ICOM Simulations

ICOM Simulations was an American software company and video-game developer based in Wheeling, Illinois. The company was established in 1981 under the name TMQ Software by Tod Zipnick and initially produced software for the Panasonic JR-200 computer. It later expanded into the Apple Macintosh market, where it developed both utility software and games. Its early Macintosh products included the TMON debugger and OnCue, an application-launching utility. ICOM became particularly influential through the MacVenture series of graphic adventure games. These titles helped popularize a point-and-click interface in which players interacted with objects and environments through visual commands rather than relying primarily on typed text. The company's best-known release from this line was Shadowgate, a fantasy adventure that became the foundation for a broader game property and was ported to multiple platforms. ICOM's work contributed to the transition of adventure games from text-oriented computer experiences toward more accessible graphical interfaces. The company also pursued multimedia and console development during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1990, it announced a partnership with NEC to bring games to the TurboGrafx-16 platform. Among the projects associated with this relationship was Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, a multimedia adventure notable for its use of full-motion-video sequences at a time when such presentation was still unusual in console software. ICOM subsequently became an important third-party developer for the TurboGrafx-16 and produced several games for the system, including Beyond Shadowgate, a console-exclusive sequel to Shadowgate. ICOM's growth was affected by the death of founder Tod Zipnick from Hodgkin's disease in 1991. In 1993, Viacom New Media acquired the company. Viacom later closed the ICOM operation in 1997. The business was subsequently renamed Rabid Entertainment, and the former Viacom New Media/ICOM organization was dismantled in 1998. The company's intellectual-property history continued after the original studio ceased operations. Rights to much of ICOM's game catalog were held by Infinite Ventures before most of those rights were obtained by David Marsh in January 2012. Marsh and former ICOM developer Karl Roelofs founded Zojoi, LLC, on March 5, 2012. Zojoi began developing and releasing updated versions of selected ICOM titles, beginning with Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective for iPad and other iOS tablet platforms. ICOM Simulations therefore remains historically relevant not as an active publisher, but as an influential early adventure-game developer whose catalog has been revisited by later rights holders and former staff.

ICOM Simulations originated as TMQ Software, founded by Tod Zipnick on March 4, 1981. Its earliest work targeted the Panasonic JR-200, after which the company expanded toward Apple Macintosh software. Before becoming known for games, it produced tools such as the TMON debugger and OnCue, an application launcher. The company's defining contribution came with the MacVenture adventure-game format. ICOM used graphical environments and direct object interaction to make adventure games more visual and approachable than traditional text-driven software. The MacVenture line included Shadowgate, which became the company's best-known property and was subsequently adapted for other systems. ICOM's design work helped establish conventions associated with point-and-click adventure games. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, ICOM broadened its ambitions beyond Macintosh computers. In 1990 it announced an arrangement with NEC to develop and publish games for the TurboGrafx-16. Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective was among the notable projects connected with this effort. Its use of full-motion-video cutscenes represented an early attempt to bring filmed multimedia presentation into console games. ICOM also developed Beyond Shadowgate, a TurboGrafx-16-exclusive sequel to Shadowgate, and became a significant third-party developer for the platform. Tod Zipnick died of Hodgkin's disease in 1991, at a point when ICOM was beginning to gain wider recognition. Viacom New Media acquired the company in 1993. The ICOM operation was closed by Viacom in 1997, and the company was later renamed Rabid Entertainment before the remaining Viacom New Media/ICOM organization was dismantled in 1998. The catalog did not disappear with the studio. Infinite Ventures held rights to the portfolio for a period, and David Marsh obtained most of the rights in January 2012. On March 5, 2012, Marsh and former ICOM developer Karl Roelofs founded Zojoi, LLC. The new company began revisiting ICOM properties, initially releasing an updated version of Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective for iOS tablets. ICOM is consequently remembered both for its role in the development of graphical adventure-game interaction and for the later revival of parts of its catalog.

• 2012

  Zojoi begins revisiting the catalog

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  David Marsh and Karl Roelofs founded Zojoi and began releasing updated versions of former ICOM games.

