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Defacto2 Issue 01
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-+ JANUARY +-
Hello everyone,
---------------
Let me introduce myself, my handle is Saint Tok (use to be Tok).
Well, I want to say few words about this new emag(1). De facto was started
in the middle of 1996, and after 9 issues(2), we decide to shut it down. It
contained nice coding, articles and I'm sure you all saw it a while ago.
De facto was weekly emag, and every week we brought you new articles
and so on. Defacto 2 will be a little bit different. Let me explain. First
of all, it's warez magazine. We will tell you what is going on in the scene
and we will voice our opinions about stuff. DF2(3) will be released every
month, so there will be a lot of material for you to read. There is a
totally new interface(4) for DF2, but it's still run by some the original
De facto members including Ipggi and myself.
As you all know RCN died not so long ago, and to be honest, I'm glad to
see that is it dead. No, not because we are restarting our magazine, it's
because I'm sick, of lies, lots of lies, about people and groups. One thing
about DF2, all material will be 100% pure TRUTH.
Saint Tok.
Welcome to the new Defacto.
---------------------------
What can I say, after collecting all the interviews for this issue I realized
that this issue is just plain brilliant. Which magazine gives you interviews
with Hoson, Shadow Master, The Punisher, The Krazy Little Punk, Lester
Ramierz, Marbz, Orion, Mason, Winterhawk, Hawkeye and M:et all in their
first issue, Defacto2 does.
Lets get into Defacto2, if you remember the old De facto we where a magazine
that target the mass warez market, including all the lamers, kids, and
people with no clue. Defacto2 has changed, we are not here for fame or
popularity like Reality Check Network was, we are here to bring you the best
quality electronic magazine for the scene, not for the kids, lamers,
clueless, but for the people who truly contribute to the scene.
If you want a magazine where you don't have to go through pages of articles
about people with no clue, unknown kid groups, irc offer channels, and
high school stories you are reading the right magazine, if you want to read
about these things go and read Affinity or Anemia.
Defacto2 in the future will be available to read using three different
mediums.
- There will be a coded PC version supporting SVGA graphics, digital
music and all that other jazz.
- A plain ascii / text version for all you unix users or people who feel
the coded edition is too big to download.
- And finally each issue will be viewable on our web page at
www.defacto2.com.
Unfortunately for this issue their is no coded version available due to
unforeseen difficulties.
Every month we will hope to release a issue, exactly when during the month
we will release will not be decided until we have enough quality content
to warrant a release. Each issue will be released on the day of release on
most major ftp sites and on the web page. We don't have and are not planing
on having an irc channel, irc offer bots or anonymous ftp sites.
Well I hope you enjoy this issue and watch out for us in the future. If
just two people can do all this, think what we can do once we are a lot
most established.
If you wish to contact Defacto2 please email us at defacto@defacto2.com
(1) Emag is a abbreviation of "electronic magazine".
(2) These issues can be downloaded from http://www.defacto2.com
(3) DF2 is the abbreviated term for Defacto 2.
(4) Coding will be implemented in next months issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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_________ __________ ____________\___|_______ ______________
| _____/ ___ | | | _____/ | _____| _____/ ____/
| | | | | | | | ___|_ |____ |
|___ |___ | |___ |___ |___ |____ |___ |___ |
|____/ |_____/ |_____/ |___/ |____/ |____/ |___/ |____/
-+ OF 1996 +-
I'll start off with 1996 as a whole. There where many new faces this year,
lots of new budding couriers ready to take on the best sites in the world
and they did. But there was also a lot of group jumping with these new
faces, people felt they could get what they wanted by joining a bigger name
group.
But 1996 also saw many new groups forming and many of these same groups
dying or merging with in a matter of weeks. There was the final transition
from BBS to Internet which by the end of the year, left BBS's a thing of the
past. And how could we not talk about 1996 without mentioning #fatefiles.
A channel that single handily helped turn a excellent group into a quiet
kiddy group.
In January of 1996 Rise in Superior Couriering, Malice, Fate and
Request 2 Send where the top groups, by the end of the year two of these
groups would vanish, one of these groups would turn into a kiddy group and
the other would end up being number one through out the year.
So what happened to Malice? Well Malice had some internal conflicts and after
some in-house fighting, half the group would end up leaving to a new group
called Amnesia, a group that would end up dominating the early and middle
parts of the year (Rapier also found it's beginnings because of this split).
