David Whittaker (video game composer)

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David Whittaker
Also known asDialogueGuru
Born (1957-04-24) April 24, 1957 (age 68)
Bury, Lancashire, England [1]
Occupations
  • Video game composer
  • sound artist
Years active1983–present

David Whittaker (born 24 April 1957) is an English video game composer. He is known for writing video game music in most of the 1980s and early 1990s for different formats.

Contents

Career

Whittaker cited David Bowie, Kraftwerk and Yazoo among his influences. [2] Before his video game career, he was in a new romantic band called "Beu Leisure". [2] While composing music, Whittaker directly programmed music; instead of using music composition tools, he used a machine code monitor—then an assembler system or program—while including tools from Supersoft and Commodore. He frequently composed for the format on the Commodore 64 and was impressed with the Amiga's sound capabilities, later using sound effects in his compositions for Amiga.

On the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, his most popular compositions are in Lazy Jones , Glider Rider , Armageddon Man , Amaurote , BraveStarr , and Elektra Glide . His subtune 21 of Lazy Jones , commonly known as "Star Dust", was the basis for the electronic song "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation. His compositions also appeared in Amiga games such as Shadow of the Beast , Obliterator , Beyond the Ice Palace , and Speedball . Other formats he has composed for include Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Atari 8-bit computers, and MSX.

After working for eight years in the US for Electronic Arts at Redwood Shores, he joined British video game developer Traveller's Tales in Knutsford, Cheshire, working as Head of Audio in September 2004.

Discography

Game [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] YearSystem(s)PublisherNotes
1st Person Pinball1989 Atari ST, Amiga Tynesoft
007: Licence to Kill 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Domark
11-a-Side Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC
180 1986 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit Mastertronic Arranged music for Atari 8-bit Jason C. Brooke
Alfred Chicken 1993 Amiga, Amiga CD³² Mindscape Sound effects on CD32
Alien Syndrome 1988 Amiga Sega
Amaurote 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, ZX Spectrum Mastertronic,
American Turbo-King1989 Amstrad CPC
APB 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Tengen Also known as All Points Bulletin
Arcade Flight Simulator1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Archipelagos 1989 Atari ST, Amiga Logotron
Army Moves 1988 Atari ST, Amiga Ocean
ATV Simulator1987 Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum 48k Also known as All Terrain Vehicle Simulator
Aussie Games1990 Amstrad CPC
Back to the Future Part II 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Image Works
Bad Company 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Logotron
Ball Crazy1987 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax 1989 Amstrad GX4000, Amstrad CPC
Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior 1987 Amstrad CPC Also known as Death Sword
Battle For The Ashes1995 Amiga Audiogenic
Beverly Hills Cop 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64 Tynesoft
Beyond the Ice Palace 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Elite
Blazer1987 Commodore 64 Nexus
Blood Money 1989 Amiga Psygnosis Made sound effects, not music
BMX Freestyle1989 Amstrad CPC
BMX Simulator 1986 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
BraveStarr 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC GO!
Brian Lara Cricket 1995 Amiga Audiogenic
Brian Lara Cricket '96 1996 Amiga Audiogenic
Bronx Street Cop1989 Amstrad CPC
Bubble Bobble 1989 Amiga Firebird Arranged from the arcade game, original by Zuntata
Bubble Dizzy 1991 Amstrad CPC
Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games1989 Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum Tynesoft Also known as Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
Captain Fizz Meets the Blaster-Trons1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Psyclapse
Carrier Command 1988 Amiga Rainbird Menu music
Challenge Golf1991 Atari ST On-Line Entertainment
Cheap Skate1988 Commodore 64 Silverbird
The Chicken Farm1986 Commodore 64
Chip's Challenge 1990 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Chrono Quest 1988 Atari ST, Amiga Psygnosis
Circus Games1989 Amstrad CPC
Cloud Kingdoms 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Millennium
Colony 1987 Atari 8-bit Mastertronic,
Cosmic Pirate1989 Atari ST, Amiga Palace
Cosmonut1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Custodian1989 Atari ST, Amiga Hewson Working title: Kalashnikov
Dan Dare III: The Escape 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Virgin Mastertronic
Dark Castle 1988 Commodore 64 Three-Sixty Pacific
Days of Thunder 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Mindscape
Death Stalker1989 Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Codemasters
Defcom1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Defender of the Crown 1987 Atari ST CinemawareArrangement from Amiga version, original music by Jim Cuomo and Bill Williams
Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure 1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk 1991 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Dogs of War 1989 Atari ST, Amiga Elite
Double Dragon II: The Revenge 1989 Amstrad CPC
Dynamic Duo1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Firebird
E.T.'s Rugby League1992 Amiga Sega
Elektra Glide 1986 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit English Software
Elevator Action 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga Audiogenic
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Audiogenic
Enduro Racer 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64
Epic 1992 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga Ocean
Exterminator1990 Commodore 64
Eye of Horus 1989 Atari ST, Amiga Logotron
Fantasy World Dizzy 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Fast Food 1989 Amstrad CPC
Feud 1987 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC BulldogArranged music for Atari 8-bit Jason C. Brooke
Fire and Brimstone1990 Atari ST, Amiga Firebird
Fright Night 1988 Amiga Microdeal
Fruit Machine Simulator 21990 Amstrad CPC
Future Sport1989 Atari ST Actual Screenshots
Garfield: Big Fat Hairy Deal 1988 Atari ST, Amiga Softek
Gazza II 1991 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga Empire Interactive
Ghostbusters II 1989 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Activision
Ghosts 'n Goblins 1986 Amstrad CPC
Gilbert: Escape From Drill1989 Amstrad CPC
Glider Rider 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Quicksilva
Global Commander 1987 Commodore 64 Martech Also known as The Armageddon Man
The Gold of the Aztecs 1990 Atari ST, Amiga U.S. Gold
Golden Axe 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Virgin Mastertronic Arranged from the arcade game
Goldrunner II 1988 Atari ST, Amiga Microdeal
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket 1993 Atari ST, Amiga Audiogenic Also known as Allan Border Cricket
Graham Gooch World Class Cricket - Test Match Special Edition1994 Amiga Audiogenic
Graham Gooch's Second Innings 1993 Atari ST, Amiga Audiogenic
Grand Prix Simulator 1987 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit Codemasters
Grand Prix Simulator II1989 Amstrad CPC
Grange Hill 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Argus Press Software
Grimblood1990 Atari ST, Amiga Virgin
Gunship 2000 1993 Amiga MicroProse
Helter Skelter1990 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
Hocus Focus1986 Commodore 64 Quicksilva
Humphrey1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
The Hunt for Red October 1987 Amiga Grand Slam Software
Hunter Killer1989 Atari ST Virgin Mastertronic
Hyperbowl1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Mastertronic
Indoor Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Infection1989 Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Virgin Mastertronic
International Rugby Simulator1988 Amstrad CPC, Atari ST Codemasters Also known as Advanced Rugby Simulator
International Soccer Challenge 1990 Atari ST, Amiga MicroProse
International Speedway1988 Amstrad CPC
IO1988 Commodore 64 Firebird
Iron Horse1988 Commodore 64 Konami
Iron Lord 1989 Atari ST Ubi Soft
The Island of Dr. Destructo1987 Commodore 64 Bulldog
Jail Break1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Konami
Jaws1989 Atari ST, Amiga Martech
Jupiter's Masterdrive1990 Atari ST, Amiga Ubi Soft
Kid Gloves 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Millennium
Kikstart 2 1987 Amiga Mastertronic
Killing Cloud1991 Atari ST, Amiga Image Works
Knight Games 1986 Commodore 64 English Software
Knight Tyme 1988 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Knightmare 1988 Atari ST Activision
Krusty's Fun House 1993 Amiga Acclaim VirginAlso known as Krusty's Super Fun House
Last Mission 1987 Commodore 64 U.S. Gold
Lazer Force1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Lazy Jones 1984 Commodore 64 Terminal Software
Leatherneck1988 Atari ST, Amiga Microdeal
The Legend of William Tell 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Martech Also known as Crossbow: The Legend of William Tell
Lemmings 2: The Tribes 1993 Atari ST, Amiga Psygnosis
Leviathan1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum English SoftwareAlso known as Straf
Little Icarus1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
The Living Daylights 1987 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC Domark
Lone Wolf: The Mirror of Death1991 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
Loopz 1990 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic Working title: Convolution
Magicland Dizzy 1990 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Max Headroom1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Quicksilva
Mayhem1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Menace 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga Psyclapse (Psygnosis)This song is also heard on the Menace themed level of Lemmings. Working titles: Coppercon1, Draconia
Miami Dice1986 Commodore 64 Bug-Byte
Milk Race 1987 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC Mastertronic Arranged music for Atari 8-bit Tiny Williams
Millennium 2.2 1989 Atari ST, Amiga Activision Arrangement of Mahler's adagio from 5th symphony. Also known as Millenium: Return To Earth
Mission Omega 1986 Amstrad CPC
The Model1986 Commodore 64
Monte Carlo Casino1989 Amstrad CPC
Moto Cross Simulator1989 Amstrad CPC
Mr Wino1988 Commodore 64 Silverbird
Mr. Heli 1987 Atari ST Firebird
Ninja 1987 Amiga Mastertronic Also known as Ninja Mission
Ninja Massacre1989 Amstrad CPC
Nitro Boost Challenge1989 Atari ST Codemasters
Obliterator 1988 Atari ST, Amiga Psygnosis
Operation Gunship1989 Amstrad CPC
Outcast1987 Atari ST Mastertronic
Paddle Mania1988 Commodore 64
Pandora1988 Atari ST, Amiga Firebird
Pandora's Box1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Panther 1986 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit Mastertronic
Platoon 1988 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Ocean
Poltergeist 1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Professional BMX Simulator1988 Amstrad CPC
Professional Snooker Simulator1988 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Pub Trivia Simulator1989 Amstrad CPC
Punchy1983 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Quadralien1988 Atari ST, Amiga Logotron
Quartet 1987 Commodore 64 Activision
The Race Against Time 1988 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Rampage 1987 Atari ST Activision
The Real Ghostbusters 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64 Activision
Red Max 1987 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit Codemasters
Renaissance1990 Atari ST, Amiga ImpressionsAlso known as Classic 4
Renegade 1987 Atari ST Mastertronic
Return to Genesis1988 Atari ST, Amiga Firebird Working title: Clonworld 50
RoadBlasters 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Rugby League Coach1994 Atari ST, Amiga Audiogenic
Rygar 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
The Sentinel 1988 Amiga Firebird Also known as The Sentry
Shadow of the Beast 1989 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Psygnosis
Shadow Skimmer1987 Amstrad CPC
SideWinder1988 Amiga Mastertronic
SimCity 1990 Atari ST Maxis
Skateball 1989 Atari ST Ubi Soft
Sláine 1988 Commodore 64 Martech
Slap Fight 1988 Atari ST Ocean Also known as A.L.C.O.N.
Snoopy: The Cool Computer Game1989 Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore CDTV Softek Also known as: Snoopy And Peanuts, Snoopy: The Case of the Missing Blanket
Snow Strike1990 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Soccer Skills 1989 Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 Codemasters
Solomon's Key 1987 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC U.S. Gold
Speedball 1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga Image Works
Spellbound Dizzy 1991 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Spitting Image 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Domark
Split Personalities 1986 Commodore 64 Domark
Spore 1987 Commodore 64 Bulldog
Sporting Triangles 1989 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC CDS
Star Trek: The Rebel Universe 1987 Atari ST Firebird
Star Wars 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Domark
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 1988 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Domark
Starblaze1989 Atari ST, Amiga Logotron
StarRay1988 Atari ST Logotron
Storm1986 Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit Mastertronic
Stormbringer 1988 Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum MAD/Mastertronic
Stormtrooper1989 Atari ST, Amiga Creation
Street Gang Soccer1989 Amstrad CPC
Street Soccer 1989 Amstrad CPC
Street Surfer1986 Commodore 64 Entertainment USA
Super G-Man1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Super League Manager 1995 Amiga Audiogenic
Super Robin Hood 1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Super Stuntman1988 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Supremacy: Your Will Be Done 1990 Atari ST Virgin Mastertronic Also known as Overlord
Terra Cognita1986 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Tetris 1987 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Mirrorsoft
ThunderCats 1988 Amiga EliteArranged from Commodore 64 game, original song by Rob Hubbard
Total Recall 1990 Atari ST, Amiga Ocean
Transmuter1987 Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper 1987 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC GO!
Treasure Island 1984 Commodore 64 Mr Micro
Treasure Island Dizzy 1989 Amstrad CPC Codemasters
Triple Tournament1984 Commodore 64 Terminal Software
The Tube1987 Commodore 64 Quicksilva
Turbo Chopper Simulator1989 Amstrad CPC
Vampire1987 Commodore 64 Codemasters
Verminator1989 Atari ST Rainbird
Voodoo Nightmare1990 Atari ST Palace Software
Wanderer 3D 1988 Amiga Elite
War Cars Construction Kit1988 Commodore 64 Firebird
Warlock: The Avenger1990 Atari ST U.S. Gold
Weird Dreams 1989 Atari ST, Amiga MicroProse
Wembley Rugby League1994 Amiga Audiogenic
Whirligig1988 Amiga Firebird Also known as SpaceCutter
Willow Pattern1985 Commodore 64 Firebird
Wizard's Pet1987 Commodore 64 Mastertronic
Wonder Boy in Monster Land 1989 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Activision Arranged from the arcade game, original songs by Shinichi Sakamoto. Also known as Super Wonder Boy In Monsterland
World Class Rugby1991 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC Audiogenic
World Class Rugby '951995 Amiga Audiogenic
World Class Rugby: Five Nations Edition1992 Amiga Audiogenic
Wrath of the Demon 1991 Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga ReadySoft
Wreckers1991 Atari ST, Amiga Audiogenic
Xenon 1988 Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Mastertronic
Xenon 2: Megablast 1989 Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore CDTV MirrorsoftTitle song is a rearrangement of the song "Megablast" from the album Into the Dragon by Bomb the Bass
Zombi 1987 Atari ST Ubi Soft
Zub 1986 Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Mastertronic

References

  1. ↑ C64.COM interview
  2. 1 2 "David Whittaker interview". archive.org. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Listing of Whittaker's work on Atarimania.
  4. ↑ High Voltage SID Collection.
  5. ↑ Listing of Whittaker's CPC work.
  6. ↑ "Home". lemonamiga.com.
  7. ↑ Listing of Whittaker's work on Hall Of Light.
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