Competition Pro, who was the creator back in 80s?

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 17:54

Hi,
need help:

I am trying to get some info about the Competition Pro and it's quite confusing .
It's a 1986 (correction,should be 1982/83) Joystick but who the hell did it?

Here says it was from Kempston:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kempston_Micro_Electronics
but also says:
This joystick was always actually produced by a company called Dynamics Marketing, which later became a subsidiary of Powerplay Ltd, a subsidiary of Delph Manufacturing Services (Delph Tool Co Ltd), the company that manufactured the Competition Pro range through its lifetime, and the same company which manufactured, and later also marketed the Zipstick joystick along with Cruiser and Sureshot products too.
Powerplay to this day continue to manufacture video game accessories under the brand of Competition Pro.

Dynamics Marketing + Powerplay Ltd + Delph Manufacturing Service
and in my joystick box it's Speedlink !! ....

What the hell ??

Here it's in germain, translation to English is not always that good
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_Pro

Anyone can help me?

DDNI · 14 March 2013, 18:26

Since 1982
http://www.ppg-online.co.uk/index.php/about/

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDNI

Since 1982
http://www.ppg-online.co.uk/index.php/about/

1982 ?

I said 1986 because the 25 year anniversary edition was posted in news in 2011.
so it would be 1986...
and i found that news in more then 5 websites all with 2011 as date.

Retroplay · 14 March 2013, 18:39

Suzo Trading Company (now Suzo-Happ):
http://www.richardlagendijk.nl/cip/j...etition_pro/en

DDNI · 14 March 2013, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiago

1982 ?

In business since 1982.

demolition · 14 March 2013, 18:42

Well, they are saying that it is the best joystick ever made, so they might be lying about other things as well.

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroplay

Suzo Trading Company (now Suzo-Happ):
http://www.richardlagendijk.nl/cip/j...etition_pro/en

Great one more to the party

Retro-Nerd · 14 March 2013, 18:49

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infos...cgi?id=1000551

I saw the first Competition Pro in Atari 9-pin style in 1984, but there are earlier test reviews. I think 1983 is correct.

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infos...cgi?id=1000551

I saw the first Competition Pro in Atari 9-pin style in 1984, but there are earlier test reviews. I think 1983 is correct.

That one says: Kempston Micro Electronics Ltd
The same as on wikipedia (uk) but wikipedia (De) says other...

demolition · 14 March 2013, 18:54

It could be that the manufacturer name was different for different countries as it's common for companies to either have sub brands or to license their designs to local manufacturers. People don't like names they can't pronounce.

Edit: For example, I think the Japanese could have a problem with the name Kempston, while Suzo could be better. Question is then who's the original designer?

Retro-Nerd · 14 March 2013, 18:58

Well, Dynamics Marketing GmbH (Hamburg) was e.g. the distributor for Germany. Kempston originally designed it for the ZX Spectrum Kempston interface.

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by demolition

It could be that the manufacturer name was different for different countries as it's common for companies to either have sub brands or to license their designs to local manufacturers. People don't like names they can't pronounce.

Edit: For example, I think the Japanese could have a problem with the name Kempston, while Suzo could be better. Question is then who's the original designer?

Yes, maybe, but:
wikipedia (uk) + others-> Kempston Micro Electronics Ltd from: Kempston, Bedfordshire, England.
but wiki (uk) also says:
"Dynamics Marketing, which later became a subsidiary of Powerplay Ltd, a subsidiary of Delph Manufacturing Services (Delph Tool Co Ltd)"

wikipedia (De) -> Dynamics Marketing GmbH (Hamburg)

Maybe Dynamics Marketing had the factory and Kempston Micro Electronics Ltd had the rights to sell it?

