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[[File:DDI logo brain.png|thumb|Data Design's logo first used in ''LEGO Rock Raiders'']]
{{Infobox company
'''Data Design Interactive''' was a British video game company. Founded in 1983 by Stewart Green as '''Data Design Systems''', the company started off creating budget software for the [[Wikipedia:ZX Spectrum|ZX Spectrum]].
| name                = Data Design Interactive Limited
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| former_name        = Data Design Systems
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| industry            = [[Wikipedia:Video game industry|Video games]]
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| founded            = {{Start date and age|1983}} in [[Wikipedia:Halesowen|Halesowen]], England
| founder            = Stewart Green
| defunct            = {{End date|2012|7|24}}<ref name="gov.uk insolvency"/> (UK branch)
| fate                =
| successor          = {{hlist|Data Design Interactive LLC|Carnival Games}}
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| hq_location_city    = [[Wikipedia:Stourbridge|Stourbridge]], [[Wikipedia:West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
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| parent              = Green Solutions Ltd
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'''Data Design Interactive''' was a British video game company.


== History ==
== History ==
=== Formation ===
{{quote box
{{quote box |quote = I decided I wanted to break into the budget software market — I think the software industry could be killing itself with the £10 game. Budget software like Cascade's [[Wikipedia:Cassette 50|50 Games compilation]], has got to be value for money — if you only play each game on a 50 game compilation for ten minutes, then you’ve had over a day’s solid entertainment. |source = Stewart Green, ''CRASH''<ref name="Crash 28"/> |width = 50%}}
|quote = I decided I wanted to break into the budget software market − I think the software industry could be killing itself with the £10 game. Budget software like Cascade's [[Wikipedia:Cassette 50|50 Games compilation]], has got to be value for money − if you only play each game on a 50 game compilation for ten minutes, then you've had over a day's solid entertainment.
|author = Stewart Green
|source = interview in ''[[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|CRASH]]'' issue 28<ref name="Crash 28"/>
|width = 50%}}


Data Design Systems was founded in 1983 by Stewart Green.<ref name="Crash 28"/><ref name="DDI history"/><ref name="Animation World"/> The previous year had seen the release of the [[Wikipedia:ZX Spectrum|ZX Spectrum]], an [[Wikipedia:8-bit computing|8-bit]] [[Wikipedia:Home computer|home computer]] that would go on to sell over five million units. While the Spectrum had inferior hardware compared to its competitors like the [[Wikipedia:Commodore 64|Commodore 64]] and the [[Wikipedia:BBC Micro|BBC Micro]], the low cost of both the computer and its [[Wikipedia:ZX Spectrum software#Tape|cassette-based games]] led to it becoming a successful gaming platform in the United Kingdom.<ref name="NME"/> Green had purchased a [[Wikipedia:ZX Spectrum|Spectrum]] soon after its release, and had spent his free time learning how to program on it before leaving his engineering apprenticeship to pursue a career in software development. He attempted to sell two of his earliest games, ''Alien'' and ''Bomber'', for £2 each at [[Wikipedia:computer show|computer shows]]. After selling only a small number of copies, he decided that a compilation of multiple games on one cassette tape would sell better than individual games, as well as allow him to charge a higher price for the tape and let shops take in a larger profit margin.<ref name="Crash 28"/>
== References ==
 
{{reflist|refs=
[[File:DDS Luna Rover screenshot.png|thumb|256px|left|''Luna-Rover'', one of Data Design's earliest games]]
<ref name="Crash 28">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-28/page/n75/mode/2up?view=theater |title=This Little Proggy Went To Market... |last=Kidd |first=Graeme |date=May 1986 |magazine=[[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|CRASH]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Limited]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Ludlow|Ludlow]], [[Wikipedia:Shropshire (district)|Shropshire]] |page=76 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625034910/https://www.crashonline.org.uk/28/dds.htm |archive-date=25 June 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2025 |via=''CRASH'': The Online Edition}}</ref>
Green applied for the UK government’s [[Wikipedia:Enterprise Allowance Scheme|Enterprise Allowance Scheme]], an initiative which gave an income of £40 per week for one year to anyone unemployed who wanted to set up their own business and had £1000 of their own funds to invest in the project.<ref name="Crash 28"/><ref name="Inc"/> Deciding to develop for the budget software market, he began work on ''Astrocade'', a collection of six games on one tape. While programming it, he learned how to run a business from three free interviews with the Business Advice Centre that the Enterprise Allowance Scheme gave him. Green wanted the compilation to be sold in a large package; he initially planned to use the same cardboard boxes that [[Wikipedia:Beyond Software|Beyond Software]] games used, before he found out that the cardboard dies for that would cost at least £800 and decided to use video boxes instead. Not wanting to pay "hundreds of pounds for a simple piece of artwork," Green got an art student from a local school to create box art for free as portfolio work. Getting game screenshots took two weeks due to the photographer hired not knowing how to take photographs of a television screen.<ref name="Crash 28"/>
 
