Difference between revisions of "K-Byte"
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| − | '''K-Byte''' was a developer of computer software and video games and manufacturer of electronic parts. | + | '''K-Byte''' was a developer of computer software and video games and contract manufacturer of electronic parts. Originally based in Troy, Michigan, it was a division of Kay Enterprises Co. (owned by Koltanbar Engineering) before being sold to Patrick J. Flynn in 1983. |
| − | K-Byte | + | The first half of the 1980s brought growth and deals with the likes of CBS and Atari. A manufacturing plant was opened in Gaylord, Michigan. |
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| + | Unfortunately, nonpayment by some customers led to K-Byte filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Tampa, Florida-based Reptron Electronics acquired the company later that year. [http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2007-05-23/kimball-electronics_24052235] Reptron eventually decided to close the original K-Byte offices in Troy, Michigan, [http://www.kopyrite.com/history.htm] but the original manufacturing plant in Gaylord, Michigan, remained open until after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics in 2007. [http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2007-05-23/kimball-electronics_24052235] | ||
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| + | Under Reptron, the K-Byte Manufacturing division grew to include plants in Tampa and Hibbing, Minnesota, in addition to the Gaylord operation. The Gaylord and Hibbing plants closed in 2007 after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics. | ||
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| + | *<small>Associated Press. "Hibbing electronics firm to be shuttered." ''StarTribune'' 27 Oct. 2007. Web. [http://www.startribune.com/business/11226416.html]</small> | ||
| + | *<small>Bloomberg Businessweek. "Patrick Flynn: Executive Profile & Biography - BusinessWeek." ''Bloomberg Businessweek''. Bloomberg Businessweek, 2011. Web. <[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=334403&ticker=CMG:US&previousCapId=26446&previousTitle=CHIPOTLE%20MEXICAN%20GRILL%20INC http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=334403&ticker=CMG:US&previousCapId=26446&previousTitle=CHIPOTLE%20MEXICAN%20GRILL%20INC]>. | ||
| + | *<small>"Kimball Electronic’s official announcement, Plant History." ''Gaylord Harold News'' 23 May 2007. ''Petsokey News''. Web. [http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2007-05-23/kimball-electronics_24052235] | ||
| + | *<small>Kopy-Rite. "History of KOPY-RITE software manufacturing, from diskette and tape duplication to CD, CD/R and DVD, DVD/R Replication, Duplication." ''Kopy-Rite''. Kopy-Rite, 2002. Web. <[http://www.kopyrite.com/history.htm http://www.kopyrite.com/history.htm]>.</small> | ||
| + | *<small>Markoff, John. "Two corporate giants jump into software publishing." ''InfoWorld'' 1 Nov. 1982: 1+. ''Google Books''. Web. [http://books.google.com/books?id=EzAEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover]</small> | ||
| + | *<small>"Space Game For Atari." ''Compute!'' January 1983: 225. ''Classic Computer Magazine Archive''. Web. [http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue32/124_2_NEWS_PRODUCTS_SPACE_GAME_FOR_ATARI.php]</small> | ||
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff | '''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff | ||
Revision as of 13:38, 31 August 2011
K-Byte was a developer of computer software and video games and contract manufacturer of electronic parts. Originally based in Troy, Michigan, it was a division of Kay Enterprises Co. (owned by Koltanbar Engineering) before being sold to Patrick J. Flynn in 1983.
The first half of the 1980s brought growth and deals with the likes of CBS and Atari. A manufacturing plant was opened in Gaylord, Michigan.
Unfortunately, nonpayment by some customers led to K-Byte filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Tampa, Florida-based Reptron Electronics acquired the company later that year. [1] Reptron eventually decided to close the original K-Byte offices in Troy, Michigan, [2] but the original manufacturing plant in Gaylord, Michigan, remained open until after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics in 2007. [3]
Under Reptron, the K-Byte Manufacturing division grew to include plants in Tampa and Hibbing, Minnesota, in addition to the Gaylord operation. The Gaylord and Hibbing plants closed in 2007 after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics.
- Associated Press. "Hibbing electronics firm to be shuttered." StarTribune 27 Oct. 2007. Web. [4]
- Bloomberg Businessweek. "Patrick Flynn: Executive Profile & Biography - BusinessWeek." Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg Businessweek, 2011. Web. <http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=334403&ticker=CMG:US&previousCapId=26446&previousTitle=CHIPOTLE%20MEXICAN%20GRILL%20INC>.
- "Kimball Electronic’s official announcement, Plant History." Gaylord Harold News 23 May 2007. Petsokey News. Web. [5]
- Kopy-Rite. "History of KOPY-RITE software manufacturing, from diskette and tape duplication to CD, CD/R and DVD, DVD/R Replication, Duplication." Kopy-Rite. Kopy-Rite, 2002. Web. <http://www.kopyrite.com/history.htm>.
- Markoff, John. "Two corporate giants jump into software publishing." InfoWorld 1 Nov. 1982: 1+. Google Books. Web. [6]
- "Space Game For Atari." Compute! January 1983: 225. Classic Computer Magazine Archive. Web. [7]
Research Methods: Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff
5200
- K-Razy Shootout (US Publisher: CBS Electronics)
- Mountain King (US Publisher: CBS Electronics)
Adam
- Best of Electronic Arts, The (unreleased?) (Coleco)
Apple II
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Science Literacy: Lio Project (US Publisher: Looking Glass Learning Products)
- Science Literacy: Lortep Project (US Publisher: Looking Glass Learning Products)
- Street Sports Soccer (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Summer Games II (US Publisher: Epyx)
Atari 8-bit
- Barnyard Blaster (US Publisher: Atari Corp.)
- Boulders and Bombs (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (unreleased)
- K-Klimber (unreleased)
- K-Razy Antiks (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- K-Razy Kritters (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software)
- K-Razy Shootout (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software)
- K-Star Patrol (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Math Mileage (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Mountain King (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Satan's Hollow (US Publisher: CBS Software)
Commodore 64
- 4x4 Off-Road Racing (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Game Design, Theme: Ogdon Micro Design
- Ballblazer (US Publisher: Epyx; UK Publisher: Activision)
- Crystal Castles: Diamond Plateaus in Space (EU Publisher: US Gold)
- Donkey Kong (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
- Math Mileage (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Missile Command (unreleased) (Atarisoft)
- Mountain King (US Publisher: Beyond)
- Sporting News Baseball, The (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design
- Street Sports Football (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design
- Street Sports Soccer (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
- Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design
- Track & Field (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
- World Games (programming, music) (US Publisher: Epyx)
IBM PC
- Ballblazer (unreleased) (Epyx)
- Koronis Rift (unreleased) (Epyx)
- Murder on the Zinderneuf (US Publisher: Electronic Arts)
- M.U.L.E. (unreleased) (Electronic Arts)
TI-99/4A
- Donkey Kong (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
- Moon Patrol (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
- Ms. Pac-Man (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
- Pac-Man (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
Unknown
- APBA Baseball
- Pole Position (Atarisoft)
VIC-20
- K-Razy Antiks (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- K-Razy Shootout (unreleased) (CBS Software?)
- K-Star Patrol (US Publisher: CBS Software)
- Mountain King (US Publisher: Beyond)
Links
Former video game-related K-Byte staff:
- Greg Broniak
- Jack Chaney
- Douglas Craig
- Brent DeGraff
- Lynn Hock
- Gary LaPointe
- Douglas Matson
- Ed Schoenberg
- Steve Thomas
- Jeff Webb
