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Central Atari Information Network Vol 01 No 08
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\ Nov 30, 1994 Vol.I No.8 /
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/_________________ CAIN ________-_____________/
/___|_|_|__________ Monthly Newsletter _______| |___________/
/____|_|_|__________ ______| |_________/
/____/__|__\_________ Central Atari ______| |________/
/____/___|___\________ Information Network ____| | | |_____/
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The Official Online Newsletter of the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG
_________________________________________________________________________
The Cleveland Free-Net Community Computer System is accessible worldwide!
_________________________________________________________________________
telnet freenet-in-{a,b,c}.cwru.edu (129.22.8.32 or 129.22.8.51)
_________________________________________________________________________
216/368-3888 | 300-14400 bps | type 'go atari' at any menu
_________________________________________________________________________
WWW: http://ace.cs.ohiou.edu/personal/mleair/cain.html
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Covering:
7800/XE/XL/800/400,FALCON030/ST/TT/ST(e),PORTFOLIO,LYNX,JAGUAR
CAIN Online Newsletter Published and Copyright (c) 1994
by Cain Publishing
Publisher/Editor
Voting/Conferences.........Mark Leair aa338@cleveland.freenet.edu
Assistant Editor
SIG Manager/Jaguar Area....Len Stys aa399@cleveland.freenet.edu
8-Bit Support Area..........Michael Current aa700@cleveland.freenet.edu
8-Bit Technical Forum.......Craig Lisowski aa853@cleveland.freenet.edu
16/32-Bit Support Area......Bruce D. Nelson aa789@cleveland.freenet.edu
16/32-Bit Support Area......Thomas Main em129@cleveland.freenet.edu
Atari Classic Gaming Corner/
Portfolio Support Area......Fred Horvat ap748@cleveland.freenet.edu
Lynx Support Area...........Barry W. Cantin aa852@cleveland.freenet.edu
Contributor.................Ari Feldman FELDAK79@SNYONEVA.CC.ONEONTA.EDU
_________________________________________________________________________
Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG Internet E-Mail: xx004@cleveland.freenet.edu
_________________________________________________________________________
Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG, P.O. Box 364, Mentor, OH U.S.A. 44061-0364
_________________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
>From the Editor..........................................The CAIN Newsletter
-Mark Leair
>From the SIG Manager......................The Cleveland Free-Net & Atari SIG
-Len Stys
Free-Net News....................................ASCII Art to Atari SIG Menus
-Atari SIG
Atari News..............Doom Creators Unleash 64-Bit Hell on the Atari Jaguar
Game Descriptions of November '94 Jaguar Game Releases
Atari Unleashes an Array of Jaguar Game Titles
Atari Jaguar Stalks Japan
Atari's Alien Vs. Predator Hits Big in Stores
Time Warner & Atari to Offer Jaguar Games on Full Service Network
Atari and Sega Finalize Deal
-Atari Corp.
8-Bit Computers Support Area...............................8-bit Product News
8-bit Feature Article (2)
8-Bit Commentary
-Michael Current
16/32-Bit Computers Support Area....................16/32-bit Product Reviews
-Thomas Main
Atari Classic Gaming Corner.......................Classic Gaming Product News
Classic Gaming Product Review
-Fred Horvat
Lynx Support Area........................................Lynx Feature Article
Lynx Commentary
-Barry W. Cantin
Jaguar Support Area...............................................Jaguar News
Jaguar Game Summaries
Tempest 2000 Soundtrack shipping soon
VHS Game Tape Offer
Jaguar Contest
Doom Internet Reviews
Dragon Internet Reviews
Brutal Sports Internet Reviews
Club Drive Internet Review
Alien Vs. Predator Hints
Alien Vs. Predator Cheats
Doom Cheats
Jaguar Messages of Interest
December 1994 Jaguar Letter Writing Campaign
Jaguar Commentary
-Len Stys
Upcoming Atari Shows......................................Atari Show Calendar
-Mark Leair
Voting Issues and Results............Reader and User Opinion Poll Information
-Mark Leair
General Information of Need.........................How to Contribute to CAIN
Article Requests
-Mark Leair
>From the Editor
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Mark Leair
The Holiday Season has come upon us! What a great time to "wish" for
something "Atarian"! For the Jag fans, there's the long awaited DOOM. If
you're an Atari 8-bitter, check out the 8 bit section for the "Atari 8-bit
Omnibus"...a catalog of companies that support the 8-bit...Something for your
Holiday Wish list could be at your finger-tips... Right now is also a good
time to buy a Lynx! Consult the Lynx section for details... There's even new
software available for the 2600! You will soon see that this issue is full of
holiday gift suggestions for your Atari computer or game system... Enjoy!
Next, the long-awaited "Who's Who in the Atari Community" is included as
a supplement to this newsletter. This contains names, e-mail address, and
brief descriptions of "influential" people in the Atari Community. People
considered "influential" in the community include user group presidents,
programmers, writers, ftp site maintainers, etc. If you fall under one or
more of these categories, you can be included in this list. Consult the
newsletter's supplement for further information.
Until next month, from all of us here at CAIN, have a VERY HAPPY Holiday
and a prosperous New Year!
-Mark Leair
CAIN Publisher
>From the SIG Manager
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Len Stys
The year is almost over and I hope everyone has enjoyed CAIN Newsletter.
The main goal of this newsletter is to keep everyone informed of what
has been going on and to encourage the readers of CAIN Newsletter to
participate in the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG. After all, this system
is our home and we love visitors!
We are also one of the few publications out there that likes to print
commentary. That is why we encourage our editors and readers to write
commentary for the newsletter. We aren't afraid of stepping on toes
because we believe it actually helps in the long-run.
This is another information packed issue of CAIN Newsletter. Even though
Atari is supposedly officially out of the computer business, we aren't.
We love reporting about Atari computers because they are still very capable
machines. And maybe one day, Atari will try to tackle the personal
computer business again. We all know that Atari's heart remains in this
industry...
The Jaguar is doing really well this Christmas. Alien Vs. Predator is a
hit and Atari is airing three new commercials in December. Hopefully,
we will see Atari concentrating on the Lynx in the near future again.
It is one heck of a handheld that should have more games available for it.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Free-Net News
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG will be adding new ASCII art to the menus
in the month of December. Stop by, check it out, and tell us how you
like it. We'd love more visitors for the Holidays!
Atari News
-=-=-=-=-=
Contact: Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
DOOM CREATORS UNLEASH 64-BIT HELL ON THE ATARI JAGUAR
SUNNYVALE, CA (December 2, 1994) -- Fans of the cult video
game DOOM can now experience what Jay Wilbur, president of
Id Software, the company that created the popular game,
describes as "the most powerful version of the game on any
video game system." According to reports from stores
nationwide, the Jaguar version of DOOM is already selling
briskly.
DOOM is an ultra-fast virtual reality showcase that plunges
the player deep into a 3D world filled with legions of
gruesome fiends. The Atari Jaguar is the first 64-bit video
game system in the world.
Unlike versions for other video game systems, the Jaguar
version of DOOM
* Offers nine additional levels of play, including
improved, custom-designed levels available only on the
Jaguar.
* Exploits the Jaguar's 64-bit power to deliver compelling,
realistic game play. For example, the monsters that
populate the Jaguar version's hellish world are not flat,
two-dimensional characters like they are on other
systems, but awesome, three-dimensional beings. Catch a
side-view as they walk around you, or turn-around and
shoot them in the back!
* Uses 65,000 colors -- compared to 256 on other systems --
for advanced lighting and shading effects that provide
the most immersive, first-person experience available.
* Allows for two players. Until now, this was only possible
on the personal computer version of DOOM. Although owners
of other video game systems can play their own, more
limited version of DOOM, they cannot play each other.
Jaguar fans will be able to link up two Jaguar systems
and either team up against the gruesome fiends or
challenge each other to a death match.
* Offers a special save feature so Jaguar players can go
back to the last completed level and continue their
mission through the bowels of hell.
* Takes advantage of the full size of the television
screen.
"We didn't just license the code to Atari, we developed the
Jaguar version of DOOM ourselves," explained American
McGee, a game designer at Id Software, the company that
created DOOM. "We streamlined and improved the graphics and
made the game even more compelling," he added.
The favorable reviews already are beginning to pour in.
Video Games magazine described the game as an "unqualified
addiction for those lucky enough to play it." The reviewer
added, "This one could be a guaranteed system-seller for
those considering a Jaguar purchase."
An aggressive marketing campaign will promote the Jaguar
version of DOOM and will include new television commercials
and print ads. The ad campaign will run in December, in
time for the holiday shopping season.
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game System"
(Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (Game
Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement of the Year"
(DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's first
64-bit game system, and the only video game system
manufactured in the United States.
# # #
CONTACT: Patrick Toland/Laura Paden
Edelman Public Relations
(415) 433-5381
GAME DESCRIPTIONS OF NOVEMBER '94 JAGUAR GAME RELEASES
[] Checkered Flag -- Players choose sound and visual
effects, music and pit crews and one of ten tracks.
Once practice runs are complete, drivers take a crack at
the qualifying heats. Then move on to single and
tournament race options and make a run for the checkered
flag!
"This one-player game offers a selection of more than
ten courses, different cars and equipment, a pallet of
car colors to choose from, even changeable weather
conditions. Checkered Flag has a strong Virtual Racing
feel." (Gamepro, July 1994)
[] Club Drive -- Choosing from four different themes,
players cruise through the streets of San Francisco in a
souped-up hot rod or plow through an Old West town in a
futuristic speed machine picking up randomly placed
energy balls. Players will never get enough once they
strap in and join the 64-bit club.
"It's like Cybermorph on the ground! Race through and
explore several different scenes, the likes of which
have never been seen in any driving game. These polygon
graphics might take you to places you've never been."
(Video Games Magazine, June 1994)
[] Doom -- Doom, which has received a national cult
following, is an ultra-fast virtual reality showcase
that plunges the player deep into a 3D world filled with
legions of gruesome fiends. As a renegade marine,
players use both state-of-the-art weaponry and their own
wits to survive. Dramatic, high-speed animation,
incredible graphics and Jaguar's uncompromising
multimedia realism bring this PC favorite to 64-bit
life.
"This game has already created a sensation on the PC
side and is an unqualified addiction for those lucky
enough to play it." (Video Games Magazine in June 1994)
[] Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story -- The spirit of martial
arts master Bruce Lee lives on in this dangerously life-
like combat simulation based on his biographical film.
Players apply discipline and a devastating array of age-
old fighting techniques to subdue opponents more cunning
than the real Bruce Lee ever faced.
"Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a superb `purist'
kung-fu fighting game for Jaguar" (Electronic Gaming
Monthly)
# # #
Jaguar is a trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari is a
registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products
named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their
owning companies.
CONTACT: Patrick Toland/Laura Paden
Edelman Public Relations
(415) 433-5381
For Immediate Release
ATARI UNLEASHES AN ARRAY OF JAGUAR GAME TITLES
The 64-Bit Jaguar Boasts the Release of Four New Titles
SUNNYVALE, Calif. (November 23, 1994) -- The video game
jungle is rapidly becoming Jaguar territory as Atari plans
to enlarge its current library with the release of four new
game titles in November, including the highly anticipated
Doom, the PC cult favorite. The Jaguar version of Doom is
the best version we've developed for any video game
platform," said Jay Wilbur, president of id Software.
Atari also is releasing three additional titles
including Checkered Flag, Club Drive and Dragon: The Bruce
Lee Story.
"These game titles are just the tip of the iceberg of
what's to come -- we'll have more than 20 titles available
for the Atari Jaguar by year's end," stated Sam Tramiel,
President and CEO of Atari Corporation. "Our software
library will continue to grow rapidly in the coming months
and the coming year with titles designed to capitalize on
the revolutionary technology of the 64-Bit Jaguar system."
With Jaguar's cutting-edge graphics, 24-bit true color
and CD-quality sound, game players experience the latest in
video game technology. Following is an outline of planned
Atari releases for late November 1994:
Game Title Game Category MFG.SRP
---------- ------------- -------
Checkered Flag Formula Racing $ 69.99
Club Drive Driving Simulation 59.99
Doom Action/Combat 69.99
Dragon: The
Bruce Lee Story Fighting/Martial Arts 59.99
Since its release, Atari's Jaguar game system has been
named the industry's "Best New Game System" (VideoGames
Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (GameInformer) and
"1993 Technical Achievement of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
The Jaguar is the only video game system manufactured in
the United States.
Over 200 third-party developers have agreed to create
new titles for the Atari Jaguar. The November game releases
are part of more than 20 games scheduled for availability
prior to the holidays. Other Jaguar titles expected before
year's end include Iron Soldier, Kasumi Ninja, Val D'Isere
Skiing & Snowboarding, Zool2 and Bubsy.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's only
64-bit system, and the only video game system manufactured
in the United States. Atari is headquartered at 1196
Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94089.
# # #
Jaguar is a trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari is a
registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products
named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their
owning companies.
Contact: Laury Scott/Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
ATARI JAGUAR STALKS JAPAN
SUNNYVALE, CA (November 21, 1994) -- Atari Corporation
today announced that the Atari Jaguar, the world's only
64-bit video game system, will now be available at all
25 Toys "R" Us stores and other selected stores in
Japan. Mumin Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, will handle
distribution and sales. Japanese consumers will be able
test-drive the Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia
System at special demonstration kiosks in Toys "R" Us
stores.
"The Japanese are very serious about their video game
systems, and they will choose the system with the best
graphics and most sophisticated playing environment,"
said Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "We think
that if they are given the chance to compare, Japanese
gamers will choose Atari Jaguar."
The launch in Japan marks another significant milestone
in building distribution for the Atari Jaguar system.
Introduced in October of last year, the Jaguar was only
available in New York and San Francisco during last
year's important holiday shopping season. Today, the
Jaguar is available throughout the United States,
Canada, Europe and, now, Japan.
"We have the best game system in the business, hit games
like Alien Vs. Predator and the soon-to-be-released
Doom, and we are expanding our distribution," Tramiel
added. "The momentum for Jaguar is building every day."
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game
System" (Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware
System" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement
of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's
only 64-bit game system, and the only video game
system manufactured in the United States.
# # #
Contact: Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
ATARI'S ALIEN Vs. PREDATOR HITS BIG IN STORES
SUNNYVALE, CA (November 22, 1994) -- Atari Corporation
today announced that initial production of its new
Alien Vs. Predator game, launched October 21st in stores
around the world, has nearly sold-out. Atari is working
with suppliers to rush additional quantities to stores in
anticipation of increasing pre-Christmas demand for the
game. Alien Vs. Predator utilizes the sophisticated
graphics and power available from the 64-bit Atari Jaguar.
"In less than three weeks, over 50% of our installed base
purchased Alien Vs. Predator," said Sam Tramiel, CEO of
Atari Corporation. "This is the most enthusiastic
reception we've ever seen for a game and is indicative of
what a truly great game Alien Vs. Predator really is. We
have also seen a strong increase in sales for the Jaguar
system coinciding with the release of this game and the
launch of our expanded advertising program."
Atari's new Alien Vs. Predator for the 64-bit Jaguar
system provides such realistic graphics and life-like
digitized sound effects that it creates a compelling,
first-person perspective. Gamers can choose to be the
Predator, Alien or Colonial Marine as they battle
through the Predator ship, the Marine Training Base or
the Alien ship, enjoying hours of entertainment. Alien
Vs. Predator is licensed from Twentieth Century Fox and
is based on the films of the same names.
Key game reviewers have been effusive in their praise for
Alien Vs. Predator . Paul Anderson of Game Informer
Magazine stated: "I was overwhelmed with the cutting edge
graphics and the innovative game play of AVP --no question
it's the best Jaguar game to-date."
"Alien Vs. Predator is the best 3-D action game that I have
ever played -- the graphics and game play are second to
none," wrote Dave Halverson, editor-in-chief of DieHard
GameFan. "If you own a Jaguar, you must own this game, and
if you don't own a Jag, it's time to get one. More games
are on the way!"
Atari plans to release more startlingly realistic games.
Games scheduled for late November release include Club
Drive, Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story and Doom.. December
releases include Iron Soldier, Val D'Isere Skiing, Kasumi
Ninja, Zool II and Bubsy.
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game
System" (Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware
System" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement
of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's
only 64-bit game system, and the only video game system
manufactured in the United States.
# # #
TIME WARNER & ATARI TO OFFER JAGUAR GAMES ON FULL SERVICE NETWORK
MAITLAND, FLA. (Nov. 14) BUSINESS WIRE -Nov. 14, 1994--Time Warner
Cable's Full Service Network (FSN) President Tom Feige and Atari Corp.'s
CEO Sam Tramiel announced Monday an agreement to offer Atari's Jaguar
64-bit interactive video games on demand to FSN customers.
Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit interactive game system
features high-speed animation, textured three-dimensional color images
and graphics, and CD-quality sound.
Consumers will access the Atari games on the Full Service Network
using the 64-bit Jaguar game system device, which processes more than
100 times as much data at one time than 16-bit games, and twice as much
as 32-bit game systems. This significantly increases speed and lets game
players experience superior graphic performance and animation action.
Through the Full Service Network, the Atari games are digitally
compressed and stored on magnetic hard drives, and downloaded to the game
device at the consumers' request.
In addition, using a Hewlett Packard DeskJet 550C printer, consumers
will be able to print out game instructions with full-color graphics.
Approximately 30 Atari Jaguar game titles will be available on the Full
Service Network next year.
"We're proud to offer consumers games on demand from Atari Jaguar
because it's the most advanced and powerful game system available today,"
said Full Service Network President Tom Feige. "When we compared the
graphics and capabilities of the game systems on the market, Atari
Jaguar was the clear choice for us."
"Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is the network of the
future, " said Atari President and CEO Sam Tramiel. "Atari's Jaguar
system brings the most sophisticated hardware and games to the network.
We are proud that Time Warner picked Atari Jaguar for the Full Service
Network."
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game system has
been named the industry's "Best New Game System" by Video Games Magazine,
"Best New Hardware System" by Game Informer, and "1993 Technical
Achievement of the Year" by DieHard GameFan. Jaguar is the only video
game system manufactured in the United States.
Time Warner Cable is the nation's second largest cable television
operator with 7.3 million customers in 34 states, and serves more than
500,000 customers in its Florida division.
Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is a digital, interactive
television network which merges cable, computer, and telephone
technologies to provide customers greater choice, control, and
convenience in accessing information and services.
Atari Corp. markets interactive multimedia entertainment systems,
including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and the only
video game system manufactured in the United States.
CONTACT: Time Warner Cable, Maitland
Tammy Lindsay, 407/667-2034
or
Atari
Ron Beltramo, 408/745-8852
or
Edelman PR
David Harrah, 415/968-4033
ATARI AND SEGA FINALIZE DEAL
Atari Corporation announced this week that it has received regulatory
approval in connection with its agreements with Sega and the transactions
have closed.
Sega has paid Atari $50 million (Atari's net being less contingent
legal fees and costs) in exchange for a license from Atari covering the
use of a library of patents. In addition, Sega has made an equity
investment in Atari of $40 million at a common share price of $8.50.
Finally, Sega and Atari have entered into cross licensing agreements
through the year 2001. The cross licensing agreement also allows the two
companies to publish on each of their respective platforms.
Commenting on the announcement, Sam Tramiel, president of Atari,
said, "We are very pleased to have closed these transactions. These
funds will be used to increase software development for the Atari Jaguar
as well as increased promotional activity and other working capital
requirements."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
8-Bit Computers Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Michael Current
This month, in addition to bringing you six (count 'em!) 8-bit product
announcements, we have two 8-Bit Feature Articles. The first is an
article by Frank Seipel on Corvus hard drives, and the second is an
overview of the various BBS software systems out there written by Winston
Smith. Both articles are reprinted here as posted on comp.sys.atari.8bit.
8-Bit Product News
------------------
CONTENTS:
Richard Gore back online
PC Xformer 3.0 (130XE emulator) now shipping!
Atari 8-bit Omnibus
The Atari 8-bit Omnibus
Nice hardware developments
Menu Print Info
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Richard Gore back online
From: CHMRIG@EAST-01.NOVELL.LEEDS.AC.UK (R. GORE)
Date: 18 Nov 1994 08:22:34 -0600
Hello world, after an absence of just over four months I'm back with
an e-mail account. My support for the Atari 8-bits has been continuing
and I have some new products for you. Read on for some brief details
and keep your eye on future digest mailings for the full details.
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
GTRACKER A sample sound sequencer program for Replay/Parrot
compatible sound files. Digitise your own sounds and sequence them
into a song file. Twin disk pack with several demo files, a player
program and a printed manual.
Price: #6.50 ($15) including shipping.