Malice never recovered from that split and eventually died while Amnesia
and Digital merged to reformed Guild of Distributors (Digital being a once
successful group that was formed by some ex-MindCrash members). GODS shortly
afterwards changed their name to Amnesia and the leftovers ended up forming
Damaged, a group that ended up having very little success. Why did GODS
die before it really got off the ground? My theory is that they had to
many leaders, and these leaders had different ideas and opinions that
let to a lot of in-house fighting and caused disorganization within the
group.
Fate after engulfing some great groups such as Hardwire earned it's self an
excellent reputation during 1995. But in 1996 that reputation faded and now
it's non existent. Where did they go wrong? I think Fate made it's self too
public, especially with #fatefiles a channel where any Joe, Dick or Harry
could come in an download 0-1 day software for nothing. Of cause now days
with no major groups supporting IRC couriers anymore so these channel offer
significantly less software which usually arrives a lot slower. But because
of #fatefiles a lot of people with no clue applied to join Fate, and Fate
accepted them with open arms. With Fate continually growing a lot of good
members had enough and left from more reputable groups. Will Fate ever
re-live their 1995 success? I truly doubt it.
Amnesia..
Est. 1996..
ÛÜ ÜÜß ÜÜ Ü ÜÜÜÜÜÜÛÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜ Ü ÛÜ Ü
ÜÛßÛÜ Ü ÜÛÛßÛÛÜÛÛßÛÛÜ Û²ÛÜ Ü ÜÛÛß ßÛ²ÛÛÛß ÜÛß ßÛÛÛÜ Ü ßÛÛÛÛÜ Ü²ß
ßßÛÛÛÛßÛÜ ÜÛÛÛ Û²Û Û²ÛÜ ÛÛÛßÛÜ ÜÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÛß ÜÛ²Û ° Û²ÛÛÞÛ²Ü ÛÛÛÛßÛÜ ß
° ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÜ Û²Û Û±Û ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÜ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛß ÛÛ±Û ÜÛÛÛßßÛÛßßÜÛÛÛ ÛÛÜ °
Û²ÛÛ ÞÛÛÝßÛÛ Û±Û ÛÛ²Û Û²Û ÞÛÛÝ ÛÛ²Û ß ° ßÛ²Û Üßßß ÜÜÜÜ Û²ÛÛ ÞÛÛÝ
ßßß ÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÞÛ²ÛÝ ÛÛ±Û Û±Û ° ÛÛÛ ÛÛ±Û ÜßÜ ° ßÛÛÜ ßÛÛ²ÛÛ ßßß ÛÛÛ
ß ßßßßßßßÛÛÛÝßÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ°Û Û°Û ° ÛÛÛÝÞÛ°ÛßÛÛÛß °° ß ßßÛÜÜ ÛÛ²ÛßßßßßßßßÛÛÛÝ
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ß Û²ÛÛ ÞÛ²ÛÝÞÛ Ü ÛÛ²Û Û²Û ÞÛ²ÛÝÞÛ²Û ßÜÜ ° ÜÛÛÛ Û²ÛÛ Û°Û Û²ÛÛ ÞÛ²ÛÝ
ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛß Û²ÛÛ ÛÛ ßÛ²Ûß ÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛ Û²ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÜÞÛÛÜ ÛÛ²Û Ü ÛÛ²Û Û±Û ÛÛÛÛß Û²ÛÛ Û
ß ÜÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛ ÜÛÛß ßÛß ßÛÛÛÛß ÛÛ ßÛÛÛß ÛÛÛ ß Û²ÛÛÜ ßÛÛ ß ÛÛÛß Û²ÛßÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛ ÜÛ
ÚÄ ÛÛß ÄÄ ß ÜÛß ÄÄ ± ÄÄ ßÛÛ ßÛÛ Ä ß ÄÄÄ ßßÛÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÜÛÛÛßÜÛÛÛÛ ÛÛß ÄÄ ß ÄÄ¿
ÀÄ ß ÄÄÄÄÄÄ ß ÄÄÄÄ ° ÄÄÄÄ ß Ä ß ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ß ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
± See us in action and you'll FORGET the "competition"!
°²°
ß
Amnesia started with a big bang! This group really did well during the
summer(1) and I was really impressed with the internal feeling of the
group. This group at the time had the best organization and ended up
being a very, very happy group.
