Titus Software
Encyclopedia
Titus Software, later known as Titus Interactive S.A., was a long-running French
software publisher
that produced and published video games for various formats over its lifetime.
Avalon Interactive
was a subsidiary of Titus Interactive, responsible for the European distribution of the group’s games.
in 1985, Titus began releasing titles on the Commodore Amiga and PC
before moving on to consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
, Game Boy
, Sony Playstation, Sega Dreamcast
and Nintendo 64
, finally publishing titles for the Nintendo GameCube
, Sony
PlayStation 2
and for the Xbox
.
Popular in the USA and in other territories, Titus games were generally well received. Titles like Evil Zone
(produced by YUKE's Future Media Creators
) and Top Gun: Combat Zones proved that the licenses that the company acquired during its lifetime were a good way of expanding and creating good games. Other Titus designed games, such as Virtual Kasparov
, Automobili Lamborghini
, Virtual Chess 64
were well received. Most notably games such as Roadsters
(the Nintendo 64
version), Incredible Crisis
(developed by Polygon Magic), Prehistorik Man and Lamborghini American Challenge
gained almost an excellent status among players.
But Titus was also infamous for its reputation in the creation of games notable for its bad reception on the media. Superman for the Nintendo 64 was notorious for its negative status among gamers. GameTrailers
called it the worst game of all time. It is currently holding an overall ranking of 23% at GameRankings. Similarly the 2003 game RoboCop also received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Gamespot gave it 2.2/10 saying "RoboCop has a bevy of horrible problems that render the game practically unplayable."
Titus acquired BlueSky Software
and the even longer-lived UK developer Digital Integration in 1998 and went public, listing on the French stock market. It also gained a majority interest in American struggling publisher Interplay
in August 2001, naming Hervé Caen CEO
of the company after the departure of Interplay’s Brian Fargo
. By the turn of the century the strain of Titus’ expansion was beginning to show, and the company fizzled into financial, then legal difficulties, culminating in a close of business in 2005.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
software publisher
Software publisher
A software publisher is a publishing company in the software industry between the developer and the distributor. In some companies, two or all three of these roles may be combined ....
that produced and published video games for various formats over its lifetime.
Avalon Interactive
Avalon Interactive
Avalon Interactive was a video game distribution company, which was originally Virgin Interactive. It was acquired in 1999 by the French publisher Titus Software and its name was changed to Avalon Interactive on July 1, 2003....
was a subsidiary of Titus Interactive, responsible for the European distribution of the group’s games.
History
Founded by brothers Eric and Hervé Caen in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1985, Titus began releasing titles on the Commodore Amiga 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...
before moving on to consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
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...
, Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
, Sony Playstation, Sega Dreamcast
Sega Dreamcast
The is a 128-bit video game console which was released by Sega in late 1998 in Japan and from September 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.Dreamcast sales were...
and Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
, finally publishing titles for the Nintendo 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...
, Sony
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
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 for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
.
Popular in the USA and in other territories, Titus games were generally well received. Titles like Evil Zone
Evil Zone
Evil Zone or is a fighting game released for the PlayStation console. It was developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and published by Titus Software in 1999...
(produced by YUKE's Future Media Creators
YUKE's Future Media Creators
Yuke's Co. Ltd is a video game company based in Osaka, Japan. It was established on February 26, 1993....
) and Top Gun: Combat Zones proved that the licenses that the company acquired during its lifetime were a good way of expanding and creating good games. Other Titus designed games, such as Virtual Kasparov
Virtual Kasparov
Virtual Kasparov is a chess video game released by Titus Software for the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance. Game can be played against beginners, novices, champions, or personality players...
, Automobili Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini is a racing video game by Titus Software, and a successor to Lamborghini American Challenge. The Japanese version was distributed by Taito and has actual pictures of various models of Lamborghini with their names displayed before the demo screen. These photos and descriptions...
, Virtual Chess 64
Virtual Chess 64
Virtual Chess 64 is a chess simulation game for the Nintendo 64. It was first released in 1997. It was also considered to be very difficult. The game featured no true "completion" in the form of a goal or a score, so one could theoretically play an endless number of matches...
were well received. Most notably games such as Roadsters
Roadsters
Roadsters is a racing game that was released by Titus Software in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, Playstation, Sega Dreamcast and Gameboy Color. It is a car racing game that features both licensed cars from manufacturers and unlicensed cars from imaginary manufacturers that are based and bare great...
(the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
version), Incredible Crisis
Incredible Crisis
Incredible Crisis, known in Japan as , is a PlayStation video game developed by Polygon Magic. The game was first published in Japan by Tokuma Shoten on June 24, 1999...
(developed by Polygon Magic), Prehistorik Man and Lamborghini American Challenge
Lamborghini American Challenge
Lamborghini American Challenge is a game released in 1993 by Titus Interactive. The game was published for the Super Nintendo, Atari ST, Amiga CD32, Game Boy, PC-DOS and Commodore 64....
gained almost an excellent status among players.
But Titus was also infamous for its reputation in the creation of games notable for its bad reception on the media. Superman for the Nintendo 64 was notorious for its negative status among gamers. GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
called it the worst game of all time. It is currently holding an overall ranking of 23% at GameRankings. Similarly the 2003 game RoboCop also received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Gamespot gave it 2.2/10 saying "RoboCop has a bevy of horrible problems that render the game practically unplayable."
Titus acquired BlueSky Software
BlueSky Software
BlueSky Software was an American software company situated in California formed in 1988 and had a successful run for 12 years before closing down in March 2001, when parent company Interplay was in financial trouble.- Atari 7800 :* Basketbrawl...
and the even longer-lived UK developer Digital Integration in 1998 and went public, listing on the French stock market. It also gained a majority interest in American struggling publisher Interplay
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
in August 2001, naming Hervé Caen 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 the company after the departure of Interplay’s Brian Fargo
Brian Fargo
Brian Fargo is an American video game designer, developer, producer and executive probably best known for his company Interplay Entertainment.-Career Overview:...
. By the turn of the century the strain of Titus’ expansion was beginning to show, and the company fizzled into financial, then legal difficulties, culminating in a close of business in 2005.
Games published
Most games were developed in-house by Titus Software unless otherwise stated.- Fire and Forget (19881988 in video gaming-Events:*June — Nintendo releases the last issue of "Nintendo fun club news";*July — Nintendo releases the first issue of Nintendo Power magazine.-Notable releases:*January 8, Konami releases Super Contra....
) - Crazy Cars (19881988 in video gaming-Events:*June — Nintendo releases the last issue of "Nintendo fun club news";*July — Nintendo releases the first issue of Nintendo Power magazine.-Notable releases:*January 8, Konami releases Super Contra....
) - Crazy Cars 2 (19891989 in video gaming-Notable releases:* October 3, Brøderbund releases the Prince of Persia game, the first in a series of games, noted for its advancements in animation....
) - TitanTitan (1989 computer game)Titan can be defined as a raster graphics Arkanoid/Breakout-clone from 1988 made by Titus Software. It was converted to the PC Engine in 1991 by Naxat Soft.-Gameplay:...
(19891989 in video gaming-Notable releases:* October 3, Brøderbund releases the Prince of Persia game, the first in a series of games, noted for its advancements in animation....
) - Knight ForceKnight ForceKnight Force is a computer game developed by Titus Software in 1989 for the Amstrad CPC.-Plot:The player is a champion who must travel to five different time zones in order to battle an evil magician who has captured a princess. The player must fight a variety of enemies in order to retrieve the...
(19891989 in video gaming-Notable releases:* October 3, Brøderbund releases the Prince of Persia game, the first in a series of games, noted for its advancements in animation....
) - Un Indien dans la ville (Little Indian: An Indian in the city for US release) (19901990 in video gaming-Notable releases:*Bonk's Adventure is released for NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and is the first US appearance of Bonk, the mascot of the TurboGrafx-16.*February 12 — Nintendo releases the NES game Super Mario Bros. 3 in North America...
), developed by TF1 Enterprises and Titus - Blues BrothersThe Blues Brothers (video game)The Blues Brothers is a video game based on the band The Blues Brothers, where the object is to evade police in order to make it to a blues concert. The game was released for IBM PC, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Commodore 64 and Atari ST in , for the NES in and for the Game Boy in...
