Brøderbund was an American software developer and publisher founded in 1980 by brothers Doug and Gary Carlston to market their own game “Galactic Empire” (1980) for the TRS-80. Broderbund published some very important games of the 1980s including “Lode Runner” (1982), and Jordan Mechner’s “Karateka” (1984) and “Prince of Persia” (1989)…
The American publishers Electronic Arts (EA) was founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins. Previously employed by Apple, Hawkins left – taking a number of other Apple employees – to establish an independent publisher supporting the many talented but unknown “software artists”…
American Toy company Mattel was the official distributor of Nintendo products in Australia from 1984 to December 1993. The Mattel company was established in the USA in 1945 and became well known in the 1960s through its toy brands such as Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars. It opened its Australian office in 1968 in Cremone in Victoria
Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) was founded in 1979 by keen table top war gamer, Joel Billings, to make strategic games for the home computer. Fresh out of college and bound for MBA studies, he planned to indulge his hobby on his holiday. He was joined by programmers John Lydon and Ed Willeger.
Tandy Corporation’s Radio Shack division was responsible for the development of the TRS-80 (Tandy Radio Shack- 80) home computer. The TRS-80 is remembered fondly as an underpowered but affordable home computer. Whilst Tandy’s computer may not have been as sophisticated as its competitors, such as the Apple, the TRS-80 had advantages beyond its low cost. Tandy’s Radio Shack stores offered a readymade distribution network for software.