Games Publishers Endorse the Acorn Platform 

Acorn Computers has secured the backing of leading mainstream games 
publishers to increase the number of entertainment titles available on the 
Acorn platform.  In a related initiative, Acorn has announced that 
experienced ARM programmers will be available to help software houses port 
leading games titles to run on Acorn systems. 

Further underpinning Acorn's drive into the consumer market, software for 
Acorn computers will now be supplied to high street retailers by CentreSoft, 
a leading distributor and wholesaler of home entertainment software. 

The three-pronged attack, which was finalised at the end of July, will 
increase the number of games publishers offering titles on Acorn computers 
to include the mainstream publishers US Gold, Gremlin, Renegade, Ocean and 
Electronic Arts.  In addition, CentreSoft's relationship with leading high 
street multiples is expected to result in the early availability of Acorn 
titles in key retail outlets such as Virgin, Boots, John Menzies, John Lewis 
and W H Smith. 

Richard Percy, Consumer Sales and Marketing Manager at Acorn, comments: " We 
are strongly positioning Acorn as the choice for home 'edutainment' 
computing.  Acorn already has an impressive range of education software, but 
we recognise the need to balance this with a strong base of entertainment 
titles. 

"If Acorn is going to make its presence felt in the run up to Christmas, we 
need to get the leading, new games titles onto the Acorn platform at the 
same time as the PC and Amiga formats, and then get them into key retail 
outlets and high street multiples.  CentreSoft is the ideal partner to 
achieve this as they have strong relationships with both games publishers 
and the major retailers.  With this support and our own initiatives targeted 
at software houses, Acorn is set to make a serious impact on the home 
entertainment market." 

Bernadette Abbott, Director of the Personal Computer Division at Centresoft, 
adds: "The electronic home entertainment market is growing fast and there is 
enormous potential for Acorn to increase its market share significantly. 
CentreSoft has ten years experience of dealing with independent software 
publishers and supplying an expanding base of retail customers with games 
titles that sell.  This expertise, in conjunction with the innovative 
products Acorn is targeting at the youth market, will maximise Acorn's 
opportunities in the consumer arena." CentreSoft Limited is a leading 
specialist distributor and wholesaler of entertainment computer software, 
video games, accessories and low end business software applications.  While 
continuing to invest in its independent customer base, CentreSoft has also 
secured agreements to supply leading multiples such as Boots, John Menzies, 
WH Smith, Toys R Us and the Beatties Toy chain.  CentreSoft Limited is part 
of the CentreGold Group, which has sales of #55.1 million and an operating 
profit of #2.24 million in the 1991-2 financial year. 

Ends 

Notes to Editors: 

Founded in 1978, with 1992 revenues of #48.2m, Acorn Computers has become 
one of the UK's leading providers of personal computer products to the 
consumer and education sectors. The powerful and innovative consumer product 
range, made up of the Archimedes range of computers, is based on the RISC OS 
operating system and uses technology based on the ARM microchip. With over 
2,500 games, entertainment and business software titles available, the 
Archimedes provides the ideal solution for home computing. Acorn Computers 
Limited is part of the Acorn Computer Group plc, which went public on the 
USM in 1983.