(19911991 in video gaming-Notable releases:*Microprose creates Civilization, Sid Meier's most successful game .*Electronic Arts releases James Pond 2 and Road Rash for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, starting a series of games that were popular in the 1990s....
) - PrehistorikPrehistorikPrehistorik is a platform game developed by Titus Interactive for the Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC and DOS. Titus Interactive also published it, and released the game in 1991....
(19911991 in video gaming-Notable releases:*Microprose creates Civilization, Sid Meier's most successful game .*Electronic Arts releases James Pond 2 and Road Rash for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, starting a series of games that were popular in the 1990s....
) - Crazy Cars 3 (19921992 in video gaming-Events:-Notable releases:* Gremlin Graphics releases Zool, Amiga's answer to Mario and Sonic. It goes on to become the best selling Commodore Amiga game, boosting the already popular computer to be the leading gaming machine in Europe....
) - Titus the FoxTitus the FoxTitus the Fox is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Titus Interactive for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, DOS. The first version of the game was released in 1991 under the name Lagaf': Les Aventures de Moktar - Vol 1: La Zoubida. The international edition - Titus the Fox: To Marrakech...
(AKA Moktar) (19921992 in video gaming-Events:-Notable releases:* Gremlin Graphics releases Zool, Amiga's answer to Mario and Sonic. It goes on to become the best selling Commodore Amiga game, boosting the already popular computer to be the leading gaming machine in Europe....
) - Prehistorik 2Prehistorik 2Prehistorik 2 is a sequel to the platform game Prehistorik. It was developed by Titus Interactive for DOS and Amstrad CPC in 1993.Like in its predecessor, the main character of Prehistorik 2 is a caveman who goes in quest for food, fighting various animals and humorous end of level bosses.The game...
(19931993 in video gaming-Events:*March — In Sweden, the Swedish video game magazine Super PLAY starts. The original name is Super Power.*Midway Games embroiled in controversy for its game Mortal Kombat from 1992 when the game is launched for video game consoles in 1993....
) - Super CauldronSuper CauldronSuper Cauldron is a scrolling platform video game released by Titus Software in 1993.-Gameplay:Zmira, a brave little witch, must cross three worlds, free people that have been enslaved by the evil sorcerer, look for lost magical powers and spells and destroy the evil sorcerer in his haunted castle...
(19931993 in video gaming-Events:*March — In Sweden, the Swedish video game magazine Super PLAY starts. The original name is Super Power.*Midway Games embroiled in controversy for its game Mortal Kombat from 1992 when the game is launched for video game consoles in 1993....
) - Lamborghini American ChallengeLamborghini American ChallengeLamborghini American Challenge is a game released in 1993 by Titus Interactive. The game was published for the Super Nintendo, Atari ST, Amiga CD32, Game Boy, PC-DOS and Commodore 64....
(19941994 in video gaming-Events:*Nintendo calls this year "1994: The Year of the Cartridge".*Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd is established and opened by Hiroshi Yamauchi and effectively ends Mattel Australia's distribution of Nintendo's products throughout Australia.*"Project...
) - Metal Rage (19961996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - The BrainiesThe BrainiesThe Brainies is a puzzle game released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System console and Atari ST, Amiga, and Amstrad CPC computers.-Summary:...
(19961996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - IncantationIncantation (video game)Incantation is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System platforming game intended for children.-Summary:Incantation was released in late 1996, near the end of the lifetime of the Super NES...
(19961996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - Prehistorik Man (19961996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - Rival Realms (19971997 in video gaming-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
) - Virtual Chess (19951996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - Virtual Chess II (19961996 in video gaming-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
) - Virtual Chess 64Virtual Chess 64Virtual Chess 64 is a chess simulation game for the Nintendo 64. It was first released in 1997. It was also considered to be very difficult. The game featured no true "completion" in the form of a goal or a score, so one could theoretically play an endless number of matches...
(19971997 in video gaming-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
) - Superman (Game Boy) (19971997 in video gaming-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
) - Automobili LamborghiniAutomobili LamborghiniAutomobili Lamborghini is a racing video game by Titus Software, and a successor to Lamborghini American Challenge. The Japanese version was distributed by Taito and has actual pictures of various models of Lamborghini with their names displayed before the demo screen. These photos and descriptions...
(19971997 in video gaming-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
)
- Quest for CamelotQuest for Camelot (video game)Quest for Camelot is an action-adventure video game developed by Titus Software and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color in 1998. It's based on the animated Warner Bros...
(19981998 in video gaming-Events:*Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts 1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo to the AIAS Hall of Fame*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 1st annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards...
), published by Nintendo America Inc.Nintendois a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel.... - Roadsters (19991999 in video gaming-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...
) - Superman (19991999 in video gaming-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...
) - Evil ZoneEvil ZoneEvil Zone or is a fighting game released for the PlayStation console. It was developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and published by Titus Software in 1999...
(19991999 in video gaming-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...
), developed by YUKE’s Future Media CreatorsYUKE's Future Media CreatorsYuke's Co. Ltd is a video game company based in Osaka, Japan. It was established on February 26, 1993.... - Xena: Warrior Princess: The Talisman of FateXena: Warrior Princess: The Talisman of FateXena: Warrior Princess: The Talisman of Fate is a fighting video game that was released on the Nintendo 64, developed by Saffire and published by Titus Software, based on the television series.-Characters:*Xena*Gabrielle*Autolycus*Joxer*Caesar*Ares...
(19991999 in video gaming-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...
), developed by SaffireSaffire (video game developer)Saffire was a contract video game developer located in American Fork, Utah. It is noted both for porting games and making some original titles. It was founded by Sculptured Software co-founder, Hal Rushton. They released their last title, Thunderbirds, in 2004 and went out of business sometime... - Incredible CrisisIncredible CrisisIncredible Crisis, known in Japan as , is a PlayStation video game developed by Polygon Magic. The game was first published in Japan by Tokuma Shoten on June 24, 1999...
(20002000 in video gaming-Events:* May 11–13 — 6th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo ; the 3rd annual Game Critics Awards for the Best of E³* June 26 — International Game Developers Association renamed from Computer Game Developers Association...
), developed by Polygon Magic - Hercules: The Legendary JourneysHercules: The Legendary Journeys (video game)Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is an action adventure video game with beat 'em up elements that was released on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, developed by Player 1 and published by Titus Software, based on the television series....
(20002000 in video gaming-Events:* May 11–13 — 6th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo ; the 3rd annual Game Critics Awards for the Best of E³* June 26 — International Game Developers Association renamed from Computer Game Developers Association...
), developed by Player 1 - Carmageddon 64 (20002000 in video gaming-Events:* May 11–13 — 6th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo ; the 3rd annual Game Critics Awards for the Best of E³* June 26 — International Game Developers Association renamed from Computer Game Developers Association...
), developed by Software Creations - Blues Brothers 2000Blues Brothers 2000 (video game)Blues Brothers 2000 is a platform game for the Nintendo 64 console, released by Virgin Interactive in October 2000 in Europe, and by Titus Software in November 2000 in North America. The game is a platformer, loosely based on the band and the film...
(20002000 in video gaming-Events:* May 11–13 — 6th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo ; the 3rd annual Game Critics Awards for the Best of E³* June 26 — International Game Developers Association renamed from Computer Game Developers Association...
), developed by Player 1 - Top Gun: Combat Zones (20012001 in video gaming-Events:* Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts John Carmack of id Software to the AIAS Hall of Fame...
), developed by Digital IntegrationDigital integrationDigital integration is the idea that data or information on any given electronic device can be read or manipulated by another device using a standard format.-Cell phone calendar to public digital calendar :... - Virtual KasparovVirtual KasparovVirtual Kasparov is a chess video game released by Titus Software for the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance. Game can be played against beginners, novices, champions, or personality players...
(20012001 in video gaming-Events:* Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts John Carmack of id Software to the AIAS Hall of Fame...
) - Worms World PartyWorms World PartyWorms World Party is an artillery game, which is a type of Turn-based strategy game. It was developed by Team17 as the seventh game in the Worms series, and was released in 2001...
(2001) developed by Team 17 - Exhibition of Speed (2001) developed by Player 1
- RoboCop (20032003 in video gaming-Events:*February 27 — Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts Yu Suzuki of Sega to the AIAS Hall of Fame....
) - Sgt. Cruise (cancelled)