Which old PC Game Developer would you bring back?

[CeeKay]

and why?

For me I'd pick Origin Systems from back in their heyday, before they sold themselves to EA.  Why?  well, Ultima plays a big part in that reason, but alot of their other games do as well.  I would have loved to see another Crusader game, and updated version of their Autoduel and even another Moebius/Windwalker game.  Looking Glass would be the runner up, just to see where they could go after Thief 2 and System Shock 2.

[Purge]

You left out Wing Commander.

[Clay]

Microprose. My favorite old school "debeloper."

[Giles Habibula]

  Looking Glass ..., just to see where they could go after Thief 2 and System Shock 2.

Definitely.

[Purge]

I was pretty happy with LucasArts games that didn't involve Star or Wars, but I think they're still around. I'd have to say that Origin is it for me. Bullfrog would be next, followed by Westwood studios.

[ANZAC]

I certainly agree with Origin and Bullfrog, loved their games, but since they already got picked I'll go with......

The Bitmap Brothers put out a really fun game with Chaos Engine and David Braben's Frontier, Elite 2 , has never had it's
equal for the type of game it is.

Often wondered what they could turn out with todays pc power.

[kronovan]

  Looking Glass ..., just to see where they could go after Thief 2 and System Shock 2.

Definitely.

For sure Looking Glass, but not just for new Thief and System Shock games; although I'd definitely be thrilled with either of those. But also because I'd really like to do see what they could have done with Flight Unlimited 4.

[Daehawk]

and why?

For me I'd pick Origin Systems from back in their heyday, before they sold themselves to EA.  Why?  well, Ultima plays a big part in that reason, but alot of their other games do as well.  I would have loved to see another Crusader game, and updated version of their Autoduel and even another Moebius/Windwalker game.  Looking Glass would be the runner up, just to see where they could go after Thief 2 and System Shock 2.

Exactly my choices. As a 3rd Id say Simtex so they could make a proper Master of Orion.

[Azhag]

Probably Microprose... so many good games. Sure Sid is around making similar games, but I could do with a Masters of Magic re-make! Other than that, Origin for Wing Commander.

[Freezer-TPF-]

Sir-Tech.  I want Wizardry IX, X, etc.

[cheeba]

Bullfrog for a Dungeon Keeper 3 or Volition for Freespace 3. Or is it Interplay? Interplay was the publisher and Volition the developer right? Either way you get the idea .

Or maybe I'd bring Bioware back into a PC developer again .

[Jimmy the Fish]

I'd bring back SSI, prolific developer of computer wargames and the Gold Box Dungeons and Dragons games. SSI games were complex, detailed and a ton of fun.

[Destructor]

As much as I loved what Looking Glass put out (along with Microprose/Simtex, the older Lucasarts, Bullfrog, Interplay, and SSI), I'm gonna have to say Origin. Between the Wing Commanders, the Ultimas, and the others like Crusader: No Remorse, I think I spent more time with that developer growing up than any other.

But the ultimate decision would be SO hard to make. So many classic titles out there...

[Daehawk]

I'd also like to bring back Black Isle Studios.

[Huw the Poo]

Possibly Particle Systems.  SSI is a good one too.  But ultimately I think it'd be Microprose for me as well, so many fantastic games.

[marcusjm]

None, I don't believe in bad re-runs.

Nevertheless, I would like to see a new studio using talent from Sim-Tex to create the next generation
strategy games.

Btw. Obsidian is basically Black Isle.

[The Rocketman]

Sierra!
For all those police quests, space quests, kings quests and larry's! (But not whith that fancy mouse-system, but the real type-your-actions-gameplay. Oh, how many 'look room's can a young boy type in his life...)

[warning]

Debeloper?

I'd bring back Looking Glass.  Loved their stuff.

[Fellow]

I'm also going to go with Origin. They easily were one of the top gaming pioneers of their day, and the singular reason anyone would ever upgrade his/her (most likely his) PC. And, they catered both to the Fantasy and Sci-fi nut with excellence. I wonder where they'd be, were they still around?

Second place definitely goes to Bullfrog. Some serious innovation in that house.

[wonderpug]

Sierra!
For all those police quests, space quests, kings quests and larry's! (But not whith that fancy mouse-system, but the real type-your-actions-gameplay. Oh, how many 'look room's can a young boy type in his life...)

"Open door" was my favorite phrase to type when I was learning how to touch type, since it was by far the fastest thing I could input after all my Sierra training.

A lot of good nominations in the thread, but I'd have to put my vote in for Sierra as well.

[Farscry]

Sir-Tech.  I want Wizardry IX, X, etc.

Yes. I really miss them.

My second choice would be Black Isle.

[CeeKay]

Debeloper?

sorry, I have a cold.

[Bullwinkle]

This thread makes me feel old.

All of these great debelopers gone.  God, there were some good games.

Origin, Bullfrog, Looking Glass...I think I had to upgrade my PC for something every one of them put out.  I especially remember wondering what the hell a "pentium" was, but knowing I had to have it for Magic Carpet.  Imagine my utter dismay to find out I had to get a whole new PC.

