Special K Software

Special K Software Pty Ltd is a computer game
developer and publisher based in Melbourne, Australia,
established in 1992.
History
Special K Software was established as an independent software development company in 1992. The company has no relationship with Kellogg's Special K breakfast cereal.
After creating its first commercial game of the card game of 500 (a game most commonly played in the USA, Canada, and is the national game of Australia), the decision was taken to also become a distribution company by releasing the game as Shareware.
With the commercial success of this game, further non-game applications were developed and released - (TSR-in-Basic, Screen Saver Creator, Secure).
The new non-game releases did not have the commercial success of the earlier card game. This resulted in the decision to focus only on card games. This decision remained in force for 10 years until the release of Image in Focus in 2005.
The company became a public listed company with an over subscribed IPO in 2004. This injected much needed funds to allow the venture into non-game related software. Much future development was carried out in cooperation with the University of Melbourne.
As the company's start-up coincided with the creation of the World Wide Web, initial distribution was via submission to Computer Bulletin Boards, and computer swap meets, and distribution in localised shops. Following the creation and continual expansion of the WWW the distribution of Special K Software games increased exponentially. This funded the development of more advanced and sophisticated games. Special K Software is a foundation member of the Organization of Independent Software Vendors.
The most recent release is the German National card game of
Various third party companies were used to promote and distribute the games, Alberts Ambry, GetSoftware (before it went broke owing a considerable amount of money to Special K Software), and currently RegNow and Kagi.
As Operating Systems developed, the platform for the games and programs naturally evolved from DOS programs and Assembly Language drivers, to each version of Windows.
Key Personnel
The company was started by Garry and Rae McKay. They still manage it today, with minor personnel changes since its inception. Stability of management has been one of the factors for Special K Software's success.
Products
*Card Games
**500 DOS version (first release 1992)
**500 Windows 3.1 version (first release 1996)
**500 Windows 32 bit version (first release 1998)
**Bridge Card Game Windows 32 bit version (first release 1999)
**Euchre Card Game Windows 32 bit version (first release 1999)
**Rummy Card Game collection Windows 32 bit version (first release 2000)
**Canasta Card Game Windows 32 bit version (first release 2000)
**Whist Card Game Windows 32 bit version (first release 2002)
**Skat Card Game Windows 32 bit version (latest release in 2012)
*Applications
**TSR-in-Basic DOS version (first release 1993)
**Secure DOS version (first release 1995)
**MacProtect DOS version (first release 1995)
**Screen Saver Creator DOS version (first release 1994)
**Image in Focus Windows 32 bit version (first release 2005)
**Exposure Magic Windows 32 bit version (first release 2007)

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu