Difference between revisions of "K-Byte"

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'''K-Byte''' was a software developer and contract manufacturer of electronic parts once based in Troy, Michigan. It was originally a division of Kay Enterprises Co. (owned by Koltanbar Engineering) until it was sold to Patrick J. Flynn in 1983.
+
'''K-Byte''' was a software developer and contract manufacturer of electronic parts once based in Troy, Michigan, with a manufacturing plant in Gaylord, Michigan. It was originally a division of Kay Enterprises Co. (owned by Koltanbar Engineering) until it was sold to Patrick J. Flynn in 1983.
  
The first half of the 1980s brought growth and deals with companies like CBS and Atari; a manufacturing plant opened in Gaylord, Michigan. Unfortunately, nonpayment by some customers led K-Byte to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Tampa, Florida-based Reptron Electronics acquired the company later that year and eventually closed the original K-Byte facility in Troy.
+
The first half of the 1980s brought growth and deals with companies like CBS and Atari. Unfortunately, nonpayment by some customers led K-Byte to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Tampa, Florida-based Reptron Electronics acquired the company later that year and eventually closed the original K-Byte facility in Troy.
  
 
Under Reptron, the K-Byte Manufacturing division (later folded into Reptron Manufacturing Services) grew to include plants in Tampa, Florida, and Hibbing, Minnesota. The Gaylord and Hibbing plants closed in 2007 after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics.
 
Under Reptron, the K-Byte Manufacturing division (later folded into Reptron Manufacturing Services) grew to include plants in Tampa, Florida, and Hibbing, Minnesota. The Gaylord and Hibbing plants closed in 2007 after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics.
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===Atari 8-bit===
 
===Atari 8-bit===
*''Barnyard Blaster'' (US Publisher: Atari Corp.)
+
*''Barnyard Blaster'' (US Publisher: Atari) [James Zalewski]
 
*''Boulders and Bombs'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
 
*''Boulders and Bombs'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
 
*''Jack and the Beanstalk'' (unreleased)
 
*''Jack and the Beanstalk'' (unreleased)
 
*''K-Klimber'' (unreleased) [Bob MacDowell]
 
*''K-Klimber'' (unreleased) [Bob MacDowell]
*''K-Razy Antiks'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Kenneth Otto, Merrilee Otto]
+
*''K-Razy Antiks'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Kenneth Otto, Merilee Otto]
 
*''K-Razy Kritters'' (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
 
*''K-Razy Kritters'' (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
 
*''K-Razy Shoot-Out'' (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Keith Dreyer, Torre Meeder, Chuck Miller]
 
*''K-Razy Shoot-Out'' (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Keith Dreyer, Torre Meeder, Chuck Miller]
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*''Math Mileage'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Marcia Burrows]
 
*''Math Mileage'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Marcia Burrows]
 
*''Mountain King'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Bob Matson]
 
*''Mountain King'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Bob Matson]
:<small>Not technically developed by K-Byte. Matson said he wrote the game for E.F. Dreyer, Inc., a company founded by Dr. Keith Dreyer and Torre Meeder. [http://atariage.com/forums/topic/187178-mountain-king-review-and-retrospective/?p=2362817] (Incidentally, E.F. Dreyer was Keith's father.)</small>
+
:<small>Not technically developed by K-Byte. Matson said he wrote the game for E.F. Dreyer, Inc., a company founded by Dr. Keith Dreyer and Torre Meeder. [https://atariage.com/forums/topic/187178-mountain-king-review-and-retrospective/?do=findComment&comment=2362817] (Incidentally, E.F. Dreyer was Keith's father.)</small>
 +
*''Peanut Butter Panic'' (US Publisher: CBS Software) [James Zalewski] [http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-peanut-butter-panic_3910.html]
 
*''Satan's Hollow'' (unreleased) (CBS Software) [Tom Sonday?]
 
*''Satan's Hollow'' (unreleased) (CBS Software) [Tom Sonday?]
  
