Datasoft
(also written as DataSoft) was a software developer and publisher for home computers founded in 1980 by Pat Ketchum and based out of Chatsworth, California. Datasoft primarily published video games, including ports of arcade video games, games based on licenses from movies and TV shows, and original games. Like competitor Synapse Software, they also published other software: development tools, word processors, and utilities.
Also recorded as Datasoft, Inc.
Datasoft
- Name
- Datasoft
- Founded
- Datasoft was established or created in 1980.
- Headquarters
- Chatsworth.
- Activity
- video game industry.
- Dissolved
- Datasoft was dissolved or ceased in 1988.
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Documentary summary
(also written as DataSoft) was a software developer and publisher for home computers founded in 1980 by Pat Ketchum and based out of Chatsworth, California. Datasoft primarily published video games, including ports of arcade video games, games based on licenses from movies and TV shows, and original games. Like competitor Synapse Software, they also published other software: development tools, word processors, and utilities.
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wikidata · Q1172285
In this article
Overview
Overview
Text Wizard, written by William Robinson and published by Datasoft when he was 16, was the basis for AtariWriter. Datasoft initially targeted the Atari 8-bit computers, Apple II, and TRS-80 Color Computer, then later the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Atari ST, and Amiga. Starting in 1983, a line of lower cost games was published under the label Gentry Software. Datasoft went into bankruptcy, and its name and assets were purchased by two Datasoft executives, Samuel L. Poole and Ted Hoffman. They renamed the company IntelliCreations and distributed Datasoft games until it closed.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Datasoft • Founded — June 12, 1980 • Founder — Pat Ketchum • Hq Location City — Chatsworth, California • Hq Location Country — US • Industry — Video games Productivity software
Games
Games
• 1982 • Canyon Climber • Clowns and Balloons • Dung Beetles • Pacific Coast Highway • Shooting Arcade • The Sands of Egypt • 1983 • Genesis • Juno First, arcade port • Moon Shuttle, arcade port • Nibbler, arcade port • O'Riley's Mine • Pooyan, arcade port • Zaxxon, arcade port • 1984 • Conan • Bruce Lee • Lost Tomb, arcade port • The Dallas Quest • Mancopter • Mr. Do!, arcade port • Pac-Man, arcade port • Pole Position, arcade port • 1985 • Alternate Reality: The City • The Goonies • Tomahawk • Zorro • 1986 • Crosscheck • Mercenary • Mind Pursuit • 1987 • 221B Baker Street • Alternate Reality: The Dungeon • Bismarck • Black Magic • Dark Lord • Force 7 • Gunslinger • Saracen • Napoleon in Russia: Borodino 1812 (MS-DOS) • 1988 • Terramex
Games under the Gentry Software label
Games under the Gentry Software label
• Leap'in Lizards! (1983) • Magneto Bugs (1983) • Maniac Miner (1983) • Maxwell's Demon / Memory Mania (1983) • Rosen's Brigade (1983) • Sea Bandit (1983) • Spiderquake (1983) • Starbase Fighter (1983) • Target Practice (1983)
Education
Education
• Bishop's Square / Maxwell's Demon (1982)
Other software
Other software
• Micro-Painter (1982)
Institutional history
Dated record
Institutional history
Explore 1980–1988
The full dated record · 5 entries
1980
Datasoft established.
1980
Datasoft is recorded from 1980.
1980
Datasoft was established or created on 12 June 1980.
1988
Datasoft ceased.
1988
Datasoft was dissolved or ceased in 1988.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
United States.
Country
Datasoft is associated with United States.
Country
Word processing
• Text Wizard (1981) • Spell Wizard (1982) • Letter Wizard (1984)
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
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References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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