Thorn EMI Computer Software

Thorn EMI Computer Software was a British video games software house set up in the early 1980s as part of the now-defunct British conglomerate Thorn EMI. They released a number of games in the early 1980s, initially for the Atari 8-bit family, and later for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Commodore Vic 20 computers. In 1984, the Thorn EMI name was dropped in favour of Creative Sparks as the company were reportedly unhappy with their image in the video games market.[1] A budget label, Sparklers, was created in early 1985 to publish titles at £2.50.[2] Later in 1985, Creative Sparks, Sparklers and the distribution company, Creative Sparks Distribution (CSD) gained independence from Thorn EMI after a management buyout.[3]

In July 1987, six months after buying software company Mikro-Gen for a "substantial" sum,[4] Creative Sparks went into receivership with debts estimated at up to £1.5million.[5]

The back catalogue of the company was acquired by Tynesoft, Alternative Software and Maynard International (Top Ten Software).[6] The former management at CSD went on to form Software Publishing Associates, owners of the Crysys and Pirate Software labels.[7]

Video games released

on the Thorn EMI label

on the Creative Sparks label

  • Black Hawk
  • Danger Mouse In Double Trouble
  • Danger Mouse In The Black Forest Chateau
  • Delta Wing
  • Special Delivery
  • Stagecoach
  • Tower of Evil
  • Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee
  • Snodgits

on the Sparklers label

  • Desert Burner
  • Quack Shot
  • St Crippens

References
  1. "News". Crash. No. 4. Newsfield. May 1984. p. 101. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  2. "News". Home Computing Weekly. No. 4. Argus Specialist Press. 19 March 1985. p. 4. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  3. "Management Buy-Out at Thorn EMI". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 4 no. 47. Sunshine Publications. 21–27 November 1985. p. 4. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. "MikroGen is sold to distributor". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 5 no. 50. Sunshine Publications. 11–17 December 1986. p. 6.
  5. "Receiver Called In At Creative Sparks". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 6 no. 29. Sunshine Publications. 24–30 July 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  6. "Equinox may see the light of day". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 6 no. 38. Focus Magazines. 25 September – 1 October 1987. p. 11. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  7. David Lester (10–16 December 1987). "Risen from the ashes". Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 6 no. 49. Focus Magazines. p. 32. Retrieved 26 February 2020.


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