July 9th, 1985
Inverness,Scotland
Sorry, I was drunk on something when I wrote that
My best apologies,
Quinn King
July 16th, 1985
A new company called the Satyr Studios with HQ in Earth, North America, Canada, Redmond, Main Avenue 22 created by Bail Doors has just opened up.
They said that they will on strategy and simulation games.
On that same day they announced first game:
Car Shop
Genres : Simulation, Startegy
Price : 39,99$
Languages : English
Platform : Developers (Satyr Studio) didnt said on what platform their game will be released, but they will announce it soon.
Features :
-Manage your own automobile company
-Design, Build and Sell your cars
-Manage car dealerships
-Compete with other companies
-Full tutorials
-3 Difficulties
-Research new parts
-2D V.1
-Good competitors AI
-High Scores
-Long and fun Gameplay
-Animations
And Even More!
The Release Date isnt verified
July 20 1985
Satyr Studios
Details about Car Shop
Today we want to say about our game Car Shop which was announced 4 days ago.
The platform on which Car Shop will be released is PC. We think the Simulation games like ours are better to play at computer, than on an console.
The date game will be released is August, 12 This year.
(Is it too late to join?)
Of course not, but if you want to sign you need to PM the GameMaster,or post at Off-Topic.
1.1 Is In Effect From Here On Out
This is essentially a mini-reboot and game reviews/sales will be published monthly in-game from now onwards.
Read the off-topic OP for more info on marketing and reviews
Please send game features/marketing as described in the wikia links before releasing your game.
Game release dates are now in months and will be bundled together for sales/reviews.
Please make any complaints/comments/feedback in the Off-Topic thread, thanks.
August 10 1985
Satyr Studios
Car Shop Released!
Today the first 2D game by Satyr Studios has been released .
Car Shop
Genres : Simulation, Startegy
Price : 39,99$
Languages : English
Platform : PC
It Offers:
-2D V.1
-Good competitors AI
-High Scores
-Long and fun Gameplay
-Animations
-High Quality Sprites
“It was released 2 days before we planned. It didnt affect the quality, we just have better staff than I think.”
-Bail Doors CEO
August 11 1985
New Indie game company called Indie Pug Games with a HQ in Lexington,KY. Has started making games as part of there long term plan to rule the market. Before that they have been making game console parts. Even Calling The company Indie Console Parts. They have started production on there first game Computer Maker Tycoon. Where you enter the Computer market in 1986 and you start off in a office in your house and make laptops with parts off the internet. They Can be Small Desktops,gaming Desktop or Small Gaming Desktop…
Here is the Game Parts:
2D Graphics V1
Basic Sound
Game Saving
Mini Games
Genre;Simulation,Startegy
Topic:Laptop Tycoon
Price:9.99$
Languages:English
Platform:Console not yet decided.
August 18th 1985
Mayhem Corp
Announcement of Peter The Penguin!
A snow/ice based platformer based on the journey of an adventurous penguin as he overcomes the obstacles of the tundra!
Release date: TBA
Platform: TBA
Price: TBA
We here at Mayhem Corp, apologize for the lack of information at this moment but it is still early stages and we hope that our first game will be successful.
August 23rd, 1985
A new small game developer called Gadgeteer Games has entered the market. Based in Vancouver, Canada, their new action platformer has been in production for some time and is almost ready.
Buddy Bear’s Toyland
Topic: Toys
Genre: Action Platformer
Price: $10.00 CAD ($7.39 USD as of August 23, 1985)
Languages: English, French
Platform: PC
Demographic: Young (8-12)
The evil Homework Goblin King has kidnapped the Pretty Princess Fashion Doll™ and invaded Toyland! Who can save this nation of colored plastic and candy trees? Help would-be hero Buddy Bear navigate the treacherous path from Play Town to the Homework Goblin’s castle in Mediocritopolis!
Features:
- Rescue the Fashion Doll Princess from the clutches of the evil
Homework Goblin King! - Take out the Homework Goblin King’s minions with a wide variety of power-up toys! Foam dart gatlings! Sniper Soakers™!
