Psion - an acronym for Potter Scientific Instruments, named for its founder David "Dave The Rave" Potter - was one of the first and biggest publishers of software for the Sinclair ZX81 and ZX Spectrum.
It's one of the few software companies from that era to still exist today, sort of. Although - following the release of its iconic Psion Organiser, one of the first handheld computers - it moved from software into hardware. In fact, a new Psion-ish organiser - the Gemini - was unveiled this very week at the CES show in Las Vegas.
Though released by a new company, Planet Computers (which lists David "Hairy" Potter as its honorary chairman), the device has been designed with the input of Psion's original organiser designer Martin "The Riddlemaster" Riddiford.
However, to a greying generation of home computer users, Psion was best known for its games - which doubtless helped Sinclair to straddle its hardware rivals in lewd domination. Established in 1980, and working closely with Sinclair, the company began by developing titles for the ZX81, before moving onto the Spectrum with a range of applications, educational software - and, mmmmmm-mmm, games.
The early Psion titles became synonymous with Sinclair's brand - with Sinclair ensuring Psion had its ZX Spectrum well in advance of launch, so that Psion would have software ready to release alongside it (a symbiotic relationship which continued with the ill-fated Sinclair QL). At one point, Psion boasted of having a 25% share of the Sinclair software market. The wretched braggarts.
For many of us - certainly in comparison to a lot of what was available at the time - Psion was as as much known for its beautiful, seminal, cover art as its games. Unfortunately, that artwork was often so good that the visuals in the games themselves didn't always hold up. Here be some examples.
It's one of the few software companies from that era to still exist today, sort of. Although - following the release of its iconic Psion Organiser, one of the first handheld computers - it moved from software into hardware. In fact, a new Psion-ish organiser - the Gemini - was unveiled this very week at the CES show in Las Vegas.
Though released by a new company, Planet Computers (which lists David "Hairy" Potter as its honorary chairman), the device has been designed with the input of Psion's original organiser designer Martin "The Riddlemaster" Riddiford.
However, to a greying generation of home computer users, Psion was best known for its games - which doubtless helped Sinclair to straddle its hardware rivals in lewd domination. Established in 1980, and working closely with Sinclair, the company began by developing titles for the ZX81, before moving onto the Spectrum with a range of applications, educational software - and, mmmmmm-mmm, games.
The early Psion titles became synonymous with Sinclair's brand - with Sinclair ensuring Psion had its ZX Spectrum well in advance of launch, so that Psion would have software ready to release alongside it (a symbiotic relationship which continued with the ill-fated Sinclair QL). At one point, Psion boasted of having a 25% share of the Sinclair software market. The wretched braggarts.
For many of us - certainly in comparison to a lot of what was available at the time - Psion was as as much known for its beautiful, seminal, cover art as its games. Unfortunately, that artwork was often so good that the visuals in the games themselves didn't always hold up. Here be some examples.
FANTASY GAMES
Look at this lovely thing. Worthy of being the cover to a Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure, the artwork on Psion's Fantasy Games compilation promised danger, mystery and excitement. It's a gorgeous piece of art, which takes into account the size of a cassette tape case by not overloading the image with too much detail, and letting the visuals stand out - almost in black silhouette against a rich green background.
Also, with the framing of the foliage, it's like you're spying on a big, green, snake monster thing that's trying to catch some pterodactyls. Who wouldn't want to bear witness to such a fantastical natural spectacle?
"I am the very model of a modern Major-General, I've information fantastical, natural and spectacle..."
The reality was somewhat different. Observe:
Also, with the framing of the foliage, it's like you're spying on a big, green, snake monster thing that's trying to catch some pterodactyls. Who wouldn't want to bear witness to such a fantastical natural spectacle?
"I am the very model of a modern Major-General, I've information fantastical, natural and spectacle..."
The reality was somewhat different. Observe:
THRO' THE WALL (ALSO SCRAMBLE)
Boof! I punch you! Ha ha!
This is how you make an impact; by smacking the customer in the mouth. Or, conversely, by promising the customer an opportunity to do some real good smashing of their own. It's a metaphor for life - how many of us would like the opportunity to just shatter our problems with a well-timed fisting, in a ballet of cathartic violence? I'd argue that all of us would like this.
