Melbourne House
Encyclopedia
Krome Studios Melbourne, originally Beam Software, was a video game development
studio founded in 1980 and based in Melbourne, Australia
. The studio operated independently from 1987 until 1999, when it was acquired by Infogrames, who changed the name to Melbourne House. In 2006 the studio was sold to Krome Studios
.
The name Beam was a contraction of the initials of the founders: Alfred Milgrom and Naomi Besen.
, a 1982 text adventure by Philip Mitchell sold more than a million copies. It employed an advanced parser by Stuart Richie and had real-time elements. Even if the player didn't enter commands, the story would move on. In 1985 Greg Barnett's two-player martial arts
game The Way of the Exploding Fist
helped define the genre of one-on-one fighting games on the home computer.
In 1987 Beam's publisher, mother company Melbourne House, was sold to Mastertronic
for £850,000. Subsequently games were released through varying publishers. The 1988 fighting games Samurai Warrior
and Fist +, the third installment in the Exploding Fist series, were published through Telecomsoft
s Firebird label. 1988 also saw the release of space-shoot'em-up Bedlam, published by GO!, one of U.S. Gold
's labels, and The Muncher
, published by Gremlin Graphics.
and Beam developed games on that platform for US and Japanese publishers.
Targeted at an Australian audience, releases such as Aussie Rules Footy
and International Cricket
for the NES
proved successful. In 1991 they released the original title Nightshade (1991 video game), a dark superhero comedy game. The game was meant to be the first part in a series, but no sequels were ever made; however, it served as the basis for Shadowrun
.
In 1993 they released Shadowrun
, with an innovative dialogue system using the acquisition of keywords which could be used in subsequent conversations to initiate new branches in the dialogue tree. In the mid-to-late 90s, Melbourne House found further success with PC titles Krush Kill 'n' Destroy (KKND), and the sequels KKND2: Krossfire
and KKND Xtreme. Unfortunately, they released KKND2 in South Korea well before they released it in the American market, and pirated versions of the game were available on the internet before it was available in stores in the U.S. They were the developers of the 32-bits versions of Norse By Norse West: The Return of the Lost Vikings for the Sega Saturn
, PlayStation
and PC
in 1996. They also helped produce SNES
games such as WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling
, Super Smash TV and an updated version of International Cricket titled Super International Cricket
. They ported the Sega Saturn
game Bug!
to Windows 3.x
in August, 1996.
1998 saw a return to RPGs with Alien Earth, again with a dialogue tree format. Also in 1998, the studio developed racing games DethKarz
and GP500
.
In 1999 Beam Software was acquired by Infogrames
and renamed to Infogrames Melbourne House.
(both Dreamcast and PlayStation 2
), followed by the technically impressive Grand Prix Challenge
(PlayStation 2
), before a disastrous venture into third-person shooters with Men in Black II: Alien Escape
(PlayStation 2
, GameCube
).
In 2004 the studio released Transformers: Armada
for the PlayStation 2
games console and based on the toy franchise of the same name. The game reached the top of the UK PlayStation 2
games charts, making it Melbourne House's most successful recent title.
The studio then completed work on PlayStation 2
and PlayStation Portable
ports of Eden's next-generation Xbox 360
title Test Drive: Unlimited
.
In December 2005, Atari decided to shift away from internal development, seeking to sell its studios, including Melbourne House. In November 2006 Krome Studios
announced that it had acquired Melbourne House from Atari
and that the studio would be renamed to Krome Studios Melbourne.
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...
studio founded in 1980 and based in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The studio operated independently from 1987 until 1999, when it was acquired by Infogrames, who changed the name to Melbourne House. In 2006 the studio was sold to Krome Studios
Krome Studios
Krome Studios is an Australian video game company. Its headquarters are in Brisbane and it previously had offices in Adelaide and Melbourne. Krome Studios is best known for their Ty the Tasmanian Tiger games and for revitalising the Spyro the Dragon series...
.
The name Beam was a contraction of the initials of the founders: Alfred Milgrom and Naomi Besen.
Home computer era
In the early years, two of Beam's programs were milestones in their respective genre. The HobbitThe Hobbit (video game)
The Hobbit is a computer game released in 1982 and based on the book The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was developed at Beam Software by Philip Mitchell and Veronika Megler and published by Melbourne House for most home computers available at the time, from more popular models such as the ZX...