 
===Commodore 64===
 
===Commodore 64===
 
*''4x4 Off-Road Racing'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
*''4x4 Off-Road Racing'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
:<small>Game Design, Theme: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
+
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 
*''Ballblazer'' (US Publisher: Epyx; UK Publisher: Activision)
 
*''Ballblazer'' (US Publisher: Epyx; UK Publisher: Activision)
 
*''Crystal Castles: Diamond Plateaus in Space'' (EU Publisher: US Gold)
 
*''Crystal Castles: Diamond Plateaus in Space'' (EU Publisher: US Gold)
*''Defender'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Joe Simko]
+
*''Defender'' (US Publisher: [[Atarisoft]]) [Joe Simko]
 
*''Dig Dug'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Mike Reno]
 
*''Dig Dug'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Mike Reno]
 
*''Donkey Kong'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Doug Dragin]
 
*''Donkey Kong'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Doug Dragin]
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*''Missile Command'' (unreleased) (Atarisoft) [Bob MacDowell]
 
*''Missile Command'' (unreleased) (Atarisoft) [Bob MacDowell]
 
*''Mountain King'' (US Publisher: Beyond) [Doug Dragin]
 
*''Mountain King'' (US Publisher: Beyond) [Doug Dragin]
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Pole Position'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Sesame Street Letter-Go-Round'' (US Publisher: CBS Software)</div>
 
*''The Sporting News Baseball'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
*''The Sporting News Baseball'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Street Sports Basketball'' (US Publisher: Epyx)</div>
 
*''Street Sports Football'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
*''Street Sports Football'' (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
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:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 
:<small>Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design</small>
 
*''Track & Field'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Joe Simko, Dan Danhof & Matt Decker]
 
*''Track & Field'' (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Joe Simko, Dan Danhof & Matt Decker]
 +
*<div style="color:red">''WarGames'' (US Publisher: Coleco)</div>
 
*''World Games'' (programming, music) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 
*''World Games'' (programming, music) (US Publisher: Epyx)
 +
 +
Games in red share a [http://vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=K-Byte_(C64_Driver) sound driver].
  
 
===IBM PC===
 
===IBM PC===
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==Links==
 
==Links==
*[http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107537 AtariAge thread]
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*[https://forums.atariage.com/topic/107537-k-byte/ AtariAge thread]
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140828205518/http://tomsonday.com/2009/08/16/from-howie/ Former K-Byte programmer Howard Scheer remembers colleague Tom Sonday]
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140828205518/http://tomsonday.com/2009/08/16/from-howie/ Former K-Byte programmer Howard Scheer remembers colleague Tom Sonday]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NL_iM3Cscg 1984 WXYZ-TV report on K-Byte]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NL_iM3Cscg 1984 WXYZ-TV report on K-Byte]
  
 
[[Category:Companies]]
 
[[Category:Companies]]

Latest revision as of 23:53, 8 November 2022

K-Byte was a software developer and contract manufacturer of electronic parts once based in Troy, Michigan, with a manufacturing plant in Gaylord, Michigan. It was originally a division of Kay Enterprises Co. (owned by Koltanbar Engineering) until it was sold to Patrick J. Flynn in 1983.

The first half of the 1980s brought growth and deals with companies like CBS and Atari. Unfortunately, nonpayment by some customers led K-Byte to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Tampa, Florida-based Reptron Electronics acquired the company later that year and eventually closed the original K-Byte facility in Troy.

Under Reptron, the K-Byte Manufacturing division (later folded into Reptron Manufacturing Services) grew to include plants in Tampa, Florida, and Hibbing, Minnesota. The Gaylord and Hibbing plants closed in 2007 after Reptron was purchased by Kimball Electronics.

Research Methods: Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff

5200

  • K-Razy Shoot-Out (US Publisher: CBS Electronics) [Dr. Keith Dreyer, Torre Meeder]
  • Mountain King (US Publisher: CBS Electronics) [Bob Matson]
Not technically developed by K-Byte. Matson said he wrote the game for E.F. Dreyer, Inc., a company founded by Dr. Keith Dreyer and Torre Meeder. [5] (Incidentally, E.F. Dreyer was Keith's father.)