SUPER PRINT-LAB XE A new graphics design and print program for
use on 128k (or more) machines. Features include the usual array of
art tools, extensive support utilities and printer support for Atari 1029,
Atari 1020 (in full colour) and Epson compatibles.
Price: #6.95 ($16) including shipping.
Other titles:
JAWBREAKER #4 ($8)
MOUSEKATTACK #4 ($8)
Buy both Jawbreaker & Mousekattack for only #6.95 ($14)
ARENA #5 ($10)
BUBBLE ZONE #5 ($10)
ADDRESS:-
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH,
DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
E-mail: chmrig@leeds.ac.uk
Watch this space for more products and more details.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
PC Xformer 3.0 (130XE emulator) now shipping!
From: darekm@microsoft.com (Darek Mihocka)
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 23:45:12 GMT
"Imagine my glee at having a tiny little window on my screen showing
the good old SWANDEMO executing at previously unimaginable speeds...
Thanks so much for XF... I didn't think XF3 would be able to reach
that level of emulation, but I guess I was wrong."
- Oscar Fowler, PC Xformer user whose life was profoundly changed
Introducing...
PC Xformer 3.0 - The Atari 130XE Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs
PC Xformer 2.5 - The Atari 800XL Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs
November 10, 1994.
For more information, a product catalog, or to place an order, contact:
Darek Mihocka, c/o
Branch Always Software
14150 N.E. 20th Street
Suite 302
Bellevue, WA 98007 U.S.A.
Phone: 206-369-5513 Fax: 206-885-5893 Compuserve: 73657,2714 GEnie: BRASOFT
PC Xformer 2.5 is a free emulator for MS-DOS users who wish to run their old
Atari 400/800 and Atari 800XL software on their PC. The file XF25.ZIP is today
being released to the online services Compuserve, Delphi, and GEnie, and the
Internet. The ZIP file contains the PC Xformer 2.5 emulator, and
various sample
Atari 800XL programs and demos.
Also being released today is PC Xformer 3.0, the world's only 130XE emulator
for MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, OS/2 Warp, Windows 95, and Windows NT.
PC Xformer 3.0 is a powerful 32-bit version of PC Xformer, which runs up to
8 times faster than a real 130XE (on a Pentium) and is the only 8-bit emulator
ever to fully support display list interrupt, player missile graphics, and
GTIA graphics. PC Xformer 3.0 is available for only $29.95 U.S.
PC Xformer 3.0 also includes over 40 pages of documentation covering the use
of the emulator as well as Atari Basic, Atari DOS 2.5, MyDOS, graphics modes,
sound, error messages, and a complete glossary of Atari 8-bit terminology.
PC Xformer 3.0 also includes over 1 megabyte of public domain and shareware
Atari 800, Atari 800XL, and Atari 130XE software ready to run on the emulator.
Both PC Xformer 2.5 and PC Xformer 3.0 run on a minimum configuration of
an MS-DOS (or compatible) based PC, 640K of RAM, and a VGA card. PC
Xformer 2.5
is a 16-bit program which runs on 286, 386, 486, and Pentium processors, while
PC Xformer 3.0 only runs on 386, 486, and Pentium processors.
Features
--------
Many of the limitations of our old ST Xformer emulator and other clone Atari
emulators have been eliminated in PC Xformer. PC Xformer is written mostly
in machine language and takes full advantage of the PC hardware.
Features common to both PC Xformer 2.5 and PC Xformer 3.0 include:
- 48K Atari 400/800 emulation
- 64K Atari 800XL emulation with "RAM under ROM" memory
- allows user installable patches to the OS and BASIC
- displays all ANTIC text and graphics modes, including GTIA modes
- 256 color GTIA color palette
- displays player missile graphics (no collision detection)
- horizontal and vertical fine scrolling
- supports display list interrupts, IRQ, and NMI interrupts
- reads and writes to ST Xformer and SIO2PC generated disk images
- reads MS-DOS files directly from within Atari DOS
- switch Atari BASIC on/off with one keystroke
- switch between Atari 400/800 and Atari 800XL emulation with one
keystroke
- joystick emulation using the keyboard cursor keys
- full speed emulation on a 386/33 or faster
- slow and fast modes of emulation to take advantage of fast PCs
- compatible with all VGA cards
In addition, PC Xformer 3.0 adds features including these:
- 130XE emulation with 256K of extended XE memory
- player missile graphics with full collision detection
- on-the-fly disk image swapping
- 4 voices of sound, printer, and modem support
- real joystick support
- 386 optimized code for faster speed
- over 1 megabyte of sample Atari 8-bit programs
- over 40 pages of 8-bit Atari reference documentation
Below is a list of processors and the approximate speed of emulation relative
to an Atari 800:
- 286/16 - 0.3
- 386SX/20 - 0.5
- 386DX/33 - 1.0
- 486DX/33 - 2.0
- 486DX2/66 - 4.0
- Pentium/90 - 8.0
486 and Pentium users can use the slow/fast option to slow down the emulator
to normal Atari 800 speed or let it run as fast as possible.
PC Xformer 3.0 can be ordered for $29.95 U.S. directly from Branch Always
Software at the address above, or from these and other fine Atari dealers:
B & C Computervisions (U.S.A.) phone: 408-986-9960 fax: 408-986-9968
Mid Cities Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 310-867-0626 fax: 310-920-8933
Rising Star Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 800-252-2787 fax: 513-254-7970
Toad Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 800-448-TOAD fax: 410-544-1329
In addition, our Gemulator 3.02 Atari ST Emulator for MS-DOS can also be
purchased from the above dealers and these international dealers:
ACN (Holland and Germany) phone: +31 23351100 fax: +31 23361444
FaST Club (U.K.) phone: +44 602445250 fax: +44 602445305
Ordosoft (France) phone: +33 47547942 fax: +33 47513726
Paragon Computers (Australia) phone: +61 92213216 fax: +61 93258251
--
/--------------------------------------\
| Darek Mihocka. net: darekm@microsoft |
| Views expressed are always my own. |
\--------------------------------------/
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Atari 8-bit Omnibus
From: d.paterson2@genie.geis.com
Date: 11 Nov 1994 04:29:57 -0600
Have you ordered your copy of The Omnibus yet? This catalog of Atari 8-bit
hardware and software is a great source for all users, featuring products
from three continents. For only $5, you'll get your own copy sent out in
its own protective envelope. It's a great place to start when you're
writing your Christmas wish list. It even makes a great stocking stuffer.
So rush your order to:
D.A. Paterson
Attn: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
PO Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
Make cheques or money orders payable to D.A. Paterson
Volume discounts for as few as five copies! Email for more details.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The Atari 8-bit Omnibus
From: d.paterson2@genie.geis.com
Date: 19 Oct 1994 17:36:54 -0500
Years ago I looked forward with eager anticipation as each new issue of
Antic and Analog hit the newsstands. Page after page of programs and news,
but even better were the ads. Dozens of companies with new and exciting
hardware and software all clamouring for my attention.
The shrinking 8-bit market has kept most advertisers from any large scale
advertising in recent years. Several months ago, I decided to change that.
I wrote to all the vendors and developers listed in Michael Current's list,
offering them free advertising in The Atari 8-bit Omnibus. And, page by
page, the Omnibus filled. Ads came in all shapes and sizes, from
professionally laid out full page ads to a torn piece of notepaper with a
handwritten scrawl.
And now it's complete. Find out about 'Lemmings' and 'Operation Wolf'
clones for the 8-bit. Slave a PC to your 8-bit. Make your original 800
compatible with the XE - even down to memory banking! And many, many more
offers, featuring software and hardware, showing that the Atari 8-bit is
still a fine machine.
On November 1, 1994, the Omnibus will begin shipping (it's off to the
printers right now). This twenty-four page catalog is only $5 US per copy,
shipped worldwide. Orders for five or more copies are only $4 US each, when
shipped to a single address.
To order, send your cheque or money order payable to David A. Paterson to:
ATTN: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
D.A. Paterson
P.O. Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
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Nice hardware developments
From: didi@didi.mayn.sub.de (Dieter Popp)
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 16:38:57 CET
Hello fellows,
in the last Abbuc-mag was an advert from a local-group of Abbuc
they developed some nice things. Here a short list
1, Atari-PC Interface cartridge
schematics and disk 10 DM
Herkules cart 15 DM
interface 35 DM
connection to modulport-parallelport 5 DM
2, LCD-Display on the Atari
schematics and diagramms 5 DM
3, Printer and clock modul
Modul 60 DM
schematics and disk 10 DM
OS with P: Handler 15 DM
4, RS 232 modul
schematics and disk 5 DM
modul 50 DM
5, modulexpansion (use 4-5 cartridges the same time) 45 DM
6, Inofs about different Hadware hacks
schematics and infos 15 DM
7, Case for above things available...
for more details write to:
Roland Buehler
Engelsgasse 21
72348 Rosenfeld-Bickelsberg
Tel. (germany) 07428-1260
or to
Jochen Scharllach here in the c.s.a.8bit
Gruss
--
-- Es sind die gl=FCcklichen Sklaven der Freiheit gr=F6=DFter Feind...--
Dieter Popp,
Unterfranken, Germany didi@didi.mayn.sub.de
- Member of A.B.B.U.C. -
Atari 400,130XE, XEGS, XF551, 800XL, 600XL, XEP80, HDI,
1050, 1064, and also an Amiga 4000
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Menu Print Info
From: mbitdc9306@newi.ac.uk (David Davies)
Date: 13 Oct 1994 06:23:35 -0500
Right, here's the current info on Menu Print ....
WHAT IS MENU PRINT?
Menu Print is a disk cataloguer. No, don't laugh ... it's not one of those
tacky PD Databases that call themselves disk cataloguers. This is the REAL
McCoy!!
OK, SO WHAT DOES IT DO?
It reduces the amount of typing you have to do when creating a disk database
with its ability to read several different types of menu and DOS disk. In
fact, it's sooo good that it even has the ability to know which boot disk
you've entered into the drive - so it can tell when you've just put Alternate
Reality into the drive.
It supports Rob C, Multiboot, Howfen Menu 3 and K & D Menu disks as well as
DOS 1, DOS 2, DOS 2.5, DOS XL, SpartaDOS 5.0, MyDOS 4.50, MachDOS, Atari
Disk Utilities, Transdisk IV XT and Transdisk IV XL. OOPS --- I meant
SuperDOS 5.0, not SpartaDOS ---.
When it finds a disk it supports, the contents are displayed on the screen
and are selected simply by tagging the entries you want to catalogue. Also,
anything that you have in your collection that is not supported can still
be entered manually into the Database.
WHAT DOES IT COMPRISE OF?
Menu Print is split up into three main sections, each accessible from a main
menu.
ID Library - This is where you can create your own boot disk recognition files
so that Menu Print can recognise future software releases or those not covered
on the free Library disk that will come with the package. Other Library disks
will be released in the future.
Database - See above. Just undergoing last minute testing.
Printer - Last bit to be written. I've got about 3-4 weeks to write it. This
will include label and list printers (hopefully I can add some sort of
sorting facility into it).
WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE RELEASED?
AMS 8 in November - I hope. My drive's been corrupting disks left right and
bloody center!!!!!!!
PRICE?
Dunno. Depends on how much it will cost to produce each copy but I hope it
won't be too far off the 10 pound mark.
Any questions? ... :)
David Davies
The Atari Classic Programmer's Club
MBITDC9306@newi.ac.uk
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8-Bit Feature Article
---------------------
The Corvus Hard Drive
From: fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Frank Seipel)
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 94 04:48:48 GMT
The Corvus to Atari 8-bit interface uses exactly two joystick ports -- ports
3 & 4. It was designed for use on an Atari 8oo, but could conceivably run
on an 800XL or 130XE. The main modification required would consist of
changing all references to PORTB to PORTA, and all references to PBCTL to
PACTL. Since the standard Atari OS doesn't recognize a Corvus, it cannot
boot from one. Thus you must either boot from 1) a floppy which then boots
DOS.SYS from the Corvus [this was supplied with the Corvus drive] 2) a
cartridge which fits in the right hand slot (I've never seen one, but they
exist) or 3) [best option] acquire a replacement personality board
(Integrator) which allows you to boot from any Corvus volume, any floppy
drive, or your Axlon/Axlon compatible RAMdisk. or 4) a cassette containing
the code to boot DOS.SYS from the Corvus [a program to write such a boot
cassette was provided with Corvus's Atari
8-bit software package that came with the drive].
To run a Corvus on an XL/XE, with an Integrator personality board or the
cartridge boot system, you would have to burn custom EPROMS of the modified
software, since both the software to be modified is on ROM chips.
The Corvus does not *have* to use a custom OS board. The Integrator board
is an option. I highly recommend it, though, since it adds direct operating
system support of Axlon RAMDISKS, allows you to swap any physical drive with
any device number (D1: through D8:), allows quick changes to the Corvus
mount table, and allows you run MyDos and full disk programs on your hard
drive, as opposed to the modified DOS 2.0D which you are forced to use if
you don't have the Integrator. What Mr. Corr said of SIO is true; the
Integrator only works with DOS's that use legal SIO calls to access the
drive, hence SpartaDOS X and SpartaDOS will not support the Corvus. The
Integrator, regrettably, does not overcome the problem of partition size; it
is still only possible to have 180K partitions on a Corvus using the
integrator. A patch for MyDos could be written to overcome this. This
would be a very short patch, since the Integrator would do almost all the
work of swapping partitions (see below). The SIO calls in MyDos would be
patched (namely, the read and write sector vectors). This would be the
extent of the patch. Prior to calling the built-in ROM SIO routines, the
patch would:
1. Divide the sector number by 720 and store the remainder of the division.
2. The whole number result of the division in step [1] would be the Corvus
volume number that the sector resides on. The volume number would be
incremented by one, since the Corvus volume numbers begin at one instead
of zero. The remainder of the division would correspond to the sector
number on that volume. The one-byte volume number would be stored in
RAM as the 'current volume' following step [3].
3. The patch would check to see if the drive number (eg D1:) in question is
presently set to the 'current volume' calculated in step [1].
4. If the drive were not presently on that volume a JSR would be made to
$C000 in the Integrator ROMS. This configuration routine is built into
the integrator and fully documented within the integrator manual. This
would reconfigure that drive number (eg D1:) to the volume number
calculated in step [1].
5. The sector number would be changed to the remainder of the division from
the calculation in step [1]. Thus, sector 725 would correspond to sector
5 (remainder of 725 divided by 720). Similarly, the volume number would
be the integral part of the division plus one -- thus sector 725 would be
on volume 2)
6. The patch would proceed to call the built-in ROM SIO routine, which would
then get or put the appropriate sector number on the appropriate volume.
Note that this patch would work for everything -- even directory reads --
since MyDos would be seeing the Corvus as one large drive. Also, delays
due to volume changes would not be excessive, since the configuration
command would only be issued at 720-sector intervals.
I do not believe any such patches were ever written but I think I've
demonstrated the necessary logic to do the deed. MyDos doesn't pay much
attention to checking if a configuration is legitimate, so you would just
specify the number of sectors and tracks corresponding to six megs, ten
megs, or twenty megs, and use the [I] command from the DOS menu to write out
a legitimate directory structure. Once the patch is installed with the
modified directory structure, it would work like a charm. Whenever a sector
above 720 is accessed, the patch would catch it. The format XIO call would
not need to be altered; the integrator ignores this anyway. Incidentally,
David & Sandy Small were geniuses; they might have already implemented the
patch into the OS; what happens when you try to access above sector 720?
Does it lock up, or does it automatically change volumes, or give an error?
Finally, regarding speed: I once did a comparison of the speed of the Corvus
vs the Blackbox hooked to an SCSI drive. I don't recall the exact results,
but the data rate was comparable. The joyports are plenty fast; the problem
is the software. One advantage of the joyports is that (had the software
supported it) the drives would work with every single 8-bit computer ever
made, without any adapters. The cartridge port would have the same
advantage as an interface. Not supporting all platforms is one of the
disadvantages of all existing HD interfaces, except for the ATR8000, which
is slow and doesn't support SCSI.
______________________________________________________________________
Frank Seipel (614) 622-1653
fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
76116.1126@compuserve.com
8-Bit Feature Article
---------------------
BBS Software
From: winston@merk.com (Winston Smith)
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 1994 08:30:00 GMT
Here is the run down of ATARI 6502 8-BIT BBSes that I am aware of:
o A.M.I.S. BBS -- The A.C.E. Message Information Service.
This BBS was written in BASIC by the Atari Computer
Enthusiasts computer club (was it the Michigan chapter?). It included
designs for a ring-detector. You needed a sector editor and had to
allocate message space by hand, hex byte by hex byte.
o F.O.R.E.M. BBS -- Friends of Rick E. Moose BBS.
At the time, there were a lot of BBSes around
called things such as "FORUM-80" and "BULLET-80", ergo the name. FOREM BBS
was the first truly RBBS-like BBS for the ATARI 8-bit. It was programmed
in BASIC and was somewhat crashy. I think that this is the
great-grandparent of the FOREM-XE BBSes that survive today.
o ABBCS -- The ANTIC Bulletin Board Construction Set.
The user design of the ABBCS was very good. It sported
features such as intra-line editors. Unfortunately, the coding of the
ABBCS was really poor. You could practically blow on your keyboard and
crash this BBS. The BBS would sometimes crash several times a day.
o NITE-LITE BBS -- Paul Swanson's BBS with RAM disk.
Paul Swanson was a programmer from the Boston,
Massachusetts, USA, area. I'm not sure whether his BBS for the ATARI 8-bit
has been placed into the public domain or not. This BBS was the first to
support a RAM-disk, which Paul Swanson called a "V:" device for "virtual
disk". This BBS was written in ATARI BASIC and required a joystick
hardware "dongle" device. This was notable as being one of the first ATARI
8-BIT BBSes that could actually go for a week without having to be
rebooted. Pointers to the message base were kept in an ATARI "very long
string" (for which ATARI BASIC is famous). The BBS would only have
problems (for the most part) if this string became corrupted.
o ATKEEP -- An ATARI 8-BIT version of CITADEL BBS.
I believe that AT-KEEP, like FOREM-XE, requires the use of
the commercial BASIC-XE cartridge to run. This BBS program was very
popular around Louisiana, USA, from what I understand.
o Benton's SMART BBS -- BBS written in BASIC by Marco Benton.
This program is written entirely in BASIC. It
expects to be running under a SPARTA-DOS environment. This was a problem
until very recently, when SPARTA-DOS was released into the public domain.
This BBS program uses a "modem clock string" rather than an R-TIME-8
cartridge in order to retrieve the current time. It also comes with an
ATARI BASIC game door called "Sabotage".
o FOREM-XE -- FOREM using BASIC-XE.
This version of FOREM BBS requires the commercial BASIC-XE
cartridge in order to run. It is in the public domain and can import and
export messages from the ATARI PRO! BBS EXPRESS-NET (7-BIT text only,
control ATASCII graphics are reserved for message data-structure bytes).
FOREM-XE BBS is still currently in use as we speak, and may be reached via
the PRO! EXPRESS-NET as long as the cross-networking "transnet" is still in
effect.
o The BBS Express -- PRO! BBS demo program.
This is the public domain version of EXPRESS!-BBS,
which is the Keith Ledbetter companion project of the EXPRESS!-TERM
terminal program of days gone by. I am not familiar with this program. I
think that it is written in ACTION! and only supports XMODEM Checksum
transfers. I have never called or seen this program demonstrated.
EDITOR'S NOTE: BBS Express was originally a commercial BBS program with
versions available for the Atari 1030/XM301-style modems and Hayes
compatible modems. The program is now shareware, NOT public domain.
Furthermore, it was NEVER intended to be a demo program for BBS Express
Pro! The original BBS Express program worked with any Atari OS and was one
main program that performed all the BBS functions. Pro!, on the other hand,
requires SpartaDos 3.2, a Hayes compatible modem, and consists of several
small programs which perform the various BBS functions. Finally, it is
highly recommended that Pro! operates from a hard drive, although a large
ramdisk would work as well. -ML
o OASIS JUNIOR III -- OASIS BBS demo program.
OASIS JUNIOR III is the --ALL MACHINE LANGUAGE--
demo version of the OASIS BBS program. OASIS is very crash-resistant and
comes with a "dial out" screen so that the Sysop can use the BBS as a
terminal program to call and fetch files without having to bring the BBS
down and reload a terminal program. OASIS supports "Door programs" which
it refers to as "OASIS PAL modules". This OASIS demo module comes with an
excellent message system. The OASIS file system is one of the most
complicated that I have ever seen. It consists of "file libraries" with
suites of "file types". There is quite a bit of overhead involved in
performing a download (which may be a good thing, as it discourages file
hogs). There is a commercial version of OASIS called "OASIS IV" that
performs networking. There was an OASIS network between Boston,
Massachusets, USA and Murfreesboro(SP?), Tennessee, USA. Occasionally word
of the OASIS IV developers reaches the network from New Zealand or Canada.
o Frank Walters BBS -- I know nothing about this BBS except that Frank
Walters wrote it.
