jaleco

This was the first videogame to ever feature Dolby surround sound.

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

The first product for Activision from System3. This game topped the charts for 10 weeks and at one point represented 40% of Activision’s world-wide revenue.

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Konix Multi System, Atari ST, Commodore 64) ( System 3 )

(Atari XL/XE) ( Atarisoft )

On the Atari HCS; the first ever Atari brand game developed and produced outside the United States of America.  I had a small role as an assistant Producer.

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128, Amstrad CPC, MSXII) ( Activision )

Based upon Activision’s US hit product, this was a conversion of the game to a local European format, the multi-million-selling Sinclair Spectrum. The challenge to Software Studios was enormous; the US original was disk based – ours had to work from linear cassette; the US original had 64 colors – we had only 4 on our target.

This was typical of the ‘conversion’ challenge that Software Studios had, and under my direction we consistently turned out high quality, award-winning versions.

This won many awards including the "Sinclair User Classic". Sinclair User said: "An incredible programming achievement, you’ll come closer to actually believing than you can possibly imagine" (see panel on right for full review)

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams ) 

(click to enlarge)

(design for Philips Media ) 

A genre-bending futuristic arcade race game, with a bleak scenario. Intended to appeal to a more mature gaming audience, Philips Media commissioned Crush! to create this epic entertainment. 

(click to enlarge)

The game did not come to market as Philips Media was closed down during development.  The design, concept artwork, track design and core technologies were completed before the project was cancelled.

My involvement included: game design, project scheduling and contract negotiation.  Concept sketches, left and above, by Tony Jackson, Crush! Creative Director

(IBM PC) ( Virgin/Vic Tokai )

1st and 3rd-person perspective real-time strategy/spec-ops game, including:-

• shoot-em-up action within a free-roaming environment
• Multiple-characters
• Ability to set waypoints for characters when not under player control, allowing campaign planning
• Thrilling plot with twist in the tale ending -- multiple outcomes plus bonus level
• Each character has extensive range of speech
• Advanced artificial intelligence for player characters and enemies

My involvement included originating the concept with Tony Jackson, Creative Director at Crush!. Based on Tony's concept "Candy", I wrote the storyline for the game, scripted the six voice parts, negotiated with voice-agents for the vocal talent , and gave voice direction during voice-over recording (including Dani Behr, Brian Bowles, Fiona Allen and Ed Bishop). I also negotiated the funding for the game development, in collaboration with Crush's agent, Jacqui Lyons

I produced the game during development, co-ordinating project scheduling, technical and graphical issues

Mortal Coil received a lot of media coverage. See right-hand panel for some stills from the television show "Live & Kicking" – the segment called ‘Electric Circus’, that featured our game as one of a new breed of innovative game. It scored 90%.

The game was also featured on the television show "Bad Influence" – it highlighted the game’s innovative features, including multiple characters, waypoint settings and replaceable sounds. In the right-hand panel the pop group China Black are shown using this feature on the TV show. The game scored 93%

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 ) 

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(click image to enlarge)

(IBM PC, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC)  ( LucasArts )

This was PMC's first original product. I negotiated the licensing of the game to Lucasfilm's interactive division, for development by PMC across six popular hardware systems. Originally entitled "Mr Fix It" I altered the game design so that it was based around Lucasfilm properties, such as Star Wars characters, including Luke Skywalker and Darth vader, and other characters such as Indiana Jones.

Lucasfilm also requested that PMC design and produce the game manual and packaging.   I designed and wrote the user manual, and hired Catalyst Publishing in the UK to produce the physical print masters, which were then shipped to Lucasfilm in California for production.

To develop the game, I helped found Attention To Detail (ATD), who have gone on to become one of the leading British development companies. The title was well received by the market and sold more than 100,000 units. It received excellent reviews and was noted for it's innovation in game design, making use of "cause and effect" simulation and humor.

