Golden age of Spanish software facts for kids

The golden age of Spanish software was a special time in Spain from 1983 to 1992. During these years, Spain became a super important country for making computer games. It was the second biggest producer of 8-bit computer games in Europe, right after the United Kingdom. This era ended when newer, more powerful 16-bit computers came out. Many famous Spanish game companies started during this time, like Dinamic Software, Topo Soft, Opera Soft, Made in Spain, and Zigurat. People still call this period the "Golden Age of Spanish Software" today.

History of Spanish Software

How the Golden Age Began (1983–1985)

In 1983, the first home computers arrived in Spain. These were mostly 8-bit machines, which were simpler computers. The ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC were very popular. Other computers like the MSX and Commodore 64 were also used.

These computers were easy to learn and experiment with. Many young programmers across Spain started making their own games.

The Golden Age officially began with a game called Bugaboo. It was made by PACO & PACO. This was the first Spanish video game to be sold widely around the world. Soon after, Fred (also known as Roland on the ropes) became another big hit. This game was made by a company called Made in Spain.

The owners of Made in Spain then created Zigurat. At first, Zigurat helped distribute games, while Made in Spain focused on making them. Later, Made in Spain and Zigurat joined completely into one company.

Meanwhile, Dinamic Software started their journey. Their first game was Yenght for the ZX Spectrum, which was a text adventure game. A company called Erbe Software also began. They became the main Spanish software distributor for over ten years.

The Peak Years of Gaming (1985–1989)

In 1985, video games became super popular in Spain. New magazines like Micromanía and Microhobby helped spread the word. Other big companies joined the scene. Opera Soft started in 1986 with their game Livingstone, I presume. Topo Soft began in 1987 with Spirits.

Zigurat had huge successes with games like Sir Fred and El misterio del Nilo. This last game was based on the movie The Jewel of the Nile. It caused some trouble internationally because a character looked too much like Michael Douglas. The game creators had to change the character's look for versions sold outside Spain.

Dinamic had their first major hits with the Johny Jones trilogy. This included Saimazoom, Babaliba, and especially Abu Simbel Profanation. After this, they started another series called the Moves trilogy, with Army Moves and Navy Moves.

It also became popular to make games starring famous Spanish athletes. Dinamic led the way with Basket Master, featuring basketball player Fernando Martín. Other companies followed, making games about athletes like Ángel Nieto (motorcycle racer), Carlos Sainz (rally driver), and Emilio Butragueño (footballer).

Opera Soft released popular games like Goody, Sol Negro, and Cosa Nostra. Their most famous game was La Abadía del Crimen. This game was based on the book The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Many people consider it one of the best Spanish games ever made, especially for the ZX Spectrum.

Topo Soft quickly rose to the top with games like Mad Mix Game and its sequel, and Survivor.

Dinamic also published a text adventure version of Don Quijote. Later, a part of Dinamic that made text adventures became its own company, called Aventuras AD. They released games like El Jabato.

The Decline and End (1989–1992)

Around 1985, newer, more powerful computers arrived. These included 16/32-bit machines like the Amiga and Atari ST. Then came IBM PC compatible computers and game consoles like the SNES and Mega Drive. Spanish companies tried to adapt, but they mostly stuck to making games for the older 8-bit computers.

The 8-bit market was shrinking fast in Europe. However, it stayed strong in Spain for a while. This was mainly because Erbe Software, the main distributor, sold all their games for a very low price (875 pesetas, about 5.26 euros). This helped fight against piracy.

But Spanish companies soon faced serious money problems. One by one, they released their last games. The founders of Topo Soft left in 1989 to start a new company called Animagic. Their main game was Mortadelo y Filemon II. But Animagic didn't last long.

Topo Soft itself released games like Lorna and Journey to the Center of the Earth. They also made Gremlins 2, which was a big deal. It was the first time a Spanish game company got an exclusive license for a Hollywood movie for all of Europe. In 1991, Topo Soft tried to switch to 16-bit games. They worked on a project for MS-DOS computers, but it didn't succeed. Topo Soft closed down in 1992.

Opera Soft also started to decline after releasing games like Gonzalezzz and Mot. In their final months, they launched La Colmena and a game about Barcelona 92. They soon disappeared. Some of their team members later moved to Pyro Studios, a company known for games like Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines.

Strangely, Aventuras AD had its most successful time during this decline. They released most of their games then, including the Ci-U-Than Legends trilogy. This series included La Diosa de Cozumel, Los Templos Sagrados, and Chichén Itzá. They were pioneers in Spain, creating a type of graphic adventure game with La Aventura Espacial. However, sales didn't last, and Aventuras AD closed in 1992.

Only Zigurat and Dinamic Software survived from the Golden Era. But they had to change completely. Zigurat started making arcade games for coin-operated machines. Dinamic Software, after games like After the War, went bankrupt. It was then restarted as Dinamic Multimedia in 1993. Their biggest success in the 1990s was PC Fútbol. However, Dinamic Multimedia closed in 2001. Before that, the original founders had left to create FX Interactive, which is still known today.

A New Rise in the 2010s

The 1990s and 2000s were tough for the Spanish video game industry. Some people called them "lost decades." However, things started to look up in the 2010s. Companies like Akaoni Studio and MercurySteam released successful games. Some experts even called 2015 the possible start of a "second golden age of Spanish software."

See also

In Spanish: Edad de oro del software español para niños