OASIS IV, CARINA, and BBS-EXPRESS-PROFESSIONAL! are all commercial
programs. I haven't heard anything about OASIS IV and CARINA for a while,
but PRO!-BBS is still a viable commercial enterprise last that I had heard.
8-Bit Commentary
----------------
Just wanted to get in a quick word on David A. Paterson's Atari 8-Bit
Omnibus. This thing is fantastic! Who can remember the last time we saw
advertisements from 30 different vendors and developers of products for
the Atari 8-bit computer in a single printed publication? With the "1994"
date stamped on the cover, I can only hope David plans on making his
Omnibus an annual publication. I urge everyone out there who even
occasionally uses an 8-bit Atari computer to send in your $5 and behold
this amazing resource for yourself. In case you missed it, here's the
address once again:
D.A. Paterson
Attn: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
PO Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
Make cheques or money orders for US $5 payable to D.A. Paterson.
You won't be disappointed!
Until next month,
-Michael Current
16/32-bit Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Thomas Main
16/32-bit Product Reviews
-------------------------
ICDRAW
Color Icon Editor or Falcon030
Written By: W. David Parks (Dr. Bob)
Reviewed by: Thomas Main
The Atari Falcon is a versatile computer that has many features
that are not found on earlier Atari models. One of the these
features is an enhanced GEM desktop which features, among other
things, color icon support. These color icons add a touch of
pizzazz to our desktops and windows, making our computing
experience more visually pleasing. However, we are limited to
thirty-three icons on the Falcon, some of which are nicely
designed and some of which could use some improvement. Wouldn't
it be nice to customize or completely redesign those icons that
you don't like as much as the others? Or how about having more
than thirty-three icons? Wouldn't it be great to have the option
of having two hundred icons? If you've asked yourself questions
like these, read on. There is a simple yet elegant utility that
is a must-have for you and your Falcon, Dr. Bob's ICDRAW icon
editor.
ICDRAW is a complete solution for editing or creating original
icons for the Falcon. The GEM desktop stores icon information in
the DESKICON.RSC file. After starting the program and loading
this file (heeding all the safety procedures which are outlined
thoroughly in the docs) ICDRAW allows you to change any of the
Falcon's default icons. For instance, one of the Falcon's icons
is of a CD. I don't have a CD-ROM drive, so I have never had a
use for this particular icon. With Dr. Bob's icon editor I can
change it to a coffee cup--I have one of those. In this manner
it is possible to change any or all of the icons included with
the DESKICON.RSC file that came with the Falcon. Need ideas for
new icons? How about creating program-specific icons for your
favorite applications. I used to use the pencil icon for
AtariWorks, now I use one of Dr. Bob's creations--a Fuji symbol
with the word "Atari" superimposed over it. Or how about creating
different icons for popular file types. Isn't it boring to have
all your .INF files, .RSC files and .TXT files represented by the
same icon (a bunch of stacked pages)? I've made all my .INF
files look like stacked pages with the letters "INF" written in
red along one side and a blue and red crescent on the other. My
.RSC files are now all disks with the letters RSC inscribed in a
nice bold typeface, and my .TXT files are now represented by a
little book I drew. With ICDRAW, the possibilities really are
endless.
Let's take a closer look at some of the special features of this
program. When the program is first started a window that
contains the icon being worked on as well as some of ICDRAW's
tools is displayed. Other commands, which are used less
frequently, can be accessed through the GEM menubar. The window
has a "fat bit" display of both the icon and it's mask in which
you can edit the icon with simple mouse-clicks. Underneath the
enlarged display of the icon and it's mask are several "ready
access" tools. ICDRAW has undergone many revisions (I'm working
with v1.42) and it seems that Dr. Bob has gone to great lengths
to optimize the efficiency of the program with each new version.
The layout of the tools in the work window makes sense and is
easy to use--those features used most often are closest to the
main work area.
One of my favorite features of the program is a button beside the
palette, the "change" button. With it, you can select any color
in an icon and change it to another. For instance, if you have a
blue disk icon and want to change it to a yellow one, just click
on the "change" button and a mini dialog containing two palettes
will pop up. Select blue from the palette on the left, yellow
from the palette on the right, and all the blue pixels in your
icon will change to yellow! This is just one example of how user
friendly this program is. But ICDRAW's ease of use doesn't
impede its power or the scope of its features.
Another unique feature contained in ICDRAW is the ability to edit
the "animated" icons that the Falcon offers. As you probably
know, on the Falcon desktop, an icon has the ability to change
once it is clicked or selected. ICDRAW lets you edit an icon in
both its selected and unselected forms. For instance, by
default, the trash can icon has its lid raised in the selected
form; Dr. Bob included an edited version of the trash can that
showed the trash can full of refuse in its selected form. If you
wanted, you could create two entirely different
icons for the
selected and unselected forms of an icon. ICDRAW makes it easy.
The ability to edit color icons is great, but if you use ST High
or Medium resolutions often on your Falcon, the icons have to be
monochrome. ICDRAW didn't neglect these screen resolutions and
offers a third form of an icon which can be used exclusively in
monochrome modes. This is extremely useful because a
multi-colored icon sometimes doesn't translate well in a two
color mode. So, instead of changing all of the icon's colors to
black, you can create monochrome patterns to simulate the hues
you had in color mode.
ICDRAW has a suite of editing tools that you would think are more
likely found in a painting program, rather than an icon editor,
but they're in there: line, frame, box, circle, disc, invert,
rotate by 90 degrees, echo icon pixels in mask, cover, overlay.
fill icon/mask, clear icon/mask, combine icons from paste
buffers, etc.
ICDRAW limits the icons created with it to be of sixteen or fewer
colors. I don't see this as a caveat because I have never used
all sixteen colors in an icon. But if you need a true-color icon
editor, ICDRAW will not suit your purposes.
As mentioned in the introduction of this review, ICDRAW also
allows users to use more than the thirty-three icons offered by
default on the Falcon. Well, actually, Dr. Bob has included a
separate program, which he dubs a "resource expander" which will
accomplish this task. This program simply allots more space in
the DESKICON.RSC file for more icons. You can increase your icon
capacity in steps with RSCXPAND. The choices available are 50,
64, 80, 100, 128, 150, and 199 icons. The greater the number of
icons, the greater the memory consumption. I expanded my
DESKICON.RSC file to 50 icons--that's an increase of 17 over the
standard, plus I have edited some of the default icons to suit my
taste, so the increase seems even greater. I have yet to use all
50!
Other programs that Dr. Bob has included with this package are
ICONPAGE.PRG, a program that will display all the icons in a
folder on a single screen for better viewing (I find this
accessory program more and more useful as my collection of icons
grows), and WICOPAGE.PRG, a similar program for displaying icons
that are in Microsoft Windows format.
Why would you want a Windows icon viewer? ICDRAW imports and
exports Windows .ICO format icons! Just think, you now have
access to the thousands of icons available for Windows! I'm
using this feature to make icons for people I know with clones.
Everyone's going to get a coffee cup icon with their name on it
and maybe one with a Fuji symbol on it. Perhaps this gesture
will create a better understanding between people and create more
cross-platform sharing of ideas. Maybe not. Anyway, it's nice
to have this feature available. Dr. Bob has also hinted at
making other import/export options available in future revisions
of his program, but for now my Mac friends are safe from Fuji
infiltration.
There are many reasons to like this program--it's easy to use,
has a host of features, and it works well. It also has something
which very few programs on any platform have--eminently readable
docs! Dr. Bob is not only an accomplished programmer, as
evidenced by this neat utility he has created, but a good writer
and a wit. His docs are clear, to the point, and written with a
sense of humor. I actually enjoyed reading the docs for this
program.
If this program sounds like something you would like to have, you
can find it on the internet via FTP. Alternately, I am sure Dr.
Bob himself has some copies lying around and would send you one
if you provided him with a disk/mailer and the small shareware
registration fee of $10-$15.
I have taken the following contact information for Dr. Bob, also
known as W. David Parks, from the docs to ICDRAW:
W. David Parks
180 N. Hazeltine Ave.
Campbell, OH 44405-1024
Phone: 216-743-4712
GEnie: W.PARKS3
Product: ICDRAW
Cost: $10-$15
M.A.G.E. (Majic Arcade Graphics Engine): A Review by Ari Feldman
Introduction
With Atari's introduction of the ST series way back in 1985, it
quickly became evident to many game developers and users
alike, that a new era in computer games had arrived. People
flocked to the ST series in droves, and with good reason.
The ST was a fast and inexpensive personal computer with
astounding audio-visual capabilities.
Practically everybody wanted to get into the act and create games
for the ST. Unfortunately, only a select few possessed the
actual programming and artistic skills required to produce
commercial quality entertainment software for the ST.
Seeing this fact as a golden opportunity, a British software
company called Mandarin released the STOS system and took the ST
world by storm. What made STOS so special was it gave the
average ST user the power to create games with many of the same
features found only in commercial offerings.
As a result, STOS quickly became a best seller, selling tens of
thousands of copies, but STOS too had its share of problems.
First, STOS was a poorly written application that crashed on each
new release of TOS. This made it and many of the games created
with it incompatible with the newer Atari machines. Second, STOS
was not a completely self-contained programming/development
environment. If STOS owners wanted to distribute their creations
to other users, they had purchase a separate compiler. If STOS
owners wanted their games to have sound and music, they had to
purchase a separate sound module and so on. This lack of system
integration and cohesiveness added unnecessary expense and caused
many STOS games to be uneven in quality. Third and finally,
STOS offered users relatively slow program performance and
placed many restrictions of the type of games users could create.
Thus, it eventually became clear that users who really wanted
to create truly professional quality games on the ST needed
something better to work with. But what? There was no game
development system better than STOS available for the ST, that
was until now...
Enter the M.A.G.E. (Majic Arcade Graphics Engine), an advanced
game developers toolkit so powerful that it just might set the ST
world back on fire! Recently released by MajicSoft, Inc. of
Columbia, South Carolina, the M.A.G.E. is not a programming
language per se but is instead a collection of some of the most
incredible game-oriented programming routines ever made available
to the general computing public.
The Good...
Designed to interface seemlessly with GFA Basic 3.5E, the de-facto
standard in ST programming languages, the M.A.G.E. plots,
animates, tracks, and explodes dozens of screen objects at once.
The M.A.G.E. can perform high-speed collision checks, color
flashing, color palette shifting, and special screen effects like
barrel scrolling, parallax scrolling and mirroring. The M.A.G.E.
also provides scrolling starfields, fast map room plotting, full
joystick controls and supports such essentials as digital sound
effects, XBIOS sound, and that nifty interrupt-driven chip music
featured in many imported European games.
Formerly known to some in the Atari community as the GP Graphics
Engine, the M.A.G.E. has been tried and tested in the real world
for almost two years. The M.A.G.E. is not some bug-ridden new
release. It works and it works well. In fact, if you have
seen such popular ST shareware titles as Mrs. Munchie,
Insectroid, Megapede, Kid Kong, and Cudlee's Quest, then you
have seen the M.A.G.E. in action. All of these fine programs were
written entirely with the M.A.G.E. system and many, many
satisfied ST users can attest to the high level of quality
exemplified by these programs.
Ok, enough talk about what the M.A.G.E. is. What you really want
to know is what does the M.A.G.E. give you for your hard earned
money? Well, the following are what I perceive to be the most
important attributes and benefits offered by the M.A.G.E. system:
a complete game development environment, professional
development tools, system-wide compatibility, extraordinary speed,
and ease of use.
For starters, unlike STOS and many other ST languages,
the M.A.G.E. is a completely self-contained game development
system. Everything you need to write your game from start to
finish is already included in the M.A.G.E. package.
You get a 177 page user manual, a graphics editor, a map-maker,
a sprite animator, a sound/music editor, a professionally drawn
1,000 image sprite library, a program compression utility, an
inline data maker for streamlining your finished programs, sample
source code and complete copies of the GFA Basic 3.5E
Interpreter/Compiler and GFA Assembler. As a result, there is
absolutely nothing left for you to buy.
In addition, many of the included programming tools are comparable
in quality to those used by professional ST game developers.
For example, the map-maker program will give you the ability to
create games with hundreds of background screens. The sound/music
editor will allow your games to have extremely intricate musical
scores and sound effects. And, the included sprite library will
make your finished programs appear graphically superior to many
commercial game releases (I should know about this last one, I
created all of the sprite and title screen artwork for the
M.A.G.E.!).
Another important feature of the M.A.G.E. is that it is fully
TOS and hardware compatible across the entire Atari computer line,
including the Mega STe, TT030, and the new Falcon030 (however,
there is no 256 or True Color support at this time and I have heard
that there are problems with the product on TOS 1.4 machines).
This means a lot fewer compatibility headaches and assures you a
larger potential audience for your programs. Furthermore,
virtually any ST owner can share in the fun as the M.A.G.E. can be
used on a minimalist ST configuration (i.e. 512kb RAM and
720kb floppy drive), but like any other modern application, it is
preferable to run the M.A.G.E. system on an ST with at least 1 meg
of RAM and a Hard Drive.
Perhaps the M.A.G.E.'s greatest attribute is its ability to
let you to write some of the fastest running games possible
on the ST series of computers! For example, on a stock
8 mhz ST, the M.A.G.E. can produce games with over thirty fully
animated, 16 color, fully clipped sprites (screen objects)
running at over 20 fps (frames per second). Things get even
more interesting with a TT030 or a Falcon. On these machines,
the M.A.G.E. can really fly, supporting games with as many as
100 animated sprites running at over 20 fps! This is a
particularly impressive demonstration of the M.A.G.E.'s power when
you consider the fact that many commercial games written
entirely in optimized 68000 assembly language have trouble
achieving such speeds!
Finally, one of the nicest aspects of the M.A.G.E. is how easy it
is to use. The various M.A.G.E. routines integrate very well into
the GFA Basic environment. All one has to do to access one of the
M.A.G.E.'s many functions is to call the name of the desired
command and pass it a few parameters. It is just that simple!
As a result, game development on the ST has seldom been
easier. With the unique and powerful M.A.G.E./GFA Basic
combination, game projects that used to take weeks or months
to write using conventional (C and 68000 machine code) ST
development methods may now only take a few days!
The Bad...
As with anything else in life, the M.A.G.E. system has its share
of warts and blemishes. Granted, they are few in number but they
are pretty significant. The most glaring of these problems
involve the user manual, the lack of source code, he
M.A.G.E. licensing agreement, and the lack of future support and
upgrades.
The M.A.G.E. user manual clouds what is otherwise an very nice
software product. First off, the user manual is not spiral bound.
This makes it extremely inconvenient to use during programming
sessions since it will refuse to remain open without placing
a heavy object on its pages. Second, the M.A.G.E. command
summary located at the end of the manual is very poorly organized.
Instead of arranging the various M.A.G.E. commands according to
their specific function, as is the typical practice of many
programming references, the manual takes the opposite approach
and lists the M.A.G.E. commands alphabetically. I can't begin
to tell you how frustrating it is when you have to flip through a
dozen pages just to find information on two related commands!
My final criticism of the user manual is due to the lack of
coverage given to certain M.A.G.E. commands. Some commands have
inadequate documentation while others don't have any at all!
Case in point: the M.A.G.E. MS_BLIT command. MS_BLIT is an
optional command that is supposed to add a significant speed
increase to your programs, yet the syntax for this potentially
useful command is noticeably absent from the manual. To their
credit, however, MajicSoft is aware of this last problem and is
already working on a user manual addendum that will be made
available to all registered owners of the M.A.G.E. product.
While the M.A.G.E. is very powerful system, one pays a price for
all of this power with an extremely high learning curve. This
being said, one should not attempt to use the M.A.G.E. unless
they are comfortable with structured programming concepts and
the GFA Basic language. Yet, even seasoned programmers will need
some time to adjust to the M.A.G.E.'s large and daunting command
set. Because of this, it would have been nice if MajicSoft had
included more sample source code then they actually did. The
three example games provided are good starting points but
given the complexity and the sophisticated nature of the
M.A.G.E. system, they simply aren't enough.
The Ugly...
One of my biggest gripes with the M.A.G.E. has to do with
the accompanying software licensing agreement. You see, in order
to use the M.A.G.E. system for commercial development purposes,
a developer must pay MajicSoft a special license fee (your
choice of $1000 annually or $2500 lifetime). From a sheer business
perspective, this arrangement makes sense, however, it also has the
potential to inflict untold damage on an already pathetically
weak domestic ST software market. For many current ST developers,
survival is a daily struggle and the additional burden of a license
fee may ultimately prove to be enough to force existing developers
out of the ST market and deter new ones from entering into it.
Furthermore, with the recent departure of the M.A.G.E's primary
author, Dave Munsie from MajicSoft and MajicSoft's poor financial
health, I have serious reservations regarding the availability of
future support and updates to the M.A.G.E. To my knowledge,
MajicSoft does have available a $5 upgrade which fixes known
compatibility problems with TOS 1.4 machines, but other than that
I think you're on your own!
Recommendations...
So, even after all of this, can I still recommend the M.A.G.E.?
Well, the answer is an equivocal yes depending on who you are and
what you need to do. If you are a novice user without
the first clue on how to program then I would not recommend this
product. However, if you are an advanced level programmer with
a working knowledge of GFA Basic and who likes to write games,
then the purchase of the M.A.G.E system will probably be one of the
best software investments you will ever make.
The M.A.G.E. can be obtained directly from MajicSoft, Inc. at:
348 Meredith Square
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 788-8177
Retail Price (at time of writing): $40 U.S.
M.A.G.E. System Requirements:
Any Color ST/STe/TT/Falcon computer with at least 512kb of RAM and
a Double Sided Drive. One megabyte of RAM and a Hard drive is
recommended. Knowledge of GFA Basic is also strongly recommended.
Should you have any questions, I can be contacted on the internet
at:
FELDAK79@SNYONEVA.CC.ONEONTA.EDU
Atari Classic Gaming Corner
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Fred Horvat
Classic Gaming Product News
---------------------------
It's hard to believe that it has been over 17 years since the Atari 2600
was released! Over 1000 games have been unofficially released for this
system. Believe it or not new game cartridges are still coming out for the
most popular game console ever produced, the Atari 2600! Yes I said new
games are coming out, not by Atari or other major companies, but from third
party individuals who really care about their favorite gaming system. Ed
Federmeyer E-mailed me a couple of months ago inquiring if there still was
any type of market for new 2600 games or products. I told him there is still
plenty of loyal followers and a larger number of people discovering for the
first time the experience of the 2600. He was looking for someone to handle
the production of a game; someone who had the equipment and knowledge to
take his program and transfer it to cartridge. Ed found Randy Crihfield to
handle this and the distribution for him. A couple of months later Ed has a
new cartridge available called SoundX (Sound Experimenter). I do not own this
cartridge but from Ed's description and from others who own it, SoundX is not
a game, but a program that demonstrates the sound capabilities of the 2600.
You change the pitch and volume to create different sounds. Ed is currently
working on a Tetris type game for the 2600. Since Tetris was never released
for the 2600 this game may sell quite a few copies. SoundX cost $16.00 and no
pricing information has been given yet on the Tetris type game. To order
yourself a copy of Soundx contact :
Randy Crihfield
5480 Sacramento Place
Colorado Springs, Co 80917
719-573-4910
Classic Gaming Product Review
-----------------------------
In honor of the Jaguar's October 21st release of Alien vs Predator, I am
doing a mini review of the first video game from the 1979 20th Century Fox
movie "Alien." It was for the Atari 2600 and was called "Alien." The game
was made by 20th Century Fox Video Games and was released in 1982. First off
we've come a long way in 12 years. The objective of the game is to smash as
many of the eggs and/or avoid adult Aliens in the hallways of the space ship
and to pick up as many prizes as possible. After explaining that, the game
resembles Pac-Man on the first screen. You run around the maze smashing eggs
(dots). Like in Pac-Man there are Pulsars (Power Pills) that weaken Aliens
and turns them blue. If you run into them when blue they are destroyed.
There is also an opening on the left and right side that allow you to
hyperwarp from one side to the other. You also have a flame thrower that
turns Aliens away or immobilizes them temporarily. The flame thrower is
limited in use and time. When all the eggs are smashed you are transported to
the bonus round. The object of the bonus round is to travel from the bottom
to the top of the screen and grab the prize shown at the top. You only have 8
seconds and the screen has plenty of Aliens running horizontally. You don't
lose a life if you don't succeed. Gameplay is like Pac-Man or any other
Pac-Man clones. Really no difference. Graphics are OK for the 2600. The
Human and Aliens look good but are nothing fancy. No one will get scared of
these Aliens. When you hyperwarp from one side to the next, the special
effects are real nice. The human fades out and shrinks and them fades in.
