Search found 1644 matches

by Rorthron
Sat Nov 11, 2023 10:17 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Which year did you get your first Spectrum?
Replies: 44
Views: 1144

Re: Which year did you get your first Spectrum?

1982, UK, 48K via mail order from Sinclair.
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:57 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

StooB wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:32 pm I don't need to explain or cite sources.
No, you don't. but if you can't or won't justify your claims, you cannot expect to be taken seriously.

Anyway, enough of this nonsense. That's the last time I suggest a database correction!
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:18 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

StooB wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:59 pm You identified these changes using flawed logic that says all these situations are the same when they're clearly not.
Well, for one thing, I didn't identify them all! But if the logic is flawed, please explain why, citing sources to support your claims.
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:18 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Yes it is! https://i.ibb.co/cQCVNCf/elites.png Fair enough. It's microscopic and buried away, but it is there. It doesn't alter the analysis, though (I already acknowledged an equally microscopic note on the tape). Your "multiple benefits" require changing the entries for numerous MicroPr...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:37 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Both Bounty Bob and Silent Service state that they are manufactured under licence by US Gold somewhere in the packaging. But you're saying Bounty Bob is published by US Gold because their logo, name and address are on the the back of the cover (despite the massive Big Five logo on the front), but C...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

AndyC wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:26 pm Although it doesn't really solve that, since the "original publisher" could be Durell still, where Elite now owns the rights and wants them Distribution Denied. Or Elite might not have picked up all the old Durell games, we just don't know.
Yes, you're right.
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:23 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Elite systems games are not allowed for distribution on this site, which from memory was down to issues with Steve Wilcox and there was a general consensus not to have Elite games available. Which is fine, except we now have Chain Reaction as “Distribution Denied”, because it’s listed as an Elite p...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:12 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

The name "Elite Systems" is on both the cover and the cassette. It is not on the cover at all, and the mention of Elite on the cassette is dwarfed by the Durell logos. Isn't the whole point of ZXDB to provide the detailed information that a casual reader wouldn't necessarily know? No. It'...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:50 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

As I've already mentioned, if you go down the route of simply using the name on the box you'll have to change thousands of entries and end up with only two games published by US Gold. I've already explained that view is wrong: If you look at the full covers of these games, they all carry US Gold lo...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

But based on the address, Durell were based in Taunton, not Lichfield - that's where Elite is based. But the name "Elite" appears nowhere on the cover. Without a detailed knowledge of software-house addresses a reader would from the cover have no idea of any Elite involvement. Also the ad...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

No, and neither do you. But I'm not the one claiming Elite Systems are running Durell as a publishing label. But you are making claims as to the nature of the relationship between Durell and Elite, when you don't know what it is. I am not making any such claims. Part of the point of the approach I ...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:30 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

StooB wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:27 am Putting the developer's logo on the cover does not make it a label.
But it does require a legal arrangement. Do you know the terms of that agreement? And if not, how can you determine what it might or might not constitute?
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:11 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Elite didn't buy the Durell label, just the games. Elite cannot release games as Durell Software Ltd because Durell Software Ltd still exists and is still publishing software. But Elite did release Critical Mass under the Durell label. They would need to have had some legal basis for using the Dure...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:01 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

That entry is completely consistent with Chain Reaction. If you're going to change the guidelines to list the logo on the front cover as the publisher then half of US Gold games will need changing. https://zx.computerhits.org/jpg150/bountybobstrikesback.jpg https://zx.computerhits.org/jpg150/superc...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Let's lay out our points and Einar can decide. Good idea. Here’s how I see the debate. At issue is whether “Publisher” should refer to (1) the brand a game is published under (the “name on the box”) or (2) the ultimate parent legal entity responsible for publishing the game. I think (1); StooB seem...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Obviously. I personally do not consider it obvious, when: 1. Your link leads to dozens of entries. 2. You don't specify an issue number. 3. The only numbered reference you give is incorrect. But whatever the different opinions, the "your-problem" approach to the issue isn't exactly constr...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:25 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

I've told you exactly which issues they are, three times now. There is only one feature on Ultimate in 1988 in each of those magazines. If you can't use this site then that's your problem. Issue numbers? Dates? This is like getting blood from a stone! I presume you mean Crash 51 (Apr 88) and Games ...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

Whether the publisher is listed as Durell and/or Elite, it's still going to need an explanatory note to explain why an Durell game has been released in Elite-style packaging with their name and address on. "Elite-style packaging"? It only mentions "Elite" in small print on the i...
by Rorthron
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:01 am
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?

I cited exactly where the information is. Trying to claim I didn't is - to use your words - a bit off. You linked to the archive's entire contents for Ultimate. That's not exact. Anyone can click on your link to confirm the veracity of my statement, so I don't see any point in debating this further...
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:42 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

So no evidence, then. If you do believe you have evidence, please cite it. Vague "I-seem-to-recall-an-article" statements don't cut it. And to link to literally every single Ultimate article, review and advert as a source is - let's keep this polite - a bit off. For contrary evidence, see ...
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 6:07 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

This whole, increasingly tedious, discussion about legal details we know very little about illustrates precisely why the legal-entity route is just opening a can of worms.
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:57 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

Branding the game Durell throughout (and not Elite) is exactly what a branded release looks like. As for your claims about legal distictions, do you have any reliable sources to support your assertions? As far as I understand it, Ultimate sold the rights to their games to US Gold, then reacquired th...
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

It's not consistent because it's a different situation. US Gold took over the running of the Ultimate brand like Ocean bought the Imagine label. Elite did not take over Durell and run it as a label, Durell simply sold the rights to their games to them and Elite published them. Elite did operate Dur...
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:56 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

Chain Reaction's cover has Elite's address on it and (C) Elite Systems on it. It wasn't published by Durell Software of Somerset, who continue to exist to his day. Chain Reaction's cover does not, unless I am mistaken, mention Elite at all. It does carry an address, but without naming the company t...
by Rorthron
Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:48 pm
Forum: ZXDB Fixes
Topic: Chain Reaction - Durrell or Elite as publisher?
Replies: 85
Views: 1129

Re: Little bugs in the database 6

It may be, but if the legal owner is one that denies distribution like Elite Systems, then these details need to be 100% accurate rather than "intuitive". Are you willing to undertake the necessary research to amend all the database entries on this basis? How will you handle situations wh...