Beam Software

Background

Beam Software was originally a subsidiary of Melbourne House (MH), both founded in 1977 by Naomi Beson and Alfred Milgrom. After MH was sold to Mastertronic in 1987, Beam operated independently. Interestingly, they purchased back the Melbourne House brand from Virgin Interactive in 1996 and used it as a distributor for some of their releases. In 2000, Beam changed its name to "Blaze International" and left the gaming market for good. The Melbourne House division was sold to Infogrames a year before.

1st Logo (1991-1995)

Logo: A custom "B" appears with a yellow-orange gradient lightning bolt sign attached over it. The rest of the name ("eam Software") in a script-like font, is being written by a quill (a feather-like pen), with a curved line below finishing the drawing.

Variants:

On NES games, a simpler variant was used, with orange text on a black background.
On the Genesis version of George Foreman's KO Boxing, the words "A" and "PRODUCTION" are seen above and below the logo respectively. Plus, the quill has a red-yellow coloring.
On some Game Gear games such as True Lies and MLBPA Baseball, the quill is seen still with the completed logo.
On True Lies for the Sega Genesis, the animation is sped-up.

Technique: The text drawing.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Common on many games during the era, particularly for SNES. The black background version is seen on Bo Jackson Baseball and Nightshade for NES.

2nd Logo (October 1994)

Logo: On a blue gradient background, the words "BEAM Software" are seen with shadows.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: This placeholder logo can be seen on Radical Rex for Sega CD.

3rd Logo (1994)

Logo: We see the word "BEAM" covered with white sparks, with a hand-written "Software" below. A kangaroo comes in and jumps over the logo.

Technique: Only the kangaroo moving.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Only seen on International Cricket for SNES.

4th Logo (1995-1996)

Logo: Two light spots enter the screen and start to swing around. The word "Software" comes in and heads to the center, while the light spots reveal "BEAM" and stop. One stops over the customly made "B", (with a yellow-orange gradient lightning bolt on it), the other under the "M". Some static motion is seen over "BEAM".

Variant: There is a still version used on Bug!, with no light spots.

Technique: All the animation on the screen, not bad.

Music/Sounds: A specially made soundtrack theme.

Availability: Seen on The Dame Was Loaded.

5th Logo (February 27, 1997-July 21, 1998)

Logo: We move through some constructions over a blue surface. As we proceed, the letters of "BEAM" can be recognized below. The construction rotates and stands still to reveal the Beam logo on a complicated background, with motion shadows over it.

Variant: There is a shortened version.

Technique: The panning, the construction rotating.

Music/Sounds: A soundtrack similar to the one used in the previous logo, with two synth splashes as the letters emerge, that later repeat.

Availability: Seen on Alien Earth and Norse by Norsewest: The Return of the Lost Vikings. Also appears on Caesar's Palace for PS.