History Creator / Epyx

Epyx was the name of a computer and VideoGame publisher of TheSeventies and The Eighties. It is best remembered for several classic games for the UsefulNotes/Atari8BitComputers and UsefulNotes/{{Commodore 64}}, particularly ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai, VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}, VideoGame/ImpossibleMission, Summer/Winter/California Games,'' and ''VideoGame/ChipsChallenge''.

The company was founded in 1977 by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman under the name Automated Simulations; Connelley had purchased a Platform/CommodorePET to perform bookkeeping for his TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons games, and decided to create a game so he could write it off on his taxes. Connelly and Freeman created ''Starfleet Orion,'' a space-themed wargame for the PET, UsefulNotes/TRS80 , and UsefulNotes/AppleII.

In 1983, as the company consolidated under the Epyx name, it released another blockbuster hit, ''VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}''. The company therefore shifted their output entirely towards action games, with more hits like ''Impossible Mission, Summer Games, Winter Games,'' and ''California Games,'' along with {{Licensed Game}}s based on ''Franchise/{{Barbie}}'', ''Franchise/HotWheels'', and ''Franchise/GIJoe''. The British company U.S. Gold published Epyx games for the Commodore 64 and ported them to European platforms such as the UsefulNotes/AmstradCPC and UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum. Epyx returned the favor, distributing games from European programmers, along with games from other American developers including [[Creator/LucasArts Lucasfilm Games]] and Microsoft.

The final straw was the company's attempt to get into handheld video gaming. With famed hardware designers Dave Needle and R.J. Mical (of UsefulNotes/{{Amiga}} fame), Epyx developed the "Handy," a system ahead of its time with color graphics, hardware scaling, and multiplayer network capabilities. However, Epyx ran out of money before development could be completed; Handy was sold to Creator/{{Atari}}, who eventually released it as the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx. Atari was both a creditor and a debtor of Epyx; when Atari failed to pay for their contracted titles, Epyx went bankrupt, which gave Atari the titles for free.

The company was founded in 1977 by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman under the name Automated Simulations; Connelley had purchased a UsefulNotes/CommodorePET to perform bookkeeping for his TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons games, and decided to create a game so he could write it off on his taxes. Connelly and Freeman created ''Starfleet Orion,'' a space-themed wargame for the PET, UsefulNotes/TRS80 , and UsefulNotes/AppleII.

* ''[[VideoGame/BarbarianTheUltimateWarrior Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior]]'' (also known as ''Death Sword'')

In 1983, as the company consolidated under the Epyx name, it released another blockbuster hit, ''VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}''. The company therefore shifted their output entirely towards action games, with more hits like ''Impossible Mission, Summer Games, Winter Games,'' and ''California Games,'' along with {{Licensed Game}}s based on Barbie, Hot Wheels, and G.I. Joe. The British company U.S. Gold published Epyx games for the Commodore 64 and ported them to European platforms such as the UsefulNotes/AmstradCPC and UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum. Epyx returned the favor, distributing games from European programmers, along with games from other American developers including [[Creator/LucasArts Lucasfilm Games]] and Microsoft.

* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp'' (also rereleased as ''Videogame/TheMovieMonsterGame'')

* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp'' (also rereleased as ''Videogame/The Movie Monster Game'')

* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp'' (also rereleased as ''VideoGame/The Movie Monster Game'')

* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp'' (also rereleased as ''The Movie Monster Game'')

Their third game was an action-adventure RPG called ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai,'' which became a BreakthroughHit. Since the game was not a simulation, they introduced the brand name '''Epyx''' for these titles. Using the same game engine, Epyx quickly released other action-oriented games, including ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp, Rescue at Rigel, Star Warrior,'' and two more sequels to ''Apshai.''

The company was founded in 1977 by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman under the name '''Automated Simulations;''' Connelley had purchased a UsefulNotes/CommodorePET to perform bookkeeping for his TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons games, and decided to create a game so he could write it off on his taxes. Connelly and Freeman created ''Starfleet Orion,'' a space-themed wargame for the PET, UsefulNotes/TRS80 , and UsefulNotes/AppleII.

The final straw was the company's attempt to get into handheld video gaming. With famed hardware designers Dave Needle and R.J. Mical, Epyx developed the "Handy," a system ahead of its time with color graphics, hardware scaling, and multiplayer network capabilities. However, Epyx ran out of money before development could be completed; Handy was sold to Creator/{{Atari}}, who eventually released it as the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx. Atari was both a creditor and a debtor of Epyx; when Atari failed to pay for their contracted titles, Epyx went bankrupt, which gave Atari the titles for free.

* ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp''

* ''VideoGame/TheMovieMonsterGame''

* ''[[VideoGame/BarbarianTheUltimateWarrior Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior]]''

* ''Armor Assault''
* ''Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior''

* ''Dragonriders of Pern''

* ''The Movie Monster Game''
* ''Pitstop''
* ''Rescue at Rigel''

* ''Starfleet Orion''
* ''Summer Games''
** ''Winter Games''
** ''California Games''
** ''World Games''
* ''Street Sports Baseball''
* ''Street Sports Basketball''
* ''Street Sports Football''
* ''Street Sports Soccer''

* ''World Karate Championship''

Epyx was the name of a computer and VideoGame publisher of TheSeventies and The Eighties. It is best remembered for several classic games for the UsefulNotes/Atari8BitComputers and UsefulNotes/{{Commodore 64}}, particularly ''Temple of Apshai, VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}, VideoGame/ImpossibleMission, Summer/Winter/California Games,'' and ''VideoGame/ChipsChallenge''.

Their third game was an action-adventure called ''Temple of Apshai,'' which became a BreakthroughHit. Since the game was not a simulation, they introduced the brand name '''Epyx''' for these titles. Using the same game engine, Epyx quickly released other action-oriented games, including ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp, Rescue at Rigel, Star Warrior,'' and two more sequels to ''Apshai.''

The final straw was the company's attempt to get into handheld video gaming. With famed hardware designers Dave Needle and R.J. Mical, Epyx developed the "Handy," a system ahead of its time with color graphics, hardware scaling, and multiplayer network capabilities. However, Epyx ran out of money before development could be completed; Handy was sold to Creator/{{Atari}}, who released it as the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx.

Epyx filed for bankruptcy in 1989. The company eventually emerged from bankruptcy, but sold off all of its assets in 1993.

In 1986, Epyx developed a handheld video game system called the "Handy"; unfortunately, the company could not afford to complete development, and it was sold to Creator/{{Atari}} and released as the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx.

Epyx was sued by Creator/DataEast in 1987 over the game ''World Karate Championship,'' which Data East accused of being a copy of ''VideoGame/KarateChamp.'' Though Epyx ultimately won the case on appeal, a series of poor management decisions eventually led the company to discontinue computer games and file for bankruptcy in 1989. Epyx eventually emerged from bankruptcy, but sold off all of its assets in 1993.

In 1983, as the company consolidated under the Epyx name, it released another blockbuster hit, ''VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}''. The company therefore shifted their output entirely towards action games, with more hits like ''Impossible Mission, Summer Games, Winter Games,'' and ''California Games,'' along with {{Licensed Game}}s based on Barbie, Hot Wheels, and G.I. Joe. Meanwhile, the British company U.S. Gold published Epyx games for the Commodore 64 and ported them to European platforms such as the UsefulNotes/AmstradCPC and UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum. In 1986, Epyx developed a handheld video game system called the "Handy"; unfortunately, the company could not afford to complete development, and it was sold to Creator/{{Atari}} and released as the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx.

* ''Temple of Apshai''

* ''World Karate Championship''

Their third game was an action-adventure called ''Temple of Apshai,'' which became a BreakthroughHit. Since the game was not a simulation, they introduced the '''Epyx''' for these titles. Using the same game engine, ''Epyx'' quickly released other action-oriented games, including ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp, Rescue at Rigel, Star Warrior,'' and two more sequels to ''Apshai.''

Epyx was the name of a computer and VideoGame publisher of TheSeventies and The Eighties. It is best remembered for several classic games for the UsefulNotes/Atari8BitComputers and UsefulNotes/{{Commodore 64}}, particularly ''VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}'' and ''California Games''.

* ''Chip's Challenge''

Their third game was an action-adventure called ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai,'' which became a BreakthroughHit. Since the game was not a simulation, they introduced the '''Epyx''' for these titles. Using the same game engine, ''Epyx'' quickly released other action-oriented games, including ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp, Rescue at Rigel, Star Warrior,'' and two more sequels to ''Apshai.''

* ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai''

Their third game was an action-adventure called ''Temple of Apshai,'' which became a BreakthroughHit. Since the game was not a simulation, they introduced the '''Epyx''' for these titles. Using the same game engine, ''Epyx'' quickly released other action-oriented games, including ''VideoGame/CrushCrumbleAndChomp, Rescue at Rigel, Star Warrior,'' and two more sequels to ''Apshai.''

* ''Temple of Apshai''

Epyx was the name of a computer and VideoGame publisher of TheSeventies and The Eighties. It is best remembered for several classic games for the UsefulNotes/Atari8BitComputers and UsefulNotes/Commodore64, particularly ''VideoGame/{{Jumpman}}'' and ''VideoGame/CaliforniaGames''.