MelCroucher.net
Video Games & Computers | Past Stuff
"I broadcast my first on-air video game on the 257FM waveband in the wee small hours of December 15th 1977. An audio signal carrying computer data sounds like your radio set is having a seizure, so I had to top and tail the code with a crummy prize competition to try and stop the audience switching off. And so the concept of the prize computer game was born. It was hard work for the player. First they had to stay up way after bedtime and record the signal off-air onto cassette. Then they needed to link their tape player to a computer and play the code. After a minute or two the program would load, if it hadn't been corrupted during transmission, and clues would appear on a screen. Only then could the patient radio listener play the game, solve the clues, phone up the radio station and make a claim for the crummy prize.
After the first broadcast there were three responses. But by the end of a season of hit-and-miss transmissions, the number of listeners with access to a computer was beginning to grow, and I got a mainstream evening slot sponsored by Whitbread Breweries, for a hybrid radio pub quiz and on-air computer gameshow. And I found myself midwife to a new business. By the time the British home computing boom exploded, I had already produced dozens of primitive video games. I knew next to nothing about programming and even less about marketing. And the electronic world was my oyster."
This is a simple listing of the video game titles Mel has produced, along with a few he has contributed to. Let us know if you think there are any omissions. At the bottom of this page you'll find stuff that never made it.
1977
THE PATHFINDER QUESTS (3 mini productions) written and produced by Mel Croucher, graphics by Robin Evans1978
THE PATHFINDER QUESTS (12 mini productions) written and produced by Mel Croucher, graphics by Robin Evans1979
THE PATHFINDER QUESTS (9 mini productions) written and produced by Mel Croucher, graphics by Robin EvansWHITBREAD QUIZ TIME AND THE COMPUTER TREASURE HUNT (12 broadcasts) written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
1980
VICTORY 257 written by Mark Bardell, graphics by Robin Evans, produced by Mel CroucherTHE PATHFINDER QUESTS (18 mini productions) written and produced by Mel Croucher, graphics by Robin Evans
1981
THE ADVENTURES OF WILLI NILLI written by Mel Croucher and Robin EvansTHE PORTSMOUTH TAPES written and produced by Mel Croucher
IN THE BEST POSSIBLE TASTE
HORRORSCOPE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BAD SPELLS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FLOWER POWER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HORSE RACE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FUNNY VALENTINE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
RAT TRAP, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
VIRUS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
STORK, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
KICK THE BUCKET, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
GROWING UP, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
TUMBLING DICE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FAIRIES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
CRYSTAL BALLS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FIND THE NUMBER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
LIES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
LIFE SUPPORT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
CAN OF WORMS
BAD SPELLS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FLOWER POWER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HORSE RACE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FUNNY VALENTINE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
RAT TRAP, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
VIRUS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
STORK, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
KICK THE BUCKET, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
GROWING UP, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
TUMBLING DICE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FAIRIES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
CRYSTAL BALLS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
FIND THE NUMBER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
LIES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
LIFE SUPPORT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ACNE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
VASECTOMY, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
SMUT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HITLER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DOLE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ROYAL FLUSH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
REAGAN, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
Ps & Qs, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
VASECTOMY, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
SMUT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HITLER, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DOLE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ROYAL FLUSH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
REAGAN, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
Ps & Qs, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
1982
LOVE AND DEATH
SEDUCTION, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
CONCEPTION, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BIRTH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
RUBIC'S PUBE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ON THE JOB, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DISEASE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DOCTOR DEATH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
GOD, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
CONCEPTION, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BIRTH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
RUBIC'S PUBE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ON THE JOB, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DISEASE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DOCTOR DEATH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
GOD, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
THE BIBLE (FIRST EDITION)
GENESIS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ADAM AND EVE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
NOAH'S FLOOD, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
PLAGUES OF EGYPT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
EXODUS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HOLY MOSES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
SODOM, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DAVID AND GOLIATH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
JONAH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BETHLEHEM, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
ADAM AND EVE, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
NOAH'S FLOOD, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
PLAGUES OF EGYPT, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
EXODUS, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
HOLY MOSES, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
SODOM, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
DAVID AND GOLIATH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
