Martech

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Martech Games Ltd was a video game publisher active between 1982 and 1989.

Martech was formed by David Martin and brother-in-law John Barry, initially under the name Software Communications Ltd under partnership with a firm of exporters. They were initially based at Bay Terrace, Pevensey Bay, East Sussex. BN24 6EE.

David, a chemistry teacher and boardgame designer, first started programming with the school computers and moved onto the ZX Spectrum at home. This hobby eventually became a cottage industry, with software duplication and dispatch all handled from home.

Early games drew on David's boardgaming experience – Conflict on the ZX Spectrum and Quest of Marravid on the Commodore 64, for example. When David was not able to further his coding skills due to the managerial aspect of the company, an additional programmer, Ian McArdle, was hired.

Ian worked on Martech's 'personality' games; those with licensed content such as Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge. Eventually a team-based approach to game production was adopted, with in-house full-time programmers.

In 1988, David Martin established Emerald Software Ltd with Mike Dixon.

In 1989, the Martech label became known as Screen 7.

Selected list of games

As Martech:

• Conflict (1982) – based on the boardgame Conflict
• Blastermind! (1983)
• Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge (1984)
• Brian Jack's Uchi Mata (1986)
• The Armageddon Man (1987)
• Catch 23 (1987)
• Nemesis the Warlock (1987) – based on the comic.
• Nigel Mansell's Grand Prix (1987)
• Rex (1988)
• Vixen (1988)

As Screen 7:

• High Steel (1989)
• Jaws (1989) – based on the film

References

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Last updated on Saturday March 01, 2008 at 14:13:27 PST (GMT -0800)
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