Ultimate Play the Game

 In the year 1982, Ultimate Play the Game was founded in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, by Tim and Chris Stamper. [8] Their acquaintance John Lathbury and Tim's girlfriend, Carole Ward, founded the business. The business was initially located in a home near the family-owned newsstand. Tim and Chris both Tim and Chris were employed in the field of arcade game development, including, according to one report Konami's Gyruss, and claimed to be "the most knowledgeable arcade video game design team in Britain" until they became tired of working for others , and departing to form Ashby Computers and Graphics. This led to ACG's initial trade in the development of arcade conversion kits, and later shifting into the home computer software market and releasing games under the Ultimate Play the Game name. Blue Print for Bally-Midway, Dingo, Grasspin and Saturn for Jaleco were the first arcade games to be released by Ashby. The first release of Ultimate, Jetpac, was May 1983, and it was for the 16K Spectrum. Tim Stamper, in 1983 interview, stated that 16K computers were targeted because their smaller sizes meant they could develop more quickly. They could produce one or two games in 16K within a month. Jetpac was a commercial hit. The Spectrum version sold more than 300,000 copies, which provided the company with an impressive sales of more than PS1 million. Jetpac, Pssst and Tranz Am were only four of 10 games ever released with 16K ROM formats. The four games were republished by Sinclair Research on cassette with distinct silver inlay cards for inclusion in ZX Spectrum bundles. The games received very well by the gaming press. CRASH magazine was particularly impressed with the things that Ultimate did with the extra memory Lunar Jetman had. 15 Sabre Wulf appeared in 1984. It was the first Sabreman title , and also the first one to be released at a recommended retail price of PS9.95. The initial price for Ultimate games was PS5.50. This was a common practice in Spectrum arcade-style games of the time. This was done in order to deter pirates. This coincided with the launch of Ultimate of the unique "big box", packaging. The packaging was made available in every Spectrum releases except Gunfright. Sabre Wulf was able to sell more than 350,000 copies on the Spectrum. It was followed by the release in late 1984 of the next two installments in the Sabreman series, Underwurlde quickly and then Knight Lore. Knight Lore was a major milestone in the home computer gaming market. It used a forced-perspective isometric view, also known as Filmation. The style was to be replicated in many other games, such as Batman and Head Over Heels by Ocean Software. Knight Lore together with certain of its Filmation follow up Alien 8, were actually finished prior to Sabre Wulf. Ultimate however considered that it could negatively impact Sabre Wulf's rather modest sales which is why it was put off until late in 1984.