Difference between revisions of "U.S. Gold"

From Sega Retro
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Company
+
{{CompanyBob
 
| logo=US gold logo.png
 
| logo=US gold logo.png
−
| founded=1984
+
| founded=1984-04{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}
 +
| defunct=
 
| tseries=T-79
 
| tseries=T-79
 +
| mergedwith=
 
| mergedinto=[[Eidos]] (1996)
 
| mergedinto=[[Eidos]] (1996)
−
| headquarters=Birmingham, United Kingdom
+
| headquarters=Units 2/3 Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham, United Kingdom, B6 7AX
 
}}
 
}}
 +
'''U.S. Gold''' is a British video game developer and distributor between 1984 and 1996. Initially making a name for itself by importing American [[Commodore 64]] software into Europe, U.S. Gold grew into one of the largest games publishers in the United Kingdom, before being absorbed into [[Eidos Interactive]] in 1996{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010116155000/http://www1.eidosinteractive.co.uk/corporate/company_history.html}}.
  
−
'''U.S. Gold''' is a British video game developer and distributor from the mid 1980s through the mid-1990s. It was founded in Birmingham in 1984 by Geoff Brown as the publishing division of Centresoft. At the time it was established it was porting several US Atari and Commodore 64 games to the 8-bit home computer format in Europe. Over time it gained the rights to port well known games such as ''Street Fighter'', ''Final Fight'', ''Ghouls n Ghosts'', ''Forgotten Worlds'' among others. However, a number of their more lucrative licensing deals, particularly one with [[LucasArts]], fell through, threatening to affect their income. In order to help consolidate their finances, they joined forces with UK software distributor CentreSoft to form the CentreGold Plc Group. Internal game development studios owned by U.S. Gold were the internally formed [[Silicon Dreams Studios|Silicon Dreams]] and acquired [[Core Design]].
+
==History==
 +
U.S. Gold was a Birmingham-based business started in April 1984 by Geoff and Anne Brown as a sister company to previous venture, CentreSoft{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}. CentreSoft had been established to distribute Atari 8-bit computer products in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, but despite initial expectations, the market had not been a success{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}.
  
−
The three-way partnership at the heart of CentreGold didn't last long, however, as the group was acquired by [[Eidos Interactive]] in April 1996. Eidos sold off CentreSoft and maintained Core Design as a developer but decided to discontinue the U.S. Gold brand. [[Silicon Dreams Studios]] was sold back to U.S. Gold founder Geoff Brown.
+
While arguably of better quality than their UK counterparts at the time, Atari 400 and 800 games were only being produced on disk, and combined with import duties and the price of the computers themselves, were selling at a far higher price point (around £35) than software for UK micros, most notably the [[ZX Spectrum]] with its cassette-based games selling for roughly £5-£6{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}. Interest in the Atari 8-bit line was low, but their rival, the [[Commodore 64]] was doing much better.  
  
−
The last retail game to bear the U.S. Gold logo was ''Olympic Games: Atlanta 1996'', released in June 1996 for the [[Sega Saturn]], PlayStation, PC and 3DO. The remaining U.S. Gold games awaiting publication at the time of their acquisition by Eidos were released in August 1996 with the exception of ''Dream Team Basketball'', a cancelled PlayStation game.
+
Geoff Brown began to negotiate with American partners to convert Commodore 64 software to compact cassette with a "mass market" £10 price tag, and thus, U.S. Gold was born. Before long, multiple US manufacturers were on-board with the plan, including [[Datasoft]], [[Microprose]], [[Strategic Simulations]], [[Access Software]] and [[Sega]]{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}. C64 disks would be converted to cassette, while [[Ocean Software]] would be hired to produce [[Amstrad CPC]], [[BBC Micro]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] versions{{magref|ycomputer|0509|56}}.
  
−
U.S. Gold is credited as the publisher of the canceled ''[[Sonic's Edusoft]]'' and the developer of the also canceled ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (Amiga)|Sonic the Hedgehog (Amiga)]]''.
+
Within a few years, U.S. Gold had become a major publishing force in Europe (eclipsing CentreSoft, which continued to exist as the distribution arm of the combined "[[CentreGold]]" group), allying with the likes of [[Capcom]] and branching into movie-licensed games. In 1989 they created a successful budget line, '''Kixx''', and in 1990 began bringing games to consoles such as the [[Sega Master System]]{{ref|At the time, U.S. Gold was credited as the first third-party publisher to back a Sega console{{magref|s|11|6}}. While true for Europe, [[Salio]] released two Japanese third-party Master System games in 1988.|group=n}}. U.S. Gold is credited as the publisher of the cancelled ''[[Sonic's Edusoft]]'' and the developer of the also canceled ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (home computers)]]''{{magref|nce|117|3}}{{magref|nce|132|50}}{{magref|nce|137|50}}. In 1990 U.S. Gold won the exclusive license to publish all Sega coin-ops on home computers{{magref|nce|99|9}}.
  
