Virgin Interactive
Encyclopedia
Virgin Interactive was a British video game publisher. It was formed as Virgin Games Ltd. in 1981. The company became much larger after purchasing the budget label, Mastertronic
in 1987. It was part of the Virgin Group
. In 1994 it was renamed Virgin Interactive.
and systems, including the Amiga, ZX Spectrum
, Amstrad CPC
, C64
, Sega Master System
, Sega Mega Drive
, Sega Game Gear
, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
, Sega Saturn
, Sony Playstation, Nintendo 64
and Dreamcast.
It helped the career of many developers
, including Westwood Studios
(who developed Command & Conquer Series
and the PC port of Resident Evil
) and Synergistic. Also, many workers for Shiny Entertainment
, including David Perry, worked for Virgin before splitting off to create Earthworm Jim
.
Also among Virgin Interactive alumni are famed video game composer Tommy Tallarico
, artist Doug TenNapel
, designer David Bishop, animator Bill Kroyer
, animator/artists Andy Luckey
and Mike Dietz and programmer Andy Astor.
In 1993 Virgin Interactive created the "Digicel" process, originally for an unpublished game called "Dynoblaze". Key to developing the process were Dr. Stephen Clarke-Willson
, David Perry, designer David Bishop, animator Bill Kroyer, animator artists Andy Luckey, animator Mike Dietz and programmer Andy Astor. The technology was first released to the general public in Disney's Aladdin
for the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and subsequently on such projects as The Lion King
video game.
The worldwide operations were acquired in a management buyout backed by Mark Dyne
who became its Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Tim Chaney, the former Managing Director was named as President. The U.S. operations were spun out to Electronic Arts as part of its acquisition of Westwood Studios that same year.
The Company's assets were acquired by the French
publisher Titus Software
-- its name was changed to Avalon Interactive
on July 1, 2003.
In May 2002, the Spanish division of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased by Tim Chaney along with former Spanish president and founder Paco Encinas. The branch was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and kept its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher remains as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry.
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...
in 1987. It was part of the Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
. In 1994 it was renamed Virgin Interactive.
General summary
It published games for PCIBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
and systems, including the Amiga, ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
, C64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
, Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
, Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
, 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...
, 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...
, Sony Playstation, 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...
and Dreamcast.
It helped the career of many developers
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...
, including Westwood Studios
Westwood Studios
Westwood Studios was a computer and video game developer, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was founded by Brett Sperry and Louis Castle in as Westwood Associates, and renamed to Westwood Studios when it merged with Virgin Interactive in...
(who developed Command & Conquer Series
Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer, abbreviated to C&C and also known as Tiberian Dawn, is a 1995 real-time strategy computer game developed by Westwood Studios for MS-DOS and published by Virgin Interactive. It was the first of twelve games to date to be released under the Command & Conquer label, including a...
and the PC port of Resident Evil
Resident Evil (video game)
Resident Evil, known as in Japan, is a survival horror video game by Capcom. The first installment in the Resident Evil series, it was originally released in 1996 for the PlayStation and was subsequently ported to the Sega Saturn and PC. In 2002, a remake of the game was released for the Nintendo...
) and Synergistic. Also, many workers for Shiny Entertainment
Shiny Entertainment
Shiny Entertainment was an American video game developer based in Laguna Beach, Southern California, and the creator of several popular titles such as Earthworm Jim, MDK, Sacrifice and The Matrix: Path of Neo. Shiny was founded by David Perry in October 1993...
, including David Perry, worked for Virgin before splitting off to create Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. Created by Doug TenNapel and designed by David Perry, the game was developed by Shiny Entertainment and Playmates Interactive Entertainment, released by Sega for the Mega...
.
Also among Virgin Interactive alumni are famed video game composer Tommy Tallarico
Tommy Tallarico
Tommy Tallarico is an American video game music composer and musician. He is best known as the co-creator of the concert series Video Games Live...
, artist Doug TenNapel
Doug TenNapel
Douglas Richard "Doug" TenNapel is an American musician, animator, Eisner Award-winning artist, author, essayist and Christian. He is best known for creating Earthworm Jim, a character that spawned a famous video game, cartoon series, and toy line.-Early life:TenNapel was born and raised in the...
