Denton Designs

Denton Designs was founded in September 1984 by six former Imagine staff: Steve Cain, Ian Weatherburn, Ally Noble, John Gibson, Karen Davies and Graham "Kenny" Everett.^[2][3] The company's goal is to mainly credit the developer, but not the names, as its intention was to be secretive.^[4]

The company initially came with funding from Ocean Software, where the company invested in developing games for the top computers at that time.^[5][6] The first game was the highly successful Gift from the Gods for the ZX Spectrum.^[7] The success persuaded Denton to develop a game based on Frankie Goes to Hollywood for Ocean Software, based on leftovers from the unfinished Bandersnatch.^[8]

The success led additional contract work with Beyond Software, which developed Shadowfire to critical acclaim, and became a breakout title to critical acclaim.^[9]

When Denton Designs was contracted to develop Shadowfire, Ian Weatherburn became disillusioned with the fact that the company was no longer operating as it had when they had been part of Imagine, and on issuing an ultimatum was sacked by the rest of the directors due to the concerns of the no credits policy. He subsequently joined Ocean.^[3]

In March 1986, the company split, with founders Cain, Davies, Everett and Gibson leaving. Of the original founders, only Ally Noble remained.^[10] Of other members, Steve Cain and Ian Weatherburn formed Canvas Software, which could credit the developers, Everett worked for Firebird, and John Gibson worked as a freelancer, and some employees later formed the developer Frames.^[11][12]

In December 1995, Denton Designs was acquired by Rage Software.^[13]