[[File:Crash Astrocade.jpg|thumb|220px|Stewart Green advertising ''The Astrocade Collection'']]
Development of ''The Astrocade Collection'' concluded in late 1985.<ref name="DDI history"/><ref name="Alien"/> It contained three previously-developed games: ''Alien'', a [[Wikipedia:Fixed shooter|fixed shooter]] game, ''Bomber'', a [[Wikipedia:Jeff Minter|''City Bomber'']]-like game, and ''Luna-Rover'', a [[Wikipedia:Moon Patrol|''Moon Patrol'']] clone; as well as three original games: ''Caverns d'Or'', an [[Wikipedia:Adventure game|adventure game]], ''Simeon'', a [[Wikipedia:Simon (game)|''Simon'']] clone, and ''Zombies'', an action game.<ref name="YS07"/><ref name="Crash 29"/> The collection's development ended up costing £3000. Green priced ''Astrocade'' at £4.50, but had difficulty distributing it; most distributors did not respond to him, and [[Wikipedia:WHSmith|Smith's]] wanted the the product to have a [[Wikipedia:Barcode|barcode]], which would cost him another £100. He initially sold copies of ''Astrocade'' by offering them on sale at local computer shops.<ref name="Crash 28"/> Lacking a budget for advertising, he sent copies of the collection packaged with a [[Wikipedia:Mars (chocolate bar)|Mars bar]] to computer magazines to encourage reviews.<ref name="Crash 27"/> An earlier version of ''Alien'' was also published as type-in machine code in the February 1986 issue of [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']].<ref name="YS02"/> Graeme Kidd from the ZX Spectrum magazine [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']] interviewed Stewart Green at Data Design, which at the time was operated out of the front room of his house in [[Wikipedia:Halesowen|Halesowen]]. The interview was published in the May 1986 issue of ''CRASH''; by that point, Green had sold only around one hundred copies of ''Astrocade''.<ref name="Crash 28"/> Following this, Green advertised the collection through various computer magazines, giving an address for viewers to [[Wikipedia:mail order|mail order]] the game from.<ref name="YS07"/>
 
''The Astrocade Collection'' received mixed reviews from contemporary magazines. Reviewers criticised the quality and originality of the games in the collection, though were more positive about the collection's low price and the overall value per game, as well as about the collection being Data Design's first major publication.<ref name="YS07"/><ref name="Crash 29"/><ref name="PCW 518"/><ref name="CG15"/> Stewart Green responded with appreciation for the reviews, though he disagreed with the originality of the games being an issue ("How many [[Wikipedia:Exploding Fist|''Exploding Fist''s]] are there now?") and criticised ''Popular Computing Weekly'''s claim that ''Luna-Rover'' had graphics resembling those of a [[Wikipedia:ZX81|ZX81]] game.<ref name="PCW 526"/> From July 1986 onward, Data Design lowered the cost of ''Astrocade'' to £1.99 (plus 40p for postage and packaging).<ref name="CG16"/><ref name="YS09"/>
 
