FTL Games
| File:FTL Games logo.png | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Wayne Holder |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Wayne Holder Bruce Webster Doug Bell |
| Products | SunDog Oids Dungeon Master series |
| Parent | Software Heaven Inc. |
| Website | ftlgames.com (offline, existed in the mid 90s) |
FTL Games (an abbreviation for Faster Than Light) functioned as the video game development branch of Software Heaven Inc., gaining recognition in the 1980s for several landmark titles. Although it remained a relatively small operation, FTL attained both commercial success and critical praise.
Overview
Established in 1982 by Wayne Holder, FTL Games served as the gaming division of Software Heaven, a company Holder founded following his tenure at Oasis Systems, known for spell-checking software. Holder enlisted Bruce Webster, a former high school peer, to oversee FTL’s operations. After Webster departed in 1984, Doug Bell assumed the role of Technical Director and steered the company until its closure in 1996.
Release History
During its active years, FTL launched a series of games that achieved bestseller status upon release, solidifying its standing within the video gaming industry.
SunDog: Frozen Legacy
The company’s inaugural title, SunDog: Frozen Legacy, was a space trading simulation co-designed by Holder and Webster and initially released for the Apple II platform in March 1984. Webster was primarily responsible for programming the Apple II edition but left after version 2.0 was completed. The Atari ST port, which debuted in late 1985, featured enhanced visuals developed by Doug Bell, Andy Jaros, and Michael Newton. SunDog emerged as the top-selling Atari ST game during its debut year and garnered widespread critical acclaim.
The cover illustration for the packaging was created by David R. Darrow.[1]
Oids
Oids, an action-oriented title, represented a smaller-scale release from FTL. The original version for the Atari ST was developed by Dan Hewitt, who managed both programming and artwork. Although it initially received limited attention, its Mac conversion earned a 5-star rating from Macworld in 1990.[2] The game later achieved cult popularity in the UK. Following FTL’s dissolution, Kirk Baker authorized and distributed an updated shareware version for Macintosh. Despite its merits, Oids was largely eclipsed by FTL’s subsequent flagship release.
David R. Darrow also produced the cover art for this title.[1]
Dungeon Master
Released in 1987 on the Atari ST platform, Dungeon Master, a fantasy role-playing game, introduced real-time gameplay combined with an intuitive interface featuring a logical magic system and direct mouse control within a simulated 3D environment.[3] It became the highest-selling software on the Atari ST and was subsequently ported to more than twelve platforms across six languages. The game received numerous accolades, including being honored with Computer Gaming World’’’s inaugural Special Award for Artistic Achievement.
The cover artwork for Dungeon Master was also illustrated by David R. Darrow.[1]
Chaos Strikes Back
The follow-up to Dungeon Master, titled Chaos Strikes Back, was launched in 1989 on multiple platforms, though it notably did not include a version for PC. While it utilized the same game engine as its predecessor, it featured additional monsters and improved visuals.
Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest
In 1992, Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest was introduced for the TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine systems. This installment presented a streamlined adaptation of Dungeon Master, incorporating entirely new labyrinths.
Dungeon Master II
Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep emerged as Japan's top-selling title in December 1993. Nevertheless, its launch in the US and Europe was postponed until 1995 by Interplay Productions. Despite considerable excitement prior to release, by the time it reached Western markets, it was perceived as outdated and failed to meet sales expectations. This timeframe also marked the gradual decline of the development studio.
Dungeon Master Nexus
Exclusively released in Japan in 1998 for the Sega Saturn, Dungeon Master Nexus was both developed and published by Victor Interactive Software, operating under the labels FTL and Software Heaven.