Argonaut Games
Encyclopedia
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
video game developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
. Founded as Argonaut Software by teenager Jez San
Jez San
Jeremy 'Jez' San OBE is an English game programmer and entrepreneur who founded Argonaut Software as a teenager in the 1980s. He is also a writer and helped design the Super FX chip for the Super NES.-Biography:...
in 1982 the company name is a play on his name (J. San) and the movie title Jason and the Argonauts. It had its head offices in Edgware
Edgware
Edgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
The company produced its first game Skyline Attack for the Commodore 64Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
. It later produced the 3D Starglider
Starglider
Starglider is a 3D video game released in 1986 by Rainbird. It was developed by Argonaut Software, led by programmer Jez San. The game was inspired by Jez San's love of the 1983 Atari coin-op Star Wars, It was a fast-moving, first-person combat flight simulator, rendered with colourful wireframe...
games for the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
platforms.
In 1993 Argonaut were working with Nintendo during the early years of the NES and SNES. They developed a prototype of the game Star Fox, initially codenamed "NesGlider" and inspired by their earlier Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
and Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
game Starglider
Starglider
Starglider is a 3D video game released in 1986 by Rainbird. It was developed by Argonaut Software, led by programmer Jez San. The game was inspired by Jez San's love of the 1983 Atari coin-op Star Wars, It was a fast-moving, first-person combat flight simulator, rendered with colourful wireframe...
, that they had running on the NES and then some weeks later on a prototype of the SNES. Jez San
Jez San
Jeremy 'Jez' San OBE is an English game programmer and entrepreneur who founded Argonaut Software as a teenager in the 1980s. He is also a writer and helped design the Super FX chip for the Super NES.-Biography:...
told Nintendo that this was as good as it could get unless they were allowed to design custom hardware to make the SNES better at 3D. Nintendo said yes, and San hired chip designers and made the Super FX
Super FX
The Super FX is a coprocessor chip used in select Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game cartridges. This custom-made RISC processor was typically programmed to act like a graphics accelerator chip that would draw polygons to a frame buffer in the RAM that sat adjacent to it...
chip (originally codenamed by then the “MARIO chip”). So powerful was the Super FX chip that was used to create the graphics and gameplay that they joked that the Super Nintendo was just a box to hold the chip.
After building the Super FX they went on to design a chip for Philips for a videogame machine that never came out (codenamed GreenPiece aka CD-I 2) and also designed one for Apple Inc. which was also for a videogame machine that never appeared (codenamed VeggieMagic) – and one for Hasbro – for a Virtual Reality game machine that similarly never appeared (codenamed MatriArc).
In 1996, Argonaut Software was split into Argonaut Technologies Limited (ATL) and Argonaut Software Limited (ASL). With space being a premium at the office on Colindale Avenue, ATL was relocated to an office in the top floor of a separate building; Capitol House on Capitol Way, just around the corner, where they continued the design of CPU and GPU products and maintained 'BRender', Argonaut's proprietary software 3D engine.
In 1997 the two arms of the company once again shared an office as the entire company was moved to a new building in Edgware.
In 1998 ATL was rebranded ARC after the name of their main product (aka Argonaut RISC Core
ARC International
ARC International plc was a developer of configurable microprocessor technology and is now owned by Synopsys. ARC developed synthesisable IP and licensed it to semiconductor companies....
) and became an embedded IP provider.
Argonaut Software Limited became Argonaut Games and was floated
Public limited company
A public limited company is a limited liability company that sells shares to the public in United Kingdom company law, in the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth jurisdictions....
in 1999.
In late October 2004 Argonaut Games called in receivers David Rubin & Partners, made 100 employees redundant and was put up for sale. Lack of a constant stream of deals with publishers led to cashflow issues and a profit warning earlier in the year.
