Difference between revisions of "RazorSoft"

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| founded=1984{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210116221417/https://www.inc.com/profile/razorsoft-international-inc-formerly-softw}}
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| defunct=1994{{ref|https://casetext.com/case/razorsoft-inc-v-maktal-inc}}{{ref|https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2476326/inventors-program-shifts-to-classroom}}
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| headquarters=7416 N. Broadway, Suite A, [[wikipedia:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma, 73116, United States{{magref|egrn|8|36}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210116221417/https://www.inc.com/profile/razorsoft-international-inc-formerly-softw}}
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{{sub-stub}}'''''RazorSoft Inc.''''' was a video game development and publishing company.
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{{stub}}'''RazorSoft, Inc.''' was an American toy manufacturer{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200310160719/https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-5592804/razorsoft-to-market-toys-developed-in-state}} and video game publisher, and one of the earliest third-party publishers for the North American [[Sega Genesis]].
  
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They were among the earliest licensees to produce games for the Genesis. However, Sega and RazorSoft soon got involved in a legal spat whose exact circumstances are still unclear.
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The majority of RazorSoft's releases were developed by their subsidiary [[Punk Development]].
  
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RazorSoft's first two games, ''Stormlord'' and ''Techno Cop'', were developed under license, but the cartridges were manufactured by RazorSoft itself. It is speculated that this displeased Sega, who usually made a good profit from this service, and this led them to rescind RazorSoft's license. In July 1991, RazorSoft sued, alleging that Sega's actions were a violation the Sherman Antitrust Act. Sega immediately countersued, alleging that RazorSoft had committed fraud, breach of contract, and unauthorized use of Sega's intellectual property. [https://newsok.com/article/2364929/video-game-makers-exchange-lawsuits][http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development]
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==Company==
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In 1991, the relationship between [[Punk Development]] was ended, and its founder [[Jeff Spangenberg]] started a new studio composed mostly of former Punk Development staff: [[Iguana Entertainment]].{{ref|http://www.nintendoplayer.com/unreleased/shooter/}}
  
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The two companies ended their lawsuits in a sealed settlement. RazorSoft's subsequent games for the Genesis were manufactured by Sega.[http://www.sega-16.com/2013/03/interview-kevin-seghetti/]
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===''RazorSoft v. Sega''===
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[[File:Stormlord US cartridge alt.png|thumb|360px|The self-manufactured [[Sega Genesis]] cartridge design that RazorSoft used for the game's United States release.]]
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{{MainArticle|RazorSoft v. Sega}}
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In 1991, disagreements between RazorSoft and [[Sega]] over the cost and order size of Sega's proprietary [[Sega Mega Drive]] cartridges{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}} led to ''Stormlord'' being released in a smaller run of self-manufactured cartridges (as opposed to purchasing them directly from [[Sega]], as contractually-obliged.){{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} While the company still paid full royalties to Sega{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}, their developer license was revoked in June 1991, and Sega refused to publish any of their future games. [[RazorSoft v. Sega|RazorSoft then sued Sega of America]] for breach of the Sherman Antitrust Act on July 22, 1991.
  
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Most of RazorSoft's games were developed by subsidiary Punk Development, located in Sunnyvale, CA. When RazorSoft ended this partnership in 1991, Punk's founder Jeff Spangenberg started a new studio, composed mostly of former Punk personnel: [[Iguana Entertainment]]. [http://www.nintendoplayer.com/unreleased/shooter/]
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===''Sega v. RazorSoft''===
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{{MainArticle|Sega v. RazorSoft}}
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Following RazorSoft's earlier lawsuit against the company, [[Sega v. RazorSoft|Sega then counter-sued both RazorSoft and Punk Development]] in August for copyright infringement and breach of contract.{{fileref|PhoenixtheFallandRiseofVideoGames Book US 3rd.pdf|page=153}}{{magref|gamepro|28|142}}{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
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The final outcome was settled out of court, with RazorSoft agreeing to purchase future cartridges from Sega, having their developer license restored, and Sega dropping the lawsuit.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}
  
 
==Softography==
 
==Softography==
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===[[Sega Master System|Master System]]===
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{{CompanyHistoryAll|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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*''[[Rampart]]'' (1993)
 
  
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===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
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==References==
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*''[[Stormlord]]'' (1990)
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<references />
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*''[[Techno Cop]]'' (1990)
 
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*''[[Slaughter Sport]]'' (1991)
 
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*''[[Jerry Glanville's Pigskin Footbrawl]]'' (1992)
 
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*''[[Death Duel]]'' (1992)
 

Latest revision as of 23:04, 7 March 2024

https://segaretro.org/images/0/02/RazorSoft_logo.png

RazorSoft logo.png
RazorSoft
Founded: 1984[1]
Defunct: 1994[2][3]
T-series code: T-56
Headquarters:
7416 N. Broadway, Suite A, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73116, United States[4][1]

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

RazorSoft, Inc. was an American toy manufacturer[5] and video game publisher, and one of the earliest third-party publishers for the North American Sega Genesis.

The majority of RazorSoft's releases were developed by their subsidiary Punk Development.

Company

In 1991, the relationship between Punk Development was ended, and its founder Jeff Spangenberg started a new studio composed mostly of former Punk Development staff: Iguana Entertainment.[6]

RazorSoft v. Sega

The self-manufactured Sega Genesis cartridge design that RazorSoft used for the game's United States release.
Main article: RazorSoft v. Sega.

In 1991, disagreements between RazorSoft and Sega over the cost and order size of Sega's proprietary Sega Mega Drive cartridges[7][8] led to Stormlord being released in a smaller run of self-manufactured cartridges (as opposed to purchasing them directly from Sega, as contractually-obliged.)[7][9] While the company still paid full royalties to Sega[7][8], their developer license was revoked in June 1991, and Sega refused to publish any of their future games. RazorSoft then sued Sega of America for breach of the Sherman Antitrust Act on July 22, 1991.

Sega v. RazorSoft

Main article: Sega v. RazorSoft.

Following RazorSoft's earlier lawsuit against the company, Sega then counter-sued both RazorSoft and Punk Development in August for copyright infringement and breach of contract.[10][11][9]

The final outcome was settled out of court, with RazorSoft agreeing to purchase future cartridges from Sega, having their developer license restored, and Sega dropping the lawsuit.[7]

Softography

Mega Drive

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.inc.com/profile/razorsoft-international-inc-formerly-softw (Wayback Machine: 2021-01-16 22:14)
  2. ↑ https://casetext.com/case/razorsoft-inc-v-maktal-inc
  3. ↑ https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2476326/inventors-program-shifts-to-classroom
  4. ↑ Electronic Gaming Retail News, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 36
  5. ↑ https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-5592804/razorsoft-to-market-toys-developed-in-state (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-10 16:07)
  6. ↑ http://www.nintendoplayer.com/unreleased/shooter/
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-08 05:24)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development
  10. ↑ File:PhoenixtheFallandRiseofVideoGames Book US 3rd.pdf, page 153
  11. ↑ GamePro, "November 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 142
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