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Argonaut Games PLC

1980:

• Argonaut Software founded by teenager Jez San as software consultancy.

1984:

• The company develops it's first game Skyline Attack for the Commodore 64.

1986:

• Argonaut lands its first hit with a sixteen-bit title – StarGlider , which was written for the Commodore 64. The title's success financed Argonaut's expansion and is said to be the first popular 3D computer game.

1993:

• Argonaut develops the Super FX chip, a 3D graphics accelerator for the Super Nintendo. It becomes a best selling 3D RISC processor. Argonaut develops three games incorporating the technology. One, Starfox becomes one of the best selling games of all time with over 4 million units sold.

1996:

• Outside management and investment begins a period of intensive growth. Argonaut releases Brender, a 3D multiplatform API. Charles Rendell (formerly of KPMG and Sega) joins as Financial Director.

1997:

• Keith Robinson (formerly of Rage plc) joins as Development Director. Argonaut moves into new offices in Edgware.

1998:

• Argonaut buys key development assets from Cranberry Source. Employees reaches over 100.

1999:

• Argonaut Technologies and Argonaut Software split into 2 separate companies.

2000:

• Argonaut Games plc goes public and is floated on the London Stock Exchange.

Oct 23, 2000:

• Argonaut acquires Just Add Monsters, a start-up games development company .

Sep, 2001:

• Argonaut fully acquires LTStudios Ltd.

Jan 17, 2002:

• The company acquires development studio Particle Systems in a deal worth around £ 4.1 million and renames it Argonaut Sheffield.

May, 2004:

• Due to financial difficulties, LTStudios Ltd. is closed down.

Oct 15, 2004:

• Due to financial troubles, Argonaut's stock trade in London is halted.

Oct 22, 2004:

• Argonaut fires the entire staff (nearly 40 people) of its subsidiary Argonaut Sheffield and closed it down.

Oct 25, 2004:

• Argonaut fires about a hundred employees and the company is put up for sale.

Nov 01, 2004:

• After selling Particle Systems, Argonaut closes its last development studios: Edgware