# Krome Studios Melbourne

> former video game development studio

**Wikidata**: [Q2456686](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2456686)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_Software)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/krome-studios-melbourne

## Summary
Krome Studios Melbourne was an Australian video game development studio founded in 1977 and based in Melbourne. Originally known as Melbourne House, it was acquired by Infogrames and later operated as part of Krome Studios before dissolving in 2010.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1977 in London, later relocated to Melbourne, Australia
- Parent company was Infogrames (later Atari SA)
- Dissolved in 2010 after operating as Krome Studios Melbourne
- Notable for developing "The Hobbit" (1982), one of the earliest text adventure games
- Also developed games like "Bazooka Bill," "Rock'n Wrestle," and "Aaargh!"
- Operated under multiple names including Melbourne House, Beam Software, and Krome Studios Melbourne
- Specialized in video game development and publishing
- Had a legal form as a private company limited by shares

### Q: What was Krome Studios Melbourne known for?
A: Krome Studios Melbourne was best known for developing "The Hobbit" in 1982, one of the pioneering text adventure games that helped establish the studio's reputation in the early video game industry.

### Q: When did Krome Studios Melbourne operate?
A: The studio operated from 1977 until 2010, with various ownership changes including being acquired by Infogrames and later becoming part of Krome Studios.

### Q: Where was Krome Studios Melbourne located?
A: The studio was headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, though it was originally founded in London in 1977 before relocating.

## Why It Matters
Krome Studios Melbourne played a significant role in the evolution of the video game industry, particularly in Australia. As one of the early game development studios, it helped establish Melbourne as a hub for game development in the Southern Hemisphere. The studio's work on "The Hobbit" demonstrated the potential for interactive storytelling in games, influencing future adventure game design. Its various iterations under different names also reflect the consolidation trends in the gaming industry during the 1980s-2000s. The studio's contributions to both game development and publishing helped bridge the gap between European and Australian gaming markets, and its legacy continues to influence Australian game development culture.

## Notable For
- Developing "The Hobbit" (1982), a groundbreaking text adventure game
- Being one of Australia's earliest and most influential game development studios
- Successfully transitioning from text-based adventures to modern video games
- Operating under multiple successful brand identities (Melbourne House, Beam Software, Krome Studios Melbourne)
- Contributing to the establishment of Melbourne as a major Australian game development center

## Body
### Origins and Early Years
Krome Studios Melbourne traces its origins to 1977 when it was founded in London as Melbourne House. The studio quickly established itself in the emerging video game industry, focusing on both game development and publishing.

### Key Achievements
The studio's most significant achievement was "The Hobbit" (1982), a text adventure game that became a landmark title in the genre. This game demonstrated sophisticated natural language processing and interactive storytelling, setting new standards for adventure games.

### Corporate Evolution
The company underwent several transformations throughout its history:
- Originally Melbourne House (1977-1985)
- Became Beam Software Pty. Ltd. (1985-2006)
- Operated as Krome Studios Melbourne (2006-2010)

### Industry Impact
Krome Studios Melbourne contributed significantly to the Australian gaming industry by:
- Creating employment opportunities for local developers
- Establishing technical and creative standards for Australian game development
- Building relationships with international publishers and developers
- Maintaining a diverse portfolio across different game genres and platforms

### Notable Games
Beyond "The Hobbit," the studio developed numerous titles including:
- "Bazooka Bill" - an action game
- "Rock'n Wrestle" - a wrestling game
- "Aaargh!" - an arcade-style game
- Various titles in the "Hits!" series

### Technical Innovation
The studio was known for pushing technical boundaries, particularly in:
- Text adventure game design
- Early computer graphics
- Cross-platform development
- Game porting and localization

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Krome Studios Melbourne",
  "description": "Former Australian video game development studio founded in 1977 and dissolved in 2010",
  "url": "http://www.melbournehouse.com/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q612975",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_Software"
  ],
  "additionalType": "video game developer",
  "foundingDate": "1977",
  "dissolutionDate": "2010",
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Melbourne, Australia"
  },
  "parentOrganization": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Infogrames"
  }
}

## References

1. Krome Studios Melbourne. MobyGames
2. LastDodo
3. [Source](http://www.crashonline.org.uk/03/hobbit.htm?LMCL=e3M0BW)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. VideoGameGeek
6. MobyGames