CRL Group Retro Gamer Feature: Extra Material

A couple of months ago Retro Gamer Magazine published my feature on CRL Group, the 80's software company responsible for such classics as Tau Ceti, Academy, Dracula, Bored of the Rings and Glug Glug. As usual there were a few bits left out.

First of all I submitted four "games to avoid" instead of the usual three, thinking it was an exception in CRL's case (sorry Clem!). Retro Gamer only found room for 3, here's the fourth:-

[Game name] Mandroid (C64)
[Body] The sequel to Cyborg utilised the same engine which unfortunately replicated the same gameplay problems its predecessor had suffered. “The graphics were great but I think I pushed the C64 too far.” says author Andy Stoddart, although the game did once again feature superb music from Jay Derrett.

Secondly, an extra boxout concerning CRL's iconic premises:-

[Title] King’s Yard
[Body] CRL’s second office was set within an idiosyncratic set of buildings on Carpenters Road, Stratford and was originally used by Clarnico, a sweet and chocolate manufacturer. “There was a campaign to save the buildings a few years ago,” says Richard Taylor, “which presumably failed. It was quite a place; at the time I didn’t notice the uniqueness of the Belfast roof trusses that hung above us.” Another campaign to have these magnificent trusses removed prior demolition succeeded, but sadly they have been left neglected since, a slowly decaying reminder of a bygone age.

Carpenters Road then...

...and a few months ago, an Olympic stadium in-waiting. Photos courtesy of Arran Riddle.

For some nice images of the old CRL buildings themselves, check out this website

More to follow.