When the human dies, an outline of the human is show as if he were shocked.
Sounds are OK. The sound of crushing eggs can pass as such. My only
complaint with the sound is that there is always a siren going off in the maze
screen. This can get annoying in a hurry. The game on a whole is middle of
the road for the 2600. It pretty much is the same as a Pac-Man type of game
but with the Bonus Round. I'd like to thank Tim Duarte from the 2600
Connection for sending me a copy of the documentation. I own this game and
figured out how to play it in a couple of minutes, but with the documentation
it is easier to explain to others. As the saying from the movie goes "In
space no one can hear you scream". Well, if you don't like this game they
sure will.
Lynx Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Barry Cantin
Lynx Feature Article
--------------------
This month we'll take a closer look at the game "Scrapyard Dog", and the
warps in it that send you from one level to another. The game consists
of six "stages", each of which contains four parts. The first three stages
of the game are, in order:
1) Junkyard
2) City
3) Forest
The only three warps known (by the Usenet community) start in these
stages and wind up sending you two stages ahead in each case.
The Lynx FAQ lists only three of these warps (courtesy of E.J. Saloka)
but there are probably more:
----------------------------------------------------------------
WARP to FOREST:
To perform the warp, you must be on JUNKYARD Level 2. Move right
through the level to the stack of tires. Jump onto tires and press
down. The can room will appeare show where the
arrow starts and where the prize ends up:
Start Finish
1 5
2 1
3 4
4 2
5 3
You are now small in size. This allows you to knock on the WARP
door and warp. As you move to the right, press up in front of the
tree to get an extra life. Keep moving t by bullets, dogs, mice,
and bird droppings. Jump up where the hub caps are hanging on a line
to get invincibility. Also pressing down while on top of the third
brown can (the one to the left of the mouse caught between cans) will
give you a shield. When you get to the toilet just before the office,
jump up on the toilet. Face left and hold down. A red warp door will
appear to the right of the office. Move over to the door and hold up
to open the door and warp.
WARP to DESERT:
To perform the warp, you must be on CITY Level 1. Move to the
right until you get to the black cat up in the window above the mail
box. Throw a can to get rid of the cat. Jump up to window where
the cat was and press up. You will now be small. Move back to the
left to door by mail box. Jump up the steps to get level with the door.
Hold up while in front of door to get a red warp door to appear above
the door. Now quickly jump onto mail box, jump to the left edge of
the screen while holding the jump button (to achieve a higher jump).
This will put you at the red warp door. Press/hold up in front of
the door to warp.
WARP to ICE:
You must be in the FOREST level 1. At the start of the level, move
to the right to the log when the rabbit comes out. When you jump on
the log over the hole where the rabbit came out, press down on the
joypad. You are now small. If you go to the right, you will
encounter a tree with two snakes. Enter the door to enter the shop.
Exit the shop and the snakes are gone. Now jump on the stump to the
right of the shop. Face left and hold down till the WARP door
appears on the branch. Jump up to the door and press up. You will
now warp to the ICE area.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, here's the deal -- we'd like to uncover more of these warps!
I personally have seen several locations (not listed) in which Louie
can get small; all we need to do is locate the red doors through
which he must travel to complete the warp!
To help you get further in the game, here are a couple hints I have
used which will help, courtesy (again) of the Lynx FAQ:
1) You can occasionally get a free shield in a level -- initially
(as the timer is on 299) pause the game and press the B button.
You should see a message on the pause screen that reads "Shield
Awarded". If this doesn't work, then try it at 199 seconds and
again at 99 seconds.
2) To get a bunch of free lives: If a shop you are about to enter
has a red $5 money bag on the same screen, take the money before
entering the shop. Then exit the shop. The $5 money bag will
appear again. Take the money and enter the shop again. Repeat
this over and over to build up your money supply. Don't worry
about losing a life or two by running out of time for the level
because just ahead in another shop, you will buy yourself more
lives ($35) and max out your shields ($10) to nine. This method
can be used on another level towards the end of the game to
get lots of lives.
If you have located any warps that are not listed here, please let
me know and I will list them in next month's issue! Send them to
aa852@cleveland.freenet.edu and I will include them.
Lynx Commentary
---------------
We've seen recently that the Home Shopping Channel has been selling off
Lynx systems for $99.99. These systems include the Lynx and three cards:
California Games
NFL Football
Baseball Heroes
(They have been touting this as "six games", because California Games
consists of four events... but only three game cards are included)
They have been selling like HOTCAKES! Why? because people still
recognize the Atari name and still associate it with high-quality game
products. Why else? Look at the deal they're offering! The other two
color handheld game machines *alone* cost at least that (well, the Turbo
Express is probably going to cost more, if you can ever find one).
It IS a very good deal. Electronics Boutique is selling a similar package,
as is Sam's and probably other outfits.
But what about the games? Atari is still sitting on several completed Lynx
titles, including "Battlezone 2000" and "Eye of the Beholder". All these
new Lynx systems being sold and no new games to support them?
We'll see what Atari's next move will be regarding the Lynx. They claim
that they have no plans of dropping the machine, and it doesn't appear that
these package deals being offered everywhere are the result of Atari's
cleaning house. With only three Lynx titles released this year and the Jag
starting to take off -- commercials (good ones at that) and new titles --
perhaps December will bring us a new Lynx game or two.
I'm not gonna hold my breath, but it would be nice. The Atari name can
still live in its handheld, and perhaps the numbers (quite impressive) of
Lynx systems sold over HSC will send a message to the Tramiels: "Release
those games... release those games..." All six of them. That, and a
little publicity, and they will sell.
Additional Lynx Commentary
--------------------------
Len Stys
Let's be honest with ourselves. The reason Atari Corp. isn't releasing
any new games for the Lynx is because the Lynx and its games were not
selling as well as the company had hoped. If Lynx games were selling
really well, Atari would release the new games despite the fact that the
company is concentrating on the Jaguar.
If you remember a few years ago, Atari Corp. had many excuses why the
Lynx did not sell well. The first excuse was lack of games. The reason
the Lynx wasn't selling well was because there were under twelve games
for it. The second excuse was that Atari Corp. had a problem with getting
the LCD screen for the Lynx and could not manufacture enough to meet
the demand at that time. The third excuse was that the company did not
consider demand for the Lynx in Europe and underestimated the demand.
The fourth excuse was because Atari Corp. didn't have a tabletop game
system, it didn't have the clout that Sega and Nintendo had to push their
handheld on consumers. The last public excuse that I have heard from
Atari Corp. was that handheld game systems just don't sell as well as
tabletop game systems.
Atari Corp. never said so, but the company obviously feels that the Lynx
isn't selling well because it and its games are priced too high.
If Atari Corp. did not believe so, the company would have never lowered
the price on the Lynx and its games.
Atari Corp. attempts to look outward to explain why the Lynx has not sold
well in the past. The problem is that the company refuses to look
inward for the failures of the Lynx. Atari Corp. must realize to
themselves that the reason the Lynx has failed is because the company did
a poor job of marketing the Lynx. Once Atari Corp. realizes that the
company is the root of the problem, the company can work on solving the
problem for the future. It is painful for one to admit that they are at
fault. Nobody ever wants to think that they are to blame. But until
someone admits it, the problems continue.
Most of the Lynx marketing was poor. The Lynx TV ads were acceptable
except that they were only aired on cable because it was cheaper. But the
reason it is cheaper is because a lot of people don't see the ads on cable.
The Lynx mall tour a few years ago sold more Game Gears than Lynx systems
because stores only carried one or two in stock. The "Batman Returns"
television commercial was great, but only few stores carried the Lynx and
they only carried a few in stock. It took weeks to get new shipments in
and by that time, the impulse buying was over. And it took not weeks to
get the Batman Returns game during the promotion, but months after the
movie was out of theaters. People bought the Lynx so that they could
play the game when the excitement was still happening. Most people that
went to Toys "R" Us for a portable saw a Game Gear that was focused and
a Lynx that was either out-of-focus or not even on. The choice was clear
which to buy. And how about other stores? The Lynx was hardly ever in
plain view and most of the time, the Lynx games were under a bunch of
Nintendo and Sega replacement controllers. The Lynx magazine inserts
weren't too great. The largest Lynx insert was the "Batman Returns"
insert and it hurt a person's eyes to read the writing on the dark-
patterned background. The same logic was used in the final Lynx magazine
ad that I saw that was used in most of the Lynx magazine ads. The big
excuse in the past was that the reason the Lynx sold poor was because of
lack of games. So in the beginning of 1994, when the Lynx has close to
seventy games available for it, what kind of ad do I see? A magazine ad
that shows the Lynx and five games.
Another big problem was with the Lynx game price structure. I would go
to Toys "R" Us two years after a game was released and it was still priced
at $39.95. The Lynx game price structure did not encourage people to
keep buying Lynx games. People did what I did. The $39.95 price tag for
an old game discouraged me and instead of buying the game, I put the Lynx
away for a few months. Sega and Nintendo doesn't reduce prices of games
just to get rid of a lot of extra stock. They reduce prices of games to
keep people playing their system.
Now, Atari has reduced the price of the Lynx to $59.95 and lowered the
price of Lynx games tremendously. The company is also packaging several
Lynx games with the Lynx. This is good for consumers. But it is
bad for Atari. The price reduction of the Lynx is good because it will
get more Lynx systems out there. But the price reduction of Lynx games
is bad because the games are becoming unprofitable to Atari.
I estimate there are between five-hundred thousand and one-million Lynx
owners out there today. So why isn't Atari releasing any new games?
It is simple. Because of Atari's poor marketing and distribution efforts
in the past, Atari has -no way- of reaching these Lynx owners to let
them know there are new games. Most people don't read GAMEPRO to find out
if there is a new game available. Most people just go to their local
store and ask if there is a new game available.
Atari Corp. is going to have to throw out all previous ways of selling the
Lynx and start from scratch. If Nintendo can release a monochrome and
monotoned GameBoy back in 1989 and still have it on the market today,
Atari can still sell the Lynx color handheld system--especially since it
is still the best handheld on the market today.
The first way to do it is Lynx promotional material inside of the Jaguar.
I don't mean cheap stuff either. I mean four color full-pages. The Lynx
on the cover, the screen shots inside, the accessories and comparison chart
on the back, and order form. The Lynx games should have a new price
structure as well. The price structure in the Telegames ad (if you've
seen it) seems reasonable. The games aren't priced too high, yet it is
priced high enough to make profit for Atari. The higher priced games will
make profit for Atari which allows the company to bring out more games.
The Lynx promotional material inside of the Jaguar will help increase sales
of the Lynx. And Atari is directly hitting their target market.
The second way to do it is an agreement with one or two large retailers
to carry the Lynx in 1995. Toys "R" Us and Electronics Boutique or
Babbages would be a good choice. Atari Corp. should then advertise the
fact that the Lynx and its games are available exclusively in these stores.
The ads should be in gaming magazines and in newspapers. This will give
those five-hundred thousand to a million Lynx owners a place to buy the
new Lynx games when Atari releases them.
These two things will help start making the Lynx a competitive handheld
once again. And most importantly--a profitable product.
Yes, I agree with Barry. The Lynx games need to come. But I don't see
it happening until Atari starts taking some others steps first.
And we need to encourge them to take these steps.
Jaguar Support Area
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Len Stys
Jaguar News
-----------
Len Stys
NEWS FROM RON BELTRAMO AT COMPUSERVE ATARI CONFERENCE
This is turning out to be an exciting Holiday Season. As
many of you know, we have started to ship Dragon: The Bruce
Lee Story and Doom. We are shipping these titles as quickly
as they come in to us, so make sure you stay in touch with
your retailer if you are looking for these titles. On the
heels of these titles are Checkered Flag, Club Drive, Iron
Soldier, Val D'Isere Skiing, Bubsy, Zool 2 and Kasumi
Ninja. Look for a fast flurry of these titles within the
next few weeks. I am particularly excited about the
diversity of these titles as well as quality. I think this
Christmas, there is something for everyone on the Jaguar.
This special conference is in the honor of the hard work
put forth by the AvP team with their successful release of
their new hit. I know people would like some updated
marketing scoop, so maybe I can address that topic quickly
before turning the entire focus to them.
First off, we are wrapping up some studio production work
for three new television commercials: one featuring Kasumi
Ninja, one for Doom and one for Iron Soldier. The Doom spot
will be finished this week and be on air next week for a
three week blitz leading up to the Christmas holidays. Iron
Soldier and Kasumi Ninja will be completed next week and on
air going into the new year. All three are shaping up to
be great ads for three of the next great Jaguar titles.
Those of you who live near Venture Stores (a chain very
similar to Target with stores mostly in the midwest) have
seen their promotion of the Jaguar in recent circulars. The
Jaguar and the Lynx have also been featured in recent
Incredible Universe advertisements. We have also succeeded
in selling an impressive number of Lynx systems on the Home
Shopping Club. Toys R Us has expanded the distribution of
Jaguar to 300 stores accross the country. Jaguar is now
being launched into Japan and every Toys R Us Store in
Japan will be carrying the Jaguar this Holiday Season.
Bill Rehbock, v.p. of software business development, has
recently revealed that Primal Rage will be coming to the
Jaguar although the timing for release has not yet been
announced.
The long awaited Tempest 2000 Soundtrack on compact disc is
expected in our warehouse within the next 10 days. I think
this item makes a perfect Christmas gift at only $12.99
plus shipping. Contact Don Thomas, director of customer
service to order. He tells me he has reduced the shipping
and handling to just $3.50 on this item for onliners.
The Alien Vs. Predator cinema-quality poster has been such
a hit, we have brought in more. As a matter of fact,
EVERYONE that attends this conference tonight live can
receive a postage paid free AvP poster. The SysOp will keep
track of who attends. You must send your U.S. or Canadian
mailing address privately to JAGUAR$ or ATARI to get your
poster. If you are reading this text after the conference
has concluded, you can still obtain a free poster, however,
Atari's minimum $4.95 shipping and handling fee applies.
The most recent edition of the retailer's Jaguar demo tape
is reaching stores now. Some of you have ordered one for
yourselves and are receiving them. I hope you will feel
free to loan that tape out to friends. <hint> This 40+
minute tape was produced by Greg LaBrec, director of
creative services. It features 30 Jaguar game sequences
plus copies of Atari's Jaguar commercials INCLUDING the
popular AvP spot; all professionally edited, reproduced
and labeled. (Greg has been known to sign a few before they
are shipped upon request <g>)
HAND MADE SOFTWARE NEWS
We've just finished (few weeks ago) Kasumi Ninja for the Jaguar on
cartridge, although it's not expected to be released in the UK before
Christmas. We're currently working on Kasumi Ninja II and Jack
Nicklaus Golf for Jaguar CD. Both are scheduled for release next
Christmas.
We're also working on a couple of secret, in-house projects. Mainly
conversions of titles we're currently developing for other systems
such as Sega's 32X. No release dates scheduled for these titles.
The Sega titles will be graphically improved but game play will be the
same. One of them *should* be out by next Christmas as it's a Sega
Megadrive port so the code is already in 68000.
Additional Jaguar News
----------------------
Compiled by Fred Horvat
ALIEN VS. PREDATOR TOPS BABBAGES' CHARTS!
Alien vs Predator for the Jaguar is number 8 on Babbages top 10 video
game list for the month of November. What is not known is the actual number
of games sold. But considering that the game came out October 21st and
Babbages charges $69.95 for the game it isn't too bad.
V-REAL'S ARENA FOOTBALL OFFER
I am gettting this information from my Arenaball program from one of this
summer's Cleveland Thunderbolts game. The advertisement does not list any
expiration dates so I assume this offer to still be good.
Real Arena Football League teams and players
Up to 12 players in league play
Build your own expansion team
Modem play
The special offer with a $10.00 advance order will get you the following:
o Guaranteed delivery of limited edition game
o Free official AFL Mini-Football
o $25.00 off Jaguar game system
o Plus $5.00 savings on the AFL game cartridge
The ad states that the suggested price is $59.95 and with the $10.00
advanced order your total price for the game is $44.95.
You can contact V-Real at:
V-Real Interactive
2121 Broadway
Suite 200
Redwood City, CA 94063
800-715-7070
415-367-4091
2600 GAMES ON JAGUAR?
Atari 2600 games on the Jaguar? It is possible. People laughed at me in
the summer of 93 when I mentioned this but Atari is seriously considering
this. How difficult would this be? Not very difficult at all. This can be
done with software that emulates the 2600's 6502 chip set. At the summer CES
Russ Perry Jr. talked to Dave Staugus about the possibility of this. They
talked about putting Atari's entire 2600 library on CD-ROM. I'd personally
prefer to have them on a cartridge. Most 2600 games are 4K on the average so
200+ games on a single cart plus emulation would still leave plenty of empty
space. If you really would like to see this, contact Atari at the following
address :
Attn : Dave Staugas
Atari Corp.
1196 Borregas Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302
Tell him what games and on what format (cartridge or CD-ROM).
Jaguar Game Summaries
---------------------
DRAGON: The Bruce Lee Story - COMBAT SIMULATION
THE LEGEND FIGHTS ON . . .
The spirit of martial arts Master Bruce Lee lives on in
DRAGON: a dangerously life-like combat simulation based on
his biographical film. Apply discipline and a devastating
array of age-old fighting techniques to subdue opponents
more cunning than the real Bruce Lee ever faced. Unite
your spiritual and physical strength to confront The
Phantom, the mythical samurai which has plagued your
thoughts and dreams, in a jeet kune do duel to the death!
[1 or 2 players] $59.99 (Atari/J9036) [TEEN]
KASUMI NINJA - ARCADE FIGHTING (DIGITIZED)
ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE . . .
Stop the Evil Ninja Lord Gyaku from opening the Dragon
Cloud temple's portal to Hell and unleashing his demon
minions upon Kasumi island and the world. Battle it out in
this bloody brawler in 1 Player Story mode or Two Player
versus mode as one of the 8 all-time greatest warrior-
fighters. Gain fighting skill and master special moves
from bout to bout as you journey through the Underground
Labyrinth to the Dragon Cloud temple where you'll face
your ultimate opponent: the Evil Ninja Lord Gyaku himself!
[1 or 2 players] $69.99 (Atari/J9012) [MATURE]
CHECKERED FLAG - VIRTUAL SPEEDWAY
THIS AIN'T NO DRIVE TO GRANDMA'S!
Get ready to burn rubber! Race for the Checkered Flag
behind the wheel of a turbo-powered speedway racer in
real-time, 3D-rendered action. Choose from 10 high-
performance tracks and see the speedway from 6 distinct
views. Alter features and attributes on your racer to
improve your times or even change the weather conditions.
Action so realistic you'll swear you feel the wind in your
hair as your tires screech around the curves. Keep your
sweaty palms on the controller!
[1 player] $69.99 (Atari/J9007)
ZOOL 2 - SIDESCROLLING ADVENTURE
IT'S KROOL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!
Zool and his daring and lovely sidekick Zooz face a
challenge that would wilt the knees of even the toughest
Ninja. The Nth Dimension is under attack from the evil
forces of Krool. Our heroes must restore the Nth Dimension
to equilibrium and exile Mental Block and his mind-numbing
cronies before imagination is wiped out of existence. Zoon
the two-headed intergalactic wonder-canine will help, but
you'll need skills from the Nth Dimension to save
imagination!
[1 player] $49.99 (Atari/J9042)
Tempest 2000(tm) The Soundtrack shipping soon!
----------------------------------------------
Ever since the release of Tempest 2000 (the extraordinary
64-bit Jaguar update to one of the most phenomenal video
games of all time), gamers have been pleading for an audio
disc of the outstanding music soundtrack. At the summer
Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Atari announced that
such a compact disc was planned and I am pleased to report
that I have seen one of the first ones off the "press"
arrive in our offices today. The disc features 12
selections as follows:
1. Thermal Resolution 3:59
2. Mind's Eye 4:52
3. T2K 5:23
4. Ease Yourself 7:52
5. Tracking Depth 5:04
6. Constructive Demolition 4:05
7. Future Tense 5:54
8. Digital Terror 5:07
9. Hyper Prism 4:26
10. Glide Control 5:12
11. Ultra Yak 4:00
12. 2000 Dub 7:31
The CD is produced by AtariMusic; a division of Atari
Corporation. The executive producer is Mr. John Skruch.
The director of audio is Mr. James Grunke.
I have asked Mr. Grunke to let me know as soon as the CD
was to be made available. They have been duplicated and
they are in the process of being properly packaged.
