Gentry Software: Difference between revisions
From Eli's Software Encyclopedia
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|address=9411 Winnetka Avenue <br> Chatsworth, CA 91311 | |address=9411 Winnetka Avenue <br> Chatsworth, CA 91311 | ||
|country=United States of America | |country=United States of America | ||
|founded= | |founded=1983 | ||
|defunct= | |defunct=1986 | ||
|acquiredby= | |acquiredby=Software Toolworks | ||
|labelof= | |labelof= | ||
|phone= | |phone= | ||
|fax= | |fax= | ||
|website= | |website= | ||
}} | }} | ||
== | == History == | ||
* Gentry Software was introduced by [[Datasoft]] in 1983 as a value-oriented imprint, aimed at distributing lower-cost games in the $15–20 range. The first 12 titles premiered at Summer CES that year. | |||
* According to [[Datasoft]] founder [[Patrick Ketchum|Pat Ketchum]], Gentry was created to publish quality titles from external programmers that didn’t quite fit the premium [[Datasoft]] brand—but still offered a compelling, affordable experience for mass-market retail channels. | |||
===Pricing Strategy and Product Quality=== | |||
* Gentry titles were deliberately priced under $20 (typically closer to $15) and were sold with both disk and cassette versions plus simple printed manuals. | |||
* Reviewers praised several of these budget releases. For example, Starbase Fighter was noted for re-creating the excitement of popular arcade shooters like <i>Asteroids</i>— making it “a steal” at $15.95. | |||
===Role within Datasoft=== | |||
* Gentry functioned as a sub-brand focused on mass-market distribution, tapping into external programming talent—about 50% of submissions from outside were accepted. | |||
* Meanwhile, [[Datasoft]] proper continued to focus on in-house development and premium licensed ports, preserving quality under its core branding. | |||
===Legacy and Fate=== | |||
* Gentry’s game lineup helped [[Datasoft]] capture budget-conscious gamers during the early home-computer boom. | |||
* Datasoft later declared bankruptcy in 1987. Its assets were acquired, and the company briefly lived on as IntelliCreations before being absorbed into [[Software Toolworks]] in 1988. | |||
* Gentry, having been always an imprint within [[Datasoft]], ceased operations alongside the parent company. | |||
== Logos == | == Logos == | ||
Latest revision as of 18:30, December 16, 2025
Gentry Software
|
|
| Address | 9411 Winnetka Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Acquired by | Software Toolworks |
History
- Gentry Software was introduced by Datasoft in 1983 as a value-oriented imprint, aimed at distributing lower-cost games in the $15–20 range. The first 12 titles premiered at Summer CES that year.
- According to Datasoft founder Pat Ketchum, Gentry was created to publish quality titles from external programmers that didn’t quite fit the premium Datasoft brand—but still offered a compelling, affordable experience for mass-market retail channels.
Pricing Strategy and Product Quality
- Gentry titles were deliberately priced under $20 (typically closer to $15) and were sold with both disk and cassette versions plus simple printed manuals.
- Reviewers praised several of these budget releases. For example, Starbase Fighter was noted for re-creating the excitement of popular arcade shooters like Asteroids— making it “a steal” at $15.95.
Role within Datasoft
- Gentry functioned as a sub-brand focused on mass-market distribution, tapping into external programming talent—about 50% of submissions from outside were accepted.
- Meanwhile, Datasoft proper continued to focus on in-house development and premium licensed ports, preserving quality under its core branding.
Legacy and Fate
- Gentry’s game lineup helped Datasoft capture budget-conscious gamers during the early home-computer boom.
- Datasoft later declared bankruptcy in 1987. Its assets were acquired, and the company briefly lived on as IntelliCreations before being absorbed into Software Toolworks in 1988.
- Gentry, having been always an imprint within Datasoft, ceased operations alongside the parent company.
Logos
People
Titles
- Category:1983 Gentry Software
- Rosen's Brigade (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk and Cassette) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Spider Quake (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk and Cassette) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Starbase Fighter (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Magneto Bugs (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Maniac Miner (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Maxwell's Demon And Memory Mania (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Sea Bandit (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk and Cassette) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Target Practice (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk and Cassette) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Alien Munchies (Apple II, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
- Handy Dandy (Apple II, 5 1/4" Disk) Gentry Software - 1983 USA, Canada Release
