Thorn EMI Computer Software [1] (also known as Thorn EMI Video Programmes) [2] was a British video games software house set up in the early 1980s as part of the now-defunct British conglomerate Thorn EMI.
They released a number of games in the early 1980s using the same "Thorn EMI Video" label [3] as their home video releases. Initially these were for the Atari 8-bit computers, and later for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and VIC-20 formats.
In 1984, the Thorn EMI name was dropped in favour of Creative Sparks as the company felt its "big corporate" associations were inappropriate for the video games market. [4] A budget label, Sparklers, was created in early 1985 to publish titles at £2.50. [5] Later in 1985, Creative Sparks, Sparklers and the distribution company, Creative Sparks Distribution (CSD) gained independence from Thorn EMI after a management buyout. [6]
In July 1987, six months after buying software company Mikro-Gen for a "substantial" sum, [7] Creative Sparks went into receivership with debts estimated at up to £1.5million. [8]
The back catalogue of the company was acquired by Tynesoft, Alternative Software and Maynard International (Top Ten Software). [9] The former management at CSD went on to form Software Publishing Associates, owners of the Crysys and Pirate Software labels. [10]
Many of the company's games listed below were issued on more than one label over the years. A typical example is River Rescue, first released under the Thorn EMI label, [11] then later sold (with updated artwork) under the Creative Sparks brand. [12] This was followed by a budget release on the company's own Sparklers label [13] then- after Creative Sparks' demise- another budget reissue by Alternative Software. [14]
© 1984 THORN EMI COMPUTER SOFTWARE
[screenshot] Copyright 1982 Thorn EMI Video Programmes Ltd.
[screenshot] "Thorn EMI Video presents" [cover] Logo:"Thorn EMI Video"