Although he is not quite sure whether it will be 10 or 14
business days due to Holiday schedules, he assures me
Atari will take delivery of them very "soon" now. Soon
enough, that he is permitting me to begin accepting
preorders which I can ship when they arrive.
So once again... here's the online deal!....
The cost is $12.99 plus $3.50 shipping and handling to
reserve your copy to be assuredly shipped before Christmas.
(The shipping and handling is reduced from Atari's normal
$4.95 for a limited time.) That's a total of $16.49 ($17.56
in California) ($18.49 in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and
money orders accepted (Checks and money orders should be
made payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY NAME! <g>. I
can ship to any location in North America including U.S.
and Canada. Please allow 14 to 21 business days for
delivery. (Please note this is a preorder. Payments will
be processed immediately so your order is ready to ship as
soon as they arrive.) To reserve yours, send your order to:
Thomas' Terrific Tempest 2K Tunes Deal
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209/239-1552
or fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
I've mentioned to James that a few people enjoyed having
Mr. Greg LaBrec autograph their video tapes. James said
he'd be happy to sign a couple compact disc sleeves if I
hit him up when he's not too busy. <g> (by specific request
only, allow a few extra days) By the way, music and Jaguar
retailers who are interested in carrying Tempest 2000: The
Soundtrack can send me a fax or EMail and I will be sure to
get that passed on to our sales department immediately.
We hope when you get the CD, you'll urge your local radio
stations to play your favorite selection. We will be making
the CD available to the hottest applicable North American
Stations, but if we miss your favorite station, just ask
them to fax a request to receive a copy at 408/745-2088.
Who knows, maybe you can help put your favorite song on a
Billboard chart! <g>
Don't forget the software preview video tapes. If you
haven't asked for your copy yet, it features over 30
professional video captures PLUS Atari's recent television
commercials. The price is $8.95 plus $4.95 S&H or a total
of $13.90 ($14.64 in California) ($15.90 in Canada).
I also still have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining
although we are shipping another wave of them to retailers.
There is one for each shipping and handling fee of $4.95
($6.95 in Canada).
Other news... if you have not heard. As of 11/22/94,
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story has started to ship and Doom
will be in stores within the next week. The games are
beginning to roll in. We may not all agree about which
ones we like the best, but we will all agree there will
begin to be a LOT of great ones to choose from. I have also
confirmed that the wheels are now in motion to put Primal
Rage out on the Jaguar. Don't ask me how much or when. I do
not know yet. Happy Thanksgiving!
By the way, you can help a LOT by passing this offer
electronically to another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make
a hard copy and give to friends. Thanks! If you are reading
this news belated, go ahead and place your order! We will
let you know if we cannot fulfill it for any reason.
VHS Game Tape Offer
-------------------
Atari has a brand new VHS preview tape and it's better than
ever! Over 30 Jaguar titles have been captured on video
tape and just in time for the Holidays. This tape has been
meticulously produced under the direction of Mr. Greg
LaBrec using state-of-the-art direct-to-tape equipment and
techniques. The action sequences selected were provided
by the game producers or the guidance of the third party
developers. Okay, okay... forget the hype... it's a darn
cool tape and it has a cool plastic box and label too.
This new edition updates the previously released software
preview videos with exciting captures to show off last
minute changes to games that are now in production. There
are incredible sequences featuring action games such as
Iron Soldier and high-resolution fantasy games such as
Rayman by ubi Soft.
Although this tape has been developed primarily for the use
of Jaguar retailers, I have twisted marketings arm and
they (actually he) has finally allowed me to sell copies to
our faithful online Jaguar fans. I told him how everyone
wants to see what has been taking so long. I mentioned that
gamers want a good preview of things they are being asked
to spend $50 to $70 on. I assured him people want an update
of what has been going on in the past few months since CES.
Now he's convinced and I have to sell more than three tapes
fast or he'll never believe me again. <g>
Want more info? Here's the video menu...
Approx.
Tape
Pos. SEGMENT AVAIL. IN STORES
===========================================================
:20 TEACHER SPOT
:49 Doom EARLY DECEMBER
2:34 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story LATE NOVEMBER
4:00 Checkered Flag EARLY DECEMBER
5:45 Iron Soldier MID DECEMBER
7:42 Zool 2 LATE DECEMBER
8:57 Kasumi Ninja LATE DECEMBER
10:25 Club Drive LATE NOVEMBER
11:56 ALIEN VS. PREDATOR SPOT
12:27 Alien Vs. Predator AVAILABLE NOW
15:34 Ultra Vortex (Beyond Games) DECEMBER
17:06 Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding EARLY DECEMBER
18:49 Bubsy LATE DECEMBER
20:05 Double Dragon V (Williams) DECEMBER
21:30 Flashback (US Gold) DECEMBER
22:49 Brutal Sports Football (Telegames) DECEMBER
23:50 Sensible Soccer (Telegames)
25:03 TEMPEST 2000 SPOT
25:34 Tempest 2000 AVAILABLE NOW
26:58 Wolfenstein 3d AVAILABLE NOW
28:06 Cybermorph AVAILABLE NOW
29:20 Raiden AVAILABLE NOW
30:32 Evolution: Dino Dudes AVAILABLE NOW
31:35 Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy AVAILABLE NOW
32:50 Syndicate (Ocean) DECEMBER
33:47 Theme Park (Ocean) DECEMBER
34:35 Air Cars (Midnight) DECEMBER
35:39 Troy Aikman NFL Football (Williams) DECEMBER
36:34 Cannon Fodder (Virgin) DECEMBER
37:43 Dragon's Lair (Readysoft)
38:31 Hover Strike
39:20 Fight For Life
40:00 Burn Out
40:43 Rayman (ubi Soft) DECEMBER
41:52 VLM (Virtual Light Machine) DECEMBER
Okay, okay... here's the deal. The cost is $8.95 plus $4.95
shipping and handling. That's a total of $13.90 ($14.64 in
California) ($15.90 in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and money
orders accepted (Checks and money orders should be made
payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY NAME! <g>. I can
ship to any location in North America including U.S. and
Canada. To order, send your order to:
Atari Corporation, P.O. Box 61657, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552
or fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
Personally, I'm going to have my tape signed by Greg
LaBrec. If you want him to sign your copy, let me know and
I'll see if I can catch him in a good mood for you! <g>
I also have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining. There is
one for each shipping and handling fee of $4.95 ($6.95 in
Canada). These are cinema-size posters and I've already
heard back from gamers who have had theirs laminated,
mounted and framed.
By the way, you can help a LOT even if you don't want to
order the tape or request a poster by passing this offer
electronically to another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make
a hard copy and give to friends. Thanks!
Jaguar Contest
--------------
*************** AVP ON-LINE TRIVIA CONTEST ****************
WIN A JAGUAR or AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ALIEN Vs. PREDATOR!
Atari is proud to introduce another online attraction...
It's our first ever "AvP Trivia Contest"! Here's how it
works... Below are five questions regarding Atari's hit
64-bit Jaguar release of Alien Vs. Predator. Each question
may be answered by A, B, C or D. Entrants must submit their
answers along with their mailing address and daytime phone
number. Entries should be sent directly or through the
Internet to one of the following addresses:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
or
jaguar$@genie.geis.com
Entries will be accepted anytime from November 29, 1994
until midnight of December 9, 1994. This contest is open
to all onliners who have a North American shipping address
(50 U.S. states and Canada) who have complied with the
terms of this contest. BBS users can submit their entries
by sending a private message to the SysOp of CATscan BBS
by dialing 209/239-1552. Sysops are encouraged to
distribute the details of this contest. The winner will be
randomly selected from all the correct entries. Due to the
anticipated volume, individual replies to entries CANNOT be
made. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Employees
of CompuServe, GEnie or Atari are ineligible.
To make things REALLY easy. You WILL find the answers
within the text of the November 29th AvP conference on
CompuServe or the November 30th AvP conference on GEnie.
Here are the questions:
1) Alien Vs. Predator by Atari for the 64-bit Jaguar
interactive multimedia system features the ability for
the player to become any one of three characters. What
are those characters?
A. Ripley, an Alien and a Navy Seal
B. An Alien, a Predator and a Marine
C. A ship's navigator, a cook and a doctor
D. None of the above
2) Which film studios produced the Alien and Predator
films?
A. Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox
B. Disney Studios and Twentieth Century Fox
C. Twentieth Century Fox and Twentieth Century Fox
D. Universal Studios and Twentieth Century Fox
3) Alien Vs. Predator is a virtual world challenge which
is described in the manual to be:
A. a tactical simulator depicting the events following
the fall of Camp Golgotha Colonial Marine Training
Base.
B. a reenactment of events created by a supercomputer
based on the ultimate terrestrial war Alien vs.
Predator.
C. a dream sequence of space mining personnel aboard
their own contaminated ship.
D. a hypnotic recall of the nightmarish events
experienced by marines on a recent war mission where
germ warfare was used against them.
4) An effective tool to be used while playing Alien Vs.
Predator is the H.U.D. which offers status displays.
What does H.U.D. stand for?
A. Heads-Up Display
B. Helmet Ultra-Diatometer
C. Heated U-light Diagnostics
D. Hampered Utility Detector
5. One of the many obstacles to avoid is referred to as a
Facehugger. A Facehugger is which of the following?
A. A creature that attaches itself to the face of its
host.
B. A helmet instrument used by the Predator that injects
a poison into anyone else who may attempt to use it.
C. A "gripping" gas that stretches the skin of the face
until it tears.
D. None of the above.
***********************************************************
DOOM Internet Reviews
---------------------
From: rbeer@deathstar.cris.com (Rich Beerman)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Pretty humorous: Went to Waldensoft at the Fashion Square Mall in
Saginaw, MI. to *possibly* buy a 3DO unit, and to my tremendous
surprise, while I was standing at the counter asking the salesman
questions about the Goldstar 3DO unit, I saw Jaguar DOOM! ..
Needless to say, I walked out w/ the Doom cart, and not the 3DO
unit ...
The game is GREAT -- I've played a lot of Doom on the PC, and there
are definite differences (for those who have played a lot of the PC
version, you will notice them immediately).
The game's *FAST*. I don't know the FPS rate, but it's obviously
much faster than AVP. Jag DOOM is at LEAST as fast as a 486/66, if not
a Pentium (seriously). The resolution isn't too bad either, which was
something I was worried about. It's noticably lower than the PC version
but it does not look bad at all.
There is very little slowdown in the play. I've noticed a few small
pauses, especially in level 3, but are short and not distracting.
There are some cosmetic enhancements from the PC version. For example,
there is no "light banding".. Jag Doom "fades" similar to AVP. The
sounds are somewhat similar. There is no music in Jag Doom, and the
levels are different in many ways. It seems iD software took out a
little bit of detail (again, this will be noticable for all you PC
Doomers out there), but in doing so, they've added some other cool
sections of the level.
My only complaint is that I have not found a way to save a game yet.
It looks like this functionality is not in the cartridge; this is
unfortunate, because it's really hard to start off on a hard level with
a simple pistol.
My recommendation: BUY IT. It's *GOOD*. I was very sceptical several
months ago, but it's exceeded my expectations. I can't think of enough
positive adjectives .. again, BUY IT!
A note to id: I was critical of your efforts several months ago, and
I apologize; I was wrong. You guys did one HELL of a job! THANKS!
- Rich
rbeer@cris.com
From: <U50723@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Thought I'd give some quick impressions of JagDOOM. I just got it
this afternoon at EB for $69.99. (I'm in Chicago, BTW)
The one thing that really struck me was the effect the larger color
palette had on the game. Without altering the dark and forbidding
atmosphere, the extra shades and colors really make a difference.
Everything looks a lot sharper. I know a lot has been mentioned about
whether the resolution would hold up, but I can't see a difference
between the resolution here or on the PC version, and I'm talking the
high detail mode here.
I've played through the first 4 levels. The controls are very responsive.
I think the game moves very fast. I've played PC Doom on a 386/25
(bleh!) and a 486dx2/50. I'd say the speed was comparable to the
dx2. It did seem like there were a lot fewer objects in general on
the levels I played; the exception being barrels. There did
seem to be a lot more barrels than I remember on the PC version. I'll
have to go back and check.
As everyone knows, there's no music during play. Fine with me, I
found the music during PCDoom did nothing for me. Didn't like it, didn't
hate it. The sound effects are all nice and crisp sounding.
I can't comment on the network feature since I know no one else with
a jag. Not having the modem feature really hurts the replay value of the
game. I have a feeling I'm going to play it, beat it, and then sell it.
With the modem feature it would have been a keeper.
Overall, JagDoom measures up very well with PCDoom. It's really
well done.
Later,
Jim Devereux
u50723@uicvm.uic.edu
PS. regarding 32x Doom: I got about a 10 min. look at this while waiting
in line at EB ( Why I entered a mall the day after Thanksgiving
I have no idea :) ). Jag and 32x versions looked to be running at
the same speed; the difference, if any , wasn't noticeable. However, the
colors on 32x don't compare. Everything seemed to run together on the
32x. The border was about an inch on the sides and 1.5-2 inches on
the bottom (the status bar is a lot bigger than on the PC or jag).
From: Kent.Frechette@launchpad.unc.edu (kent frechette)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Well, here is my quasi-DOOM review. First off, anyone unfamiliar with me
should know that I've been a Jaguar devotee since last November. I was one
of the first to get one, and I'm one of the guys currently pissing and
moaning about what a lousy year Atari has posted...T2000 and AVP aside.
Enough of the BS:
JagDoom receives:
Graphics : 6 (out of 10) Blech! This is 64-bit technology?
Sound : 10 Excellent sound!
Control : 10 Lightyears ahead of any keyboard
Gameplay : 10 Sure, it looks grainy, but it's still Doom.
Replayability: 10 Lots of neato things to find (if you can see 'em)
Difficulty : 10
Ranges from cakewalk to midnight stroll in Central Park
Yes, the graphics were a huge diappointment to me, and not much better
than the 32X version. But, as you can see, I am quite pleased with every
thing else. I've played for a few hours today and have managed to only get
through level 3.
BTW- this review is for folks who don't have the PC version. I had only
played Doom 1 on a computer once. If you've played it tons already than I
don't think you'll want to get JagDoom. I saw many things which were
minimized to make the game playable ie. graphics, things missing. There
are no light amplification glasses. I guess that means no code to turn the
lights on, huh?
I just loaded Doom II on my computer and am currently dividing time
between both of them. Hands down, Doom II kicks ass, but not ever really
having played Doom 1 makes JagDoom a lot of fun. So far the levels all
seem very long and fun. But someone help me: How do I get into the room in
level 3, which I was allowed to open a window to look into? Am I clear
about where I want to go?
I only play Doom on the Ultra-Violence level because anything less is for
girlie-men, and maybe that is why I haven't cleared out level 4 yet, but I
think I saw the end.
I have no sound card in my computer, so the addition of sound in JagDoom
is awesome. It actually helped me find two secret doorways (I could hear
something opening and closing in the distance).
No music during gameplay, but there is a really bad song at the intro
screen. So far I've noticed a different song at the end of each completed
level...not bad.
JagDoom doesn't have that graphic screen when you beat a level that shows
you which part of the base you just cleared and which part you're heading
to next. The level-cleared screen is similar to that of Doom II.
SaveGames: Poopoo kahkah Crap!!! Cheap bastards! When you clear a level it
will allow you access to that level and any level prior to that next time
you play. Every time you start the game anew, you only begin with the
dinky pistol. Makes the game more challenging, sure, but very frustrating
at times, too.
like with the 32X version of Doom, JagDoom is just a wild fuching ride.
Hang on for dear life, and make sure you got plenty of ammo for the trusty
shotgun. This game is great fun.
The speed is very good. I run Doom II on a 486-66 and JagDoom appears to
be running the same speed or better and smoother...have I mentioned that
the graphics suck, though? You'll get used to that after awhile, but I
have a problem at times distinguishing the bad guys at long distances.
Yes, unlike 32X Doom, we see the beasties from all sides, and, yes, they
do kill one another, and, yes, that's fun to watch knowing that you
instigated the melee (sort of like screaming fire in a crowded auditorium).
Due to the fact that my piece of shite server is a day or two behind, I
haven't seen any other Doom posts since Thursday. I apologize if you've
heard all of what I've said once or twice before. If you have any
questions, by all means ask someone else...just joshin'. Drop me a line.
God, knows I'll probably be requesting some assistance from you all in
finding some of the secret goodies and codes.
A happy ammo code would be very useful, but I feel like a real soldier
going at it like it is...we'll see how long that lasts.
BTW- If what Travis said is tru, and Atari only managed to get a few of
these out before X-mas, I sympathize with those unable to get a copy. I'll
try to finish the game as soon as possible and put it up for sale when I
do. Good luck getting a copy. It's worth it if, like me, you rarely played
Doom in the past. And- to hell with you, Atari, for making it so difficult
for your loyal followers to get copies of your supposed "system sellers".
See ya all around,
Kent Frechette
Back to JagDoom and Doom II!!! I'm going straight to Hell, I just know it.
--
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Launchpad is an experimental internet BBS. The views of its users do not
necessarily represent those of UNC-Chapel Hill, OIT, or the SysOps.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
From: artintel@aol.com (ArtIntel)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
This game does have the Doom feel. It is very fast, and controls well. It
is also an excellent challange due to the lack of instant save. Well, so
much for the good stuff. The bad news is that the resolution is quite bad.
It's like playing on low detail on the PC only slighly worse. Also, the is
a marked lack of detail and/or missing textures. And also there are missing
walls, areas, etc. Overall I'd say I'm quite dissappointed with this
version after all the hype and wait. I haven't played the 32X version,
but I don't think it could be much worse. If you've played the PC version,
(and most have) I think it blows the Jag version away! I would rent it
first. Especially since it's $74.00!
From: andre@earth.execpc.com (Andre Robotewsky)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Hi there,
Just picked up my copy of Jag DOOM and here's what I think:
The Good:
1) Resolution: at least as good as PC version- much better than 32X
2) Animation speed: very high- has run feature a la Jag Wolf 3D
3) Animated texture maps and lighting effects
4) Lots of action
5) Non-orthogonal environment- lots of variety
6) Difficulty- seems fairly well balanced at default setting
The Bad:
1) Resolution: although as good as the PC version, it doesn't
touch AvsP. HIGH degree of pixelization
2) "Mood"- none. The game really does not draw the player into
itself the way AvsP does. In fact, the monsters seem more comical
than frightening.
The Ugly:
1) Sound effects: WHERE ARE THEY!?!?!?! Basically, the only sounds
in this game are those of your weapon firing, ammunition
exploding, and the occasional grunt- either from your character
or a monster. No ambient sound effects a la AvsP. No sound track.
Is this a sleeper or what?
2) Save game- or lack thereof. Doom "remembers" the most recently
completed level. Will allow you to restart at any level through
most recently completed
3) BUGS! I've already had the game hang on me with the message:
"Player in special sector: unknown"
Conclusion: This one's going back to Babbages. Offers nothing over the
PC version- and that's free vs $75 for the cart. I can't help but compare
it to AvsP. I know, I know, they're not the same- but all other arguments
aside, both games are meant to be 3D, immersive first person perspective
action games, and in that way, they are the same. The biggest difference,
I think, is in the quality of implementation. AvsP managed to completely
engross me for hours and hours at a time. The realistic graphics and mood
setting sound effects did a great job of "suspending disbelief"- I almost
felt I was _in_ the game, not playing it. I can't begin to count the times
I was made to nearly "jump out of my skin" when surprised by an alien(s) or
predator. NOTHING like that in DOOM. On the plus side, I have to admit
that the non-orthogonal rendering engine adds a nice amount of variety to
the environment, it's simply not enough to make up for all its
short-comings... Too bad, I really wanted to like this game- but I think
AvsP has probably spoiled a lot of people- certainly myself. Rebellion
has raised the standard, and ID hasn't met it...
From: artintel@aol.com (ArtIntel)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
More thoughts on Jag Doom after extended play. I think ID did an excellent
job of getting this sucker to play exactly like Doom on the PC. After
logging dozens of hours on PC Doom, I can say that this game is just as
fun, play wise. However, the darn resolution seriously hampers a total,
"Ya, I'm glad I paid 74 dollars for this and it was well worth It,
feeling". I think public demand and expectation may have been partially
responsible for this, in that most people were probably screaming at ID
for it to be ' full screen '. I think, if they could have reduced the
screen size. ( I mean come on, most people have at least 27 inch TV's by
now ) And then maybe they could have upped the resolution. Also, I'm sure
the pressure was intense to get it out by Christmas due to the dearth of
games. I guess ultimately, maybe we should do what we can to let the game
companies know that they should take the time to do the game justice. And
not compromise quality just because we want it yesterday. Remember, once
it's done it's done, and we might have to wait another year for Doom II or
whatever, to see an improvement.
