Martech

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, British Overseas and Export Trading^[1] based in London. 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.^[2] When David was not able to further his coding skills due to the managerial aspect of the company, additional programmers were hired, beginning with Ian McArdle^[2] and shortly afterwards John Edginton. Malcom Smith later joined Ian and John as a part-time graphic designer in the small office they rented on Brighton's Old Steine.

Ian worked on several Martech's 'personality' games; those with licensed content such as Eddie Kidd's Jump Challenge^[2] and Brian Jacks Superstar Challenge on the ZX Spectrum. John in turn wrote the Amstrad CPC versions of Brian Jacks Superstar Challenge, Zoids — the Battle Begins (Chris Fayers wrote the ZX Spectrum version) and W.A.R.

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)
• Geoff Capes Superstar Challenge (1984)
• Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge (1984)
• Brian Jacks Superstar Challenge (1985)
• Crazy Comets (1985)
• Living Body; The (1986)
• Tarzan (1986)
• ZOIDS - the Battle Begins (1986)
• W.A.R. (1986)
• Brian Jack's Uchi Mata (1986)
• The Planets (1986)
• Mega Apocalypse (1987) - clone of Gottlieb's Mad Planets
• 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