−
==Softography==
+
At this point, all pretenses of U.S. Gold only selling US-based software had been dropped. The company was operating in both the US and Europe in both development and publishing roles. While technically licensed by Capcom USA, U.S. Gold found itself publishing European home computer versions of ''Street Fighter'', for example, which is Japanese in origin.
−
{{multicol|
 
−
===[[Master System]]===
 
−
* ''[[Gauntlet]]'' (1990)
 
−
* ''[[Impossible Mission]]'' (1990)
 
−
* ''[[Paperboy]]'' (1990)
 
−
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'' (1990)
 
−
* ''[[Heroes of the Lance]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Out Run Europa]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Super Kick Off]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[World Class Leader Board]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Championship Hockey]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Strider II]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[James Pond II: Codename RoboCod]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Star Wars]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Road Rash]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Winter Olympics: Lillehammer '94]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[World Cup USA '94]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Sonic's Edusoft]]'' (unreleased)
 
  
−
===[[Mega Drive]]===
+
[[Core Design]] was purchased by the CentreGold conglomerate in 1994, becoming a development studio for U.S. Gold. Later, [[Silicon Dreams Studios]] was formed to produce sports games. However, finances took a hit after a series of licensing misfires, leading the group to be acquired by [[Eidos Interactive]] in April 1996. Eidos subsequently sold off the CentreSoft business, retained the U.S. Gold brand (which it dropped some months later) and took control of Core Design, which went on to have phenomenal success with the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' series. Silicon Dreams was sold back to Geoff Brown around the same time.
−
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Olympic Gold : Barcelona '92]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Super Kick Off]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[World Class Leader Board]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Flashback: The Quest for Identity]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Strider II]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Gunship]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Hurricanes]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Power Drive]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Winter Olympics: Lillehammer '94]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[World Cup USA '94]]''
 
−
* ''[[Fever Pitch Soccer]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Olympic Summer Games]]'' (1996)
 
  
−
===[[Mega CD]]===
+
During the mid-90s U.S. Gold had a short-lifed North American publishing label called '''Front Street Publishing'''. Only the North American release of ''[[Skeleton Krew]]'' and the [[Sega 32X]] version of ''[[BC Racers]]'' were ever published under this name, though the unreleased 32X versions of ''[[Soulstar X]]'', ''[[Virtual Golf]]'', ''[[Shellshock]]'' and ''[[Thunderhawk II]]'' were also set to use the label.
−
* ''[[Flashback: The Quest for Identity]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[World Cup USA '94]] (1994)
 
  
−
===[[Game Gear]]===
+
While now technically owned by Square Enix (which would purchase Eidos in 2009), the U.S. Gold brand has not been seen in a new video game product since 1996.
−
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Out Run Europa]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Super Kick Off]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[World Class Leader Board]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Olympic Gold : Barcelona '92]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Strider II]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[James Pond II: Codename RoboCod]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Star Wars]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Championship Hockey]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Hurricanes]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[James Pond 3: Operation Starfish]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Road Rash]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Winter Olympics: Lillehammer '94]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[World Cup USA '94]] (1994)
 
−
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Power Drive]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Mega Man]]'' (1995)
 
  
−
===[[Saturn]]===
+
==Softography==
−
* ''[[Thunderstrike 2]]'' (1995)
+
{{CompanyHistoryAll|U.S. Gold|Front Street Publishing}}
−
* ''[[Johnny Bazookatone]]'' (1996)
+
 
−
* ''[[Olympic Soccer]]'' (1996)
+
==Gallery==
−
}}
+
<gallery>
 +
USGold logo 1984.png|1984 logo
 +
US gold logo.png|1989 logo
 +
USGold logo 1995.png|1995 logo
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references group="n" />
  
−
[[Category:Third-Party Development Companies]]
+
==References==
 +
<references />

Latest revision as of 09:40, 2 April 2024

https://segaretro.org/images/f/fe/US_gold_logo.png

US gold logo.png
U.S. Gold
Founded: 1984-04[1]
T-series code: T-79
Merged into: Eidos (1996)
Headquarters:
Units 2/3 Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham, United Kingdom, B6 7AX

U.S. Gold is a British video game developer and distributor between 1984 and 1996. Initially making a name for itself by importing American Commodore 64 software into Europe, U.S. Gold grew into one of the largest games publishers in the United Kingdom, before being absorbed into Eidos Interactive in 1996[2].

