Ocean Software

Founded in Manchester in 1983 by David Ward and Jon Woods, Ocean Software became one of the most iconic British video game publishers of the 1980s and early ’90s. Known for its flashy blue logo and even flashier movie licenses, Ocean made its name by turning Hollywood blockbusters like RoboCop, Batman, The Untouchables and Jurassic Park into pixel adventures for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amiga and early consoles.

While many remember Ocean for its endless film tie-ins (some brilliant, others… less so), the company also produced genuine classics such as Head Over Heels and Wizball, proving its teams could craft original gems when not under tight deadlines. Ocean’s signature “Ocean Loader” — with its catchy chiptunes and loading screens — became a nostalgic soundtrack for an entire generation of home-computer gamers.

By the mid-’90s, however, the rise of 3D consoles and soaring development costs took their toll. In 1996, the company was acquired by Infogrames, marking the end of an era.