Datasoft

Datasoft, Inc., also written as DataSoft, was an American software developer and publisher founded in 1980 by Pat Ketchum and based in Chatsworth, California. The company operated during the formative period of the home-computer software industry, when publishers commonly served several incompatible computer platforms and built their businesses around a mixture of original software, arcade adaptations, licensed entertainment properties, and practical applications. The company initially concentrated on Atari 8-bit computers, the Apple II, and the TRS-80 Color Computer. As the market expanded, Datasoft also released software for the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Atari ST, and Amiga. Its principal public identity was as a video-game publisher. Its catalog included ports of arcade games, titles derived from movie and television licenses, and original games. This combination allowed Datasoft to participate in both the emerging licensed-software market and the broader market for independently created home-computer games. Datasoft was not limited to games. Like Synapse Software, a contemporary competitor, it also published development tools, word processors, educational software, and utilities. Text Wizard, written by William Robinson when he was 16, was published by Datasoft in 1981. The program later became the basis for AtariWriter, linking Datasoft to one of the better-known word-processing products associated with Atari computers. Other productivity-oriented releases included Spell Wizard and Letter Wizard, while Micro-Painter represented the company’s graphics-software activity. Beginning in 1983, Datasoft used the Gentry Software label for a line of lower-cost games. Releases associated with that label included Leap'in Lizards!, Magneto Bugs, Maniac Miner, Maxwell's Demon / Memory Mania, Rosen's Brigade, Sea Bandit, Spiderquake, Starbase Fighter, and Target Practice. The label reflected the period’s segmentation of home-computer software by price and positioning, although the available reference material does not establish the full commercial strategy or distribution arrangements behind Gentry Software. Datasoft ultimately entered bankruptcy. Afterward, two Datasoft executives, Samuel L. Poole and Ted Hoffman, purchased the company’s name and assets. They renamed the organization IntelliCreations, which continued distributing Datasoft games for a period before the renamed company closed. The available historical record does not specify the bankruptcy date, the financial terms of the asset purchase, or the precise date of IntelliCreations’ closure. Datasoft is therefore best understood as a defunct early home-computer publisher whose significance lies in its multi-platform catalog, its mixture of games and utility software, and its role in the transition from pioneering home-computer releases to a more segmented software market.

Datasoft was established in 1980 by Pat Ketchum in Chatsworth, California, during the rapid expansion of the home-computer software market. Its early catalog targeted Atari 8-bit computers, the Apple II, and the TRS-80 Color Computer. These platforms represented important segments of the early personal-computer market, but they used different hardware and software environments, requiring publishers to prepare separate versions or ports. The company developed a broad publishing profile. Games formed its central business, including original productions, arcade conversions, and software connected to film and television licenses. At the same time, Datasoft released non-game software, reflecting the relatively broad boundaries of the early home-computer industry. Development tools, utilities, educational programs, graphics applications, and word processors appeared alongside its entertainment titles. One of Datasoft’s notable productivity releases was Text Wizard, published in 1981 and written by William Robinson when he was 16. The program subsequently served as the basis for AtariWriter. Datasoft also released Spell Wizard and Letter Wizard, extending its presence in word processing, and published Micro-Painter as a graphics-oriented application. Bishop's Square / Maxwell's Demon, identified in the available catalog as an educational release from 1982, illustrates the company’s activity outside conventional entertainment software. Datasoft expanded its platform coverage as the market changed. Its later-supported systems included the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Atari ST, and Amiga. This expansion placed the company’s products across several generations of home and personal computers rather than tying it to one hardware ecosystem. In 1983, Datasoft introduced or used the Gentry Software label for lower-priced games. The Gentry catalog included Leap'in Lizards!, Magneto Bugs, Maniac Miner, Maxwell's Demon / Memory Mania, Rosen's Brigade, Sea Bandit, Spiderquake, Starbase Fighter, and Target Practice. The label provided a distinct identity for budget-oriented releases while preserving Datasoft’s wider publishing activity. Datasoft eventually entered bankruptcy. The reference material does not provide a year for the bankruptcy or details of the company’s financial condition. Following the bankruptcy, executives Samuel L. Poole and Ted Hoffman acquired the Datasoft name and assets. They changed the company’s name to IntelliCreations, which distributed Datasoft games for a time before closing. No current operating business, parent company, or surviving corporate structure is established in the cited material. Datasoft is consequently recorded as a defunct early software publisher.