But why has Amnesia fallen from grace? My theory is Amnesia started
accepting some bad couriers. Bad not in their courier ability but
people with bad personalities and egos. Eventual these people where
kicked but the damaged was all ready done. Then when some of the
council left the group and other members followed, Amnesia was
hurt. With no organization, the lost of that 'friendly feeling'
and the lack of any leaders to steer the group into the right direction
leaves me little hope for this group in 1997.
I would love for this group to come back again, I have a lot of fond
memories from this group and it's a shame they are not the same group
we once new and respected.
Rapier..
°ÜÜÜ° ܲÛÛÛÛ²Ü °
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ÜÜÜÜÛÛÛ² ÞÛÛÛÛÛÝÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜܲÜÜÜ Ü ²ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß Ü ÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ Ü²Ü
ÞÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÜÛÛÛÛ² ÜÜþ ÜÜ °ÜÜÜ° ßßßßÜÜþ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜ °ÜÜܲ
ÛÛÛÛÛ² ÜÜÛÛ²ßß Ü²ÛÛÜþÜܲÛÛ²ÜܲÛÛÛ²þßßÛÛÛÛÛ²þܲÛÛÛ²ÜÛÛÛßß²ÛÛÛÜܲÛÛÛ²þßßÛÛÛÛÛ
ÞÛÛÛÛÛÛß²ÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛß ÛÛÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛÛÝÛÛÛÛÛÞÛÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÛÞÛÛÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛÝ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛ²ÜÜßÛ²Ý ÞÛÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÛÛ²ÞÛÛÛÛÝÛÛÛ²ßßßßßßßÛÛÛÛÛ² ÞÛÛÛ²
ܲÛÛßß²ÛÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÛÛÛÜßÜ ÛÛÛÛÛ²ÞÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÛ² ÛÛÛÛÛ²ÞÛÛÛÜ ß²ÛÛÛÞÛÛÛÛÛ
ßßßÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÞÛÜÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÝÛÛÛÛÛþÜÛÛ²ßß ÞÛÛ²ÛÛÛÝÛÛÛÛÛÜÛÛÛÛÝÛÛÛ²ÛÝ °
Û²²±±±°° °° ßßÛ²ÛÛÛÝßßßß ßß²ÞÛÛÛÛÝ ° ßß ßß° ß ßßßß ßß ßß °
ßÛß ph<aCid!> ÞÛÛÛÛÛ
ÞÝ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ
ÜÛܲßßßß
þ þß
Ü þ
Rapier in the first half of 1996 was an excellent group, an excellent
BBS courier group. In the middle of 1996 Rapier disbanded and by
September they reformed. This new Rapier was a far cry from the old
Rapier we knew and respected, at the time I thought that this group would
have little or no success in if they continue with their poor
attitude and never bother to try and compete with the best. They told
me that they are all okay and that they where working on their BBS
division and are trying to move themselves onto the Internet.
Now in the last few months I've seen some good changes, a lot of lamers
have been kicked and been replaced by excellent couriers from Amnesia,
Motiv8 and Empire. Now Rapier competes on the sites and are earning their
old reputation back. Unfortunately though it is still too early to say
weather they will be successful in 1997. They are still a new but pretty
good group, remember this new Rapier are only four months old. After they
are half a year old I think then we will be able to decided how good
they really are.
Devotion..
.
| Ü
Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ-<ú>ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÜÛÛ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ< ß >ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä Ä
ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ Û²Û ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ Û Ü ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ
ßßßßßßßßÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛßßßßßßßßß ³ÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛßßßßßßßßßÛÛÛßßÜÛßÛÜ ÛÛßßßÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛßßßÛÛÛ
°°°³ÛÛÛ °³ÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛ °°°³Û²Û °³Û²Û³Û²Û °³Û²Û °³Û²Û ° ßÛß Ü²Û °³Û²Û³Û²Û °³Û²Û °°°
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°°°³Û±Û °³Û±Û³Û±ÛÜÜ °³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û °³Û°Û °³Û²Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û °°°
°°°³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û °³Û°Û °³Û±Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °³Û°Û °°°
±±±³Û°Û °³Û°Û³Û°Û °°°³Û±Û °³Û±Û³Û±Û °³Û±Û °³Û±Û °³Û°Û³Û±Û °³Û±Û³Û±Û °³Û±Û ±±±
°°°³Û±Û ±³Û±Û³Û±Û ±±±³Û²Û ±³Û²Û³Û²Û ±³Û²Û ±³Û²Û ±³Û±Û³Û²Û ±³Û²Û³Û²Û ±³Û²Û ROY
±±±³Û²Û ²³Û²Û³Û²Û ²²² ßÛÛ ²³ÛÛß³ÛÛÛ ²³ÛÛÛ ²³ÛÛÛ ²³Û²Û³ÛÛÛ ²³ÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛ ²³ÛÛÛ<SAC>
²²²³ÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛ³ÛÛÛÜÜÜÜÜ ßÛÛÜÛÛß ³ÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛÛÛÜÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛ³Û²Û Û³ÛÛÛ ²²²
ßßß ßßßßßßßß Ü ßßßßßßßß ßÛß ÜßÜ ßßßßßßß ßßßßßßßßßßÛßß ßßßßßßß ÛÛÛ Ü ßßß ßßß
ß ß ßßßßßßß ßßßßßßßßßßßÜ Üß ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÜ Üßßßßßßßßßß Ûß ßßß ß ß
ß ß
When Devotion was started seven months ago, they showed everyone from the
start that they where not going to tolerate fighting, wars and rubbish.