[[File:DDS logo 1987.jpg|thumb|220px|1987 Data Design logo]]
Green intended for ''Astrocade'' to supply him with funds while he developed a larger project. He announced the development of a [[Wikipedia:Play-by-mail game|play-by-mail game]] in his interview with ''CRASH''; Green believed that the previous summer had been the last chance for self-employed developers to start in the software market, and claimed that small software developers offered the best service for play-by-mail games.<ref name="Crash 28"/> Other Spectrum software Green developed and released during 1985–1986<ref name="DDI history"/> included ''Death Duel'', a [[Wikipedia:Tron (video game)|''Tron'']]-inspired [[Wikipedia:Snake (video game genre)|''Snake'']] game,<ref name="SU49"/> ''Invadas'', a [[Wikipedia:Galaxian|''Galaxian'']] clone,<ref name="YS07 code"/> ''Space Fright'', a remake of his earlier game ''Alien'',<ref name="YC14"/> and ''Elite Editor'', an editor for the ZX Spectrum version of [[Wikipedia:David Braben|David Braben]] and [[Wikipedia:Ian Bell (programmer)|Ian Bell's]] [[Wikipedia:Elite (video game)|''Elite'']].<ref name="Crash 31"/><ref name="YS09 p93"/> Data Design Systems also published programs for ZX Spectrum software development, including ''BASIC +'', a collection of six programs for writing software in [[Wikipedia:BASIC|BASIC]], in 1986,<ref name="YS09 p93"/><ref name="YS13"/> and ''Sprite Designer'', ''Printer'', and ''64 Column Display'' in 1987.<ref name="YS14 p100"/> ''BASIC +'' was originally released for £5.99,<ref name="YS09 p93"/> later increased to £12;<ref name="YS13"/> following the release of the other three programs it was priced at £10 while the others were available for £6 each, or all four could be purchased together for £14.<ref name="YS14 p100"/>
 
=== Freelance programming ===
In his interview with ''CRASH'', Stewart Green expressed concern that he may have to take up freelance work to survive as a small software house.<ref name="Crash 28"/> Following the interview, Green moved on to developing for other companies, particularly strategy games, which he enjoyed playing and programming. Many of his first freelance jobs were for [[Wikipedia:Personal Software Services|Personal Software Services]].<ref name="Crash 54"/>
 
[[File:PSS Annals of Rome battle.png|thumb|256px|left|Losing a battle in ''Annals of Rome'']]
One of Green's first freelance jobs was programming the ZX Spectrum version of [[Wikipedia:Annals of Rome|''Annals of Rome'']],<ref name="Crash 54"/><ref name="DDI history"/> a [[Wikipedia:Turn-based strategy|turn-based strategy]] game that puts the player in control of the [[Wikipedia:Roman army|Roman army's]] military conquests over the course of centuries.<ref name="Crash 38"/> The game was designed by Dr. George Jaroszkiewicz, who wanted to create a historical simulation as an "exercise in socio-economic modelling."<ref name="TGM09"/><ref name="Goodfellow"/> Jaroszkiewicz originally programmed the game for [[Wikipedia:Amstrad CPC 464|Amstrad CPC 464]], and Personal Software Services hired other programmers to convert it to other home computer platforms.<ref name="Goodfellow"/><ref name="Crash 47"/> Believing that video games were seen as "not something for grown men to dabble in," Jaroszkiewicz left his name out of the game, using the alias "Rome Software" instead; Green's Spectrum port, however, credits Jaroszkiewicz (as E.M. Jaroszkiewicz) as its designer in-game.<ref name="Goodfellow"/><ref name="Annals ZXS menu"/> The game released in November 1986.<ref name="SU58"/> ''CRASH'''s Philippa Irving rated the Spectrum version of ''Annals of Rome'' positively, praising its attention to detail, but criticised its presentation and long periods of waiting during combat, as well as its "entertaining" bugs.<ref name="Crash 38"/><ref name="Crash 47"/> Tommy Nash of ''Your Sinclair'' likewise criticised its speed, which he blamed on it being programmed in BASIC, and called its interface "incomprehensible."<ref name="YS14"/> Steve Badsey of [[Wikipedia:Computer and Video Games|''Computer + Video Games'']] preferred the Spectrum version's graphics over those of the later Commodore 64 release, but reported that it had numerous bugs and frequently generated "impossibly large armies", which PSS allegedly blamed on the Spectrum's [[Wikipedia:Random number generation|random number generator]].<ref name="CVG75"/>
 
