History

Budget Label Origins (1990s-2004)

Sold Out Software was a UK-based video game publisher best known for its budget re-releases of older PC titles. Founded in the mid-1990s, it built a reputation selling “past big-selling” hits at cut-price points (e.g. £4.99 in the UK).

Its titles were typically stocked in retailers such as GAME, PC World, Maplins, supermarkets and garages, often in “3-for-£10” promotions.

The Sold Out catalogue covered hundreds of PC titles, including major releases like Civilization II, Commandos, Tomb Raider, and Heroes of Might & Magic. Sold Out's pricing helped extend the life of many 90s and early 00s games, making them accessible to a broader audience long after initial launch.

Mastertronic Acquisition and Operation (2004-2013)

In December 2004, Sold Out Sales & Marketing Ltd was acquired by Mastertronic Group Ltd - re-established that year by Andy Payne. Mastertronic made Sold Out its flagship budget PC label, using it to reissue games from its broader catalogue, including titles sourced via the MAD ("Mastertronic Added Dimension") and "PC Gamer Presents" labels.

Sold Out continued to thrive as part of Mastertronic, with a consistent £4.99 price point and a steady output of budget reissues - both standalone and bundled. Titles like Far Cry, Hitman: Contracts, and Thief: Deadly Shadows appeared under the label, typically in compact packaging optimized for retail display. Its focus remained on physical distribution, particularly in bricks-and-mortar stores, keeping PC games visible in an era increasingly shifting toward digital.

Spin-Off, Transition and Final Rebranding (2014-2022)

By 2014, as physical sales declined and digital distribution grew, Sold Out was spun off from Mastertronic as a standalone publisher under Garry Williams and James Cato. The newly independent Sold Out Sales & Marketing Ltd began publishing new titles rather than only repackaging old ones. It supported both boxed and digital formats and partnered with developers like Team17 (The Escapists) and Introversion (Prison Architect).

In late 2019, Sold Out was acquired by Stockholm-based Toadman Interactive (later Enad Global 7). It continued operations under its existing brand until March 2022, when it rebranded as Fireshine Games.

Throughout its history, Sold Out Software released an estimated 400 titles, making it one of the most prolific budget publishers of PC games in the UK and European markets.

Legacy

In its prime, Sold Out was one of the most recognized PC budget labels in the UK and Europe. It played a crucial role in extending the commercial life of older games through value pricing, widespread retail availability, and consistent branding. Even after transitioning into new publishing models, the legacy of the Sold Out label lives on in its contribution to making classic PC games accessible well beyond their original sales window.