The highest review for "Night Shift" was 96% for the Spectrum version; programmed by John Mullins, artwork by Nick Cook. it received the award of "Crash Smash" (see panel on right to read full review). The reviewers said:

"Night Shift is totally original and totally brilliant"
"The best advice I can give you is get out your pennies, go down to your local software emporium and get a copy before they're all sold out!"
"It makes a very refreshing change to see an original game and Night Shift gets a big thumbs up from me"

The Commodore 64 version, like all of the skus of Night Shift, was very highly reviewed also (see panel on right for a typical C64 review); Zzap 64 reviewers said:

"As one of the most innovative games in a long while. Night Shift deserves to do well."
"Heartily recommended for anyone who likes a bit of mental challenge along with arcade action"
"Great fun"
"Toymaking at its best"

The One magazine scored the PC sku at 90% (see panel on right for full review): Reviewers said:

"Complex platform elements, top class puzzler and meticulously worked out game design add up to a product that's unique, addictive and utterly absorbing"; "Once you start your shift you wont want to give it up"

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128) ( Activision )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128) ( Compilation )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

Part of Software Studios’ challenge was finding talent with whom we could work. One such find was Mev Dinc, whom we nurtured a relationship that gave us several innovative products, including "Prodigy", the first project that we signed with him.  Luring such talent away from other major studios was a constant objective.

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(IBM PC) ( Creative Labs )

• Fast Mech & Clan War; control a team of mechanical exoskeletons.
• Capture territory and defend your own. Develop new technologies (attack and defensive). Be the last team standing to win.
• 3D 1st and 3rd person views plus view-in-view. It's not only survival of the fittest - but the smartest too.

My involvement included collaborating on concept with the Crush! design team; I wrote the storyline for the game; negotiated the contract for the game development; liaison with Creative Labs; produced the game during development, co-ordinating project scheduling, technical and graphical issues; assisted in the product QA and drafted the game manual

(Commodore 64, Atari XL) ( Activision )

(Nintendo SNES/SFX) (Nintendo)

The first real 3D game on home consoles, StarFox was a massive success for Nintendo, becoming the best-selling 3-D flight game in history, and Nintendo’s third-best selling game ever (as of 1993). The game's 3D technology and programming was provided by Argonaut, as was the revolutionary 3D chip built into the game cartridge, known as the Super FX chip.

According to Argonaut's website the game has sold some 4 million units.

My involvement included liaison with Nintendo and Argonaut's staff in Japan, maintaining project scheduling, and assisting in the product QA. If you complete the game successfully, you’ll see my name in the credits!

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(IBM PC) ( Marjacq/Microsoft )

(Atari ST, IBM PC) ( PMC )

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( System 3 )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Atari ST, Commodore Amiga) ( System 3 )

(Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, IBM PC) ( Motion Picture House )

(PS2, XBox) ( EA Sports )

 

(PS2) ( EA Sports )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Gamestar )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Microsoft XBox) ( Microsoft ) - was released as "Inside Pitch Baseball

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Gamestar )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(IBM PC) ( Proein/Crush )

Customized version of "Soccer Nation" for Spanish market.  Sales Nov '97 - Jan '98 approx. 150,000 units.

See below for "Soccer Nation" and product features

(Commodore 64, SPEC, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Gamestar )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Compilation )

(PSP, PC, NDS, GBA) (EA Sports)

(PC, NDS, GBA) (EA Sports)

(PC, NDS, MAC) (EA Sports)

(PS2, XBox, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(PS2, XBox, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(Click image to enlarge)

(PS2/PS2 Online, XBox/XBox Live, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(Click image to enlarge)

 

(PS2, XBox, PSP) ( EA Sports )

 

(PS3, X360, PS2) ( EA Sports )

  (Click images  to enlarge)

(PS2/PS2 Online, XBox) (Midway Sports)

  (Click images  to enlarge)

(PS2, XBox, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(Click image to enlarge)