BRender
BRender (abbreviation of Blazing Renderer) is a development toolkit and a real-time 3D graphics engineGame engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
for computer games, simulators and graphic tools. It was developed and licensed by Argonaut Software. The engine had support for Intel's MMX instruction set and it supported Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
and Sony PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
platforms. Support for 3D hardware graphics accelerator cards was added. Well-known games made with BRender include Carmageddon
Carmageddon
Carmageddon is the first of a series of graphically violent vehicular combat video games produced by Stainless Games, published by Interplay and SCi...
, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a platform video game published by Fox Interactive and developed by Argonaut Software for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and GameBoy Color. It was released on September 29, 1997 in the North America...
, FX Fighter
FX Fighter
FX Fighter is a video game developed by Argonaut Games and released by GTE Entertainment in 1995. It was an early realtime 3D fighting game to be developed for the PC...
and I-War (Independence War)
I-War (Independence War)
I-War is a space combat simulator developed by English development house Particle Systems Ltd. The game was first published in 1997 in Europe by Infogrames as I-War, and in late August of 1998 in North America as Independence War...
.
Selected games
- Skyline Attack, 1984 (Commodore 64)
- Alien, 1984 (Commodore 64)
- StargliderStargliderStarglider is a 3D video game released in 1986 by Rainbird. It was developed by Argonaut Software, led by programmer Jez San. The game was inspired by Jez San's love of the 1983 Atari coin-op Star Wars, It was a fast-moving, first-person combat flight simulator, rendered with colourful wireframe...
, 1985 - Starglider 2Starglider 2Starglider 2 was an early 3D space simulator/flight simulator video game released in 1988 by Argonaut Games and was the sequel to Starglider...
, 1988 - Days of ThunderDays of Thunder (video game)Days of Thunder is a 1990 NASCAR racing simulation video game loosely based on the 1990 movie Days of Thunder. The game utilized elements from the movie, using a movie license from Paramount Pictures, for its graphical elements, plot and music soundtrack.It was released for the PC, the NES, the...
, 1990 (Atari ST, Amiga) - Race Drivin', 1992 (Atari ST, Amiga)
- A.T.A.C, 1992 (PC CDROM)
- Birds of PreyBirds of Prey (video game)Birds of Prey is a 1992 flight simulator for the Amiga and IBM PC by Argonaut Games. It features a wide variety of NATO and Warsaw Pact aircraft and their respective ordnance as well as 12 different mission profiles. The entire game environment takes place on a vast dynamic map that consists of...
, 1992 (AMIGA) - X, 1992 (Game Boy)
- Star Fox, 1993 (SNES) (programming)
- King Arthur's WorldKing Arthur's WorldKing Arthur's World is a 1993 side-scrolling strategy video game for the Super NES. It was developed by Argonaut Games and published by Jaleco.-Summary:...
, 1993 (SNES) - VortexVortex (video game)Vortex is a 3D shooter game developed by Argonaut Software and released by Electro Brain for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in September 1994...
, 1994 (SNES) - Stunt Race FXStunt Race FXStunt Race FX, known in Japan as , is a cartoon-style, 3D-racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD with the assistance of Argonaut Software and published by Nintendo for the Super NES. It was the second game to use the 3D-centric Super FX chip.-Gameplay:Stunt Race FX appears to be like a zany...
, 1994 (SNES) (assistance in programming) - Creature ShockCreature ShockCreature Shock is a 1994 sci-fi first-person shooter game released on the PC and 3DO. The game was developed by Argonaut Games and published by Virgin Interactive...
, 1994 (PC CDROM) - Ren & Stimpy: Fire Dogs, 1994 (SNES)
- FX FighterFX FighterFX Fighter is a video game developed by Argonaut Games and released by GTE Entertainment in 1995. It was an early realtime 3D fighting game to be developed for the PC...