As a result Devotion are one of the most peaceful groups in the scene and
also one of the best courier groups.
When Devotion formed they had a few rules that some people would say has
limited their growth and potential. The first being that Devotion would
only courier to and from Internet sites and the second being that Devotion
would only accept European couriers. Well seven months later Devotion now
accepts the odd American courier, but fortunately they still and most likely
never will have a BBS division.
The fact that most members of Devotion are from Europe is probably a key
reason for their success. As most of the best sites happen to be located
in Europe and the fact that Devotion has access to the fastest links around
on that continent is a clear advantage when it comes to getting on the
top 10 lists on the best sites in the world. Devotion would be one of the
few groups that could boost that they have had members leaving Rise In
Superior Courier to join Devotion. Now with all this going for them it
would not take much for Devotion to be the number one in 1997.
Empire..
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cH RiGOR Empire Trading! Established 1996. `""'
I remember when Empire was first started, they really did set a name for
themselves. But unfortunately now instead of hearing "Empire, yeah they are
a pretty good group", it's more like "Empire who?". Empire started off big
enough and now it has faded away. Maybe it's because of all those internal
changes that happened from month to month or more likely that it's because
Empire is resistant to change, they have focused on BBS couriering (and
do a good job at it) but neglected their Internet division. In the beginning
of 1996 BBS's where still a main form of distribution with release groups
first uploading to BBS's before the Internet. But now at the end of 1996
BBS's have lost their importance in the chain of releasing and are now just
another medium to trade to after the program is released on the
Internet. Just like the Internet was two/three years ago.
Unfortunately for Empire they have not followed this trend and are now
stranded on high ground. It will take a lot of work for Empire to make
the transition to Internet, a decent Internet division. If they don't
I'm definitely sure that Empire won't be around by the end of the year.
Rise In Superior Couriering..
ÛßßßßßßÛ ÛßßßßßßßßÜ ÄÄ Ûßßßßßß² ÄÄ ÜßßßßßßßßßßßßßÜ ÄÍÍÍÄ ÜßßßßßßßßßßßßßÜ ÄÄ
² ±±±± ² ² ±±±±°± ßÜ ² ±°°° ± Üß ±±°° ° °±± ßÜ Ä Üß ±±°° ° °±± ßÜ
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² °°°° ± ÄÄÄ ßÜ ° ° ± ²ÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÍÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
² ° ° ° ÄÍÍÄ ² ° ° ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÜ ÄÄ Ûßßßßßß² ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
± ° ÄÄÄ Üß ° ± Ûßßßßßß² ßÜ ±±±±±±°±°°° ßÜ ² ±±±± ± ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
° ° ²ßßß ° °° ² ² ±±±± ± ÄÄ ßÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ °°° ² ± ±°±° ° ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
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° ° ° ² ²ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜßÜ Ä ° ° ° ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ ² ° ° ° ² ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
± °°°° ² ÄÄÄÄ ÜÜÜÜß ßÜ ° ° ° ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Üß ° ° ± ° °±°± ßÜ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
² °±°± ² ÄÍÍÄ ² °° ² ° °±°± ± ²ßßßßßßßßßßß ° ° ² ² ±±±± ßßßßßßßßßßß²
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ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÄÍÍÄ ²ÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ²ÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÄÄ ßÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜß ÄÍÍÍÄ ßÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜß ÄÄ
úÄ/\/Äú RiSE iN SUPERiOR COURiERiNG úÄ\/\Äú
úÄ/\/Äú O-12 HOUR WAREZ úÄ\/\Äú
Michael Jackson maybe the king of pop, but Rise in Superior Couriering
has to be the 'King of Couriers'. This group shuns away from the public
eye yet are the most respected courier group in the scene today and of
the scene of yesteryear.