[[File:PSS Tobruk action sequence Spectrum.png|thumb|256px|An action sequence in ''Tobruk'']]
Data Design worked on the Spectrum version of Alan Steel's ''[[Wikipedia:Tobruk (video game)|Tobruk]]''.<ref name="DDI history"/><!--Tobruk Amstrad was not listed in older archived, I am assuming it was added accidentally--> The game is a simulation of the 1942 [[Wikipedia:Battle of Gazala|Battle of Gazala]] and subsequent [[Wikipedia:Axis capture of Tobruk|Axis capture of]] [[Wikipedia:Tobruk|Tobruk]]. The player controls the Axis forces of German field marshal [[Wikipedia:Erwin Rommel|Erwin Rommel]]; a second player can play as the British forces. During combat, the player can enter an arcade sequence and control a tank in first-person view.<ref name="CG26"/><ref name="Crash 40"/> Stewart Green designed and programmed the action sequence in the game's Spectrum versions.<ref name="Crash 54"/> ''Tobruk'' released on Spectrum in September 1986.<ref name="SU53"/> [[Wikipedia:Computer Gamer|''Computer Gamer'']] called ''Tobruk'' "one of the most enjoyable wargames."<ref name="CG26"/> Philippa Irving found the game uninteresting, and was particularly negative towards its arcade mode, which she called "stunningly badly designed and unplayable."<ref name="Crash 40"/> Green later commented that she must have appreciated his work due to her accidentally labelling screenshots of ''Tobruk'' as [[Wikipedia:Vulcan: The Tunisian Campaign|''Vulcan'']].<ref name="Crash 54"/> Gary Rook of [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']] found the game disappointing and its arcade mode "clumsily executed."<ref name="SU63"/> ''ZX Computing Monthly'' stated the arcade sequence worked well and praised the game overall.<ref name="ZXC8705"/>


{{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 180 | image1 = PSS Pegasus Bridge Spectrum.png | alt1 = ZX Spectrum version | image2 = PSS Pegasus Bridge Amstrad.png | alt2 = Amstrad CPC version | footer = ''Pegasus Bridge'' on Spectrum (top) and Amstrad (bottom)}}
<ref name="gov.uk insolvency">{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03817591/insolvency |title=Data Design Interactive Limited - Insolvency |website=Find and update company information |location=[[Wikipedia:Cardiff|Cardiff]], Wales |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Companies House|Companies House]] |via=[[Wikipedia:gov.uk|GOV.UK]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129112646/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03817591/insolvency |archive-date=29 November 2025 |access-date=29 November 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Green redesigned and programmed [[Wikipedia:Pegasus Bridge (video game)|''Pegasus Bridge'']] for both ZX Spectrum and [[Wikipedia:Amstrad CPC|Amstrad CPC]] from the original Commodore 64 version.<ref name="Crash 54"/><ref name="Pegasus Bridge"/><ref name="CVG80"/> Originally designed by John Bethell, who had previously created [[Wikipedia:Falklands '82|''Falklands '82'']],<ref name="Pegasus Bridge"/><ref name="Crash 47"/> ''Pegasus Bridge'' is based on the [[Wikipedia:Pegasus Bridge|titular bridge's]] [[Wikipedia:Capture of the Caen canal and Orne river bridges|capture]] by the [[Wikipedia:6th Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom)|British 6th Airbone Division]] early on 6 June 1944, preceding the [[Wikipedia:Normandy landings|Normandy landings]].<ref name="Crash 48"/><ref name="CVG80"/> The player can control either the British troops, landing and capturing bridges and the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Merville Gun Battery|Merville Battery]], or the German army, defending as many positions as possible from capture for the game's 36 turns.<ref name="Crash 48"/><ref name="YS27"/><ref name="AA27"/> ''Pegasus Bridge'' released in October 1987.<ref name="PCW 639"/> ''CRASH'''s Philippa Irving praised the Spectrum version's design and gameplay, but found it "annoyingly difficult" to control with a keyboard,<ref name="Crash 47"/> and later admitted to encountering a bug that crashed the game prevented her from completing it.<ref name="Crash 51"/> ''Sinclair User'' gave the game a positive review, criticising only the small size of the map window.<ref name="SU71"/> Owen and Audrey Bishop of ''Your Sinclair'' called the game well-researched, but complained about a bug in the Spectrum version that switched which side the player was controlling, as well as the fast speed of in-game messages.<ref name="YS27"/> [[Wikipedia:Amstrad Action|''Amstrad Action'']] called the Amstrad version boring, and criticised the lack of sound and sensitive controls.<ref name="AA27"/>
 
