Trichome

CRL Group PLC
FormerlyComputer Rentals Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
FoundedApril 29, 1982; 41 years ago (1982-04-29)
FounderClement Chambers
Defunct1989 (1989)
FateDissolved
Headquarters9 King's Yard, Carpenters Road,
London E15 2HD
,
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Ian Ellery
ProductsTau Ceti, Academy

CRL Group plc was a British video game development and publishing company. Originally CRL stood for "Computer Rentals Limited".[1] It was based in King's Yard, London and run by Clem Chambers.[2]

They released a number of notable adventure games based on horror stories. Dracula and Frankenstein were rated 15 certificate by the British Board of Film Censors for their graphics depicting bloody scenes; Dracula was the first game to be rated by the BBFC.[3] Jack the Ripper was the first game to receive an 18 certificate, Wolfman also gained an 18 certificate.[4]

CRL-published games that achieved critical success include Tau Ceti and Academy.

The 1984 game of the series Terrahawks was one of the first video games based on a TV show.[5]

Games[edit]

1982[edit]

  • Rescue

1983[edit]

  • 3D Desert Patrol
  • Alien Maze
  • Bomber
  • Caveman
  • Crawler
  • Derby Day
  • Draughts
  • Escape from Manhattan
  • Galactic Patrol
  • Grand National
  • Jackpot
  • Lunar Rescue
  • One Day Cricket
  • Pandemonia
  • Test Match
  • The Omega Run
  • The Orb
  • Space Mission
  • Zaraks

1984[edit]

  • £.s.d.
  • Ahhh!!
  • Cricket 64
  • Glug Glug
  • Handicap Golf
  • Handy Andy
  • Incredible Adventure
  • Olympics
  • Orpheus in the Underworld
  • Show Jumping
  • Terrahawks[6]
  • The Great Detective
  • The Magic Roundabout
  • Tritz
  • Whirlybird
  • The War of the Worlds
  • The Warlock's Treasure
  • The Woods of Winter

1985[edit]

1986[edit]

1987[edit]

1988[edit]

1989[edit]

1990[edit]

  • Hellhole


Unreleased[edit]

  • Enchantress[8]
  • Spearhead[9]
  • The Blues Brothers[10]
  • The Malinsay Massacre[11]

Software[edit]

  • Fifth (1983)[12]
  • Stargazer Secrets (1983)
  • Highway Code (1984)[13]
  • 3D Game Maker (1987)
  • 2D Game Maker (1988)
  • Hi-Rise Scaffold Construction Set (Unreleased)

Platforms[edit]

Notes[edit]

1 Hercules was originally released in 1984 by Interdisc
2 Bored of the Rings and Robin of Sherlock were originally released in 1985 by Delta 4
3 Federation was originally released as Quann Tulla in 1985 by 8th Day Software
4 International Soccer was originally only released on cartridge in 1983 by Commodore International[14][15]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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