From: andrewwelc@aol.com (AndrewWelc)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
I picked up Jaguar Doom today, which set me back $75 or so -- I hope these
things don't get much more expensive.
Jaguar Doom is without a doubt the best game available for the Jaguar to
date. In terms of playability, variety, and enjoyment I think it beats
the stuffing out of AvP.
Yes, the resolution is a disappointment, and it is noticable (especially
the sprites -- the 3D environment looks pretty good, though it is very
dark and muddy in places). However Doom is Doom. I don't own a DOS box,
so the Jaguar is the only place I can easily get a Doom fix.
Overall I'd say it *looks* worse than the PC version, but the gameplay is
all there (gotta love the chain saw), and the controls are just fine.
Music would definitely help the mood, and I wish they included it, but it
doesn't devastate the game by any means.
It'll be interesting to see how the 3DO version of Doom and Doom II
(coming next year) compare. I haven't played the 32X version enough to
make a comparison there, however I will point out that Atari needs games
that make it stand head and shoulders above the games on other systems,
not just a few inches higher.
All that said, if you own a Jaguar and like raucus death and carnage, you
won't go wrong with Jag/Doom.
Graphics: 7
Sound: 7 (I'd give it a 9 if there were music)
Gameplay: 10
Overall: 8 (could have been a 10 with higher resolution graphics and
music)
Cheers,
Andrew Welch
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Internet Reviews
--------------------------------------------
From: JoeCat@ix.netcom.com (Joe Cataudella)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
OK - here's the deal with Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. Basically it's
like a *small* combination of Street Fighter and Streets of Rage. There
are options like 1-player Story (set up like the movie, starting in the
catering hall, then moving onto the kitchen in San Francisco, etc..),
1 player Battle (let's you select the scene as you fight 5 rounds each
against other fighters), and two player battle (two-player mode against
each other). There are difficulty and speed settings as well (Manic
being the highest speed). The backgrounds are pretty nice, and there are
a few scrolling layers on particular scenes (some impressive, others
not). The characters are what probably lowered the scores - they look
16-bit...no better than your average fighters in a SNES game. The music
is excellent, and the sound effects are ok...adequate, but nothing earth
shattering. Bruce starts off with a set amount of moves, and under his
life bar is a second bar representing CHI. As you fight, your CHI bar
starts to fill, and once it hits a certain point, the word FIGHTER
appears and suddently Bruce gains around 4 or 5 deadly moves; when CHI
bar reaches the max, Bruce gets awarded with Nunchucks (<-sorry 'bout
the mispell - I'm rushing this one out). If you lose all of your
fighters (I believe you start with 3), the scenery changes to dark
shades of blue, as Bruce has to face his demon (remember that giant
thingy from the movie?). I'm not sure how this part works -but if you at
least stand up to this guy long enough - you're put back into the game
at the level you got your butt kicked on (I imagine you eventually work
yourself up to this character for a fight to the finish at the end of
the game). My inital reactions when I popped this game on were - geez,
this doesn't look next-generation to me- but after a few of us played it
a bit - we found ourselves going back for one more try (quite a few
times) as it is quite hard. I can see why GameFan gave it low scores,
but because I expected a disaster (like Shadow on 3DO), I was actually
suprised. OK, again - don't exepect some revolutionary special effects
like you did in Tempest, or fireballs coming from Bruce Lee (he's not
Ryu <g>), but as a fighting game, it's really not all that bad.
Personally I like it better than Brutal Sports Football, Raiden, Cresent
Galaxy, and Dino Dudes (at least from this perspective). A few customers
popped by to check it out - they played it for 2 minutes, got whipped,
then said "this game really does suck", as they kept asking if they can
give it another shot. When they got to the second level (fighting the
two cooks), their reaction started to change a bit. I'm not giving this
the green light.. recommending you run out and buy it - but it's
certainly not terrible!
--
Tronix Multimedia
3DO Jaguar Sega SNES PC-CDROM
~ Ahead of the Game ~
From: Walter Las <wlas@delphi.com>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Ok, well last night I managed to get Dragon: The Bruce Lee story.
In fact, I drove about 30 miles away from my home in about 40
minutes to get it before the store closed.
The first thing I'll say is that I'm the kind of guy that likes
to put Raiden in the old Jaguar and blast away aimlessly for hours
at a time. I also liked Dino Dudes (and got it after swearing that
I'd NEVER get it; I'm glad I did) and play it every so often.
Usually I like to clear the high score table, get my name on it and
listen to the Cave Band. So what I say here might be considered
suspect by many of you.
Dragon is from Virgin, and as far as I'm concerned it's the
first third party release. Oh, sure, I've heard that Brutal Sports
Football was released. Somewhere. All three copies or so. But
I've never seen it. For those of you who think the packaging for
Jaguar games is rather cheesy you'll be disappointed to know that
it's basically the same. Or I should say exactly the same. Right
down to the box and wonderful monochrome three language instruction
booklet (with the cash infusion from Sega, do you think we'll start
seeing some color manuals?).
I know this is odd, but I was really hoping that when the
Jaguar booted up the Jaguar in the cube would have been changed to a
picture of Bruce Lee, but it didn't happen. I'm not even sure it
could be done. This is not a complaint.
Dragon looks like a near direct port from another system.
Possibly a Genesis. The main menu is set up like a Genesis game.
For a start there's a difficulty setting. You can go from "Piece of
Cake" to "Arcade" and a speed setting from "Slow" to "Manic." That
was awful nice I thought. I'm sick of games with no difficulty
setting. You can also get a nifty sound check. All of this is
displayed over a lovely Yin-Yang symbol.
There are several ways to play Dragon also.
In the One Player Story Game you play Bruce Lee and follow the
plot of the movie (more or less). The different scenerios are: Hong
Kong (the fight with the sailor), Gussie Yang's Kitchen (against two
angry chefs), Seattle (no, this is not Nirvana just Scott in the
gym), Oakland (where Bruce gets into trouble for teaching whites),
Hong Kong (again, but this time on a movie set), Bruce's Kwoon
(another bout with Scott), Long Beach Stadium (where you fight the
same fellow who broke Bruce's back in stage 4), Thailand (Bruce's
first film), Hong Kong (again, another film set too), and The
Graveyard (you can figure this one out right?). Every three stages
or so sees you practicing with Pete the Dummy; a pole with three
sticks coming out of him. You're supposed to hit that pads while
avoiding the horizontal sticks that swing at you. There is also a
Two Player Story Game, but I haven't tried it.
There's the One and Two Player Battle games where you can
select any scene and fight the enemies there and the other player.
And finally there's the Two Player Vs CPU Battle which is
fairly self-explanatory.
Bruce has three styles of fighting: Mantis, Fighter, and
Nunchaku. On screen is an energy bar which displays the amount of
life left and, under it, a bar that shows how much "chi" Bruce has
built up. Chi is built up by hitting your opponents and is lost by
being hit or using moves in the Fighter and Nunchaku modes (although
in the Nunchaku mode you can also build chi up by waving your
nunchaku around and looking menacing). There are bars that show
where the next level is and when you reach a level it's name glows
underneath the bar for a short time. At this point you have to
press 2 or 5 to enter Fighter mode and 3 or 6 to enter Nunchaku
mode. If you wish you can go back to Mantis by hitting 1 or 4 on
the keypad.
There are four basic styles of attacks. There is the Fast
Kick, Fast Punch, Hard Kick and Hard Punch. The Hard Kick and Hard
Punch his the same button (A) and are toggled by using the Option
button. This is a little strange, but it's not very hard to get used
to it. Using these four attacks you can use a host of others
depending on how far away you are from the enemy. There are roughly
22 different moves you can make, including offensive and defensive.
There are no "magical" moves such as tossing fireballs or
teleporting. An amusing and satisfying move is the Stomp. When
you knock down an opponent you can leap up over his or her chest and
push down on the joypad and make Bruce stomp on the enemies chest,
give a little howl and smoosh his foot down for good measure.
You get three lives, represented by three little mirrors. When
you lose a life you lose a mirror. After the third mirror is broken
you don't just shuffle off this mortal coil, you get to confront
your personal demon. Best him and you can get all three lives back.
Control wasn't bad. The hardest problem I had concerned the
joypad more than the game. It's too easy to get a diagonal when you
don't want one (which sends you flipping off in whatever direction
or leaping high above your target) and too difficult to get one when
you really need it. Also, my thumb had a habit of cramping up at
the worst times. Luckily the PAUSE button has it's full effect for
thumb stress release.
The music wasn't awful. That's about the best I could give it.
Chances are when you are confronted by two enemies or so you won't
be dancing to it anyway.
The sound effects, however, are absolutely pitiful. No other
Jaguar game has sound effects this bad. For instance, when you lost
a life all three mirrors are shown on screen and then one of them
breaks. Do you think Virgin could have sampled glass breaking?
Nope. You get a real feeble "phutz" sound instead. And one sound
I'm sure was taken directly from a 2600 game (sound #32 from the
Sound sampling menu).
Overall I'd have to say that Dragon isn't nearly as bad as Die
Hard Game Fan had said, which I find truly disturbing. I'm not at
all sorry that I bought this one and I rather enjoy despite the poor
sound. There's a good bit of challenge in this one without being a
complete stroker. It is not, however, a Street Fighter II or Mortal
Kombat (take your pick). People who are eager for those types of
games are better off waiting for Kasumi Ninja (I think I'll have to
ignore DHGF on that one too) and Ultra Vortex. As usual though it's
best if you can try it before you buy it.
Brutal Sports Internet Review
-----------------------------
From: Mark Santora <santora@delphi.com>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Well folks, I finally got it. Yes, I plunked down my $74.58 tonight and
snagged BSF at the local Babbages while stressing with the manager, "Hey,
I've heard it's not worth $70. So, if it sucks, I can bring it back,
right?"
First let me start by obviously saying that this game could be donw on
any of the 16bit and higher platforms, and has. The control is ok but the
documentation sucks. The graphics are good, obviously more than 64 colors
but I would doubt more than 256...
Set up is simple, a two screen wide football feild that is no rules, with
a radar on top - it doesn't matter, you never have time to look at it.
I've played the game on and nothing has made me go wow(except Shelly Long
on Fraiser...).
I wouldn't call this a great game, its ok. Not worth the $70 I paid for it.
CHances are that it will end up back at Babbages on Friday and I will put the
credit back on my mastercard and wait for Doom or KN or IS or something
worth $70... If you can get BSF for about $50, you might want to grab it,
otherwise, its not worth it.
Mark Santora
---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
Club Drive Internet Review
--------------------------
From: JoeCat@ix.netcom.com (Joe Cataudella)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Well, finally put some time in with Club Drive - and I have to say -
it's a big thumbs down. It's ridiculously over-sensitive (the car's
control) as you spend the entire game crashing into polgyons. The sound
is simply aweful, the landscape - disorienting, and the polygons are at
times very sloppy. Even with the option to play different types of games
(e.g., racing against time, collecting balls, or tag), there's no sign
of play-value whatsover. I might have liked it (a bit) if it had decent
control - but no matter which view you drive in - it's a total
frustrating mess. Honestly, it looks like a product that was in its
early stages of programming that was never finished. Oh well, onto
Checkerd Flag (when it arrives?). In the meantime - go out and buy DOOM
to at least put a smile back on your face. Time to do some price
slashing. :)
--
~ Tronix Multimedia ~
3DO JAGUAR GENESIS SNES CD-ROM
** Ahead of the Game **
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
From: dbrown@stephens.tisl.ukans.edu (Dennis Brown)
[NOTE: I don't review games often, and so this is a rough review.
However, I just bought the game and feel I should warn others who
wish to do the same! Blech!]
Club Drive
from Atari
$59.99
Premise:
You can drive your polygon race car around four worlds:
Jerome's Pad, San Francisco, Velocity Park, and The Old West.
[There are actually eight courses, see below.] You can play
tag with a friend, "collect" mode with 1 or 2 players, and
race mode with 1 player (against the clock) or 2 players.
In "Jerome's Pad," you drive around a house and typical
house objects. In "San Francisco," you drive around the city
and the beach. "Velocity Park" has a speed track in race mode
When you play "race" mode, you get a long course to
drive through. When you play either of the other two modes,
you get a short, different course. So there are eight total courses.
In "Jerome's Pad," you drive around a house and typical
house objects--there are different parts of the house for the
race mode and the tag/collect modes. In "San Francisco," you
drive around the city and beach in race mode, and a two-level
parking garage in tag/collect mode. "Velocity Park" gives you
a speed track (race) and a set of ramps/half-pipes/etc
(tag/collect). Finally, in "The Old West," you have a canyon
and really small town (race) or a not-as-small-but-still-puny town
(tag/collect).
Playing the variations:
In race mode, you want to get from one point to another
in the best time. When you start this mode a screen is shown
telling you where you're starting and where you should go. Along
the way you can go anywhere your car can get to which is not
nearly as much as I hoped for in this game.
In collect mode, you must pick up a certain number of
randomly-placed powerups in the shortest time possible. There's
not a whole lot to say about this mode.
In tag mode (which I haven't truly tried since none of
my roommates wants to play this game!) you must run into the
other car and make that car "it." If you're "it" for a certain
amount of time (30 secs, 60 secs, etc.), you lose.
Details:
In two-player mode, the screen is split (like in most
two-player racing games). The frame rate suffers a bit from this.
There are some "surprises." For example, in race mode in
"The Old West," I found a flashing wall in tunnel that led me to
Atari headquarters. There wasn't much to do here as far as I could
tell, but it was neat (there's a missle in the back yard; aimed
at 3DO???). Also, there are cacti to hit, causing an "ouch" sample
to be played. In "Jerome's Pad," you can hit a blocky cat and hear
it meow, or run over a small mouse and hear it squeak. Also,
if you drive by the toilet, it flushes. The TV is playing a game of
PONG.
Sound/Music:
There are several tunes to choose from as you drive. None of
them seem especially inspired (compared to, say, Sonic 2)--In fact,
the opening tune sounds suspiciously like a touched-up opening for
Trevor McFur. There's also a couple of techno-sounding pieces (not
as good as the ones in T2K), an old-west style piece, and a jazzy-type
piece. You can hear all of the music by going to the games-select mode
and choosing "Tag 2 players."
The sound effects seem scratchy and poorly recorded (especially
the "cheer" when you finish a race or collect objects in collect mode).
The car's sound is a typical engine sound.
Graphics:
Except for the well-drawn opening and selection screens, the game
employs polygon graphics to simulate its 3D worlds. The polygons are
"flat" -- no texture maps, no shading, etc. The sky is a pre-rendered
bitmap but it suffers from dithering effects--it looks like it was
compressed and resembles the quality loss many JPEGs suffer.
Not all of the polygons line up well. This results in multi-colored
stripes between a few polygons (especially in "The Old West"). The multi-
colored stripes come from artifacting on the TV, since that stripe is
really a thin piece of sky behind the polygons. This is not big deal,
except in some cases where the gaps between polygons are large enough
to recognize the sky bitmap behind them.
As with many polygon-based games, you are sometimes "inside" of
an object based on your point-of-view, and this causes several
glitches in the graphics which are sometimes confusing and disorienting,
regardless of your point-of-view (there are several, including
"in-the-car," "behind-the-car," "in-front-of-the-car," and a "TV-angle"
type of mdoe).
Most of the polygon objects are made of a few large boxes. For
example, the cat in "Jerome's Pad" looks like a mailbox with three boxes
on the front (a head and two ears) and a stick in the back (the tail).
THE CAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE LEGS!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! IT JUST FLOATS
AROUND! Enough said.
[OK, you've put up with my ranting enough, and you're wondering, "but is it
still a fun game?" -- NO! NO WAY! YUCK!]
Control:
The joypad: turn left/right with the + pad. Press
B to accelerate, A to brake, and C to reverse. The a-b-c buttons are
user configurable. Press numbers on the keypad to change views (the
"TV"-type view is only available in tag/collect modes). You can change
the music playing when the game is going.
It's WAY, WAY, WAY too easy to oversteer in some places, and in
others, you can't turn sharply enough! And, in some places, you can be
driving along what looks like a flat, wide road--and all of a sudden,
you're spinning out! Without hitting anything! (or so it seems...)
The manual says that if you press UP while turning, you turn slowly,
and if you press DOWN while turning, you turn quickly. I couldn't
detect a real difference between slow, normal, and fast turning, but
maybe that's just me.
During the game, the OPTION key "rewinds" the action. Say you're
on the side of a cliff and no matter how much you accelerate or reverse,
you can't get anywhere (this happens WAY too often in the SF beach area).
You can hold down the "rewind" to back up to a previous spot. When you go
"out of bounds," say, into the SF bay, the program automatically
rewinds for you.
CONFUSION ALERT: if you're using the "in-the-car" view and you
hit the slightest bump, it looks as if you're flying all over the place.
This is especially bad in "Velocity Park," where the main point is to
hit ramps, etc.
Conclusion:
I have been looking forward to this game for a LONG TIME
(since I got my Jaguar last November). I love games with an element of
exploration, and I love driving games as well. The premises behind this
game aren't too far-fetched, though there could be a few more competitive
"game" elements involved (like racing computer players).
HOWEVER, after seeing the final product, I no longer expect good
things from Atari. This game blows! The graphics are simplistic, even for
a polygon-based game. And, more importantly, the control is awful!
Don't waste your money on this game. Rent it if you can, see the
neat things in it (that'll take about 30 minutes), and return it.
Jaguar VHS Tape Offer Internet Review
-------------------------------------
From: qaz1111111@aol.com (QAZ1111111)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
WARNING THIS MY BE THE UGLIEST POST YOU EVER SEEN. I HATE TO EVEN WRITE
THIS.
I received the latest Jaguar Demo tape which reviews all the games
currently available and most of the one's that will be available through
January. Throughout this reveiw I'll type completely unbiased opinions
from my girlfreind which I can easily say would be your average Joe player
and buyer.
I strongly suggest that you get a hold of the video, so you can see what I
mean. THIS IS REALLY SCARRY. (Make sure your sitting and that you havn't
ate in a while).
Obviously all my opinions are simply based on what I saw on the Demo. Keep
in mind however I probably like you have seen countless games before and
you can somewhat get a feeling of game simply by looking at it. For these
games to be even good overall they would all need game play value to be
skyrocketing! With the overall quality of graphics most won't even get
that chance.
OVERALL rating is based upon a tablespoon of what's currently available
from other systems, plus a teaspoon of adavancement from those systems,
plus a smigin of what I have been seeing from upcoming systems.
A 5 would likley represent a good Genisis game.
OVERALL CATERGORY RATING is based upon the same factors above with were I
think (and probably you think) this system shoud be. So if all games get a
5 (good Sega Game) overall would probably receive a 2-3 simply because
these should be better then a Genisis game.
1. It looks like what is currently available may be the best were gonna
get in a while. OVERALL RATING (1-10) 2 Seriously.
2. All the platform games are very weak, except maybe Rayman (6). The
games on the video with exception to Rayman are below average of Genisis
platforms. Rayman looks comparable to say Aladdin, but does it play like
Aladdin. Bubsy(2) and Zool2(2) uses awful colors and offers poor graphics,
while Flashback(3) has some decent animation but small simple graphics.
OVERALL GROUP RATING 2. Rayman to me doesn't look as amazing to what I've
been hearing.
3. Racing Games. Burn Out Motorcycle(5) by far looks the best, but looks
slightly better than Road Rash on the Genisis. Road Rash 3D0 has nothing
to worry about here let me tell ya. Checkered Flag(4) has one of the
ugliest cars you'll ever drive, but one of the 3D views you can select
looks pretty good however but overall average at best to a good Genisis
racing game. Club Drive(1) looked awful and probably got the worst comment
of them all from my girlfreind she immediatley thought of PONG! Why would
somebody waste all that time programming this is beyond me, this looks
like entry level Shareware, and what about Atari quality. OVERALL GROUP
RATING a 3, Burn Out maybe ok, but nothing we haven't played before.
4. Fighters. I guess Ultra Vortex(6) looks like maybe the best one, but
from what I see you really can't tell. All of them have decent graphics,
which include Dragon(5), Kasumi Ninja(5), Double Dragon V(4). This
catergory is gonna come down to gameplay but comparing to a Genisis there
is only marginal improvement on graphics and gameplay will probably at
best equal the best Genisis has to offer, again no major step here. Fight
For Life has potential but has a long way to go to be a really killer, to
say this is gonna be a great one is hoping. OVEARLL 5. Six button
controllers will make up for slightly better graphics.
3. Doomers. Definately the strongest group here. AVP(8) is very good.
Wolfenstein(7) is good. Doom(8) looks like it is very good (but compared
to PC, average). This group seperates itself from the other systems
available and really to me this is the only group that does it. OVERALL
GROUP RATING (7).