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="AA27">Barrett, Gary (December 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Amstrad_Action_Issue_027/page/52/mode/1up?view=theater "Pegasus Bridge"]. [[Wikipedia:Amstrad Action|''Amstrad Action'']]. No. 27. [[Wikipedia:Future Publishing|Future Publishing]]. p. 52.</ref>
<ref name="Alien">Green, Stewart (1 November 1985). ''Alien'' (ZX Spectrum) (''Astrocade'' version). Data Design Systems. Title screen. "© 1.11.85".</ref>
<ref name="Annals ZXS menu">Green, Stewart (1986). ''Annals of Rome'' (ZX Spectrum). Data Design Systems. Menu screen. "Design: E.M. Jaroszkiewicz Ph.D / Program: DDS, S. Green".</ref>
<ref name="Animation World">Younghusband, Paul (February 2001). [https://www.awn.com/mag/issue5.11/5.11pages/younghusbandartworld.php3 "A One Stop Digital Shop: Data Design Interactive and Artworld UK"]. [[Wikipedia:Animation World|''Animation World Magazine'']]. Vol. 5, No. 11. AWN, Inc. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230118045641/https://www.awn.com/mag/issue5.11/5.11pages/younghusbandartworld.php3 Archived] from the original on 18 January 2023. Mirror available at [https://www.awn.com/animationworld/one-stop-digital-shop-data-design-interactive-and-artworld-uk Animation World Network].</ref>
<ref name="CG15">Hetherington, Tony (June 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_15_1986-06_Argus_Press_GB/page/n38/mode/1up?view=theater "Adventure Reviews"]. [[Wikipedia:Computer Gamer|''Computer Gamer'']]. No. 15. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 39.</ref>
<ref name="CG16">[https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_16_1986-07_Argus_Press_GB/page/n28/mode/1up?view=theater ''Astrocade'' advertisement]. [[Wikipedia:Computer Gamer|''Computer Gamer'']]. No. 16, July 1986. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 29.</ref>
<ref name="CG26">A.H. (May 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_15_1986-06_Argus_Press_GB/page/n38/mode/1up?view=theater "Tobruk"]. [[Wikipedia:Computer Gamer|''Computer Gamer'']]. No. 26. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 71.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 27">Mangram, Lloyd (April 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Crash_No._27_1986-04_Newsfield_GB/page/n111/mode/1up?view=theater "Merely Mangram"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 27. [[Wikipedia:Argus Specialist Publications|Argus Specialist Publications]]. p. 112.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 28">Kidd, Graeme (May 1986). [https://www.crashonline.org.uk/28/dds.htm "This Little Proggy Went To Market..."]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']] - The Online Edition. No. 28. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 76. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230625034910/https://www.crashonline.org.uk/28/dds.htm Archived] from the original on 25 June 2023.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 29">Kidd, Graeme (June 1986). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-29/page/n97/mode/2up?view=theater "The Games Gatherings"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 29. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. pp. 98–99.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 31">Green, Stewart (August 1986). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-31/page/n58/mode/1up?view=theater "Six games for £1.99" ad]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 31. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 59.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 38">Irving, Philippa (March 1987). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-38/page/n77/mode/2up?view=theater "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 38. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 63.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 40">Irving, Philippa (May 1987). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-40/page/n101/mode/2up?view=theater "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 40. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. pp. 101–102.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 47">Irving, Philippa (December 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Crash_Magazine_047/page/48/mode/2up?view=theater "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 47. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. pp. 48–49.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 48">Irving, Philippa (January 1988). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-48/page/n135/mode/1up?view=theater "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 48. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 136.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 51">Irving, Philippa (April 1988). [https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-51/page/n50/mode/1up?view=theater "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']]. No. 51. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 51.</ref>
<ref name="Crash 54">Irving, Philippa (July 1988). [https://www.crashonline.org.uk/54/frontline.htm "Frontline with Philippa Irving"]. [[Wikipedia:Crash (magazine)|''CRASH'']] - The Online Edition. No. 54. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield|Newsfield Publications Ltd]]. p. 63. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230628053056/https://www.crashonline.org.uk/54/frontline.htm Archived] from the original on 28 June 2023.</ref>
<ref name="CVG75">Badsey, Steve (January 1988). [https://archive.org/details/ComputerAndVideoGamesIssue075Jan88/page/n45/mode/1up?view=theater "Annals of Rome"]. [[Wikipedia:Computer and Video Games|''Computer + Video Games'']]. Issue 76. [[Wikipedia:Future Publishing|Future Publishing]]. p. 46.</ref>
<ref name="CVG80">Badsey, Steve (June 1988). [https://archive.org/details/ComputerAndVideoGamesIssue080Jun88/page/n53/mode/1up?view=theater "Pegasus Bridge"]. [[Wikipedia:Computer and Video Games|''Computer + Video Games'']]. Issue 80. [[Wikipedia:Future Publishing|Future Publishing]]. p. 54.</ref>
<ref name="DDI history">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041216050634/http://www.datadesign.uk.com/history_page.htm History]. ''datadesign.uk.com''. Data Design Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 December 2004.</ref>
<ref name="Goodfellow">Goodfellow, Troy (17 March 2008). [http://flashofsteel.com/index.php/2008/03/17/annals-of-rome-the-designers-perspective/ "Annals of Rome – The Designer’s Perspective"]. ''Flash of Steel''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230628204047/http://flashofsteel.com/index.php/2008/03/17/annals-of-rome-the-designers-perspective/ Archived] from the original on 28 June 2023.</ref>