, 1995 (PC CDROM) - Alien Odyssey, 1995 (PC CDROM)
- FX Fighter Turbo, 1996 (PC CDROM)
- Scooby Doo Mystery, 1996 (SNES)
- Croc: Legend of the GobbosCroc: Legend of the GobbosCroc: Legend of the Gobbos is a platform video game published by Fox Interactive and developed by Argonaut Software for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and GameBoy Color. It was released on September 29, 1997 in the North America...
, 1997 (PS1, SAT, PC) - Buck BumbleBuck BumbleBuck Bumble is an action video game for the Nintendo 64 developed by British video game company Argonaut Games and released by Ubisoft in 1998.-Plot:...
, 1998 (N64) - Croc 2Croc 2Croc 2, called Croc Adventure in Japan , is a video game released in 1999, is the sequel to Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, developed by Argonaut Software between 1998 and 1999, and published by Fox Interactive. Croc 2 was released on Game Boy Color, Windows, and PlayStation...
, 1999 (PS1, PC) - The Emperor's New GrooveThe Emperor's New Groove (video game)The Emperor's New Groove is a video game based upon the 2000 film of the same name. It is available for the PlayStation, Game Boy Color and the PC.-Plot:...
, 2000 (PS1, PC) - Alien: Resurrection, 2000 (PS1)
- Red Dog: Superior FirepowerRed Dog: Superior FirepowerRed Dog: Superior Firepower is a video game released in 1999 for the Dreamcast. It was developed by Argonaut Games PLC and Crave Entertainment.-Gameplay:...
, 2000 (DC) - Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's RevengeDisney's Aladdin in Nasira's RevengeDisney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge is the Aladdin franchise video game which was developed for the PlayStation and PC by Argonaut Games and distributed by Disney Interactive in 2000.-Plot:...
, 2000 (PS1, PC) - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in North America, is an Electronic Arts multi-platform action-adventure video game developed by KnowWonder, Warthog, Griptonite, Argonaut, Eurocom and Westlake Interactive...
, 2001 (PS1) (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US) - Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a action-adventure game published by Electronic Arts and developed by both EA's internal development team and Eurocom for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance systems. It was simultaneously co-developed by Amaze Entertainment for...
, 2002 (PS2) - Bionicle: Matoran Adventures, 2002 (GBA)
- Bionicle: The GameBionicle: The GameBionicle: The Game is an action-adventure video game released in 2003. The game is based on the movie Bionicle: Mask of Light and other parts of the Bionicle storyline, but the game not actually based on the film. Initially, the game was supposed to make each Toa, Toa Nuva, and the Toa of Light...
, 2003 (Xbox, PC, PS2, GameCube) - I-NinjaI-NinjaI-Ninja is an action video game developed by Argonaut Games and published by Namco. It was released for the PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube...
, 2003 (Xbox, PC, PS2, GameCube) - SWAT: Global Strike TeamSWAT: Global Strike TeamSWAT: Global Strike Team is a tactical shooter video game developed by Argonaut Games and published by Argonaut Games and Sierra Entertainment for the Xbox and the PlayStation 2. It was released on October 28, 2003 in North America and December 5, 2003 in Europe.-External links:*...
, 2003 (Xbox, PS2) - CarveCarve (video game)Carve is a racing video game developed by Argonaut Games and published by Global Star Software released exclusively for the Xbox....
, 2004 (Xbox) - Catwoman: The GameCatwoman (video game)Catwoman is a action-adventure video game published by Electronic Arts UK and Argonaut Games. The game is based on the 2004 film of the same name starring Halle Berry...
, 2004 (Xbox, PC, PS2, GameCube) - Power Drome, 2004 (Xbox, PS2)
- MaliceMalice (video game)Malice is a platform game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 developed by Argonaut Games and published by Mud Duck Games in North America and Evolved Games in Europe. The game was originally supposed to be a title for the Sony PlayStation...
, 2004 (Xbox, PS2)
External links
- Different versions of the official Argonaut Games' homepage archived by Wayback Machine
- An overview of Argonaut Games at Games Investor
- profile on MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...