Ariolasoft

Ariolasoft GmbH, later known as United Software, was a German computer game developer, publisher and distributor. It started in 1983[1] as the software subsidiary of Ariola Records, itself the record division of Germany's large Bertelsmann empire. From 1985-1988 Stephen Molyneux, formerly Head of Software at Atari International GmbH in Hamburg, held the position of Head of Software[2] with responsibility for international negotiations and licensing of software at its headquarters in Munich. Ariolasoft also had a British subsidiary, Ariolasoft UK, which was run by Ashley Gray (later replaced by Willie Carminke) and Frank Brunger.[1]

Ariolasoft GmbH
GmbH (subsidiary of Ariola Records)
IndustryVideo games
FateAcquired by MicroProse Germany
SuccessorUnited Software[1]
Defunct1993 (1993)[1]
HeadquartersGermany
Area served
Europe
ProductsComputer games
SubsidiariesAriolasoft UK

The company released games for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, DOS, Atari 8-bit and Amiga systems. It was also the German publisher for Activision games developed for the Atari 2600, and the European publisher for Electronic Arts and Brøderbund games, before those companies set up their own European offices. Ariolasoft also developed the cassette ports of those titles, and also developed original games. In addition to software activities, they were also the German distributor of the Sega Master System between approximately 1987 and 1988.[1]

In 1990, the company was renamed United Software, which in 1993 was taken over by MicroProse Germany.[1]

Original games

Collaborations

References
  1. "United Software GmbH". MobyGames. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  2. Molyneux, Stephen. "Stephen Molyneux LinkedIn Profile". LinkedIn. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  3. "Airline (Commodore 64)". Pirates Portal. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
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