• 1998

  Rabid Entertainment is dismantled

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  After the company had been renamed Rabid Entertainment, the remaining Viacom New Media/ICOM organization was dismantled.

• 1997

  ICOM operations close

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  Viacom New Media closed the ICOM operation.

• 1993

  Acquisition by Viacom New Media

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  Viacom New Media acquired ICOM Simulations.

• 1991

  Death of founder Tod Zipnick

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  Zipnick died of Hodgkin's disease during a period of expansion for the company.

• 1990

  NEC and TurboGrafx-16 partnership

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  ICOM announced plans with NEC to bring its games to the TurboGrafx-16.

• 1981

  TMQ Software is founded

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  Tod Zipnick founded TMQ Software on March 4, establishing the company that later became ICOM Simulations.

• 1981

  Early Panasonic JR-200 software

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  The newly founded company produced several titles for the Panasonic JR-200 computer.

• 1980

  Expansion into Apple Macintosh software

  [1]ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org

  ICOM developed Macintosh utilities including the TMON debugger and OnCue application launcher before and alongside its game work.

A pioneering computer and console adventure-game developer associated with graphical point-and-click interaction, early multimedia presentation, and cross-platform releases.

• Adventure games

  MacVenture series

  ICOM's MacVenture games used graphical environments, object-based interaction, and point-and-click-style controls to present exploration and puzzle solving. The format was influential in moving computer adventures away from purely text-based interfaces. Shadowgate was the most prominent property associated with the series and later appeared on additional platforms.

• Fantasy adventure game

  Shadowgate

  Shadowgate is ICOM's best-known adventure title and a central example of the MacVenture design approach. It presents players with a visual environment containing objects, hazards, and puzzles that must be examined and manipulated. The property also generated Beyond Shadowgate, a sequel developed as a TurboGrafx-16 exclusive.

• Interactive multimedia adventure

  Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

  Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective combined adventure-game investigation with filmed or full-motion-video presentation. Its association with the TurboGrafx-16 made it an early example of a console title using substantial video cutscenes. The game was later selected by Zojoi for an updated iOS tablet release.

• Console adventure game

  Beyond Shadowgate

  Beyond Shadowgate was a sequel to Shadowgate developed exclusively for the TurboGrafx-16. It extended ICOM's fantasy-adventure work into a console-focused format and formed part of the company's broader role as a third-party developer for NEC's platform.

• Software debugger

  TMON

  TMON was an early Macintosh debugging utility developed by the company before ICOM became primarily associated with adventure games.

• Application launcher

  OnCue

  OnCue was a Macintosh utility for launching applications and represented ICOM's earlier productivity-software work.

• 2012

  Revival of selected ICOM propertiesStrategy

  Background

  Most rights to ICOM's former game portfolio had passed to David Marsh, a former ICOM developer.

  Action taken

  Marsh and former developer Karl Roelofs founded Zojoi and began preparing updated releases, starting with Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective for iOS tablets.

  Aftermath

  The initiative extended the commercial and cultural life of selected ICOM properties after the original company had ceased operating.

  Source

• 1993

  Viacom New Media acquisitionM&A

  Background

  ICOM had developed a recognizable adventure-game catalog and expanded into console and multimedia software.

  Action taken

  Viacom New Media acquired the company.

  Aftermath

  Viacom later closed ICOM's operations in 1997; the organization was subsequently renamed Rabid Entertainment and dismantled in 1998.

  Source

• 1990

  Move into TurboGrafx-16 developmentStrategy

  Background

  ICOM sought to extend its Macintosh-based software business into console publishing and development as the TurboGrafx-16 market expanded.

  Action taken

  The company announced a partnership with NEC to bring games to the TurboGrafx-16, including Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective.

  Aftermath

  ICOM became a notable third-party developer for the platform and produced additional software, including the exclusive sequel Beyond Shadowgate.

  Source

1. 1ICOM Simulationsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2ICOM Simulations official websiteicomsimulations.com