Archer MacLean Nowadays games are made like films. Huge budgets, insane marketing and full on teams who develop the title being made. Given that games are almost (almost) approaching the 'playable film' goal it's not out of the ordinary to expect this type of production.
There was a simpler time though.....
Back when computer games were just that, games made and played on actual computers the games themselves would often be made by one person alone. This started to change a bit towards the late 80's when small teams of about 2 or 3 people started to form software houses but some of the Lone Stars of the gaming world just wouldn't give up the ghost.
Archer MacLean was one of those people.
MacLean is probably most famous for his smash hit Commodore 64 game International Karate Plus or IK+ as it's known, itself a follow up to International Karate. On the surface the game is a Karate Champ clone but with the addition of a third computer controlled player thrown in the mix to really f**k you up.
The game was a smash hit across the board and ports to the 16-Bit systems like the Amiga and Atari ST proved to be equally as popular with C+VG calling IK+ the best beat 'em up on the Amiga (At that time). Ik+ was frantically good fun to play with some well cool martial arts moves at your disposal. MacLean also injected a good does of humour to the proceedings as well. With a single button push on the keyboard all the players trousers would fall down and other giggle worthy oddities appeared throughout the game. Some meaty sound effects from Enter The Dragon made an appearance too.
The amazing thing was that MacLean handled just about everything on his own (bar the music). The Graphics, the sounds design, the programming were all handled by himself and the laser like focus he must have had really shows.
There was a simpler time though.....
Back when computer games were just that, games made and played on actual computers the games themselves would often be made by one person alone. This started to change a bit towards the late 80's when small teams of about 2 or 3 people started to form software houses but some of the Lone Stars of the gaming world just wouldn't give up the ghost.
Archer MacLean was one of those people.
MacLean is probably most famous for his smash hit Commodore 64 game International Karate Plus or IK+ as it's known, itself a follow up to International Karate. On the surface the game is a Karate Champ clone but with the addition of a third computer controlled player thrown in the mix to really f**k you up.
The game was a smash hit across the board and ports to the 16-Bit systems like the Amiga and Atari ST proved to be equally as popular with C+VG calling IK+ the best beat 'em up on the Amiga (At that time). Ik+ was frantically good fun to play with some well cool martial arts moves at your disposal. MacLean also injected a good does of humour to the proceedings as well. With a single button push on the keyboard all the players trousers would fall down and other giggle worthy oddities appeared throughout the game. Some meaty sound effects from Enter The Dragon made an appearance too.
The amazing thing was that MacLean handled just about everything on his own (bar the music). The Graphics, the sounds design, the programming were all handled by himself and the laser like focus he must have had really shows.
Archer's beat 'em up masterpiece IK+ (Amiga)
Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker MacLean had more success with 'Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker' for the 16-Bit home computers in 1991. The game was a snooker simulator and although that may sound like the most snooze inducing thing ever it was actually fiendishly fun and addictive to play and scored excellent reviews at the time. The in game ball physics were superbly realistic and according to MacLean took some time to figure out and code. He has since produced a string of pool and snooker simulators including a sequel to Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker.
MacLean is most recently well know for his 'Mercury' series of games as well as 'Wheelspin' for the Nintendo Wii, a futuristic racer which is a rather nice cross between Wipeout and F-Zero. He also writes a monthly column for 'Retro Game' magazine.
A true titan!
MacLean is most recently well know for his 'Mercury' series of games as well as 'Wheelspin' for the Nintendo Wii, a futuristic racer which is a rather nice cross between Wipeout and F-Zero. He also writes a monthly column for 'Retro Game' magazine.
A true titan!
 | Striding forth from his lair at Castle Stareskull one morning, Prototron decided to not reign down terror on the villagers, but instead go back inside, crack open a beer and load up Streets Of Rage 2. One hundred years later, he's still there. A avid music maker (of TERROR!) and retro gamer, he can be found whooping any and all heroes at all manner of SNK-based challenges. |