• 1984

  Letter Wizard is published

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  Letter Wizard appeared in Datasoft’s word-processing catalog.

• 1983

  Gentry Software label begins

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  Datasoft began publishing lower-cost games under the Gentry Software label, including titles such as Leap'in Lizards!, Maniac Miner, Spiderquake, and Starbase Fighter.

• 1982

  Educational and graphics software expands the catalog

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  Datasoft’s catalog included Bishop's Square / Maxwell's Demon as an educational release and Micro-Painter as a graphics product, demonstrating activity beyond games.

• 1981

  Text Wizard is published

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  Datasoft published Text Wizard, a word-processing program written by William Robinson. The program later became the basis for AtariWriter.

• 1980

  Datasoft is founded

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  Pat Ketchum founded Datasoft, Inc. in Chatsworth, California, establishing a software company focused on the emerging home-computer market.

• The company enters bankruptcy and is renamed IntelliCreations

  [1]Datasoften.wikipedia.org

  After Datasoft entered bankruptcy, executives Samuel L. Poole and Ted Hoffman acquired its name and assets, renamed the company IntelliCreations, and continued distributing Datasoft games before the business closed.

A multi-platform early home-computer software publisher combining video games with productivity, educational, graphics, development, and utility software. Its game catalog covered original titles, arcade conversions, entertainment licenses, and a lower-cost range released under the Gentry Software label.

• Word processing · 1981

  Text Wizard

  A word-processing program published by Datasoft in 1981 and written by William Robinson when he was 16. Text Wizard is historically notable because it served as the basis for AtariWriter, connecting a Datasoft product with a later Atari word-processing application.

• Word processing · 1982

  Spell Wizard

  A word-processing-related software release in Datasoft’s productivity catalog. It formed part of the company’s group of Wizard-branded applications alongside Text Wizard and Letter Wizard.

• Word processing · 1984

  Letter Wizard

  A word-processing product released by Datasoft in 1984. It extended the company’s Wizard-branded productivity offerings beyond its better-known game publishing activity.

• Graphics software · 1982

  Micro-Painter

  A graphics-oriented application in Datasoft’s non-game catalog. Micro-Painter illustrates the company’s participation in the early home-computer market for creative and utility software.

• Educational software · 1982

  Bishop's Square / Maxwell's Demon

  An educational release listed in Datasoft’s catalog for 1982. The available reference identifies the title as part of the company’s software activity outside conventional video games.

• Budget video games · 1983

  Gentry Software game line

  A lower-cost game label used by Datasoft beginning in 1983. Known releases included Leap'in Lizards!, Magneto Bugs, Maniac Miner, Maxwell's Demon / Memory Mania, Rosen's Brigade, Sea Bandit, Spiderquake, Starbase Fighter, and Target Practice.

• 1983

  Launch of the Gentry Software labelStrategy

  Background

  Datasoft was publishing software across a growing and increasingly segmented home-computer market.

  Action taken

  The company placed a group of lower-cost games under the Gentry Software label.

  Aftermath

  The label was associated with a catalog of budget-oriented games released during 1983. The available source does not provide sales or financial results.

  Source

• Post-bankruptcy acquisition and renamingM&A

  Background

  Datasoft entered bankruptcy, leaving its name and assets available for acquisition.

  Action taken

  Executives Samuel L. Poole and Ted Hoffman purchased the Datasoft name and assets and renamed the company IntelliCreations.

  Aftermath

  IntelliCreations distributed Datasoft games for a period and later closed. The acquisition price and dates are not specified in the available source.

  Source

1. 1Datasoften.wikipedia.org
2. 2Datasoft at MobyGamesmobygames.com