Thorn EMI Computer Software

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Thorn EMI Computer Software 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, initially for the Atari 8-bit computers, and later for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and VIC-20 computers. In 1984, the Thorn EMI name was dropped in favour of Creative Sparks as the company were reportedly unhappy with their image in the video games market. [1] A budget label, Sparklers, was created in early 1985 to publish titles at £2.50. [2] Later in 1985, Creative Sparks, Sparklers and the distribution company, Creative Sparks Distribution (CSD) gained independence from Thorn EMI after a management buyout. [3]

Contents

In July 1987, six months after buying software company Mikro-Gen for a "substantial" sum, [4] Creative Sparks went into receivership with debts estimated at up to £1.5million. [5]

The back catalogue of the company was acquired by Tynesoft, Alternative Software and Maynard International (Top Ten Software). [6] The former management at CSD went on to form Software Publishing Associates, owners of the Crysys and Pirate Software labels. [7]

Releases

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, [8] then later sold (with updated artwork) under the Creative Sparks brand. [9] This was followed by a budget release on the company's own Sparklers label [10] then- after Creative Sparks' demise- another budget reissue by Alternative Software. [11]

'Thorn EMI' label

'Creative Sparks' label

'Sparklers' label

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References

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  5. "Receiver Called In At Creative Sparks". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 6, no. 29. Sunshine Publications. 24–30 July 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  6. "Equinox may see the light of day". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 6, no. 38. Focus Magazines. 25 September – 1 October 1987. p. 11. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
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