, a 1982 text adventure by Philip Mitchell sold more than a million copies. It employed an advanced parser by Stuart Richie and had real-time elements. Even if the player didn't enter commands, the story would move on. In 1985 Greg Barnett's two-player martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
game The Way of the Exploding Fist
The Way of the Exploding Fist
The Way of the Exploding Fist is a 1985 fighting game by Gregg Barnett of Beam Software. Originally developed on the Commodore 64 and published in June 1985 by Melbourne House, ports were made for Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron and Commodore 16...
helped define the genre of one-on-one fighting games on the home computer.
In 1987 Beam's publisher, mother company Melbourne House, was sold to Mastertronic
Mastertronic
Mastertronic was originally a publisher and distributor of low-cost computer game software founded in 1983. Their first games were distributed in mid-1984. At its peak the label was the dominant software publisher in the UK, a position achieved by selling cassette-based software at the £1.99...
for £850,000. Subsequently games were released through varying publishers. The 1988 fighting games Samurai Warrior
Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo
Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo is a computer game released for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC platforms in 1988, by the now-defunct label Firebird. It is based on the comic book Usagi Yojimbo, which featured the adventures of an anthropomorphic samurai rabbit. The...
and Fist +, the third installment in the Exploding Fist series, were published through Telecomsoft
Telecomsoft
Telecomsoft was the computer software division of British telecommunications company British Telecom . It was the owner of the well-known Firebird and Rainbird labels, under which it sold video games at a variety of price-points....
s Firebird label. 1988 also saw the release of space-shoot'em-up Bedlam, published by GO!, one of U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold was a British video game publisher and developer from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, producing numerous titles on a variety of 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit platforms.-History:...
's labels, and The Muncher
The Muncher
The Muncher is a computer game for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum that was released in 1988.-Summary:This video game involves the monster from Chewits attacking various buildings and people....
, published by Gremlin Graphics.
Shift to consoles and PCs
In 1987 Nintendo granted a developer's license for the NESNes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
and Beam developed games on that platform for US and Japanese publishers.
Targeted at an Australian audience, releases such as Aussie Rules Footy
Aussie Rules Footy
Aussie Rules Footy is the first AFL simulation video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was developed by Melbourne-based Beam Software and published under their Laser Beam label in 1991...
and International Cricket
International Cricket
International Cricket is a cricket video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was only released in Australia in 1992. Developed by Melbourne-based Beam Software, it was the only cricket game released for the NES. There were no attempts to release a cricket video game to the North...
for the NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
proved successful. In 1991 they released the original title Nightshade (1991 video game), a dark superhero comedy game. The game was meant to be the first part in a series, but no sequels were ever made; however, it served as the basis for Shadowrun
Shadowrun (SNES)
Shadowrun is a cyberpunk action role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . It was adapted from the tabletop role-playing game Shadowrun by FASA...
.
In 1993 they released Shadowrun
Shadowrun (SNES)
Shadowrun is a cyberpunk action role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . It was adapted from the tabletop role-playing game Shadowrun by FASA...
, with an innovative dialogue system using the acquisition of keywords which could be used in subsequent conversations to initiate new branches in the dialogue tree. In the mid-to-late 90s, Melbourne House found further success with PC titles Krush Kill 'n' Destroy (KKND), and the sequels KKND2: Krossfire
KKND2: Krossfire
KKnD2: Krossfire is the sequel to KKnD released on October 31, 1998. It is set 2179, 100 years after the World Nuclear War. After spending another 4 decades underground, hiding from the first loss against the Evolved, the Survivors rose up to a new enemy: the Series 9...
and KKND Xtreme. Unfortunately, they released KKND2 in South Korea well before they released it in the American market, and pirated versions of the game were available on the internet before it was available in stores in the U.S. They were the developers of the 32-bits versions of Norse By Norse West: The Return of the Lost Vikings for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
, 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...
and PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
in 1996. They also helped produce SNES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
games such as WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling
WCW Superbrawl Wrestling
WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling is a video game released for the SNES in 1994. The third World Championship Wrestling video game, it is named after the pay-per-view, SuperBrawl. It was the only WCW game to be released on the Super Nintendo, and the last to be produced by FCI.-Gameplay:The gameplay takes...
, Super Smash TV and an updated version of International Cricket titled Super International Cricket
Super International Cricket
Super International Cricket is a cricket game for the Super Nintendo that was released in Australia, Europe and Pakistan in 1994.-Summary:...
. They ported the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
game Bug!
Bug!
Bug! was a 3D rendered platform/adventure video game developed by Realtime Associates for the Sega Saturn. Released in 1995 in North America, Japan and Europe, it was one of the earliest 3D platform games...
to Windows 3.x
Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
in August, 1996.