JONAH, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BETHLEHEM, written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
1982
PIMANIA written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold1983
DRAGON DOODLES & DEMOS written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian PenfoldSPECTRUM SPECTACULAR written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
BUNNY written and coded by Jas Austin / ETA written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
YAKZEE written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
MY NAME IS UNCLE GROUCHO, YOU WIN A FAT CIGAR written by Mel Croucher, coded by Christian Penfold
MORRIS MEETS THE BIKERS written and coded by S. Curtis, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
GO TO JAIL written and coded by J.H. Woodhead, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
GEHEN SIE IN DAS GEFANGNIS written and coded by J.H. Woodhead, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
1984
DARTZ written and coded by Guy Brown, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian PenfoldCRUSOE written and coded by Jon Smith, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PI-IN'ERE written and coded by Jas Austin, graphics by Colin Tuck, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PI-BALLED written and coded by Jas Austin, graphics by Colin Tuck, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PI-EYED written by Mel Croucher, coded by Andrew Stagg
OLYMPIMANIA written by Mel Croucher, Christian Penfold & Andrew Stagg, coded by Andrew Stagg
DEUS EX MACHINA written by Mel Croucher, coded by Andrew Stagg for the ZX Spectrum, coded by Colin Jones for the Commodore 64 and MSX
1985
10 PACK VOLUME TWO
PI THERE!, written and coded by C. Edwards and G. Wade, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
XTROTH, written and coded by John Hughes, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
Nth ZONE, written and coded by Stan Cartwright, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
TOILET TROUBLE, written and coded by W. Mitchell, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PARADISE IN MICRODOT, written and coded by Colin Jones, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE EGG, written and coded by C. Edwards and G. Wade, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CHAMBERS OF DEATH, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
NUDGEIT, written and coded by Richard Strawson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PI IN THE SKY, written and coded by G. Wade, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE PIMAN'S COCKTAIL CABINET, written and coded by Kevin Etheridge, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
XTROTH, written and coded by John Hughes, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
Nth ZONE, written and coded by Stan Cartwright, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
TOILET TROUBLE, written and coded by W. Mitchell, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PARADISE IN MICRODOT, written and coded by Colin Jones, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE EGG, written and coded by C. Edwards and G. Wade, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CHAMBERS OF DEATH, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
NUDGEIT, written and coded by Richard Strawson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
PI IN THE SKY, written and coded by G. Wade, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE PIMAN'S COCKTAIL CABINET, written and coded by Kevin Etheridge, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
10 PACK VOLUME THREE
PI-MEVAL MAN, written and coded by C. Edwards, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CRAZY CASTLES, written and coded by C. Edwards, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
SWTTIBITZ IN SPACE, written and coded by C. Edwards, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
SPACE WARRIOR, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
NECKS PLEASE, written and coded by J. Steed and P. Stevens, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CREEPY DUNGEONS, written and coded by Ian Howlett, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE ROYAL ADVENTURE OF A COMMON FROG, written and coded by T. Braverman, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
HERE BE TYGERS, written and coded by Bob Franklin, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
MAD HATTER, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
DRUNK POLICEMAN, written and coded by J.M.A. Piloto, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CRAZY CASTLES, written and coded by C. Edwards, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
SWTTIBITZ IN SPACE, written and coded by C. Edwards, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
SPACE WARRIOR, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
NECKS PLEASE, written and coded by J. Steed and P. Stevens, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
CREEPY DUNGEONS, written and coded by Ian Howlett, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
THE ROYAL ADVENTURE OF A COMMON FROG, written and coded by T. Braverman, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
HERE BE TYGERS, written and coded by Bob Franklin, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
MAD HATTER, written and coded by Simon Johnson, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
DRUNK POLICEMAN, written and coded by J.M.A. Piloto, produced by Mel Croucher and Christian Penfold
1986
SEE ME, HEAR ME, TOUCH ME written and produced by Mel Croucher, programmed by Colin JonesID(CRL) written by Mel Croucher, programmed by Colin Jones
1988
ROCK STAR ATE MY HAMSTER (Incentive Software) written by Colin Jones, seasoned by Mel Croucher1990
CASTLE MASTER (Incentive Software) libretto by Mel Croucher1993
RAC RALLY (Europress Software) gameplay by Mel Croucher1994
RUN THE BUNNY (Duracell) written by Mel Croucher, programmed by Stainless BlytheKLIK & PLAY (Europress Software) audio-visuals by Mel Croucher
1995
KLIK & CREATE (Europress Software) audio-visuals by Mel CroucherHAVE A BREAK (Nestle/KitKat) written by Mel Croucher, programmed by Stainless Blythe
1996
THE GAMES FACTORY (Europress Software) audio-visuals by Mel Croucher1999
TWENTY-FIRST AID (Adware) written and produced by Mel Croucher2000
IT'S A SCREAM (Bass Breweries) written and produced by Mel Croucher, programmed by Marcus Burden2002
HOLLYWOOD BOWL (Adware) written and produced by Mel Croucher, programmed by Pete NewberryXEROIDS (Adware) produced by Mel Croucher, programmed by Pete Newberry
2006
WILD APPLAUSE (Adware) written and produced by Mel Croucher2014
DEUS EX MACHINA 2 (Automata Source, Quirkafleeg, Potassium Frog) written by Mel Croucher, produced by Mario Valente2015
DEUS EX MACHINA 30th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS EDITION (Automata Source, Potassium Frog) written and produced by Mel Croucher, programmed by Colin Jones2016
EGGBIRD (Potassium Frog, Automata Source) written by Mel Croucher, programmed by Colin Jones, produced by Mel Croucher and Colin JonesVideo Games & Computers | Aborted Projects
"Most of the projects that didn't make it never deserved to, but I still like a couple I worked on with Jon Pertwee while we were writing the Namesakes book. One was a gentle little game called Wozwell, another was completely bonkers with the provisional title Uncle Spunk."
