Software Requests - Updated 1st January 2004
We've been getting a steady stream of requests from visitors to the site for games and applications for us to make available for downloading. We have already been working on many of these and we thought it would be worth reporting back on our progress so far...
Bard's Tale (Commodore 64) - Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts have been reluctant to release the rights to their older titles for distribution through sites like this one, although it has been rumoured that they have given clearance for some of their older games. We are trying to work on this one, although how the save game feature would work is another issue we'd need to consider nearer the time.
Bard's Tale II (Commodore 64) - Electronic Arts
This is pretty much the same as the first Bard's Tale game.
Beast Wars (PC / Playstation) - Hasbro
Of all of the games based on Transformers, this is probably the easiest for us to attempt to get for the site. As it was published by Hasbro, who also produce and distribute Transformers toys outside of Japan, there is a chance of us being able to get one of these. We'll keep you posted on this one.
Beneath A Steel Sky (Amiga / PC) - Revolution Software
This is one of our success stories! We have just put the Amiga version online and this is actually the CD enhanced version that was released for the CD32 with full speech throughout! However, because it is still available commercially, we can't get the PC version at the moment, but if you have an Amiga emulator, you could play it that way instead!
Boulderdash
This classic game is something that we'd like to bring you, but we are not sure where to start in trying to make contact! However, we do have Emerald Mine for the Amiga and Commodore 64, which is a pretty close tribute.
Bombuzal (Amiga / C64) - Image Works
We're working on this one! We're just trying to clarify who owns the copyright to this since Image Works no longer exist.
Cannon Fodder (Amiga) - Sensible Software
This all depends on who has the rights to the game at the moment, and if we can contact someone from Sensible Software... they're not easy to track down!
Commander Keen (PC) - Apogee
At the moment, we only have have clearance to include their two old text adventures which were subsequently released as freeware. If this changes in the future, we'll let you know.
Crystal Caves (PC) - Apogee
At the moment, we only have have clearance to include their two old text adventures which were subsequently released as freeware. If this changes in the future, we'll let you know.
Defender Of The Crown (Amiga / Commodore 64) - Cinemaware
Cinemaware have made many of their old titles available for free downloading from their website on a sporadic basis, rotating the titles available. We are looking at approaching them with a view to featuring a selection of these titles on our website as well.
Deluxe Paint (Amiga) - Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts seem reluctant to release their old titles, but we will try to get this classic art package.
Distant Suns (Amiga) - Distant Suns
We will be bringing you the Amiga version of this astronomy package soon to go with the PC version already online. We are just trying to source a suitable copy to upload.
Dune II (Amiga / PC) - Westwood Studios / Virgin
This is the predecessor to the Command & Conquer series, and was overlooked by many at the time of its release. We will see what we can do about this one, but because of the film/book licence, it may prove to be a little difficult.
Elite (All) - Ian Bell / David Braben
This has been given away freely for some time through Ian Bell's own website and he has stated that he would prefer that distribution of the game remains through this site only.
Escape (Spectrum)
We don't know much about this one, but once we get more information, we can try to look into it.
Gauntlet (All) - US Gold
While we haven't approached anyone regarding this title, we think that it would be extremely unlikely as the original game copyright still remains with Atari, developers of the arcade original. We believe that this will also apply to most other licenced games.
Harrier Attack (Amstrad) - Durell
The rights to this, we belive, currently lie with Elite Systems when they purchased the rights for their "Encore" budget range. We do have the possibility of getting these, but we would need to pay some form of licence fee so if you want to see this and any other titles from the Elite back catalogue, please try to make a donation to the site. To get the licence to all of these could be quite costly, but if we get the donations, we are quite willing to go ahead and get these.
Impossible Mission (Commodore 64) - Epyx
Epyx no longer exist, so the copyright situation is unknown here. With a lot of older titles, the copyright can often be held jointly by developers and publishers, so this is something we'll need to investigate further.
International Soccer (Commodore 64) - Commodore
This is still a superb football game on the C64 an is just as playable now as it was when it was first released. We're not too sure who holds the rights to any of the old Commodore products as they have changed hands so many times, but it is one we'll look into.
Katakis (Amiga) - Factor 5
Factor 5 did make this available freely through their website, although there now appears to be some problem with the download. We have approached Factor 5 about this, and we are just waiting for a response on this classic shoot-em-up.
Lemmings (Amiga) - Psygnosis
One of the best games of all time, but also one that we are unlikely to get for the site. Since Sony bought Psygnosis, it's unlikely that they'll release any of their old titles for redistribution on any format.
Lotus Turbo Challenge (Amiga) - Gremlin
Another request that we are looking into. Once we have more information one way or another, we will let you know. We may have a lead on the Gremlin back catalogue, but we don't want to say too much at the moment.
Lure Of The Temptress (Atari ST) - Revolution Software
We have got permission for this one. It's just a matter of sourcing a copy of the game and it will be online as soon as possible.
Outrun (Amiga) - US Gold
While US Gold don't exist in their original form (they became Centresoft - the UK's main games distribution company and it is also belived that the US Gold brand was sold to Eidos), it is probably unlikely we can get this title as the overall copyright on the Outrun brand lies with Sega. It all depends on how long the original licence lasted for and whoever has the rights to the home versions.
Paperboy (Commodore 64) - Elite
Another arcade conversion. While Elite seem to believe that they have the rights to this, because the original is an Atari arcade machine, it is quite likely that the licence for the home rights has reverted back to them.
Paradroid (All) - Graftgold
Another one that we might be looking into shortly. Keep coming back here for updates as we get them.
Secret Agent (PC) - Apogee
At the moment, we only have have clearance to include their two old text adventures which were subsequently released as freeware. If this changes in the future, we'll let you know.
Secret Of Monkey Island (Amiga) - LucasArts
Again, one that might be hard to get considering the size of the company and the fact that despite its age, it could still be sold today.
Starglider (All) - Argonaut
A classic 3D game and it is one that's on our target list. More news as we get it...
Transformers (C64) - Activision
This was the first of two Transformers games released for the C64 and probably the hardest for us to get. The Transformers licence isn't difficult for us to find who to approach, but Activision seem reluctant to even talk about their old titles...
Transformers (C64) - Ocean
This was a strange situation because TWO Transformers games were released at the same time by different publishers. In the case of this one, as well as the issue with the product licence, we would have to negotiate with Infogrames who own Ocean. Not impossible, so we'll see what we can do...
Wizball (C64) - Ocean / Sensible Software
As with Cannon Fodder for the Amiga, it's all a matter of contacting the right people and then getting clearance, but we are trying with this one!
Zork Series (All) - Infocom
Activision did release the first three Zork games a few years ago freely for the PC and Mac as a promotion for a new Zork game, but these seem to have been taken out of circulation so we don't quite know what the legal situation is regarding these. However, we would love to see these on the site just as much as you!
If there are any other games or applications you want that aren't listed here, just go to our forum, sign up and post your requests in our General Computing section. We'll do our best to track down every title requested, and we'll bring you regular progress reports here on the site.