<ref name="Inc">Dellheim, Charles (1 July 1996). [https://www.inc.com/magazine/19960701/1725.html "Thatcher's Self Employment"]. [[Wikipedia:Inc. (magazine)|''Inc.'']] [https://web.archive.org/web/20030415171759/http://www.inc.com/magazine/19960701/1725.html Archived] from the original on 15 April 2003. Retrieved 25 June 2023.</ref>
<ref name="NME">Mason, Graeme (18 February 2022). [https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/zx-spectrum-at-40-a-look-back-3162913 "ZX Spectrum at 40: a look back"]. ''NME''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230623020127/https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/zx-spectrum-at-40-a-look-back-3162913 Archived] from the original on 23 June 2023.</ref>
<ref name="PCW 518">Taylor, Graham (1 May 1986). [https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1986-05-01/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater "New releases"]. [[Wikipedia:Popular Computing Weekly|''Popular Computing Weekly'']]. Vol. 5 No. 18. [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Publications|Sunshine Publications]]. pp. 44–45.</ref>
<ref name="PCW 526">Green, Stewart (26 June 1986). [https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1986-06-26/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater "Review reaction"]. [[Wikipedia:Popular Computing Weekly|''Popular Computing Weekly'']]. Vol. 5 No. 26. [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Publications|Sunshine Publications]]. p. 10.</ref>
<ref name="PCW 639">Dean, Stephen (2 October 1987). [https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1986-05-01/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater "New releases"]. [[Wikipedia:Popular Computing Weekly|''Popular Computing Weekly'']]. Vol. 6 No. 39. [[Wikipedia:Sunshine Publications|Sunshine Publications]]. p. 43.</ref>
<ref name="Pegasus Bridge">Green, Stewart (1986). ''Pegasus Bridge'' (ZX Spectrum; Amstrad CPC). Data Design Systems. Credits. "Idea by John Bethell. Conversion by DSS. Published by.. PSS. Programmer... STEWART GREEN".</ref>
<ref name="SU49">Cox, Kevin (ed.) (April 1986). [https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-049/page/n98/mode/1up?view=theater "Death Duel"]. [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']]. No. 49. [[Wikipedia:EMAP|EMAP]]. pp. 99–100.</ref>
<ref name="SU53">Edgeley, Clare (August 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Sinclair_User_053/page/98/mode/1up?view=theater "Software Preview"]. [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']]. No. 53. [[Wikipedia:EMAP|EMAP]]. p. 98.</ref>
<ref name="SU58">Douglas, Jim (January 1987). [https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-058/page/n123/mode/1up?view=theater "What is it Good For?"]. [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']]. No. 58. [[Wikipedia:EMAP|EMAP]]. p. 124.</ref>
<ref name="SU63">Rook, Gary (June 1987). [https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-063/page/n98/mode/1up?view=theater "Tobruk"]. [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']]. No. 63. [[Wikipedia:EMAP|EMAP]]. p. 99.</ref>
<ref name="SU71">Rook, Gary (February 1988). [https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-071/page/n73/mode/1up?view=theater "Pegasus Bridge"]. [[Wikipedia:Sinclair User|''Sinclair User'']]. No. 71. [[Wikipedia:EMAP|EMAP]]. p. 74.</ref>
<ref name="TGM09">Frey, Oliver (ed.) (August 1988). [https://archive.org/details/thegamesmachine-09/page/n59/mode/1up?view=theater "All This and Barbarians Too"]. [[Wikipedia:The Games Machine|''The Games Machine'']]. Issue 9. [[Wikipedia:Newsfield Publications|Newsfield Publications]]. p. 60.</ref>
<ref name="YC14">Evans, Gary (ed.) (May 1986). [https://archive.org/details/your-computer-magazine-1986-05/page/n65/mode/1up?view=theater "Software Exchange"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Computer (British magazine)|''Your Computer'']]. Vol. 6 No. 5. Focus Investments Ltd. p. 66.</ref>
<ref name="YS02">Cox, Kevin (ed.) (February 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_002/page/48/mode/1up?view=theater "Alien by Stewart Green"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 2. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. pp. 48–52.</ref>
<ref name="YS07">Phillips, Max (July 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_007/page/61/mode/1up?view=theater "Screen Shots"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 7. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. p. 61.</ref>
<ref name="YS07 code">Cox, Kevin (ed.) (July 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_007/page/48/mode/1up?view=theater "Invadas by Stewart Green"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 7. p. 48.</ref>
<ref name="YS09">South, Phil (September 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_009/page/n7/mode/1up?view=theater "Frontlines"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 9. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. p. 5.</ref>
<ref name="YS09 p93">Green, Stewart (September 1986). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_009/page/n95/mode/1up?view=theater "Data Design" ad]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 9. p. 93.</ref>
<ref name="YS13">Green, Stewart (January 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_013/page/n124/mode/1up?view=theater "Data Design" ad]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 13. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. p. 123.</ref>
<ref name="YS14">Nash, Tommy (February 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_014/page/85/mode/1up?view=theater "Annals of Rome"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 14. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. p. 85.</ref>
<ref name="YS14 p100">Green, Stewart (February 1987). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_014/page/100/mode/1up?view=theater "D.D.S. The Programming Specialists" ad]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 14. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. p. 100.</ref>
<ref name="YS27">Bishop, Owen; Bishop, Audrey (March 1988). [https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_027/page/54/mode/2up?view=theater "On the War Path"]. [[Wikipedia:Your Sinclair|''Your Sinclair'']]. Issue 27. [[Wikipedia:Dennis Publishing|Sportscene Specialist Press]]. pp. 54–55.</ref>
<ref name="ZXC8705">Ralph, Bryan (ed.) (May 1987). [https://archive.org/details/zxcomputing-magazine-1987-05/page/n44/mode/1up?view=theater "Tobruk"]. ''ZX Computing Monthly''. [[Wikipedia:Argus Specialist Publications|Argus Specialist]]. p. 45.</ref>
}}
}}