- Hidden Bonus Levels!
- A high score table, just like the Arcade!
- Save your game at checkpoints!
- Two player mode! See who can get to the Princess first!
- Easy enough for young players to complete
- Support for joysticks and controllers
- A unique feature! Can you get all the achievements?
Toyland needs you!
Release TBA
Note: When questioned about the mysterious ‘achievements’, Oliver Zehn only said “It’s a new feature we’re trying out. One of the other programmers came up with it and put it in without our prior knowledge. We don’t know if it’ll catch on, but we’re keeping it in because they seemed fun for the playtesters.”
August 30th, 1985
Gadgeteer Games
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Buddy Bear’s Toyland
North American Marketing Plans
With little money to spare, Gadgeteer Games is opting for two small and cheap advertisement methods.
- Posters are to be placed in the front windows of toy stores and electronics retailers. Posters can also be bought for $0.50 CAD ($0.37 USD as of September 1st, 1985) from anywhere they are displayed, as extra copies will be shipped to retailers.
- Ads in various magazines will show a comic of the game’s backstory, created by one of the art designers for the game.
Unfortunately, without the contacts that big studios like Horse-Drawn Games, this may be a pipe-dream.
(Edited to properly fit the timeframe.)
September 3rd, 1985
Horse-Drawn Games
Scottsdale, Vermont, USA
Beyond Human Released in USA
A remake of Horse-Drawn’s classic interactive fiction title, Beyond Human, was released today. Beyond Human is a cyberpunk RPG set in the distant future. This game is intended for mature players, and may not be suitable for children.
Players take on the role of a new recruit in the Special Police Force. The protagonist can be male or female, and can be named anything of the player’s choosing (within a six-letter limit). SPF officers are all cyborgs to some degree, and are free to upgrade as they like. The protagonist begins with augmented vision (displays enemy level and HP), but may purchase many other augments as the game progresses.
Defeated enemies award money and skill points. Skill points are used to enhance the protagonist’s abilities (weapon accuracy, for example). Money can be used to purchase new weapons and armor, or to buy more augments. It is possible to systematically replace every part of the protagonist’s body, turning him or her fully into a machine.
Beyond Human is the first Gamewagon game to depict blood. Human and cyborg enemies bleed when shot, and collapse in a puddle of blood when killed. Machines either explode, or collapse and emit sparks. Enemies fought include criminals, terrorists, rogue factory robots, and evil robot cultists.
Beyond Human is priced at $50. It includes a guidebook (instructions, history, tips and tricks, and artwork), and a two-sided poster. One side is a print of a watercolor painting by Irene Stevenson and depicts the default protagonist (a heavily augmented female cyborg) on a rooftop, with a rifle, wearing a trench coat over her SPF uniform. The other side is a weapons and armor chart. The game is advertised with both a short tv ad and a full-page magazine ad.
(Off-Topic: You’re going to want to edit the date on your “Beyond Human Released in USA” post. You can’t see the pencil icon in the lower right part of your post?)
September 13th, 1985
Letter sent to Horse-Drawn Games CEO Irene Stevenson
Content of Letter
Hello there. We at Gadgeteer Games are wondering if you could give us more information on the toy companies you contracted with for your merchandise. We can give you 1/5 of the profits of any resultant merchandise sales to make it worth your while.
Regards,
Oliver Zehn
Gadgeteer Games
September 20th, 1985
Response to Gadgeteer Games
Greetings from Horse-Drawn Games! Merchandise for our video games, with the exception of posters, is manufactured and distributed by Bashō USA, the North American branch of Japan-based toy company Bashō Novelties. Our licensed posters are printed and distributed by Blink! Wall Art, Ltd. I have enclosed contact information for both Bashō USA and Blink! Wall Art, Ltd. with this letter.
Regards,
Irene Stevenson
Horse-Drawn Games - Scottsdale, Vermont, USA
September 27th, 1985
Letter sent to Horse-Drawn Games CEO Irene Stevenson
Content of Letter
Thank you, we appreciate the info. We’ll stick to our agreement and give you 1/5 of our merchandise sales until the sequel for our first game has been released.
