Denton Designs

Denton Designs were a British video game developer based in Liverpool. The company was founded in 1984 and initially specialised in developing software for the ZX Spectrum home computer. Amongst the founders were developers who had worked on the unfinished "Mega game" Bandersnatch for Imagine Software.

Denton Designs
Private
IndustryVideo games
FateTakeover by Rage Software
PredecessorImagine Software
FoundedSeptember 1984 (1984-09)
Founders
  • Steve Cain
  • Ian Weatherburn
  • Ally Noble
  • John Gibson
  • Karen Davies
  • Graham Everett
Defunct1995
Headquarters
Liverpool
,
United Kingdom
Key people
Steve Cain (Art designer),
Graham Everett (Software developer),
Karen Davies (Art designer),
Ally Noble (Art designer),
John Gibson (Gameplay programmer)
ProductsFrankie Goes to Hollywood
The Great Escape
Eco
Where Time Stood Still

History

Denton Designs were founded in September 1984 following the collapse of Imagine Software. Six Imagine staff — Steve Cain, Ian Weatherburn, Ally Noble, John Gibson, Karen Davies and Graham "Kenny" Everett — made redundant by the company's demise, founded the new software house and carried on where they had left off at Imagine.[1][2]

When Denton Designs were contracted to develop Shadowfire, Ian Weatherburn became disillusioned with the fact that the company was no longer operating as it had when they had been part of Imagine, and on issuing an ultimatum was sacked by the rest of the directors. He subsequently joined Ocean.[2]

In March 1986, the company split, with founders Cain, Davies, Everett and Gibson leaving. Of the original founders, only Ally Noble remained.[3]

In December 1995, Denton Designs were acquired by Rage Software.[4]

    Games developed
    Year Title Platform(s) Publisher
    1984 Gift from the Gods ZX Spectrum Ocean
    1985 Bounces Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Beyond Software
    Cosmic Wartoad ZX Spectrum Ocean
    Frankie Goes to Hollywood Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
    Roland's Rat Race Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
    Shadowfire Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Beyond Software
    Sorderon's Shadow: The Legend of Elindor ZX Spectrum
    1986 Dante's Inferno Commodore 64
    Enigma Force Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
    The Great Escape Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum Ocean
    Infodroid Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 Beyond Software
    The Transformers Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Ocean
    1987 Double Take
    Eco Amiga, Atari ST
    Flashpoint Thomson computers, ZX Spectrum
    Madballs Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
    Mutants
    Where Time Stood Still Atari ST, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum
    1988 Foxx Fights Back Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Image Works
    Troll Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Kixx
    1989 Eye of Horus Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS Logotron
    1991 World Class Rugby Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Audiogenic
    Wreckers Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
    1992 World Class Rugby: Five Nations Edition
    1993 Batman Returns Amiga Konami
    Krusty's Fun House Game Boy, MS-DOS Virgin Interactive
    1994 Soccer Game Boy Rage Software
    Wembley Rugby League Amiga, MS-DOS Audiogenic

    References
    1. "Denton Designs". Crash. Newsfield Publications. June 1985. p. 30. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
    2. Bourne, Chris (July 1985). "Spirit of Imagine". Sinclair User. EMAP. p. 58. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
    3. "News: Denton Design Splits". Sinclair User. EMAP. March 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
    4. "RAGE SOFTWARE ACQUIRES DENTON DESIGNS". Telecom Paper. 5 December 1995. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
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