Tiago · 14 March 2013, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

Well, Dynamics Marketing GmbH (Hamburg) was e.g. the distributor for Germany. Kempston originally designed it for the ZX Spectrum Kempston interface.

ohh, that explains it (a part of it).
but still other companies involved, speedlink for example

Retro-Nerd · 14 March 2013, 19:06

I don't know where SpeedLink got the rights for their USB remake. But there is another real Competition Pro too, for the old computers (the common 9-pin). This was a co-production by SpeedLink and Individual Computers.

sneeker · 14 March 2013, 23:38

This joystick was always actually produced by a company called Dynamics Marketing, which later became a subsidiary of Powerplay Ltd, a subsidiary of Delph Manufacturing Services (Delph Tool Co Ltd)

Theyre about 25 mins bike ride (20 years ago, so 45 mins now) from me, I used to go up and get a new cruiser joystick every 9 months or so as they always used to break about then...

I went up there about 6 months ago, no sign of them now

Jope · 17 March 2013, 08:49

The Suzo prof competition should not be mixed up with the competition pro. :-)

And yes, the speed-link is not related to the others apart from taking the design.

14 March 2013, 17:54	#1
Tiago Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Estoril/Portugal Age: 47 Posts: 115	Competition Pro, who was the creator back in 80s? Hi, need help: I am trying to get some info about the Competition Pro and it's quite confusing . It's a 1986 (correction,should be 1982/83) Joystick but who the hell did it? Here says it was from Kempston: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kempston_Micro_Electronics but also says: This joystick was always actually produced by a company called Dynamics Marketing, which later became a subsidiary of Powerplay Ltd, a subsidiary of Delph Manufacturing Services (Delph Tool Co Ltd), the company that manufactured the Competition Pro range through its lifetime, and the same company which manufactured, and later also marketed the Zipstick joystick along with Cruiser and Sureshot products too. Powerplay to this day continue to manufacture video game accessories under the brand of Competition Pro. Dynamics Marketing + Powerplay Ltd + Delph Manufacturing Service and in my joystick box it's Speedlink !! .... What the hell ?? Here it's in germain, translation to English is not always that good http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_Pro Anyone can help me? Last edited by Tiago; 14 March 2013 at 19:21. Reason: wrong year

14 March 2013, 19:06	#14
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,436	I don't know where SpeedLink got the rights for their USB remake. But there is another real Competition Pro too, for the old computers (the common 9-pin). This was a co-production by SpeedLink and Individual Computers. Last edited by Retro-Nerd; 17 March 2013 at 10:20.

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14 March 2013, 18:26	#2
DDNI Targ Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 5,431	Since 1982 http://www.ppg-online.co.uk/index.php/about/

14 March 2013, 18:39	#4
Retroplay Lemon Curry ? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Denmark Age: 49 Posts: 4,079	Suzo Trading Company (now Suzo-Happ): http://www.richardlagendijk.nl/cip/j...etition_pro/en

14 March 2013, 18:42	#6
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	Well, they are saying that it is the best joystick ever made, so they might be lying about other things as well.

14 March 2013, 18:49	#8
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,436	http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infos...cgi?id=1000551 I saw the first Competition Pro in Atari 9-pin style in 1984, but there are earlier test reviews. I think 1983 is correct.

14 March 2013, 18:54	#10
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	It could be that the manufacturer name was different for different countries as it's common for companies to either have sub brands or to license their designs to local manufacturers. People don't like names they can't pronounce. Edit: For example, I think the Japanese could have a problem with the name Kempston, while Suzo could be better. Question is then who's the original designer?

14 March 2013, 18:58	#11
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,436	Well, Dynamics Marketing GmbH (Hamburg) was e.g. the distributor for Germany. Kempston originally designed it for the ZX Spectrum Kempston interface.

14 March 2013, 23:38	#15
sneeker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester! Posts: 308	This joystick was always actually produced by a company called Dynamics Marketing, which later became a subsidiary of Powerplay Ltd, a subsidiary of Delph Manufacturing Services (Delph Tool Co Ltd) Theyre about 25 mins bike ride (20 years ago, so 45 mins now) from me, I used to go up and get a new cruiser joystick every 9 months or so as they always used to break about then... I went up there about 6 months ago, no sign of them now

17 March 2013, 08:49	#16
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	The Suzo prof competition should not be mixed up with the competition pro. :-) And yes, the speed-link is not related to the others apart from taking the design.

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