(Click images to enlarge)

(PS2/PS2 online, XBox, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(Click images to enlarge)

(Click images to enlarge)

(PS2/PS2 Online, XBox, Gamecube) (Midway Sports)

(PS2, PSP) ( EA Sports )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(Atari ST, Atari XL) (Electric Dreams )

(Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(Click image to enlarge)

(Click image to enlarge)

(IBM PC) ( Sunsoft/Crush )

The first in the "Nation Sports" series of related on-line and retail fantasy sports management titles, providing genuine world-wide human-v-human competition, in managed league systems and knockout tournaments.

• On-line & retail Soccer Management simulation
• You can be coach or even play on pitch
• Buy and sell footballers
• Play on-line in a managed league system against other managers around the World via the Internet
• Hand-pick your squad & strategies
• Build your stadium
• Customize your kit
• Maximize your team's income
• Sponsorship designed in
• Realistic footballer Artificial Intelligence profiles
• Create almost any soccer league structure in the World
• Seasonal weather conditions - wind, rain, snow, fog, sun
• Night time and day time fixtures
• Multiple languages (published in Spain as "Futbol Pro"; see above)
• Internet and Intranet play

My involvement included:

• Originated concept
• Conceived of unique business model and business plan
• Negotiated funding for the project development
• Instigated commercial sponsorship from third-parties including McDonalds, OKI and EuroSport
• Liaison with Japanese software publisher and project partner, Sunsoft, in Europe, Japan and USA
• Worked with external PR agency to instigate press campaign (the title was the third-most mentioned PC title in 1997 in the media)
• Worked with external advertising agency to create lifestyle television and press campaign to support product launch
• Edited and co-scripted commentator scripts & gave voice direction during recording of commentators
• Co-ordinated and co-designed the supporting on-line systems
• Negotiated with telecoms companies for favorable on-line rates for consumers
• Liaison with first overseas distributor, Proein in Spain
• Produced the game during development, co-ordinating project scheduling, technical and graphical issues
• Wrote release notes, sections of the product manual, and pages for the supporting web-site
• Collaborated on full design with Crush! design team
• Arranged beta-test programme including on-site induction evenings

Crush! commissioned a television commercial to support the launch of our game, using the London agency Mustoe Merriman Herring & Levy. This was highly unusual for a developer to commission its own television campaign. The ad.was intended to appeal directly to the lifestyle aspirations of our target market - the "armchair manager" sports fan. We were proud of our ad! - click here if you would like to see an extract from it !  If you would like to see the FULL commercial please contact me.

Click here to see into movie from game

Crush! also commissioned a series of seven print-ads as part of the campaign, to run in both specialist and lifestyle media. Specialist press ads talked directly of the passion of football, the lifestyle ads - one of which is shown - were funny, intended to establish an attitude for the product - click here to see an example.

Soccer Nation was the third-most mentioned PC title in the media during 1997. See panel on right for press examples.

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Compilation )

(PS3, X360, PS2, NDS, PC, Wii, Mac )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Atari ST, AMI, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

Conversion of Sega’s classic coin-op on multiple formats. Won critical acclaim for its technical achievements of taking a state-of-the-art coin-op game and re-creating the gameplay on far-less capable home computers.

(design for BITS Corp )

(BBC Micro) ( Atarisoft )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(BBC Micro) ( Atarisoft )

(BBC Micro) ( Atarisoft )

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

Coin-op conversion; Activision's first number-one hit title produced in Europe.

The title received rave reviews and critical acclaim, not just for it’s technical accomplishments, but also for its faithful reproduction of the original arcade gameplay: -"This Sega coin-op conversion puts other top software houses to shame. It sets a new standard for arcade tie-ins" (5-Star Rating (100% review) – Computer & Video Games)

This review is typical of the critical and technical acclaim that the product received (see panel on right).

