The Software Toolworks is an American software company . The founder and head of the company was a well-known US radio and TV presenter . The headquarters was originally located in California, and later moved to Novato, California .
| The software toolworks | |
|---|---|
| Type of | public company |
| Base | 1980 |
| Abolished | 1994 |
| Reason for Abolition | absorbed by |
| Successor | Mindscape |
| Founders | |
| Location |  USA : Novato , CA |
| Key figures | , Roger Buoy |
| Industry | software development ( ISIC :6201 ) |
| Products | PC software |
| Capitalization | $ 462 million (1994) [1] |
History
After completing his television career, Les Crane began to do business, first establishing a medical school in Mexico and then engaging in communications consulting. [1] Having bought a personal computer for work, Les became interested in software, eventually deciding to tackle it closely
The Software Toolworks was founded in 1980 [2] (according to other sources in 1984) [1] and was originally involved in the development and publication of software for personal computers / . The company's first products were MYCHESS ®, the game The Original Adventure and the compiler for CP / M C / 80 C. [2] He became famous for his developments, in particular, a series of three-dimensional color chess programs Chessmaster and a series of training programs for fast printing, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing . [2] She is also known for contributing to the development of the PC game series. Among the achievements of the company is also worth noting a successful series of games about Mario , the mascot of Nintendo .
In 1990, The Software Toolworks acquired another software manufacturer, Mindscape , which attracted Crane mainly because it was a Nintendo licensee, with the right to release games for its NES and Game Boy consoles . [3] In the same 1990, at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show, British comedian, composer and pianist Dudley Moore introduced the public to the electronic piano learning system developed by The Software Toolworks. [4] It was this system that led the company into decline: the Miracle Piano Teaching System was supposed to work on a computer in combination with a special electronic keyboard, and The Software Toolworks representatives underestimated the demand for this product and ordered it too much, while there were too many customers for this system very few were found. As a result, the company barely had enough money to pay off its debts.
In 1992, Roger Buoy , founder of Mindscape, left the company to pursue other business activities. [5]
The company took part in the next round of mergers and its headquarters moved to Novato (California) north of San Francisco .
In 1993, The Software Toolworks developed the video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System under the Mindscape brand, in conjunction with Origin Systems . At that time, the company was balancing on the brink of bankruptcy and cutting staff, struggling to survive. The sale from the game exceeded all expectations, the income received saved the company from ruin, for example, the price of The Software Toolworks securities, which fell to $ 2 per share, eventually rose back to $ 12 per share before the company was acquired.
In 1994, the British company bought The Software Toolworks for $ 462 million. [1] Later it was renamed to Mindscape.
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Elaine Woo. Former TV host also founded software firm . Obituaries: Les Crane, 1933 - 2008 (English) . Los Angeles Times (July 16, 2008) . Date of treatment May 27, 2017. Archived January 27, 2013.
- ↑ 1 2 3 Walt Bilofsky. The Software Toolworks Home Page . toolworks.com. Date of treatment May 27, 2017. Archived May 27, 2017.
- ↑ Computer Gaming World . .org / Galleries . CGWmuseum . Date of appeal May 27, 2017.
- ↑ Electronics consumer briefs . UPI Archives UPI (June 6, 1990) . Date of appeal May 27, 2017.
- ↑ Roger M. Buoy: Executive Profile & Biography . Bloomberg . Date of appeal May 27, 2017.