[[Category:Video game companies]]
[[Category:1983 establishments]]
[[Category:2012 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Data Design Interactive| ]]
[[Category:Video game companies of the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 14:44, 29 November 2025

Data Design Interactive Limited
FormerlyData Design Systems
IndustryVideo games
Founded1983; 42 years ago (1983) in Halesowen, England
FounderStewart Green
DefunctJuly 24, 2012 (2012-07-24)[1] (UK branch)
Successor
  • Data Design Interactive LLC
  • Carnival Games
Headquarters
Stourbridge, West Midlands
,
England
ParentGreen Solutions Ltd

Data Design Interactive was a British video game company.

History

I decided I wanted to break into the budget software market − I think the software industry could be killing itself with the £10 game. Budget software like Cascade's 50 Games compilation, has got to be value for money − if you only play each game on a 50 game compilation for ten minutes, then you've had over a day's solid entertainment.

Stewart Green, interview in CRASH issue 28[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Data Design Interactive Limited - Insolvency". Find and update company information. Cardiff, Wales: Companies House. Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025 – via GOV.UK.
  2. ↑ Kidd, Graeme (May 1986). "This Little Proggy Went To Market..." CRASH. Ludlow, Shropshire: Newsfield Limited. p. 76. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2025 – via CRASH: The Online Edition.
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