4. Sports minus racing games. Troy Aikman(1) this one looks bad, the
execution looks horrendous, graphics look in between SNES and Sega. Why
even release it? Sensible Soccer(1) is done from a blimp view and some
will need binouculars to play it, gauranteed 8-bit Atatri 800 graphics
here. JMF and FIFA for Genisis are worlds ahead. Val Skiing(5) is all
white, speed seems to be lightning fast, this one could be decent if they
added better overall color selection plus more on-screen graphics.Brutal
Sports(3) why this and not a real sports game first? OVERALL GRAPHICS
RATING (1).
5. 3D Polygoners. Along with Doom types this area seems to be a JAG
speciaty. From Club Drive to Checkered Flag to Cybermorph to Iron Soldier
to FFL to Hover Strike to Aircar. Event though a specailty not really a
good one at that overall. Leaving out the games mentioned above, the much
ballyhooed Iron Soldier(6.5) looks to be the best but there's no way I
would say this is a sure fire hit. The graphics are slightly better than
Cybermorph while the gameplay can't be told just by viewing, but really
overblown to this point. Hover Strike (4) and Aircars (5) look to be very
very very similar to Cybermorph. OVERALL GROUP RATING 3.5.
6. Shooters. This video made Raiden(5) look like one of the best games on
it, really! Trevor(2). That's it! OVERALL GROUP RATING 1.
7. The Rest. Tempest 2000(8), the only game you can buy for this system
which another doesn't have. Syndicate(3) poor use of color, Sega graphics,
and a blimps eye view. Theme Park(1) WHY? again poor use of color and Sega
style graphics. Cannon Fodder(3) looks like decent fun but again poor
colors, sega graphics and a blimps eye view. VLM(3) even looks poor, I
hope this was one of the chinzy effects, looks like 8 bit stuff here.
Dragon's Lair looked like a commerical and probably was for another
version, this should look like the Arcade with what I've been hearing
about the CD unit and the video surely does not. OVERALL GROUP RATING 2.
Tempest can't even save this.
Don't Take it form me though. Fax Atari at 408-745-2088 and order it. Cost
is $13.90 visa - mastercard. Beleive me it's worth it, you really need to
know what there up to.
THOUGHTS:
1. Why no CD ROM demos? Something has to be close.
2. They better add something to the CD. This system either doesn't have
the horses we were lead to beleive or the programmers should be doing
something else or the system is simply a bear to work with. I don't know.
3. Why does Atari even release this tape, it surely doesn't do the system
justice.
4. The CD must be the way to go. Cart's must not be able to unleash the
taotal power of the JAG.
5. You could easily take all games reviewed here and match or beat with
other systems that have been out for years. All games except DOOM-AVP-WOLF
could be easily done on the SNES or Genisis while those games could be
done on a $1200 PC.
6. This video just tells me to put my JAG back and wait again. Which is no
problem to me.
I really feel I have been fair here, it sounds bad and it should. I like
you just want to play the best games available and from what I saw the new
batch doesn't seem to cut it. As my girlfreing stated "Technology Seems To
be Going Backwards", I'll state "the more things change the more things
stay the same", this is a old Commodore line, Sheeesh.
Questions welcome.
BH
Alien Vs. Predator Hints
------------------------
From: jmkaraka@eos.ncsu.edu (John Martin Karakash)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Note: some of this stuff is _slightly_ inaccurate or just plain
vague. =)
Weapons:
Shotgun: Right outside the cryochamber in the brig.
Pulse Rifle: You have to go through an airduct 3C on level 3
Flamethrower: It's in the armory on level 2 or 4(security card 7 needed)
Smartgun: On the Predator ship (have fun!)
note: The flamethrower really sucks at close range and isn't
so hot at long range. Also, keep a LIGHT trigger finger
when using the smartgun!
note: Make sure you have some smartgun ammo before you pick the
smartgun up. =)
Motion Detector: In a small room really near the elevator on level 5
note: It also acts as a 'compass'. Look carefully at the perimeter
of the MD's display for direction markings.
Security cards:
1: Just south of the brig's entrance
2: On the other side of airduct 3B on level 3
3: Officer's Area level 2 (go through airduct 3B)
4: In the training maze on level 4
5: Accessible by the 'east' elevator on level 5 (try southwesterly)
6: In the med lab on level 4 (go through airduct 4C)
7: In a freestanding room, just south of the east elevator in level 1
8: Alien ship, but why bother? =)
9: On the predator's ship
10: Queen Alien's Chamber. Take several long breaths before you grab it!
Spoiler FAQ helpers: howard@lloyd.com (Howard Chu)
sabbath@cix.compulink.co.uk (Graeme Rutt)
owade@ea.com (Oliver Wade)
Alien Vs. Predator Cheats
-------------------------
The following is a cheat for Alien Vs. Predator that can be used for any
character, but best used for Marine.
When starting to play game, hold down Pause (and keep holding it) then
hold down Option (and keep holding it). The game should be in the save
mode screen. Then press the "1" and "3" keys while still holding the
Pause and Option button down. Let go of the "1" and "3" keys, but not the
Pause and Option buttons. The save screen should disappear.
Hold the "2", "5", "7", and "9" keys together. Let go of the keys.
You should hear the Predator's laugh to confirm that the code has been
activated.
SECURITY CLEARENCE
Press Option and "6" to raise security level.
Press Option and "9" to lower security level.
MOTION TRACKER
Press Option and "8" to toggle tracker on/off.
WEAPON ACCESS
Press Option and "1" thru "4" to access weapons.
ALL WEAPON RECHARGE
Hold Option and "1", "2", "3", "4" simultaneously.
DOOM Cheats
-----------
From: rbeer@deathstar.cris.com (Rich Beerman)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
I accidentially found some JagDoom cheat codes today.. They're quite
an annoyance in that they'll flatly interrupt your game if you're not
careful. These codes will very easily skip through levels.
With these codes,
Button A is equal to 10.
Button B is equal to 20.
For example, if you press A, 1, and PAUSE at the same time, you will
be shuttled off to level 11.
If you press B and Pause at the the same time, you will be jumped to
level 20.
If you press 2 and Pause at the same time, you will be placed at level
2, and so on.
I hope these don't ruin anyone's JagDoom'in experience! :> .. As for myself,
I'm nearly done with the game w/o cheat codes.. But it was worth the 75$.
- Rich
rbeer@cris.com
From: kjfreche@email.unc.edu (Kent J Frechette)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Someone here posted earlier that they had figured out some new codes
other than the level skip, but they didn't want to piss off Atari or Id
by posting them...well, to hell with both of them! This game was due out
in June!
I was messing around with the level skip code and I found these, which
are just a logical progression from the previous code.:
1) God Mode: hit pause during play and push * and pause together.
2) Happy Ammo with keys: hit pause and then # and pause together.
Enjoy the codes.
So far I've only used them to explore the levels I've already beaten fair
Kent Frechette
Jaguar Messages of Interest
---------------------------
-From: nyousefi@walrus.mvhs.edu (Nima Yousefi)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Fight For Life on News
-Followup-To: rec.games.video.atari
-Date: Thu Dec 1 14:16:45 1994
I thought someone would make a post about this, but I guess no one did.
I live in the Bay Area, which is Atari's home area, so they get a good number
of free press here. So on Thanksgiving I went to a persons home with my
family, when I got home I started watching tv. While flipping I saw a
computer rendered person fighting another one, so I started watching. I
missed about a third of the beginning, but I figure the report was on
computer rendering and realism. Anyway, they were talking about how games
now use advanced graphics and use actual people to make the moves. They
were in a warehouse and kept showing some guy doing chessy karate. Then
they said who this whole game was for...ATARI. Yes, it was Fight For Life!
They gave the Jaguar a promo and then said that "they were working on a
new fighting game for the 64bit Jaguar" or something to that effect. The
graphic really sucked, it was like the pictures of Virtua Fighter for the
Saturn when they were 10% complete. What I like was the way the camera
moved and rotated. Also, from what I saw, it looks like the game has a
better sense of gravity than VF. It was channel 7 at about 11:20, or
around there. Did anyone else see this news report, or have anymore info.
on this game( I love it)
PS: Maybe its just me, but it seemed as though the game was moving too
fast.
--
This is my opinion and is not the opinion of Monta Vista High School or
anyone associated with Monta Vista High School other than myself.
Nima Yousefi
nyousefi@walrus.mvhs.edu
-From: JBroady@ix.netcom.com (John Broady)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: 3D0 President Trashes Atari in Interview
-Date: Fri Dec 2 10:33:34 1994
I just got my copy of "Next Generation" Game Magazine. It's a good
magazine, and I suggest that everyone take a look at it.
But in the magazine is an interview with Trip Hawkins, the President of
3D0. He is arrogant and overoptimistic about the 3D0; he believes it is
the best system in the world. But he saves his harshest words for Atari:
"We believe that to be a real competitor in this market, you've
got to have about $500 million in capital. Now, the 3D0 company has more
than $100 million, and then we have Matsushita, our other hardware
partners, and then all of our software partners and all of these
companies together are making this kind of investment.
"Atari really doesn't have any partners, they don't have much
money themselves. So I personally think it's facetious for them to think
that they can even compete. This is a fairly basic business reality for
them and you can see that over the past year - in fact, over the past
several years - there's been a trail of broken promises to the
marketplace. And frankly, what they say about the product is very
misleading. They've gotten pretty far on pure smoke and mirrors but I
think that after this Christmas the reality will be very clear to
people."
I couldn't believe how arrogant this man is. I hope Atari proves him
wrong.
-From: Kenneth E. Lee <73110.713@CompuServe.COM>
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari,alt.atari-jaguar.discussion
-Subject: New Jag DOOM and Iron Soldier ad blitz
-Date: Wed Nov 30 15:44:49 1994
Atari had some news yesterday: New ads for Jag DOOM and Iron Soldier
are going to start next week! Along with the previous ads, they will
blitz the networks thru Christmas. Be sure to protect your living rooms
from all the drool by stocking up on Kleenex now!
I've been seeing the PC DOOM II ads on TV so people who want the most
faithful reproduction on consoles on the bigscreen and without the PC
compatibility hassles can opt for the $250 Jag. By the way Bill Rehbock
(who is the Atari software VP I think) posted a fews days ago a message
that they are doing multiple shipments of Jag DOOM to retailers (as the
guy from Babbages mentioned too) so just ask your store manager to order
more before the rush next week.
Bill Rehbock is in Japan recruiting more developers for the Jaguar. Maybe
he is also meeting with Sega for something special for the Jag CD (or
joining up for the Jag II)?! Probably he will pick up a couple of Saturns
for Atari R&D to look over though. From what some people were hinting
the texture mapped Virtua Fighter for the Jaguar will be much better
than than Saturn and a guy in the UK who saw the video of the Sony VF-type
fighter said that it wasn't smooth and the gourad shading covered up
a lower number of polygons than he expected. The Jaguar version will
be out before the Saturn and Sony start shipping (nothing similar are
showing for 32X and 3D0?) so Atari has a good shot at becoming the number
one 32/64 bit console in the US and UK early next year!
-From: khaley@nova.gmi.edu (Kevin Haley)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Air Cars and Zool 2
-Date: Sun Nov 27 16:51:42 1994
Did anyone notice the advertisement for Air Cars in the latest DHGF?
The developer is Midnite Software; the game is supposed to be "coming
soon".
Air Cars doesn't look like an impressive title (kinda looks
"Cybermorph"-esque), but the interesting thing is that you will be able to
play with up to 8 Jaguars on a Jagnetwork! Anybody have more info on this
title?
Also, Zool 2 is "supposed" to be out soon. Babbage's has a picture of
the box in their holiday catalog.
I don't expect anything spectacular from these titles, but I thought they
were of interest and worth mentioning since I haven't seen them discussed
here previously.
/Kevin
-From: andren6@cti.ecp.fr (ANDRE Noel, Jean, Julien)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: NEW review of Checkered Flag !!!
-Reply-To: andren6@cti.ecp.fr
-Date: Thu Dec 1 21:13:40 1994
I've just read the december issue of the french magazine 'CONSOLES+'
They review two games : Checkered Flag and Doom, and make the comparissons
between Checkered Flag / Virtua Racing 32X and JagDoom / 32X Doom.
* CHECKERED FLAG : 93% (Virtua Racing 32X was the best game of the
month with 94% )
They say they were impressed by the smooth animation :
' it never slows down and the change between viewpoints are really smooth '
( of course dis is a translation from french ).
They say once you get the control you can't stop playing it
( and they say they like the control !!! )
It is also noticeable that the skies are all different from
all the other reviews I've already seen ( with a smooth gradient ) so it
could be a new version as someone already said.
Finally, they say Checkered Flag is more impressive, has more
viewpoints and more tracks with more variety <<BUT>> it doesn't have the
2-player mode unfortunately.
* DOOM : 92% ( DOOM 32X got 91% )
~~~~~~~
They say both versions are excellent, but they prefer the jag
one because of the link and the atmosphere which is more faithful to the
PC-one...
There are also very positive previews of Kasumi Ninja, Rayman and Iron
Soldier ... (I played an unfinished version of Rayman yesterday and it is soooooo
nice I can't believe it. Only three levels and one bonus zone were playable and
I hope there will be a lot more new levels in the finished version because that
could be the only real bad point in this game )
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-From: miked@arador.nsc.com (tCW)
-Subject: Atari Jaguar blurb from DataQuest 11/28
-Date: Mon Nov 28 17:29:53 1994
Dataquest releases an electronic newsletter every monday. Mostly
semiconductor and computer related, but also delves into consumer
electronics and computer related stuff.
Anyhow, they have mentioned the Jag three or four times now. I have never
posted these before, but I figure some of you may be interested. This
one is more or less "good" news. (Not anything new, just some AvP
commentary).
Reprinted without permission. Only the Atari section is here. (My gut feel
is that Dataquest does not limit distribution of their "DQ MONDAY". But
I might be missing a copyright notice or somenthing like that. I will
check next time!)
DQ MONDAY
Industry Events and Analyst Insights
The Still Recovering From A Turkey Overdose Edition
November 28, 1994
Jaguar from Atari getting hot?
Atari's Jaguar 64-bit cartridge based system is geeting more
attention these days and some good reviews. The company has
been touting strong sales of titles in press releases. For
instance its Alien Vs. Predator game, launched October 21st is
said to be nearly sold out. Of course that could mean they
nearly sold all ten copies since figures were not disclosed.
Atari said over 50% of its installed base purchased Alien Vs.
Predator but they do not disclose what the installed base is.
Word on the street is Jaguar is pretty hip. Dave Halverson,
editor-in-chief of DieHard GameFan has told his readers this
game is a must have and if they don't have a "Jag" to go out
and get one. The Christmas season will be a good indicator of
just how hot the jaguar is as consumers dish out upwards of $5
billion for titles. In related news 3DO, which needs all the
help it can get, was out promoting its system at FAO Schwartz
in Manhattan New York this past weekend. Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P expect overall sales gains of 6.5 percent over last
year's holiday.
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Teque's F1 Racing game coming !
-From: bseddon@molbiol.ox.ac.uk
-Date: Mon Nov 28 09:11:42 1994
Saw Games World mag (UK) yesterday and they previewed a game called Teque's F1
(Something like that). Looks like it could be the racing game we hoped CFII
would turn out to be. Its being developed by London UK based company Teque
(sp??) and features a full Formula 1 season of motor racing with all the teams
(names altered, Legal stuff?). Graphics look promising and they are boasting
16bit garoud shaded poly's. Available Feb according to the mag (pinch of salt
req.) If anyone from Teque is out there, please fill us in (correct my Sps).
This is exactly the kind of racing game I want.
Ben...
-From: mcsumner@aol.com (MCSumner)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Atari Scores Big on GMA
-Date: Thu Dec 1 07:55:05 1994
This morning's Good Morning America featured a video game face off, and
Atari came away with some very, very good press!
They compared Genesis, Nintendo, and Jaguar by giving a room full of kids
all the games to play with. While AvP (the only Jag game in the top ten)
came in at #4, the voice over was quite nice with "that's the power of 64
bits, giving you smooth realistic 3D graphics" And they quoted a couple of
kids saying things like "the graphics are very nice." The AvP scenes they
showed were nicely selected, with doors sliding open, and an Alien being
blown to muck.
The highest ranked Sega game came in at #7. And when the final tally was
made, the announcer reported "surprisingly Atari, with a brand new system,
came in second." During the whole piece, there was a Jaguar kiosk behind
the announcer, looking very cool.
The impression was definitely given that the Jag was a real contender.
-Mark
-From: svensson@bucknell.edu (***SVEN!!!***)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Took Jag to Parent's House
-Date: Sat Nov 26 17:48:50 1994
Well, I took my Jag to my parents house for Thanksgiving to show to some of
my cousins and other friends of the family. Well, if you don't think that
Atari's advertizing is working, here's a testimonial:
My younger relatives range in age from about 8 - 18. NOTE: Only two of the
eight routinely play video games at all. Well, all of them had heard of it
and seen the comercials on T.V. (even the youngest). All were eager to try
it out (after a short demo from me). All were also enthralled by Tempest
and AvP. My eight year old cousin wound up playing Tempest for about two
hours straight until my uncle pulled him off the T.V. because he wanted to
play. All the while, about ten to fifteen of my other family members
watched in awe as they had never seen anything like this. One of my
families closer friends is also a gaming junkie like myself. He had been
wavering over whether to buy a Jag or not (he already has SNES, Genny, and
3DO) and wasn't sure. He wanted to wait until he saw one in action. Well,
needless to say, he's hitting the stores at some point today for one :)
On another note, I went to the EB and Babbages near my parent's house
(Middletown, NY) to see if they had DOOM. EB had gotten in something like
five copies and all were reserved as are the next eight or nine copies that
come in (damn!) and Babbages hadn't gotten their shippment yet, but
expected it Monday (also with a fair wait list... damn, damn). The Wiz
didn't have it either and of course the clerk was clueless. She just
looked at me and said "well we only have five Jag games right now and
that's not one of 'em. Maybe in a week or so." I didn't check TRU, but
they're usually late with new games anyway.
Got back to my home in PA today and called my "local" EB (I use the term
local loosely). They didn't receive their shippment yet, but expected it
Monday or so. At least here I'm #1 on the wait list (yeah :)
Sven!!!
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-From: J.Dunford@lmu.ac.uk ("Dunford, Jamie [MIS]")
-Subject: Jag Sensible games: Cannon Fodder and Sensible Soccer
-Date: Mon Nov 28 09:01:36 1994
People seem to have a problem with Sensible Software in the U.S.
Whatever platform a Sensible game is released on everyone complains about
the graphics being too small and bitty. This is by design, Sensible Software
are known for their games having the ultimate in playability.
Sensible Soccer is the greatest football game so far because it PLAYS like a
football game. I played FIFA Soccer on the 3DO yesterday on a huge Philips
50" rear projection t.v. It looked superb, it sounded superb, it wasn't
football. People like it because it looks like a football game, but it's
not.
Cannon Fodder is popular because it's the most fun you can have while
killing people. It's that good! It's not some monstrous polygon-shifter with
texture mapped graphics, or has Phong shaded
arseholes with Gourad shaded buttocks, it's a simple sprite game that is
very playable.
Sensible games don't look a million dollars but are brilliant, and
while this may disappoint jag owners who want something impressive to
show their friends, just be thankful someone is actually developing
for the system.
jamie
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is from Glenn Williams of Williams Development, who are doing the Jag
conversion of Sensible Soccer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Jaguar version runs at full speed (60fps, no slow down) in 256
colour mode with 8 chan 16bit sound for the crowd. All the menus use
65535 colour mode.
The controls are as in the Megadrive version (ie 3 button, shoot,
kick, pass) we think the Jag version is by far the most playable of
them all.
The version we have converted is the International teams version not
sensible world of soccer (if this version sells ok we may do the world
update next year on CD). all team and player names are real (if you
have a PAL machine, we had to change them for the NTSC version)
If possible the game should be played on a PAL system, its much better.
We use a full screen display (256 lines high, it was only 200 on
Amiga).
Hope you like the game when it comes out.
-From: kth6489@u.cc.utah.edu (Kendell Huntsman)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Re: Ultra Vortex in Final test Jan/95 release
-Date: Sat Nov 26 20:16:13 1994
Travis Guy (aeo_mag@delphi.com) wrote:
:
: Well, I guess then I can say that I spoke to a tester today who said
: it looks -great-!
: --
: Travis Guy - Editor - Atari Explorer Online Magazine + "I was hoping you'd
Of course it looks great;) We're polishing up the logic for the
computer (I keep getting my ass kicked) and sewing up odds and ends.
