Automata UK
Encyclopedia
Automata UK was a software house
which developed and published ZX Spectrum
video games between 1982 and 1985. Significant releases included My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar
(1983) and Deus Ex Machina
(1984).
and Christian Penfold. The two had previously worked together in radio, producing a show for Independent Radio Authority, which led them to publishing travel guides. In 1981 they begain to publish audio guides on cassette tape as Automata Cartography.
Croucher had purchased a ZX-81 and, whilst the two were on location creating a guide for Sealink to the Channel Islands, began to plan out their first software releases. Automata's first commercial programs were Can of Worms and The Bible. Penfold was initially dismissive of the idea, but eventually became interested in coding. For Pimania
(1982), one of Automata's first ZX Spectrum releases, Penfold was highlighted as C&VG's "Designer of the Month".
Automata became known for its support of non-violent game concepts, cartoon-strip adverts and appearances at ZX Microfairs. Penfold and Croucher perceived the effects of middlemen, distributors and retailers on the software industry as damaging. Automata itself was largely a mail-order business, and charged wholesalers the same rate as individual customers.
By June 1985, Automata had ceased publishing after Croucher and Penfold split up.
(1982) which was designed by Croucher and Penfold. Artist Gremlin Evans drew the Piman cartoons, which began to feature an extended family of Pi-people such as Morris, Rastapiman and Swettibitz. Many of the Piman games were programmed freelance, arriving as unsolicited tapes, which were then slotted into the Piman storyline.
Software house
A software house is a company whose primary products are software.- Types :There are a number of different types of software houses:*Large and well-known companies such as Microsoft, SAP AG, Oracle Corporation, HP, Adobe Systems, Apple Inc...
which developed and published ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
video games between 1982 and 1985. Significant releases included My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar
My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar
My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar is a computer game developed and published by Automata UK for the ZX Spectrum in 1983. Groucho was designed by Mel Croucher who was perhaps better known for his later works Deus Ex Machina and ID....
(1983) and Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina (video game)
Deus Ex Machina was a computer game designed and created by Mel Croucher and published by Automata UK for the ZX Spectrum in October 1984.The game was the first to be accompanied by a fully synchronised audio cassette tape which contained a voice and music track. The cast included Ian Dury, Jon...
(1984).
History
Automata was established by Mel CroucherMel Croucher
Mel Croucher is a British writer and video games pioneer. Originally an architect, he moved into computers and set up Automata UK after the release of the Sinclair ZX81...
and Christian Penfold. The two had previously worked together in radio, producing a show for Independent Radio Authority, which led them to publishing travel guides. In 1981 they begain to publish audio guides on cassette tape as Automata Cartography.
Croucher had purchased a ZX-81 and, whilst the two were on location creating a guide for Sealink to the Channel Islands, began to plan out their first software releases. Automata's first commercial programs were Can of Worms and The Bible. Penfold was initially dismissive of the idea, but eventually became interested in coding. For Pimania
Pimania
thumb|right|The ZX81 intro screen.Pimania is a text-and-graphics adventure game released by Automata UK in 1982 for the BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, Dragon 32, and ZX81 computers. The player negotiates a surreal landscape with the aid of the mysterious Pi-Man, Automata's mascot. The B side of the game...
(1982), one of Automata's first ZX Spectrum releases, Penfold was highlighted as C&VG's "Designer of the Month".
Automata became known for its support of non-violent game concepts, cartoon-strip adverts and appearances at ZX Microfairs. Penfold and Croucher perceived the effects of middlemen, distributors and retailers on the software industry as damaging. Automata itself was largely a mail-order business, and charged wholesalers the same rate as individual customers.
By June 1985, Automata had ceased publishing after Croucher and Penfold split up.
Piman
Automata's mascot was Piman, a pink humanoid with a large nose. He was the protagonist in many of their games, starting with the text adventure PimaniaPimania
thumb|right|The ZX81 intro screen.Pimania is a text-and-graphics adventure game released by Automata UK in 1982 for the BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, Dragon 32, and ZX81 computers. The player negotiates a surreal landscape with the aid of the mysterious Pi-Man, Automata's mascot. The B side of the game...
(1982) which was designed by Croucher and Penfold. Artist Gremlin Evans drew the Piman cartoons, which began to feature an extended family of Pi-people such as Morris, Rastapiman and Swettibitz. Many of the Piman games were programmed freelance, arriving as unsolicited tapes, which were then slotted into the Piman storyline.
Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina was Automata's most ambitious project; an attempt at an "epic computer movie". Published in 1984, it was a multi-stage game based on Shakespeare's "The Seven Ages of Man". It included a synchonised music sound-track with voice-over talent from Ian Dury, Jon Pertwee, Donna Bailey, Frankie Howerd, and Mel Croucher himself. Deus Ex Machina received excellent reviews in the press, coverage in the national media, Croucher was interviewed by Barry Norman and the Sunday Times put it top of its list of games to buy for Christmas. Despite this positive critical response, retailers did not want to stock it, partially due to Automata's policy on charging wholesalers full price for small orders. By February only 5000 copies had been distributed. Due to this, Penfold and Croucher became bitter towards the sales industry:External links
- Automata at World of SpectrumWorld of SpectrumWorld of Spectrum is a website devoted to cataloging and archiving material for the ZX Spectrum home computer popular in the 1980s, and has been officially endorsed by Amstrad which holds the rights to the ZX Spectrum brand...
- http://www.lysator.liu.se/adventure/Automata_UK_Ltd.html