I loved old Sierra stuff, too.  Microprose was great, but most of their stuff was too sim or strategy for me (though I'd still by all of them).

I'd add Westwood Studios into that mix, too.  Not so much for C&C as Legends of Kyrandia and Lands of Lore (and a little bit Blade Runner).  And, though they're not technically dead, I miss the old Interplay, too, though maybe more as a publisher.  Descent, MDK, Stonekeep, Carmageddon, Castles, Star Trek 25th Anniversary...  Hell, I'll just say I miss Infocom, too.

There was something about the boxes for all these games that was appealing.  They were branded (I can still picture that red, fading Microprose logo), which was smart marketing, yes, but it also let you know what to expect, and it got you excited.

EDIT TO ADD: I just went on an hour long trip down memory lane.  Mostly it was because I couldn't remember the name of an action/adventure horror game that I loved and who published it.  I finally tracked it down and again it was from Interplay: Realms of the Haunting.

[Daehawk]

the more I read this thread the more companies I remember and why. Ill also add interplay for so many reasons and toss out Dynamix because I miss their sims..everything from Earthsiege to the Aces Over series of flight sims.

[Ironrod]

Microprose published most of my favorite games back in the day.

I greatly enjoyed all of the SSI gold box games.

EA had some classics, too, before they went Borg. Starflight, Archon, Seven Cities of Gold....

Together, I think those three companies siphoned all the leisure time from my 30s.

[Huw the Poo]

[baelthazar]

and why?

For me I'd pick Origin Systems from back in their heyday, before they sold themselves to EA.  Why?  well, Ultima plays a big part in that reason, but alot of their other games do as well.  I would have loved to see another Crusader game, and updated version of their Autoduel and even another Moebius/Windwalker game.  Looking Glass would be the runner up, just to see where they could go after Thief 2 and System Shock 2.

I don't need to answer as this as you already answered for me. 

[hitbyambulance]

i would very much like to revert the current EA back into the "pre-Madden" Electronic Arts - say, way back to around 1985 or so. of course, they would probably have to declare Chapter 7 after releasing three titles and would then be immediately purchased by Activision-Blizzard..

[Qantaga]

EDIT TO ADD: I just went on an hour long trip down memory lane.  Mostly it was because I couldn't remember the name of an action/adventure horror game that I loved and who published it.  I finally tracked it down and again it was from Interplay: Realms of the Haunting.

   
Realms of the Haunting was great. I loved that game, too.
   
The developer I would bring back is New World Computing. I would love another classic Might and Magic game. There is no telling how many hundreds of hours I put into the various M&M games and in HoMM II and III.
   
While they went out with a whimper after having to rush out M&M IX and HoMM IV, when they were in their heyday, their games were classic.

[Daehawk]

If New World Computing came back Id want a new Planet's Edge and HoMM

[sgoldj]

Cinemaware --  I loved the Amiga versions of their games.  I am the guy who bought the New Defender of the Crown game, but I think they missed out in the last incarnation.  Keep the minigame/board game aspect and do the controls for the Wii!!


Rocket Ranger with motion controls!!

[Rubyeye]

I have to back Origin as well.  Except for Wing Commander: Armada (it was poo!), they always put out great games.  I am pretty sure I have played them all and was never hesitant to purchase anything from them.  I never got far into Bioforge and regret it as now I don't have the disk, nor do I want to take the time to fiddle with DOSBox.  An Origin Compilation package allowing everything to run in VISTA/XP would rule.  I'd pay top dollar.

[Purge]

I miss the Need For Speeds of yesteryear, so I could go for a rewind of EA (sans them eating up my other fav's).

Apparently the cost of floppy disks killed Origin.

[Lordnine]

Another vote for Looking Glass. 

[Havoc76]

I love all of those mentioned so far...but far and away my choice would be Dynamix. Red Baron, Aces of the Pacific, The Incredible Machine, Betryal at Krondor, Front Page Sports Football, Baseball, and the basketball game we never got to see.

[Aganazer]

All this thread has done is depress me. PC gaming has fallen so far from what it used to be. I know that some good games have come out recently, but compared to the games released from 1990 to 1999 it doesn't compare. Thief, System Shock, Ultima, Wing Commander, Tie Fighter, X-Com, MOO, MOM, etc.

[Purge]

EDIT TO ADD: I just went on an hour long trip down memory lane.  Mostly it was because I couldn't remember the name of an action/adventure horror game that I loved and who published it.  I finally tracked it down and again it was from Interplay: Realms of the Haunting.

   
Realms of the Haunting was great. I loved that game, too.
   
The developer I would bring back is New World Computing. I would love another classic Might and Magic game. There is no telling how many hundreds of hours I put into the various M&M games and in HoMM II and III.
   
While they went out with a whimper after having to rush out M&M IX and HoMM IV, when they were in their heyday, their games were classic.

M&M3, and loved the Xeen games.

[Daehawk]

I really would love a new Tie Fighter.