Should be fun.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Tim @ Beyond Games, Inc. E-mail: tim.huntsman@m.cc.utah.edu |
| |
| Beyond Games, Inc. Phone#: (801)531-8500 *order/info* |
| PO Box 2754 Fax #: (801)531-1620 *yep..a fax* |
| Salt Lake City, UT 84110 <<Jaguar, 3DO,Lynx is our business>> |
| |
| **Gentlemen! There will be no fighting in here! This is the War Room!** |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
-From: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.misc,rec.games.video.atari
-Subject: Venture: Lynx *exclusive*?
-Date: Wed Nov 23 14:33:41 1994
I received a Venture (Target/Walmart like store) flyer in today's mail
and on the first page there is an ad for the Atari Lynx! It reads:
+-- +-+ +-+ +-+ New! Available only at Venture.
| | | | | | | Atari (R) Lynx colored handheld game
| +-+ +-+ +-+ system. Color screen with the latest
+-+ | | | 16-bit graphics. Includes four games.
| | | | | | | | (Model 300. Additional Atari cartridges available by mail.)
+-+ +-+ * +-+ +-+
A 269.75 total value!
So for $69.99 you get a Lynx and 4 games. The ad pictures Ninja
Gaiden, NFL Football, Hard Drivin' and Batman Returns and implys that
these are the package but it may very well be that you get to choose
your own 4 games from whatever is available at your store.
The question is, what is going on with all this "exclusive" Lynx
marketing/dumping? First QVC, now Target...
--
-From: marsh@anvil.nrl.navy.mil. (Dr. Moze)
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari,alt.atari-jaguar.discussion
-Subject: Jaguar in the Washington Post
-Date: Wed Nov 30 11:35:53 1994
Today's Post has this month's issue of their monthly entertainment
guide, Fast Forward. It contains a great (IMO) article that summarizes
the various gaming platforms available now, with pluses and minuses.
They cover PC's, Macs, Sega, SNES, Jaguar, 3DO, and CD-i. It is a very
objective article with virtually no hype(!) or misinformation.
The main points can be summarized in the 3 ranking lists in the
article:
SCORE CARD
by COST by SOFTWARE VARIETY by GAMING EXCITEMENT
------- ------------------- --------------------
PC's PC's ** Jaguar ***
Mac Mac 3DO
3DO CD-i Sega
CD-i 3DO Nintendo
Jaguar Sega PC's
Sega Nintendo Mac
Nintendo Atari CD-i
I dunno about 3DO's software variety over Sega/Nintendo, unless they
looked at types of games vs. just sheer numbers. This must be the case,
as they have more available games listed for S/N than for 3DO.
There's also a 3-D graph of Excitement (x) vs. Variety (y) vs. Cost
(z). Each platform is represented by a sphere. Atari appears well out
on the excitement axis, 3DO/Sega/Nint. are pretty bunched up, CD-i
less, Mac/PC further back near the y-axis. On variety, Atari is not too
far back from the Nint./Sega/3DO grouping, with CD-i slightly ahead and
Mac/PC a bit further out. On the z-axis (cost), MAcs and PC's are "up
there," while all the others are pretty close to z=0. The main visual
impressions from this plot (which is on the Contents page) are:
PC's/Macs cost a lot more than the rest, and Atari is noticeably more
exciting than the rest!
My opinion of the Washington Post is up a notch or 2! $^) Y'all may
want to get a copy of today's (Wed. 11/30) Post. Hopefully the
out-of-town version will have the FFWD insert. $^)
-- Dr. Moze <Steve Marsh> marsh@anvil.nrl.navy.mil
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-From: Andrew@andreww.demon.co.uk (Andrew Whittaker)
-Subject: end to my jaguar development
-Date: Fri Dec 2 19:06:48 1994
I wish to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the coding of AVP,
and the kind reviews I received. Coding AVP was hard work having to contend
with a tumour, major burns and a bereavement during the course of development!
and all support was well received.
Unfortunately Atari have informed me that they have no further need of my
development work, having left Rebellion to join them! and terminated my
employment.
So, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all before leaving the Atari
scene and moving on to new pastures and wish you many games in the future to
the standard of AVP that you may enjoy on your jaguar systems.
Anyone with work for an unemployed coder please call me (44+482+564431)
thanks again
Andrew Whittaker
programmer AVP
*** Finally, a message was posted in German about someone's experience
with Iron Soldier at an Atari show. Jer Horwitz was kind of enough to
translate this message to English. Only the English translation has
been published. ***
-Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
-From: v089l3s3@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (Jer Horwitz)
-Subject: Re: IRON SOLDIER (programming finished) English translation
-Date: Fri Dec 2 18:13:00 1994
It was interesting, but I've re-worked it into a closer approximation of
English grammar, plus translated (hopefully correctly) a few words with
umlaut vowels.
At the ProTos (event
) I had the occasion to see for myself what Iron
Soldier from the German firm Eclipse looks like. I'd like to thank Marc
Rosocha, the head chief in charge at Eclipse -- many thanks... (etcetera)
I could hardly wait to have the final version of Iron Soldier in my hands.
I've known about this project since the beginning of 1994 and have looked
through the games several times since then, playing test levels. I was
especially thrilled by the presentation and the (assureschiedenen?) missions.
In Iron Solider, the player controls a gigantic robot through enemy lands.
The aim of the games is to complete (successfully) 16 missions. Powerful
adversaries oppose you, (who would join as companions to spit in your gear??)
You can select from roughly eight weapons, though not all are available from
the start. You begin the game with one little rifle. You can improve your
weaponry with grenades, a machine gun, or the (one use? all powerful?) missile
you find later in the game.
At first you have the choice between four missions and only one weapon (the
little rifle). When you successfully complete the first four missions, you
and reach the next four and so forth. (part deleted, not sure if it says that
he has criticisms of the in-game images, as eyes have to wander around
the screen.) In the upper left you see your robot and the position of his
arms, (the movement becomes problematic?)
On the right side is the radar. Bottom- and air(ziele?) become shown
(verschieden) color. On the under part of the screen you see the status
meter of the Iron Soldiers. Here you can read how healthy you are. Weapons
are changed with the number keys on the Jaguar pad. You shoot with the
B-button. A in tandem with Up or Down on the controlpad (does some sort of
movement...) The control mechanism is naturally at first.. (something, maybe
confusing?) - it doesn't feel all that difficult.
The great graphics start from the beginning. Previously Mark was responsible
for graphics in the Atari and Amiga demo scenes and he made a good name for
himself, where the elite call him. The (read? text?.. what's this mean?)
You can hear the sound, also. The effects sound very realistic. The helicopters
sound extremely realistic. Six songs plus title music are there for he who
player through the different missions. The title music stems (comes) directly
from Atari, and the in-game music from a single German programmer. Don't fear,
the songs sound wild and are as vital as the songs in Tempest 2000. Now,
noone will claim that the Jag has a problem with sound!
The vector graphics in the game fly on RGB-outputs with a maximum frame rate
of 30 frames per second, on PAL consoles with 25 FPS. (this is a rough
translation here:) When you see this all happening, a whole row of houses
falling to the earth, you can hardly (describe it?)... Especially in writing
when the houses burst. (etc) You'll see it yourself!
Shoot a missile and you change the perspective. There, you can point the
rocket and can navigate it exactly. This is where Iron Soldier's speed is
shown off. After the impact...
..the missile changes the camera to another view. There, you can sit back
and watch the (devastation?).
Naturally Marc and Michael Bittner built cheats into the game...
Understandably, I can't share the cheats with you. At the ProTos presentation,
Iron Soldier was shown for two days. The audience was enthusiastic. The big
question was: "can I buy that game [in stores] already?" It's two weeks off
(in California?). Standing here, I can predict hearing: "If I want to live,
I have to get a Jaguar!" or "Wow, what power it actually has!" (I think
that's what it meant.)
One or two people were critical. One guest at the show asked me why the
graphics only consist of normal vector graphics. Now, Iron Soldier uses
texture-mapping and shading not only on houses but on all buildings (?).
The worlds are extremely large. Naturally, the more textures you use,
you slow down the game, and speed should be the foremost concern in this
game.
Others saw Iron Soldier as incredibly impressive. One guest wasn't impressed
(??) with the explosing houses, that they weren't especially realistic. What
is someone supposed to say to that? I've never seen cooler explosions.
(Something about the speed of the Jaguar's purchasing/sales increasing when
Iron Soldier is out.) Besides all of the positive aesthetics, you should also
be assyre that Iron Soldier will be a big hit. Many people already ordered this
game before release, and other people will have problems getting this game,
(there's still an opportunity to get it and have it for Christmas?)
Here's a last piece of quality info: Eclpise already has several new projects
on the horizon, naturally inclusing Iron Solider 2 and a pair of other
projects, but I can't tell you anything concrete...
800 Jags were sold in 2 days from Pagedown at the ProTos.
Originally posted by: Felix Brandt (brandtf@information science.tu-muenchen.de)
December 1994 CAIN Jaguar Letter Writing Campaign
-------------------------------------------------
Organized by: Len Stys
The following is part of the 1994 CAIN Jaguar Letter Writing Campaign.
Only the month of December is listed. If you wish to still send letters
for September, please read the CAIN Newsletter Supplement for the complete
campaign.
The goal of this campaign is to interest popular game companies to make
their games for the Jaguar.
**************
**************************** DECEMBER, 1994 *****************************
**************
QQP, Inc.
Broderbund
Konami
MicroProse
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> QQP, Inc <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people are not familiar with QQP, but the company has released some
pretty amazing games for the PC. Some of the games are: Solitaire's
Journey, Merchant Prince, The Perfect General, Conquered Kingdoms, and
their most recent--Origamo.
Most of the games that QQP makes either has to do with strategy or war.
Strategy games are always popular, but war games have been restricted to
PCs due to lack of a "save game" feature on video game systems. Jaguar
can save games on its cartridges so this is no longer a problem in getting
war games to home video game systems.
The mailing address for QQP, Inc. is:
QQP, Inc.
495 Highway 202
Flemington, NJ 08822
The following is a list of things in which you may want to say in your
letter to QQP:
Dear Sir or Madam,
1) How much you enjoy strategy games.
2) How much you enjoy your Atari Jaguar.
3) How you feel that the Jaguar will be the video game system of the
future due to its high-performance/low-price.
4) The games that you love to see on the Jaguar (choose two or three
QQP games).
5) How you would like to see these games make use of Jaguar's voice-modem
and networking capabilities.
6) How you believe QQP games will be unbelievable when using the graphics
and sound capabilities of the Jaguar.
7) How you will run out and buy QQP games when they are produced for
the Jaguar.
8) Thank you to the person for reading your letter and for considering
producing games for the Jaguar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Broderbund Software Inc. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Broderbund Software is well-known for producing two games. The first game
is a CD-ROM game called Myst. The second is the Carmen Sandiego series
of games. The Carmen Sandiego is educational.
The mailing address for Broderbund Software Inc. is:
Edmund R. Auer, President
Broderbund Software Inc.
500 Redwood Blvd.
Novato, CA 94948-6121
The following is a list of things in which you may want to say in your
letter to Broderbund:
Dear Mr. Auer,
1) How much you enjoy Broderbund Software's games.
2) How much you enjoy your Atari Jaguar.
3) How you feel that the Jaguar will be the video game system of the
future due to its high-performance/low-price.
4) How you would love to see Myst, Carmen Sandiego, and any other new
Broderbund titles on the Jaguar.
5) How unbelievable Broderbund Software games will be when using the
graphics and sound capabilities of the Jaguar.
6) How you will run out and buy Broderbund Software's games when they are
produced for the Jaguar.
7) A thank you to Mr. Auer for reading your letter and for considering
producing games for the Jaguar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Konami Inc. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Konami makes several popular games. Among these are Double Dribble:
The Playoff Edition, Lethal Enforcers 2, Batman the Animated Series, and
a new game called Contra 4. The company has also made Rocket Knight
Adventures, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters, Blades of
Steel, Track & Field II, Top Gun: The Second Mission, and many others.
Konami is also rumored to be developing Gradius for Sony's new PSX.
Since Konami is already developing for other next generation systems, it
may be more difficult to convince them to make games for the Jaguar.
But Konami certainly does bring a lot of titles to a game system.
The mailing address of Konami is:
Konami Inc.
900 Deerfield Parkway
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-4510
The folowing is a list of things in which you may want to say in your
letter to Konami:
Dear Sir or Madam,
1) How much you enjoy Konami games.
2) How much you enjoy your Atari Jaguar.
3) How you feel that the Jaguar will be the video game system of the
future due to its high-performance/low-price.
4) The games that you would love to see on the Jaguar (choose a few
Konami games).
5) How unbelievable Konami games will be when using the graphics and
sound capabilities of the Jaguar.
6) How you will run out and buy Konami games when they are produced for
the Jaguar.
7) A thank you to the person for reading your letter and for considering
producing games for the Jaguar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MicroProse Inc. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MicroProse is already developing Jaguar games so this letter will be
mainly to thank MicroProse and encourage the company to make more of their
games for the Jaguar. MicroProse is supposedly making Grand Prix,
Gunship 2000, and possibly Star Trek: The Next Generation game. But
MicroProse has made a lot of fantastic games for the PC that should really
be made for the Jaguar. These include: World Circuit, Fleet Defender,
Master of Orion, and Civilization. Civilization has already been made
for the Falcon030 so it may not be too hard to convert the game to the
Jaguar. Since Jaguar can save games on cartridge, it may be possible to
make Civilization on the Jaguar. MicroProse is also making Across the
Rhine, Colonization, and Masters of Magic.
MicroProse is indeed a very good company to have making Jaguar games.
The quality has always been good and it would be nice for the company to
make a lot of their games for the Jaguar.
The mailing address for MicroProse is:
Ronald J. Bueche, CEO
MicroProse Inc.
180 Lakefront Dr.
Hunt Valley, MD 21030-2245
The following is a list of things in which you may want to say in your
letter to MicroProse:
Dear Mr. Bueche,
1) How much you enjoy MicroProse games.
2) How much you enjoy your Atari Jaguar.
3) How you are really glad that MicroProse is making games for the
Jaguar.
4) How you feel that the Jaguar will be the video game system of the
future due to its high-performance/low-price.
5) How you would like to see other popular games besides Gunship 2000
and Grand Prix be made for the Jaguar (name a few of your favorite
MicroProse games).
6) How you would like to see the Jaguar voice modem and network
capabilities used in MicroProse games. (OPTIONAL)
7) How you will run out and buy MicroProse games when they are produced
for the Jaguar.
8) Thank you to Mr. Bueche for reading your letter and for making games
for the Jaguar.
You may also want to FAX MicroProse at the phone number: 410/771-1174.
But only FAX MicroProse if you do not have time to mail the letter or if
you have already sent mail to the company.
After you have done writing all of these companies, the letter writing
campaign will be finished. If you have written all of these companies,
the campaign will no doubt be successful and we will be seeing the games
we want for the Jaguar very soon.
Please spread the word around about this letter writing campaign on online
systems, BBSs, message areas, user groups, and any other place that you
can help get the word out abuot this campaign.
Also, please tell your friends! It is very important to get everyone
participating in this letter writing campaign!
********** THANK YOU! ***********
Jaguar Commentary
-----------------
Len Stys
The Jaguar is looking like it will be successful now. I have to compliment
Ron Beltramo, the Vice President of Marketing at Atari Corporation.
The marketing at Atari has improved tremendously in the last few months.
The present Jaguar magazine ads are very well done. The screenshots are
nice and big and the captions under the screen shots are clever and cool
sounding. Something gamers will appreciate!
I can't say that I liked the Video Game Marketing 101 television commercials.
I just didn't think kids could relate to it. But the Alien Vs. Predator
was pretty funny and got the job done. Atari is now making commercials for
three potential blockbuster games: Doom, Kasumi Ninja, and Iron Soldier.
You know Atari's marketing has improved when they start advertising the best
games for the Jaguar.
Some of the games like Club Drive and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story have been
reviewed to be lemons. But I'm pretty sure the reason Club Drive didn't
turn out to be that great was because the voice-modem wasn't complete and
Atari just wanted to get the game out. Maybe Atari will take some time
after the new year to improve the game and pack it in with the voice-modem
when it is done?
Other games like Tempest 2000, Wolfenstein 3-D, Alien Vs. Predator, and
Doom have turned out to be hits. And games like Kasumi Ninja, Iron Soldier,
Rayman, and Ultra Vortex are expected to be hits too.
The earlier reports were that Checkered Flag's control was pretty bad.
But the control problem was reportedly fixed the last minute and the reviews
were that of the old Checkered Flag. The clouds in the fixed version are
also reported to be better. One recent review gave the game 93%--only
1% behind Virtua Racing and only because it didn't have two-player support.
Hopefully, this will change in Checkered Flag II.
That's it for this month folks. This should be one very exciting December.
* * *
<< Computer Shows >>
Updated: 11/28/94
To include shows (preferably shows that include Atari products),
for the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG's Show list and the CAIN newsletter,
send the show's name, date, location, and any additional information to
xx004@po.cwru.edu. Please address the e-mail with the subject
"Computer Show". The following information is correct to the best of our
knowledge. However, we cannot guarentee its accuracy. Corrections and
cancellations are therefore requested.
+-----------------+
|Shows at a Glance|
+-----------------+--------------+--------------------------+----------+
| Name | Location | Date |
|--------------------------------+--------------------------+----------|
|1. Toad's Holiday Festival 1994 |Severna Park, MD |12/03/94 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
For more information on these shows, please consult the Atari SIG on the
Cleveland Free-Net (telnet to freenet-in-a.cwru.edu or Nextsun.ins.cwru.edu)
Once connected to the Free-Net type 'Go Atari' to get to the Atari SIG.
In addition to show information, the CAIN newsletter would like to print
any reports, summaries, or reviews of these and other recent shows. Please
send any of these articles to 'aa338@po.cwru.edu'
Thank-you...
Vote Issues and Results
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
<< Voting Booth >>
One exciting feature of the Atari SIG is its voting booth. Here, users can
create their own opinion polls. The voting booth is accessible from the main
menu of the Atari SIG on the Cleveland Free-net (CFN). Select option '11'
from this main menu to enter the voting booth.
General Information of Need
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
How to Contribute to CAIN
-------------------------
For full details on contributing to CAIN, please check out the "CAIN Online
Newsroom," option 13 from the Atari SIG's main menu. In summary, we can
use articles, tutorials, and reviews on Atari products. The format is simple
--ASCII format with 80 characters per line. The text should be sent via
internet electronic mail to "xx004@freenet.cleveland.edu". All submissions
to CAIN become the property of CAIN, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Article Requests
----------------
Below are some suggestions of articles we would like to see in future
issues of CAIN. For a complete list of newsletter needs, please consult the
discussion board under the CAIN Online Newsroom (option 13 from the Atari
SIG's main menu).
Newsletter Needs
----------------
Communications: Any articles that fits into the area of communications (ie:
reviews, summaries, articles, tutorials on BBS systems, term or BBS
software, services, etc for any Atari computer) may be submitted to this
section. When submitting to this section, please address this article with
the subject "Communications."
File Archives: Any type of summary, review, or list of new files that
are on any Atari ftp archive will benefit our readers. Please address this
article with the subject "ftp archives."
Tutorials: CAIN is actively seeking any project, "how-to," and tutorial
articles for future issues of CAIN. These articles can be for any type of
Atari product. Please address this article with the subject "Tutorial
Submission."
Atari Shows: Not only can we use information on upcoming Atari Shows, but we
also can use reviews and summaries of recent Atari shows. Please address this
article with the subject "Atari Show Information."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH: A major game company developing for Jaguar soon? Maybe.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
[C]entral [A]tari [I]nformation [N]etwork Newsletter Nov.30, 1994
Copyright (c) 1994 All Rights Reserved No.008
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Central Atari Information Network (CAIN) Newsletter is produced by Cain
Publishing and is no way affiliated with Atari Corporation. Cain Publishing
is made up of the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIGOps. CAIN Newsletter
editors/staff produce this publication on a volunteer basis strictly to
benefit users of Atari products. Views, and opinions expressed herein are
those of the article's author(s) and not necessarily those of the editors/
staff of CAIN Newsletter, the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG, or its
affiliates. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless
otherwise noted. Reprints must include: Name of article, author's name, name
of publication, date, and issue number. CAIN Newsletter may not be edited
in any way without prior written permission. CAIN Newsletter is believed
to be reasonably accurate. If any inaccurate information is found within,
please contact the editor of CAIN Newsletter and a correction will be made in
the next issue.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, Mega STE, TT030, Atari Falcon030, TOS, MultiTOS,
NewDesk, BLiTTER, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Jaguar, Atari Portfolio,
Atari 400, 800, XL series, XE series, and the Atari Fuji Symbol are all
trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Corporation. The "Free-Net"
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