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Commodore 64) ( Activision )

(BBC Micro) ( Atarisoft )

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(design for Probe )

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, IBM PC) ( Atarisoft )

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128) ( Atarisoft )

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC, Atari XL) ( Activision )

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(Nintendo Gameboy) (TH*Q)

Based upon the hugely successful Atari Games coin-op of the same name, this was a significant technical challenge. 3D had not been created successfully for the Gameboy before. Yet Argonaut created a highly accurate and very playable version of the game on this hand-held gaming system, which was a number-one best seller for the publisher, TH*Q. Nintendo, who had to approve the game before they would manufacture it, gave it the highest internal rating they had ever given to a 3D game for the Gameboy system.

The reviewers said (see also panel on right):

"Argonaut software have done a superb job recreating the graphics of the coin-op"

"This is the best conversion of Race Drivin' I have played"

"Enlisting Argonaut to code the game was certainly a wise decision on THQ's behalf!"

"The 3D is very convincing as is the speed"

"Race Drivin' is a really cool title to own"

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

Technically accurate conversions of this popular coin-op, which topped charts throughout Europe for more than 8 weeks.

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(IBM PC)  ( US Gold )

Another critically acclaimed, chart-topping coin-op conversion. First product for Software Studios by Zareh Johanness "(ZZKJ"), who established his reputation as a leading programmer as a result of this project.

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

This topped the charts for 8 weeks and was a huge hit for Electric Dreams. The ST version was created by the team that later became Attention To Detail, and marked the beginning of my long relationship with them.

(Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision)

(Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

(Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Electric Dreams )

Click here to read "Your Sinclair" review

(Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128, Amstrad CPC) ( Activision )

(IBM PC) ( Sprytes )

Another of PMC's innovative CD-ROM products in which we attempted to combine game design with streaming video and audio. In the Compact Music Box, up to 6 players would compete in competition to see who could get their act to the top of the music charts; this was achieved by answering pop music questions of the past thirty years.

(click image to see video)

(Music Video) ( Cogent/Muzik/Sprytes )

Based upon The Wounded Arm's recording "Drowning". The 8 minute video is a mixture of 3D graphic effects and animations with live video of band members performing the song. Filmed, edited and produced at PMC. My involvement: concept, coordination with "Wounded Arm" band and Cogent management, and I was the Producer and Director of the video.  Tony Jackson and Martin "Smoke" Carroll filmed and edited the video.

(Interactive Single) ( Cogent/Muzik/Sprytes )

Following from the music video of "Drowning", I conceived of the idea of helping the band create a single with a data track, a pioneering move in 1994. I had hoped to use the single as a template for the music industry, such that PMC could provide a toolset for a record label to produce interactive singles cost effectively. Despite interest from several record companies, PMC did not have the bandwidth to sell the concept adequately to the music industry. Nonetheless, it was well received, and led me to a number of other concepts, including the idea of an interactive press kit for use by the film and music industries.
Features of the "Drowning" interactive single were:

·    Windows/Mac, point & click
·    Features two audio tracks
·    Entire video for songs
·    Lyric sheets
·    Remix desk allowing user to experiment with the different music channels
·    Interactive Band interview

My involvement included concept, product design (in collaboration with PMC team) and development co-ordination, negotiations with Cogent and Wounded Arm, initial selling pitch to several record companies.

(Commodore 64) ( Activision )

( Web site  )

( Web site & intranet )

(click image to enlarge)

(Atari XL/XE) ( Atari )

A vertical market application for video rental outlets called "Film Inventory and Loan Management System" (FILMS).

My responsibilities included the contract negotiation, product naming, developer liaison and product testing.

I arranged the live testing of the product at video stores in the south-east of England. This included installing the hardware and software, staff training at the video stores, product support, troubleshooting and analysis of results

I scripted a short promotional video on the "F.I.L.M.S" project, and traveled to Warner Studios in Geneva, Switzerland, to record and edit the final video production