1998 saw a return to RPGs with Alien Earth, again with a dialogue tree format. Also in 1998, the studio developed racing games DethKarz
DethKarz
DethKarz is a futuristic 3D racing game by game publisher Melbourne House. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 1998. A Nintendo 64 port was planned but never released.-Cars:The game contains four different teams, each with individual characteristics...
and GP500
GP500
GP500 is a motorcycle racing simulation for the PC developed by Melbourne House and released in 1999 by Microprose.The game represented the 1998 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, and is widely held alongside EA Sports' Superbike Series to be one of the best motorcycle racing simulations available...
.
In 1999 Beam Software was acquired by Infogrames
Infogrames
Infogrames Entertainment SA was an international French holding company headquartered in Paris, France. It was the owner of Atari, Inc., headquartered in New York City, U.S. and Atari Europe. It was founded in 1983 by Bruno Bonnell and Christophe Sapet using the proceeds from an introductory...
and renamed to Infogrames Melbourne House.
2000s
They continued to cement a reputation as a racing game developer with Test Drive: Le Mans and Looney Tunes: Space RaceLooney Tunes: Space Race
Looney Tunes: Space Race is a 2000 video game developed by Infogrames, Inc. It was originally announced as a Nintendo 64 game in 1998, but was later moved to the Dreamcast.. It was ported to PlayStation 2 in 2002 with a new tournament mode. It is a kart racing game, where you can throw weapons...
(both Dreamcast and PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
), followed by the technically impressive Grand Prix Challenge
Grand Prix Challenge
Grand Prix Challenge is a Formula One video game for the Sony PlayStation 2 developed by Australian developer Melbourne House and published by Atari. It was released in Europe on the 21st November 2002, and was officially licensed by Formula One Administration...
(PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
), before a disastrous venture into third-person shooters with Men in Black II: Alien Escape
Men in Black II: Alien Escape
Men in Black II: Alien Escape is a video game of the action-adventure genre released in 2002 by Melbourne House. The game is partially based on the Men in Black II movie.-Plot:...
(PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
).
In 2004 the studio released Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
games console and based on the toy franchise of the same name. The game reached the top of the UK PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
games charts, making it Melbourne House's most successful recent title.
The studio then completed work on PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
ports of Eden's next-generation Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
title Test Drive: Unlimited
Test Drive Unlimited
Test Drive Unlimited is an arcade-style racing game, the 9th game of the Test Drive series, it features over 125 licensed sports cars and motorcycles and a terrain modeled after the Hawaiian island of Oahu that features some 1000 miles of roads and highways. Test Drive Unlimited is the ninth main...
.
In December 2005, Atari decided to shift away from internal development, seeking to sell its studios, including Melbourne House. In November 2006 Krome Studios
Krome Studios
Krome Studios is an Australian video game company. Its headquarters are in Brisbane and it previously had offices in Adelaide and Melbourne. Krome Studios is best known for their Ty the Tasmanian Tiger games and for revitalising the Spyro the Dragon series...
announced that it had acquired Melbourne House from Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
and that the studio would be renamed to Krome Studios Melbourne.
Other games
- 1998: NBA Action '98 (PC)
- 1997: Caesars Palace (Playstation)
- 1996: 5 in One Fun Pak (GG); Wildcats (SNES)
- 1995: True Lies (GB, Genesis; SNES); The Dame Was LoadedThe Dame Was LoadedThe Dame Was Loaded is a first person, point and click adventure game for the PC platform created by Australian developer Beam Software first published in 1995 by Philips Interactive Media domestically then in 1996 world wide...
(PC) - 1994: WCW: The Main Event (Game Boy); Super Smash TV (GG, SMS); Solitaire FunPak (Game Boy); Cricket '97 Ashes Edition (PC); Radical Rex (SNES)
- 1993: We're Back BC (Game Boy); Agro Soar (Game Boy); Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness (Game Boy); Blades of Vengeance (Genesis); NFL Quarterback Club (Game Boy); Radical Rex (Genesis); Super High Impact (Genesis, SNES)
- 1992: NBA All-Star Challenge 2 (Game Boy); Tom and Jerry (GB), Super Smash TV (Genesis, SNES), George Foreman's K.O. Boxing (Game Boy)
- 1991: Hunt for Red October (Game Boy), Smash TV (NES), The Punisher (1991) (NES), Family Feud (NES)
- 1990: Back to the Future II & III (NES), Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum (NES), Boulder Dash (Game Boy), NBA All-Star Challenge (Game Boy)
- 1989: Back to the Future (NES)
External links
- Melbourne House 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...
- Melbourne House profile on Sumea
- Australian Centre for the Moving Image: Hits of the 80s exhibit highlighting games developed by Beam Software in the 1980s (exhibition open December 2006 to May 2007)