Regards,
Oliver Zehn
Gadgeteer Games
October 7, 1985
Letter sent to Horse-Drawn Games.
The Game Wagon will be released in Europe on November 20th, 1985. Are you fine with this date
-From Loch-Ness software
October 14, 1985
Gadgeteer Games
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Buddy Bear’s Toyland
Marketing now in effect for Canada and the United States
- Three types of posters created by Blink! Wall Art, Ltd. can now be seen in toy store and electronics shop windows for the upcoming PC game Buddy Bear’s Toyland, and are available for puchase. Prices are $0.75 CAD ($0.55 USD as of 14/10/1985) and are to be lowered to $0.50 CAD once the game is released. Limit 3 per customer.
- The first poster is of Buddy Bear firing a water gun called the “sniper soaker” at an as-of-yet unnamed enemy that resembles a jellybean somehow lit on fire.
- The second is of a battle against the Homework Goblin King, with the Fashion Doll Princess in a cage hanging above the fight as Buddy Bear brandishes a wooden toy sword - that might not actually be in the game - against the villain.
- The third is Buddy Bear posing in the Windup Armor, a set of colorful clockwork armor that is apparently powered by the windup key on the back.
- An ad in magazines takes the form of an included mini comic book. The story shows a quick series of events where the Princess and her army of tin soldiers try to defend Play Town from the invading army of the Homework Goblins, only to fail and end with the capture of the Princess. The comic then shows the reasoning behind Buddy Bear’s decision to fight back, followed by a short battle with two Homework Goblins. The comic ends with Buddy Bear setting off towards the Homework Goblin King’s castle with the words “To be continued… BY YOU!”
- “Toys Galore” toy stores that are selling the game will be giving away free 6-inch Buddy Bear stuffed toys with a purchase of the game while supplies last.
- In addition, 12-inch stuffed Buddy Bears and plastic Pretty Princess Fashion Dolls, will be sold upon the release of the game. Made by Bashō USA, the toys are of higher quality than the free toy given away with the game.
- “Radio Mansion” electronics stores will not be giving away the free toy, but will instead provide a free poster while supplies last.
Analysis by BizKnow Magazine
“According to inside sources, the merchandising deal for the posters hands over 4/5 of all profits to Blink! until the game is released after which they are entitled to 3/5 of the profit, while the toy-making contract with Bashō USA states that the toy company will receive 3/5 of all profits until 1 month after the game has been released, after which they receive 2/5 of the profit.
In combination with an earlier deal made with Horse-Drawn Games for contacts with these companies, this means Gadgeteer Games will receive no profits on posters and 1/5 profits on toys until the game is released, after which they will reap 1/5 of poster sales. In addition, 1 month after release they will get 2/5 of all toy sales until a potential future sequel to Buddy Bear’s Toyland is released.
After such a sequel is released, Horse-Drawn Games will receive no further share of the profits and any deals with Blink! Wall Art, Ltd. and Bashō USA will have to be renegotiated.”
August Chart
Car Shop: 9.0
*You’d think someone would be crazy to release a game about selling cars, but the risk paid off. It’s addictive as you try to keep up with the competition. The variety of ways in doing this means the game has longevity. This is the first game of its kind and I hope to see more. *
August Sales:
Car Shop: 21,000 (+4.2%)
October 21, 1985
Gadgeteer Games
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Home Computer Game Enthusiast Magazine
Price change on Buddy Bear’s Toyland dashes hopes
“Those kids hoping to see ‘Buddy Bear’s Toyland’ under the tree this Christmas will be sorely disappointed if their parents don’t pony up 35 bucks. Despite early promises of an unheard of price of $10 CAD, Gadgeteer Games today announced that a reevaluation is forcing them to stick to the prices used by the rest of the industry.
The nature of the new price, or rather prices, is another issue. Due to a poor Canadian dollar and the cost of customs to the USA, American customers will be paying a handsome 35 dollars USD for Buddy Bear’s Toyland and any future games from the company for the forseeable future. Buddy Bear’s Toyland is still TBA, but it will sell for 40 CAD north of the border.”