1996 was a indifferent year for Risc. They gained some excellent couriers
to their group and they lost some others. Risc also had some internal
problems which caused a dent in their supreme reputation but this has long
since been solved and they are now back at number one again.
I think their only problem could be that Risc has a tendency to 'take'
members from other groups, and if this member was willing to leave their
old group for Risc. How loyal will they be to Risc if Risc stumbles for
a while? Will they jump fence to the greener grass?
Motiv8..
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ²²²²²±±°°±±²²²Ûßßß ÜÜܲ²²±±°°°°°°°±±±±±²²²²±±±±°°±±²²²Üs°qÜ2 ß²²
ÜÜ °ßßßßÛÛ²²²±²²Ûß ÜÛ²²²²±±±±±±±±±±²²²²²²²²ÛßßßÛ²²±±±²²ÛÛÛÝ ÞÛ Þ²
²ÛÛÛÜ ÜÜ ßÛÛ²ÛÛ ÜÝ Û²²²±±±±²²²²²²²ÛÛÛßßßßßßßßÛ° ß²²²ßß ÞÛ ÞÛ
±±²²ÛÛ° ßÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ° ÜÛÛ Û²²²²²²ÛÛßßßß° ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÛ²² ßÜ ß ÜÜÛÛÛÜÜÛÝ Û²
°°±²²Û² ÞÛÛÝ ÛÛ ÜÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛßß ÜÜÛÛÛÛÛßß ÞÛÛÛÛÝ ÞÛ ÛÛß ßÛÛÛÛ °Û²
°°±²ÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÛ Þ ÜÛÛÛÝ ÞÛß ÜÜÛÛÛÜÜ ßÛÛÝ ²²ÛÛßÝ ÛÛ ÞÛÝ ÞÛÛÝ Þ²±
°°±²ÛÝ ÛÛÛÛ° ÜÛÛÛÛ Þ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÞÛ ÜÝ Þßß Ý ÛÛÝÞÛÝ ÛÛÝ Ü²²±
°±²ÛÛ ÞÛÛÛÛÝ ÜÛÛßÛÛ °ÛÛÛßß ßÛÛÝ ÞÛ ÞÛ ÜÛ ÞÝ ÞÛÛ ÛÛÜ ÛÛÝ°ÜÛ²²±°
°±²ÛÝ ÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÜÛß ÞÛ ÛÛÛ ÜÜ ÞÛÝ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÝ ÞÝ ÞÛÛ ßÛÛÛÝ ÞÛ²²±°°
°°±²Û ÞÛÛßÞÛÝÜÛ Þ ÛÝ ÞÛÛÝ Û²²Ý ÛÝ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÞÛÛÝ Þ ÛÛÝ ÜÛÛÜ ßÛ²±±°
°±±²Ý ÛÛ ÛÛÛ °Û ÛÝ ÞÛÛ Þ²²² ÞÛ ÞÛÛ ÛÛÝ ÞÛÛ ² ÛÛÝ ÛÛÛßÛÛÜ ß²±°
°±²² ÞÛÝ ÛÛÝ ²Û ÛÝ ÛÛÛ Þ²ß ÜÛ ÞÛÝ ÛÛÝ ÛÛ Ý ÞÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ° Þ²°
°±²Ý ÛÛÝ ÞÛ ÞÛÛ ÛÝ ÛÛÛÝ ÜÛß ÞÛÝ ÞÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÝ ÛÛÛ Þ²±
±²Û ÞÛÛ Ý ßÝ ÞÛÛ ÞÛÝ ÞÛÛÛÜÜÛÛß ÜÝ ÛÛÝ ÞÛÛ ÞÛÝ °ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ ÞÛÛ Û±
±²Ý ÛÛÛ ÛÜ ÛÝ ÞÛÛ ßÛÛÛßß ÜÛ² Û² ÞÛÛÝ ÛÛÜÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ° ÞÛÛÝ Û²
²²Ý ÛÛÛ Û²²²ÜÜÜÞÝ ÛÛÛÝ Üܲ²ÛÝ ÞÛÛÝ ÜÛÛß ÛÛÛß Ý ÞÛÛÝ ÛÛ² Û²
²Û ÞