There are names that are well known to everyone
to the spektrumist. Let's not remind them, so as not to
offend someone by inadvertently forgetting :) .
People who have done a lot of good for our love
your computer, will remain in your memory for a long time.
But there are names that unite pain -
great number of people. We'll tell you a little about
one such name.
Facts from "Pro game", lyrics - own...
On the outskirts of Manchester, in the shade of branchy trees
revev, the former fire brigade building is hiding
yes. Above the well-kept courtyard rises the most
sinking fire tower.
Every morning the tower greets Davida Voda,
President known throughout the computer world
companies OCEAN, or as they say now
"OCEAN Publishing House". The President is approaching
goes to the company building, taking a quick glance at the post-
icy reminder of the firefighting past of the old
home, and perhaps only occasionally remembers
the past of your company.
1983. The time of 8-bit computers, when
the number of personal computers sold was calculated
hundreds of thousands. Software market for home computers
the ditch was just being created. At this time it appears
company with"deep" name OCEAN (OCEAN). B
at the very beginning of his new activity, David
Vod, who apparently had substantial capital,
crowbar, chose a successful strategy.
The company focused its work on the line
licensed products. That is, it was taken well
promoted feature, animated film
or a comic. We agreed with the authors to purchase
renunciation of the right to use characters in games,
and then the matter... there is no technology, but artists.
After all, OCEAN games have always been distinguished by high quality
quality of graphics.
OCEAN has become world famous thanks to its
a number of games about Batman, released at different times on
different platforms, including Speccy.
A series of games about RoboCop also became popular.
In the mid-80s, it formed its own
a group of designers led by Harry Bracey. On-
The search began for new types for the next games.
The end of the last decade in the world became the end
eight-bit computers. More complex ma-
tires became more and more accessible, and their capabilities
you are getting richer. Game creation has become increasingly
more labor-intensive process.New manager Ian Teriball, responsible for
internal development of the company, took the risk of updating
development team.
Moreover, the entire team was divided into
several independent self-governing
groups.
Each group must have its own leader
developer, lead programmer and lead designer.
Also working there are programmers subordinate to them.
you, designers, artists, musicians, fashion designers
and mathematics.
This new organization, which still exists today,
received the code name Tribes ("groups").
Each tribe is engaged in its project from the beginning
from start to finish. Within the group itself, it is pre-
is delivered complete independence in real life
tions of the project.
The progress of work of all tribes is monitored by the gene-
The company's main producer is Steve Andrews. To it
tribes grow if they can’t do it themselves
implement something while working on a project
vol. In this case, producers are involved,
searching for individual specialists or
even entire creative teams.
This organization of work allows limiting
be carried out by a relatively small staff of collaborators
cov. There are apparently economic reasons in this
considerations. It is true that, compared to some other
most British publishing houses, OCEANlooks
quite modestly (especially if you remember
roasting tower). But practice shows that
prosperity is achieved through savings on app-
apartments and staff.
However, it is not noticeable that David Vod is going too far
stick. For example, in the internal publishing department
development works, not a lot not a little, 80 people
century This despite the fact that in all OCEAN branches,
not counting free producers and creative co-
mand, there are onlyabout 220 people.
During the year, 7-8 projects are created, at-
about half of which become hits.
Unfortunately, the name OCEAN has long since disappeared
Spectrum's horizon. Today only the power
PC and MAC dealers can see new products "by
OCEAN".
And the spektrumists launch the fields again and again
the "ocean" games he fought. Let's remember some
some of them.
Hunchback 1983
Armageddon 1983
Mr Wimpy 1984
Rat Race 1985
The Never Ending Story 1985
Top Gun 1986
Supertest 1986
Batman 1986
Cosmopolice 1986
The Great Escape 1986
Miami Vice 1987
Robocop 1987
Head Over Heels 1987
Typhoon 1988
Rambo 1988
Gutz 1988
Thunderceptor 1989
Chase H.Q. 1989
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