Distinctive Software

Credits

Descriptions by
gshowguy and RSX-798

Captures by
EnormousRat, mr3rious and RSX-798

Editions by
RSX-798 and LMgamer36

Background

Distinctive Software Inc. was a video game development company that was originally formed in 1982 by Don Mattrick and Jeff Sember. In 1985, they persuaded a contract with Accolade, and later set up its porting subsidiary Unlimited Software Inc. to convert games. It was sold to Electronic Arts in 1991 and it was renamed to Electronic Arts Canada.

Logo (November 1988-1993)

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Visuals: On the bottom right, there is a white outlined box with a dark blue gradient background inside, and we see a blue gradient arrow that points to the direction in a circular formation. On the bottom right of the arrows is the word "DSI". Next to the box reads "DISTINCTIVE SOFTWARE INC." Game credits were shown on top of the logo.

Variants:

• The quality of the logo varies depending on platform.
• On games for Macintosh and Game Boy, the logo is in black and white.
• On most games, the rectangle pieces slide in that connect together and form the logo.
• Another animated version shows that the arrows draw and then spin around as it moves to the box, and then the text appears.
• On some games, like the C64, Amiga and DOS versions of Wings of Fury and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the letters read "USI" and the box next to it reads "UNLIMITED SOFTWARE INC." instead.
• On After Burner for DOS, the text was in red on the above variant.
• On 4D Sports Tennis if playing on VGA mode, and the SNES version of The Duel: Test Drive II, the ball spins around over the DSI logo.
• On the Genesis version of Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?, the arrow shines on the logo, and the text next to it was in one line and below it was a byline "A wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts."
• On the Apple II version of Dive Bomber, the text "VANCOUVER B.C." is shown below the logo.
• On some games, like the DOS version of Super C, CastleVania and Bart's House of Weirdness, the logo is on a different background, depending on the game.

Technique: Sprite-based graphics.

Audio: The opening theme of the game, or none.

Availability: Seen on many Distinctive Software games, like Grand Prix Circuit, The Duel: Test Drive II, The Cycles: International Grand Prix Racing, the NES version of Pipe Dream, Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge and the NES and Genesis versions of Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?, among others.

Distinctive Software

Electronic Arts Canada ►