, designer David Bishop, animator Bill Kroyer
Bill Kroyer
William "Bill" Kroyer is an award-winning director of animation and computer graphics commercials, short films, movie titles and theatrical films. He and Jerry Rees were the main animators for the CGI sequences in Tron...
, animator/artists Andy Luckey
Andy Luckey
Andrew A. Luckey is an American writer, director and producer, primarily of animated works...
and Mike Dietz and programmer Andy Astor.
In 1993 Virgin Interactive created the "Digicel" process, originally for an unpublished game called "Dynoblaze". Key to developing the process were Dr. Stephen Clarke-Willson
Stephen Clarke-Willson
Dr. Stephen Clarke-Willson, PhD. was a video game producer and executive producer in the early 1990s who produced a number of hit games.-Summary:...
, David Perry, designer David Bishop, animator Bill Kroyer, animator artists Andy Luckey, animator Mike Dietz and programmer Andy Astor. The technology was first released to the general public in Disney's Aladdin
Disney's Aladdin (video game)
Disney's Aladdin is a series of video games based on the 1992 motion picture of the same name. Unlike most cross-platform games, the five versions are each significantly different games rather than all being ports of a single source.-Mega Drive/Genesis version:The game from Virgin based on the 1992...
for the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and subsequently on such projects as The Lion King
The Lion King (video game)
The Lion King is a video game based on Disney's popular animated film. The title was published by Virgin Interactive in 1994, and was released on SNES, NES, Game Boy, PC, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga, Master System and Game Gear. The NES and Master System versions of the game were never released...
video game.
The worldwide operations were acquired in a management buyout backed by Mark Dyne
Mark Dyne
Mark Dyne is Chairman and CEO of Europlay Capital AdvisorsHe has also served as CEO of Sega Gaming Technologies and Sega Ozisoft Pty Ltd., CEO and Chairman of Virgin Interactive...
who became its Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Tim Chaney, the former Managing Director was named as President. The U.S. operations were spun out to Electronic Arts as part of its acquisition of Westwood Studios that same year.
The Company's assets were acquired by the French
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...
publisher Titus Software
Titus Software
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....
-- its name was changed to 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....
on July 1, 2003.
In May 2002, the Spanish division of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased by Tim Chaney along with former Spanish president and founder Paco Encinas. The branch was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and kept its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher remains as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry.
Popular games
- Falcon Patrol (1983)
- Doriath (1985)
- Hunter PatrolHunter PatrolHunter Patrol was a video game published by Mastertronic in 1985. The game was for the Commodore 64 home computer system. The music for the game was written in the same military style as the music from Battle of Britain. All music for this game was composed by Rob Hubbard....
(1985) - Dan Dare: Pilot of the FutureDan Dare: Pilot of the FutureDan Dare: Pilot of the Future is a 1986 computer game by Virgin Interactive for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 home computer systems. It is based on the classic British comic strip Dan Dare...
(1986) - Action ForceAction Force (video game)Action Force: International Heroes is a video game released by Virgin Games in for the Sinclair Spectrum and Commodore 64, and in for the Amstrad CPC. The game is set in the world of the Action Force toys by Hasbro. It was followed by a sequel, Action Force II.-Plot:Cobra have launched a...
(1987) - Falcon Patrol IIFalcon Patrol IIFalcon Patrol II is a computer game for the Commodore 64, written by Steve Lee and published by Virgin Games in 1984.-Summary:This video game was also released for the ZX Spectrum in 1985. It is the sequel to Falcon Patrol....
(1987) - Action Force IIAction Force IIAction Force II: International Heroes is a video game released by Virgin Games in for the ZX Spectrum home computer. It is the sequel to Action Force.-Plot:...
(1988) - WonderlandWonderland (adventure game)Wonderland is a computer text-driven adventure game developed by Magnetic Scrolls and published in 1990 by Virgin Games.-Story:Wonderland is based on Lewis Carroll's classic children's book Alice in Wonderland, with the player taking on the role of Alice...
(1990) - RealmsRealms (video game)Realms is a 1991 video game produced by Graftgold Ltd. for DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST. It is considered a real-time strategy game. It was published by Virgin Games....
(1991) - CorporationCorporation (video game)Corporation is a video game for Amiga, Atari ST and DOS, later ported to the Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed for Core Design by Dementia Productions by Bill Allen with graphics and design by Kevin Bulmer.The PC and Sega versions were published by Virgin Games...
(1991) - M.C. KidsM.C. KidsM.C. Kids is a platform game developed and published by Virgin Interactive. It was initially released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in February 1992 in North America and by Ocean Software in May 1993 in Europe...
(1991) - Dune IIDune IIDune II: The Building of a Dynasty is a Dune computer game released in 1992 by Westwood Studios...
(1992) - Global GladiatorsGlobal GladiatorsGlobal Gladiators is a 1992 platform game by Virgin Interactive, originally programmed by David Perry for the Mega Drive/Genesis and eventually ported by other Virgin Interactive teams in Europe...
(1992) - The 7th GuestThe 7th GuestThe 7th Guest, produced by Trilobyte and released by Virgin Games in 1993, is an FMV-based puzzle video game. It was one of the first computer video games to be released only on CD-ROM. The 7th Guest is a horror story told from the unfolding perspective of the player, as an amnesiac...
(1992) - Jeep Jamboree: Off Road Adventure (1992)
- The Terminator (1992)
- Cannon FodderCannon FodderCannon Fodder is a short series of war themed action video games developed by Sensible Software, initially released for the Commodore Amiga. Only two games in the series were released, but were converted to most active systems at the time of release...
(1993) - Cool SpotCool SpotCool Spot was a mascot for 7 Up beginning in the late 80s. During this time, the red spot in the 7 Up logo was anthropomorphized: given arms, legs, a mouth, and sunglasses....
(1993) - Disney's Aladdin (1993)
- Lands of LoreLands of LoreLands of Lore or LoL is a computer role-playing game series by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive. Lands of Lore follows the tradition of Dungeon Master, but introduced a linear scenario-based storyline, rather than characters and feats.-Development:Westwood Studios made role...
series (1993) - Reach for the Skies (1993)
- RoboCop Versus The TerminatorRobocop versus The TerminatorRoboCop Versus The Terminator is a video game released for a number of platforms and is based on the RoboCop and Terminator franchises....
(1993) - Super Slap ShotSuper Slap Shotis a traditional five-on-five ice hockey video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.-Summary:The game itself was endorsed by 'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe. No licenses from real-life professional league are used. Thirty-two international teams are available to choose from in exhibition and...
(1993) - Goal!Dino Dini's GoalDino Dini's Goal is a soccer computer game released by Virgin Games in 1993. It is considered by many to be the "true" sequel to Kick Off 2 , as Kick Off's creator Dino Dini had moved from Anco and was responsible for all Goal's engineering and game design.Goal! introduced improved dynamics and A.I...
(1994) - Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994) (European PC version only)
- The Lion KingThe Lion King (video game)The Lion King is a video game based on Disney's popular animated film. The title was published by Virgin Interactive in 1994, and was released on SNES, NES, Game Boy, PC, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga, Master System and Game Gear. The NES and Master System versions of the game were never released...
(1994) - Walt Disney's The Jungle BookThe Jungle Book (video game)Walt Disney's The Jungle Book is a series of video games based on the 1967 Disney animated film The Jungle Book, primarily released in 1994. It was first released by Virgin Interactive in 1993 for the Sega Master System...
(1994) *Earthworm JimEarthworm JimEarthworm Jim is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. Created by Doug TenNapel and designed by David Perry, the game was developed by Shiny Entertainment and Playmates Interactive Entertainment, released by Sega for the Mega...
(Europe only) (1994) *Command & Conquer (1995) - Cyberia 2 (1995)
- Hyper 3D Pinball (1995)
- Super Karts (1995)
- Zone Raiders (1995)
- World Masters GolfWorld Masters GolfWorld Masters Golf is a golf simulation video game for the Super NES released exclusively in Europe.-Summary:This video game features four gouraud shaded courses in order to produce continuous shading of surfaces represented by polygon meshes. Modes of gameplay are: tournament, match play, and...
(1995) - Command & Conquer: Red AlertCommand & Conquer: Red AlertCommand & Conquer: Red Alert is a real-time strategy computer game of the Command & Conquer franchise, produced by Westwood Studios and released by Virgin Interactive in...
(DOS Version Only) (1996) - Broken SwordBroken SwordBroken Sword is a video game series created by game designer Charles Cecil of Revolution Software. The game series revolves around the adventures of Idaho-born George Stobbart and the French Nico Collard in several fictitious stories based on history and mythology. The first two games in the series...
(1996) - ToonstruckToonstruckToonstruck is a 1996 point-and-click adventure game in which, although all the imagery is drawn and scanned into the game, the protagonist Drew Blanc is an actual video-captured representation of the actor...
(1996) - Resident EvilResident Evil (video game)Resident Evil, known as in Japan, is a survival horror video game by Capcom. The first installment in the Resident Evil series, it was originally released in 1996 for the PlayStation and was subsequently ported to the Sega Saturn and PC. In 2002, a remake of the game was released for the Nintendo...
(Europe and PC versions only, PC versions made by Westwood StudiosWestwood StudiosWestwood Studios was a computer and video game developer, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was founded by Brett Sperry and Louis Castle in as Westwood Associates, and renamed to Westwood Studios when it merged with Virgin Interactive in...
) (1996) - Agile Warrior F-111X (1997)
- Broken Sword II: The Smoking MirrorBroken Sword II: The Smoking MirrorBroken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror is a point-and-click adventure game released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation. The remastered edition has been recently announced by Revolution Software and will be coming to iOS devices in late 2010 with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows ports following in...
(1997) - SubspaceSubSpace (computer game)SubSpace is a two-dimensional space shooter computer game published in 1997 by Virgin Interactive Entertainment which was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Online Game of the Year Award in 1998. SubSpace incorporates quasi-realistic zero-friction physics into a massively...
(1997) - Mega Man X3Mega Man X3Mega Man X3, known as in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . The game was originally released in Japan on December 1, 1995 and later in North American and PAL regions in 1996. It is the third game in the Mega Man X series and the last to appear...
(Europe only) (1997) - Nanotek WarriorNanoTek WarriorNanoTek Warrior is an tube shooter game developed by Tetragon Inc. and released by Virgin Interactive in 1997.-Gameplay:NanoTek Warrior uses behind the ship perspective. There is a total of eight levels in the game. Each level consists of two stages: "Tube-runner mode" and "Boss/Orbit mode". Most...
(1997) - Ignition (1997)
- Resident Evil 2Resident Evil 2Resident Evil 2, known as in Japan, is a survival horror video game originally released for the PlayStation in 1998. Developed by Capcom as the second installment in the Resident Evil series, its story takes place two months after the events of the first game, Resident Evil...
(Europe only) (1998) - Magic & Mayhem (Europe only) (1998)
- Super DanySuper DanySuper Dany is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game that was released in 1998 to an exclusively European market.-Summary:Basically, this video game is a 2D platform game where the player controls a boy named Danny. He has to navigate through a medieval castle in order to defeat the...
(Europe only) (1998) - Dino CrisisDino Crisisis a survival horror video game by Capcom, originally released in 1999 for the PlayStation and later ported to Microsoft Windows and Dreamcast in 2000...
(Europe only) (1999) - Resident Evil 3: NemesisResident Evil 3: NemesisResident Evil 3: Nemesis, released in Japan as is a survival horror video game and the sequel to Resident Evil 2, developed and published by Capcom. The game was released for the PlayStation, and was subsequently ported to the Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo GameCube...
(Europe only) (2000) - Dino Crisis 2Dino Crisis 2is a Action-adventure video game for the Sony PlayStation, published by Capcom in North America, released on September 13, 2000 and publish by Virgin Interactive in Europe, release on November 4, 2000. It was developed by Capcom Production Studio 4...
(Europe only) (2000) - Project JusticeProject Justiceis a 3D competitive fighting game produced by Capcom. It is the sequel to Rival Schools: United By Fate and was first released as an arcade game in 2000 and ported to the Dreamcast during the following year.- Gameplay :...
(Europe only) (2001) - Screamer 4x4Screamer 4x4Screamer 4x4 is a 4x4 off-road game, designed by Hungarian-based Clever's Interactive. It is still considered by many to be the most realistic off-road trials driving simulator despite showing its age...
(2001) - Resident Evil: Gaiden (Europe only) (2001)
- Devil May CryDevil May Cryis an action game developed and published by Capcom, released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. Although it is the first game in the series of the same name, the events in Devil May Cry are second in the series storyline's chronological order, taking place after Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening and...
(Europe only) (2001) - Now Games compilation series (1985-1988)
External links
- Avalon Interactive Portal (offline)
- Virgin Interactive 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...