History

U.S. Gold was a Birmingham-based business started in April 1984 by Geoff and Anne Brown as a sister company to previous venture, CentreSoft[1]. CentreSoft had been established to distribute Atari 8-bit computer products in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, but despite initial expectations, the market had not been a success[1].

While arguably of better quality than their UK counterparts at the time, Atari 400 and 800 games were only being produced on disk, and combined with import duties and the price of the computers themselves, were selling at a far higher price point (around £35) than software for UK micros, most notably the ZX Spectrum with its cassette-based games selling for roughly £5-£6[1]. Interest in the Atari 8-bit line was low, but their rival, the Commodore 64 was doing much better.

Geoff Brown began to negotiate with American partners to convert Commodore 64 software to compact cassette with a "mass market" £10 price tag, and thus, U.S. Gold was born. Before long, multiple US manufacturers were on-board with the plan, including Datasoft, Microprose, Strategic Simulations, Access Software and Sega[1]. C64 disks would be converted to cassette, while Ocean Software would be hired to produce Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro and ZX Spectrum versions[1].

Within a few years, U.S. Gold had become a major publishing force in Europe (eclipsing CentreSoft, which continued to exist as the distribution arm of the combined "CentreGold" group), allying with the likes of Capcom and branching into movie-licensed games. In 1989 they created a successful budget line, Kixx, and in 1990 began bringing games to consoles such as the Sega Master System[n 1]. U.S. Gold is credited as the publisher of the cancelled Sonic's Edusoft and the developer of the also canceled Sonic the Hedgehog (home computers)[4][5][6]. In 1990 U.S. Gold won the exclusive license to publish all Sega coin-ops on home computers[7].

At this point, all pretenses of U.S. Gold only selling US-based software had been dropped. The company was operating in both the US and Europe in both development and publishing roles. While technically licensed by Capcom USA, U.S. Gold found itself publishing European home computer versions of Street Fighter, for example, which is Japanese in origin.

Core Design was purchased by the CentreGold conglomerate in 1994, becoming a development studio for U.S. Gold. Later, Silicon Dreams Studios was formed to produce sports games. However, finances took a hit after a series of licensing misfires, leading the group to be acquired by Eidos Interactive in April 1996. Eidos subsequently sold off the CentreSoft business, retained the U.S. Gold brand (which it dropped some months later) and took control of Core Design, which went on to have phenomenal success with the Tomb Raider series. Silicon Dreams was sold back to Geoff Brown around the same time.

During the mid-90s U.S. Gold had a short-lifed North American publishing label called Front Street Publishing. Only the North American release of Skeleton Krew and the Sega 32X version of BC Racers were ever published under this name, though the unreleased 32X versions of Soulstar X, Virtual Golf, Shellshock and Thunderhawk II were also set to use the label.

While now technically owned by Square Enix (which would purchase Eidos in 2009), the U.S. Gold brand has not been seen in a new video game product since 1996.

Softography

Master System

Mega Drive

Game Gear

Mega-CD

32X

Saturn

Amiga

Amstrad CPC

Atari 8-bit family

Atari ST

BBC Micro

Commodore 64

ZX Spectrum

Gallery

  • 1984 logo

  • 1989 logo

  • 1995 logo

Notes

  1. ↑ [At the time, U.S. Gold was credited as the first third-party publisher to back a Sega console[3]. While true for Europe, Salio released two Japanese third-party Master System games in 1988. At the time, U.S. Gold was credited as the first third-party publisher to back a Sega console[3]. While true for Europe, Salio released two Japanese third-party Master System games in 1988.]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Your Computer, "Vol. 5 No. 9: September 1985" (UK; 1985-xx-xx), page 56
  2. ↑ http://www1.eidosinteractive.co.uk/corporate/company_history.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-01-16 15:50)
  3. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-06), page 6
  4. ↑ New Computer Express, "2nd February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-31), page 3
  5. ↑ New Computer Express, "18th May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-16), page 50
  6. ↑ New Computer Express, "22nd June 1991" (UK; 1991-06-20), page 50
  7. ↑ New Computer Express, "29 September 1990" (UK; 1990-09-27), page 9
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=U.S._Gold&oldid=971430"