1987 Ariolasoft
Platform: Amstrad CPC
Now many of you will know that Ocean released a game based on the licence of Madballs in 1987, though what you might not know is that another version was in development for Ariolasoft before Ocean had got the licence confirmed. What is even better is that you can now check it out for yourself!
Developed by Ian Munro whilst at Millside Software, this particular take of the licence was very different to the final Ocean Software design, and took a pinball game approach. Oddly, there is no actual Madballs branding at all in the game at this stage either.
Ian was working on the game, and got a few tables created and some basic gameplay before it was found that Ariolasoft had either lost or failed to secure the licencing rights. As a result, work was stopped and due to a lack of funds – Ian got a different job and moved on from Millside Software.
Thankfully, Ian had still kept the final demo of the game at the point of cancellation, and transferred it to PC. Nicholas Campbell got in touch with us to share the demo, but also a tidied up version in DSK format that you can load up.
Nicholas reached out to Ian, and he has given permission for the demo to be added to the archives, and so here it is for you to check out!
With a huge thank you to Nicholas Campbell for all the information and tidying up of the prototype and to Ian Munro for originally preserving and giving permission to add to the archives.
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