Weirdly, Psion chose to give the - admittedly, bafflingly-named - Thro' The Wall (why not even Thru The Wall?!) top billing on this two-game compilation tape. You see, it also included a not-officially-licensed "interpretation" of the arcade hit Scramble. Still, favouring Thro' The Wall - a Breakout clone - gave us the lovely cover image, rather than just another generic spaceship.
Ready to have your expectations shattered, like a Lego house that's been lobbed at a malkin?
This is how you make an impact; by smacking the customer in the mouth. Or, conversely, by promising the customer an opportunity to do some real good smashing of their own. It's a metaphor for life - how many of us would like the opportunity to just shatter our problems with a well-timed fisting, in a ballet of cathartic violence? I'd argue that all of us would like this.
Weirdly, Psion chose to give the - admittedly, bafflingly-named - Thro' The Wall (why not even Thru The Wall?!) top billing on this two-game compilation tape. You see, it also included a not-officially-licensed "interpretation" of the arcade hit Scramble. Still, favouring Thro' The Wall - a Breakout clone - gave us the lovely cover image, rather than just another generic spaceship.
Ready to have your expectations shattered, like a Lego house that's been lobbed at a malkin?
CHESS
Chess is boring: everyone knows that. Only boring people and Russians and computers play it. "Chess" (yes) that is so.
Making chess appear exciting isn't easy, but - somehow - Psion managed it with its ZX Spectrum Chess game cover. A handsome use of perspective managed to make the pieces on the board appear threatening, imposing - almost a little scary. Chess, surely, has never before - or since - been made to appear so dangerous and stimulating.
Of course, you'd expect this to be reflected in the game itself, otherwise Psion would've been accused of being a peddler of lies. Psion? "So Lyin'" more like...!!!!!!!!?!!!!
Making chess appear exciting isn't easy, but - somehow - Psion managed it with its ZX Spectrum Chess game cover. A handsome use of perspective managed to make the pieces on the board appear threatening, imposing - almost a little scary. Chess, surely, has never before - or since - been made to appear so dangerous and stimulating.
Of course, you'd expect this to be reflected in the game itself, otherwise Psion would've been accused of being a peddler of lies. Psion? "So Lyin'" more like...!!!!!!!!?!!!!
FLIGHT SIMULATION
Once again, a gorgeous use of colour, with the angle of the view outside the plane's cockpit suggesting a perilous sunset flight. Red warning lights are flashing. The aircraft is coming in sideways... it's going to crash!!!! So many souls could be lost - and their fate is entirely in your hands!
Who wouldn't want to play that?
Well, alas, you weren't ever going to. This is what you got instead:
Who wouldn't want to play that?
Well, alas, you weren't ever going to. This is what you got instead:
CHEQUERED FLAG
Once again, Psion employ perspective and angles to thrilling effect. The over-the-shoulder feel puts the viewer in the heart of the action. You can practically hear the roar of those engines, the smell of exhaust fumes and oil, never less than a heartbeat away from death.
The reality - ensuring Psion should've been called "Sighin'" - was this garish abomination:
The reality - ensuring Psion should've been called "Sighin'" - was this garish abomination:
PLANETOIDS
Of course Psion would avoid disappointing people with a generic spaceship when it actually came down to it. The cover for Planetoids - a barely-veiled Asteroids copy - managed to intrigue as much as it set the adrenal glands throbbing.
The spaceship is seemingly crashing into - well, yeah - an astroid, but the explosion is unusual, esoteric - almost fluid. You can imagine a game where you fly through fields of tumbling space rocks in three dimensions, the asteroids colliding into one another, debris breaking off and making your mission more complex and dangerous, as you weave through smaller and smaller fragments....
Well, you can imagine it, but that ain't what you're going to get:
The spaceship is seemingly crashing into - well, yeah - an astroid, but the explosion is unusual, esoteric - almost fluid. You can imagine a game where you fly through fields of tumbling space rocks in three dimensions, the asteroids colliding into one another, debris breaking off and making your mission more complex and dangerous, as you weave through smaller and smaller fragments....
Well, you can imagine it, but that ain't what you're going to get:
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