Mel Croucher
Encyclopedia
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
. This label published several games for the early home computer market, including three Computer Trade Association award-winners: Pimania
(1982), Groucho (1983, aka My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar), and the groundbreaking "multi-media" title Deus Ex Machina
(1984).
He has also written text books, computer manuals and comedy, and worked as a journalist, writing regular columns like Without Prejudice, The Rubber Room, and a sci-fi humorous serial called Tamara Knight for the ZX Spectrum
magazine CRASH
in the 1980s, as well as columns for various computer magazines since.
He is currently CEO
of MelCroucher.com, an internet creative and marketing company; Editor In Chief of CollectValue.com, a social network for collectors; Founder of WritersDirect.net, a promotions company for authors.
He is the author of Zygote in Computer Shopper
every month since 1987, the Rants And Raves column and the Great Moments In Computing cartoon strip in the same magazine.
In 2010 Feeding Tube Records, a small label in the United States, released "Pimania: The Music of Mel Croucher", a deluxe vinyl LP album of the music to the Pimania games, as well as tracks from other Automata releases. The album came with extensive liner notes by Croucher and Caroline Bren, as well as a large poster featuring selections from the original Automata print campaigns.
Mel Croucher is currently producing a remake of his game starring Sir Christopher Lee
, to be released as Deus Ex Machina 2 in Q4 of 2011, together with Portuguese games publisher Quirkafleeg.
Automata UK
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 and Deus Ex Machina .-History:...
after the release of the Sinclair ZX81
Sinclair ZX81
The ZX81 was a home computer produced by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Scotland by Timex Corporation. It was launched in the United Kingdom in March 1981 as the successor to Sinclair's ZX80 and was designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing for the general public...
. This label published several games for the early home computer market, including three Computer Trade Association award-winners: 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), Groucho (1983, aka My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar), and the groundbreaking "multi-media" title 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).
He has also written text books, computer manuals and comedy, and worked as a journalist, writing regular columns like Without Prejudice, The Rubber Room, and a sci-fi humorous serial called Tamara Knight 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...
magazine CRASH
CRASH (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:...
in the 1980s, as well as columns for various computer magazines since.
He is currently CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of MelCroucher.com, an internet creative and marketing company; Editor In Chief of CollectValue.com, a social network for collectors; Founder of WritersDirect.net, a promotions company for authors.
He is the author of Zygote in Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper (UK magazine)
Computer Shopper is a magazine published monthly since 1988 in the UK by Felix Dennis's company, Dennis Publishing Ltd.. It contains reviews of home computers and related hardware / software products, as well as news and features on related subjects...
every month since 1987, the Rants And Raves column and the Great Moments In Computing cartoon strip in the same magazine.
In 2010 Feeding Tube Records, a small label in the United States, released "Pimania: The Music of Mel Croucher", a deluxe vinyl LP album of the music to the Pimania games, as well as tracks from other Automata releases. The album came with extensive liner notes by Croucher and Caroline Bren, as well as a large poster featuring selections from the original Automata print campaigns.
Mel Croucher is currently producing a remake of his game starring Sir Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
, to be released as Deus Ex Machina 2 in Q4 of 2011, together with Portuguese games publisher Quirkafleeg.
Video games
- IDID (video game)iD is a computer game developed by Mel Croucher and Colin Jones and published by CRL in 1986. The game is text based and takes the form of a conversation with an entity that has entered your computer. Your task as the player is to gain the entity's trust and find out what other inanimate objects...
- Can Of Worms
- Love And Death
- PimaniaPimaniathumb|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...
- My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar
- Deus Ex MachinaDeus 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...
- Castle Master story and book of the game
Books and journalism
- Namesakes, with Jon PertweeJon PertweeJohn Devon Roland Pertwee , was an English actor. Pertwee is best known for his role in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, in which he played the third incarnation of the Doctor from 1970 to 1974, and as the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge...
Sphere Books - Easy AMOS, Europress
- AMOS Professional, Europress
- Email Direct Marketing, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
- European Computer Trade Yearbook (as Editor)
External links
- Official site of melcroucher.com
- Official site of DeusExMachina2.com
- The Automata Songs World Of Spectrum archive of music by Mel Croucher.
- Interview with Mel Croucher from May 2001, ZX Golden Years.
- Transmedia stories Interview with Mel Croucher and others from January 2011, on Transmedia storytellingTransmedia storytellingTransmedia storytelling, also known as multi-platform storytelling, cross-platform storytelling, or transmedia narrative, is the technique of telling stories across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies...