Mastertronic

Mastertronic was a start was established in 1984 publisher of low-budget games for home computers. Mastertronic became well-known through the consistent low price policy and the fact that they managed to bring computer games on the shelves of large department stores, gas stations and many other retailers.

Low- budget games

The early 1980s were mostly found in computer stores computer games, the large retail chains mistrusted this new product field too much.

The recipe for success of Mastertronic was on the one hand, the very low price of £ 1.99 in the UK (9.95 DM in Germany ) and on the other hand the small risk for the dealer as leftover games were replaced by new ones and thus the dealer does not sit on unsold goods remained.

Mastertronic tried to offer games for all home computer platforms; the company has performed but especially on the C64, CPC 464 and the ZX Spectrum, which was mainly due to the wider use of these computers. To keep the confusion between the different platforms as small as possible was allowed to occur to so-called "Color Code " so that you could see on the color of some design elements on the cover already, for which computer was written the game.

Initially, the computer scene was this cheap games quite skeptical, but quickly accepted it, that Mastertronic games at least something offered as a good value for money. Later still, these games were already considered " cool", especially since the next part mediocre to bad games also find some classics were. Rob Hubbard also had its share in the success of Mastertronic, because often the music for the games from him was written, so that often the quality of the music was a lot better than the game itself.

The concept of cheap games on cassette found some imitators, so that there were countless companies that have released their games in similar ways. Among the most famous Firebird belonged software. Also, the "Color Code" was often copied with slight modification.

Diversification

In May 1987 Mastertronic announced his intention to produce arcade machines. Were technical basis for the "Arcadia" project mentioned the motherboard of the Amiga computer.

End as part of the Virgin group

In 1987, the Virgin Group Richard Branson of the 45% of the shares that were held by external investors. In 1988 the company was completely sold to Virgin and fused with Virgin Games. For a short time the merger was renamed as Virgin Mastertronic. After renaming the Virgin Interactive Entertainment finally disappeared and the company name. Virgin used for a short time a label called " Tronix ", which also disappeared but very soon.

Newly established in 2005

In 2005 Mastertronic experienced a resurgence. New games were now under the name M.A.D. ( Mastertronic Added Dimension) sold.

Games Catalog (selection)

Some Mastertronic classic:

• Action Biker
• Kikstart 1 and 2
• Super Pipeline 2
• Various reissues of older full price games, the most successful thereof Ghostbusters was with 412 922 copies sold

Some Mastertronic games, which are known for the music of Rob Hubbard:

• Kentilla
• Formula 1 Simulator ( with 568 013 copies sold the most successful Mastertronic game )
• One Man and his Droid
• Human Race
• The Master of Magic
• Phantoms of the Asteroid
• Ninja