Adam

  • The Best of Electronic Arts (unreleased?) (Coleco)

Apple II

  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
  • Science Literacy: The Lio Project (US Publisher: Looking Glass Learning Products) [Bob MacDowell]
  • Science Literacy: Lortep Project (US Publisher: Looking Glass Learning Products) [Bob MacDowell]
  • Street Sports Soccer (US Publisher: Epyx)
  • Summer Games II (US Publisher: Epyx)

Atari 8-bit

  • Barnyard Blaster (US Publisher: Atari) [James Zalewski]
  • Boulders and Bombs (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
  • Jack and the Beanstalk (unreleased)
  • K-Klimber (unreleased) [Bob MacDowell]
  • K-Razy Antiks (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Kenneth Otto, Merilee Otto]
  • K-Razy Kritters (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Torre Meeder, Dr. Keith Dreyer]
  • K-Razy Shoot-Out (US Publisher: K-Byte, CBS Software) [Keith Dreyer, Torre Meeder, Chuck Miller]
  • K-Star Patrol (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Dr. Keith Dreyer, Torre Meeder]
  • Math Mileage (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Marcia Burrows]
  • Mountain King (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Bob Matson]
Not technically developed by K-Byte. Matson said he wrote the game for E.F. Dreyer, Inc., a company founded by Dr. Keith Dreyer and Torre Meeder. [6] (Incidentally, E.F. Dreyer was Keith's father.)
  • Peanut Butter Panic (US Publisher: CBS Software) [James Zalewski] [7]
  • Satan's Hollow (unreleased) (CBS Software) [Tom Sonday?]

Commodore 64

  • 4x4 Off-Road Racing (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design
  • Ballblazer (US Publisher: Epyx; UK Publisher: Activision)
  • Crystal Castles: Diamond Plateaus in Space (EU Publisher: US Gold)
  • Defender (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Joe Simko]
  • Dig Dug (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Mike Reno]
  • Donkey Kong (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Doug Dragin]
  • Donkey Kong Jr. (unreleased) (Atarisoft) [Greg Broniak]
  • Math Mileage (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Doug Dragin]
  • Missile Command (unreleased) (Atarisoft) [Bob MacDowell]
  • Mountain King (US Publisher: Beyond) [Doug Dragin]
  • Pole Position (US Publisher: Atarisoft)
  • Sesame Street Letter-Go-Round (US Publisher: CBS Software)
  • The Sporting News Baseball (programming) (US Publisher: Epyx)
Game Design: Ogdon Micro Design
  • Street Sports Basketball (US Publisher: Epyx)
  • 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) [Joe Simko, Dan Danhof & Matt Decker]
  • WarGames (US Publisher: Coleco)
  • World Games (programming, music) (US Publisher: Epyx)

Games in red share a sound driver.

IBM PC

  • Ballblazer (unreleased) (Epyx)
  • Koronis Rift (unreleased) (Epyx)
  • Murder on the Zinderneuf (US Publisher: Electronic Arts)
  • M.U.L.E. (US Publisher: IBM)

TI-99/4A

  • Donkey Kong (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Douglas Craig, Howard Scheer]
  • Moon Patrol (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Douglas Craig]
  • Ms. Pac-Man (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Howard Scheer]
  • Pac-Man (US Publisher: Atarisoft) [Howard Scheer]

Unknown

  • APBA Major League Players Baseball
  • Pole Position (Atarisoft) [Tom Sonday?]

VIC-20

  • K-Razy Antiks (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Steve Adams]
  • K-Razy Shoot-Out (unreleased) (CBS Software?) [Bob MacDowell]
  • K-Star Patrol (US Publisher: CBS Software) [Jim Stolzenfeld]
  • Mountain King (US Publisher: Beyond) [Jim Stolzenfeld - programmer; Bob MacDowell - video design]

Links