Gargoyle Games
Encyclopedia
Gargoyle Games was a British
software company founded in 1983 by Roy Carter and Greg Follis in order to publish their first game, Ad Astra. They generally specialized in games for the ZX Spectrum
even though the company was originally named with the intention of publishing games for Dragon
computers. They also released games on their own label Faster Than Light
, as well as on the Elite
label.
Two of Gargoyle's releases, Marsport
and Heavy on the Magick
were intended to be the first in a series of games but the planned sequels were never released. Marsport is often considered an unofficial companion to Tir Na Nog and Dun Darach
due to its similar gameplay.
Tir Na Nóg and Dun Darach are part of the same series, with Dun Darach being the prequel despite being released the following year.
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...
software company founded in 1983 by Roy Carter and Greg Follis in order to publish their first game, Ad Astra. They generally specialized in games for the 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...
even though the company was originally named with the intention of publishing games for Dragon
Dragon 32/64
The Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 are home computers that were built in the 1980s. The Dragons are very similar to the TRS-80 Color Computer , and were produced for the European market by Dragon Data, Ltd., in Port Talbot, Wales, and for the US market by Tano of New Orleans, Louisiana...
computers. They also released games on their own label Faster Than Light
Faster Than Light (software publisher)
Faster Than Light was a software publishing label established by UK video game publisher Gargoyle Games. The aim was for FTL to publish arcade-style games, while Gargoyle would concentrate on its core business of text adventure games....
, as well as on the Elite
Elite Systems
Elite Systems is a UK video game developer and publisher established in 1984 as Richard Wilcox Software. They are best known for producing home computer conversions of popular arcade games...
label.
Two of Gargoyle's releases, Marsport
Marsport
Marsport is a science fiction computer game that was released for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC home computers in 1985. It was published by Gargoyle Games in the United Kingdom and Dro Soft in Spain. Marsport was intended to be the first part of a trilogy called "The Siege of Earth" but parts two...
and Heavy on the Magick
Heavy on the Magick
Heavy on the Magick is a computer game for Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum published in 1986 by Gargoyle Games. The game's influences draw heavily from the occult, with the Master Therion in the plot below a reference to Aleister Crowley. To finish the game, the player must invoke numerous demons who...
were intended to be the first in a series of games but the planned sequels were never released. Marsport is often considered an unofficial companion to Tir Na Nog and Dun Darach
Dun Darach
Dun Darach is an arcade adventure published in 1985 by Gargoyle Games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC computers.The background history is based on Celtic folklore about the hero Cuchulainn, and his battles against the people of Connachta in ancient Ireland. "Dun Darach" or "Dún na nDarach"...
due to its similar gameplay.
Tir Na Nóg and Dun Darach are part of the same series, with Dun Darach being the prequel despite being released the following year.
Notable Games
- Ad Astra (1984)
- Tir Na Nog (1984)
- Dun DarachDun DarachDun Darach is an arcade adventure published in 1985 by Gargoyle Games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC computers.The background history is based on Celtic folklore about the hero Cuchulainn, and his battles against the people of Connachta in ancient Ireland. "Dun Darach" or "Dún na nDarach"...
(1985) - MarsportMarsportMarsport is a science fiction computer game that was released for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC home computers in 1985. It was published by Gargoyle Games in the United Kingdom and Dro Soft in Spain. Marsport was intended to be the first part of a trilogy called "The Siege of Earth" but parts two...
(1985) - Heavy on the MagickHeavy on the MagickHeavy on the Magick is a computer game for Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum published in 1986 by Gargoyle Games. The game's influences draw heavily from the occult, with the Master Therion in the plot below a reference to Aleister Crowley. To finish the game, the player must invoke numerous demons who...
(1986) - Sweevo's WorldSweevo's WorldSweevo's World is an isometric 3D arcade adventure game released by Gargoyle Games in for the Sinclair Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. An enhanced version for the Spectrum 128K was also released, titled Sweevo's Whirled...
(1986) - Scooby Doo in the Castle Mystery (1986)
- HydrofoolHydrofoolHydrofool is an isometric 3D arcade adventure game released by FTL in for the Sinclair Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was the sequel to Sweevo's World. The game music was composed by Rob Hubbard.- Plot :...
(FTLFaster Than Light (software publisher)Faster Than Light was a software publishing label established by UK video game publisher Gargoyle Games. The aim was for FTL to publish arcade-style games, while Gargoyle would concentrate on its core business of text adventure games....
/Gargoyle 1987)
External links
- Article about Gargoyle Games from the January 1986 issue of CRASHCRASH (magazine)Crash was a magazine dedicated to the ZX Spectrum home computer. It was published from 1984 to 1991 by Newsfield Publications Ltd until their liquidation, and then until 1992 by Europress.-Development:...
magazine. - Interview with Gargoyle Games from the November 1985 issue of Sinclair UserSinclair UserSinclair User, often abbreviated SU, was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum...
. - Information about Gargoyle Games at Planet Sinclair.
- Further info on Gargoyle Games