Odyssey Software
Encyclopedia
Odyssey Software was a computer game developer founded in 1987 in Eastham, Massachusetts
by Art V. Cestaro III. The company produced games for the Amiga
and the Nintendo Entertainment System
(NES).
, Deathbots was based on Berzerk
, and Space War was based on Asteroids.
After its early attempts at working as an independent game developer Odyssey began taking contracts from other established companies. In 1990, Moon Ranger
, was produced under contract with Color Dreams
for the NES. Odyssey established a relationship with American Video Entertainment
, who contracted Deathbots for the NES. After Deathbots, Odyssey went on to produce Solitaire and Blackjack, which American Video Entertainment subsequently published. Three other Nintendo titles (Backgammon, Cue Stick, and Poker) were in production but American Video Entertainment went out of business before any of these titles could be published.
Odyssey was involved early in the Mad Dog McCree
project, doing video cleanup by hand, but were never contracted for the final development of this title.
Odyssey Software went out of business in 1995.
project. Other employees of Odyssey include Mike Davis, Mark Kelly, Monty Eriksin, Dennis St. Aubin, and Tomisa Starr.
Eastham, Massachusetts
Eastham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,453 at the 2000 census....
by Art V. Cestaro III. The company produced games for the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and the Nintendo Entertainment System
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...
(NES).
History
Odyssey's earliest titles were expanded works based on arcade games popular at that time. Byteman was based on Pac Man, Jailbreak was based on ArkanoidArkanoid
is an arcade game developed by Taito in 1986. It is based upon Atari's Breakout games of the 1970s. The title refers to a doomed "mothership" from which the player's ship, the Vaus, escapes.-Overview:...
, Deathbots was based on Berzerk
Berzerk
Berzerk is a multi-directional shooter video arcade game, released in 1980 by Stern Electronics of Chicago.-Gameplay:The player controls a green stick-figure, representing a "humanoid." Using a joystick , the player navigates a simple maze filled with many robots, who fire lasers back at the...
, and Space War was based on Asteroids.
After its early attempts at working as an independent game developer Odyssey began taking contracts from other established companies. In 1990, Moon Ranger
Moon Ranger
Moon Ranger is an action video game that was developed by Odyssey Software and published by Bunch Games. An alien species has set up a dormant spacecraft on the Moon to mine the solar system's resources. As a side note, this will destroy the Earth....
, was produced under contract with Color Dreams
Color Dreams
Color Dreams was a company that developed video games for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System . While most companies that developed NES games obtained an official license from Nintendo to produce game cartridges, Color Dreams was unusual in that it developed NES games without an official license...
for the NES. Odyssey established a relationship with American Video Entertainment
American Video Entertainment
American Video Entertainment was a San Jose, California–based software development company that developed unlicensed video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The company developed two games on its own, Krazy Kreatures and Trolls on Treasure Island in 1990, and published 19 games...
, who contracted Deathbots for the NES. After Deathbots, Odyssey went on to produce Solitaire and Blackjack, which American Video Entertainment subsequently published. Three other Nintendo titles (Backgammon, Cue Stick, and Poker) were in production but American Video Entertainment went out of business before any of these titles could be published.
Odyssey was involved early in the Mad Dog McCree
Mad Dog McCree
Mad Dog McCree is the first live-action laserdisc video game released by American Laser Games. It originally appeared as an arcade shooting game in 1990....
project, doing video cleanup by hand, but were never contracted for the final development of this title.
Odyssey Software went out of business in 1995.
Notable employees
Odyssey's original employees were programmers George C. Rucker III, Lane Waters. and Scott Lahteine, and graphic artists Soren Young, Dave Flamburis, John Silano, and Ranjeet Singhal. Around 1990 Mike Smith and Steve Tilton joined the team to work on Moon Ranger. In 1993 Jerry Normandin joined Odyssey for the Mad Dog McCreeMad Dog McCree
Mad Dog McCree is the first live-action laserdisc video game released by American Laser Games. It originally appeared as an arcade shooting game in 1990....
project. Other employees of Odyssey include Mike Davis, Mark Kelly, Monty Eriksin, Dennis St. Aubin, and Tomisa Starr.
Games developed by Odyssey
- Byteman (1988)
- Deathbots (for AmigaAmigaThe Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
) (1988) - Jailbreak (1988)
- Space War (1988)
- Moon Ranger (1989)
- Deathbots (for NESNintendo Entertainment SystemThe 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...
) (1990) - Solitaire (1991)
- Blackjack (1992)
External links
- History of the company
- Concerto Software employs George C. Rucker III
- Softgame was founded by Lane Waters
- Thinkyhead Software was founded by Scott Lahteine
- Jerry Normandin's home page
- Ritual Entertainment now employs Ranjeet Singhal as Director of Art & Animation
- Nascar Racing 2 was designed by Dave Flamburis working for Papyrus Design GroupPapyrus Design GroupPapyrus Design Group, Inc. was a computer game developer founded in 1987 by David Kaemmer and CEO Omar Khudari. Based in Watertown, MA, it is best known for its series of realistic sim racing games based on the NASCAR and IndyCar leagues, as well as the unique Grand Prix Legends. Papyrus was...
- NESWorld Article about American Video Entertainment was contributed to by Art and Jerry
- MobyGames' entry on Tomisa Starr
- Dino Wars was created by Art Cestaro, Ranjeet and Scott before Odyssey was founded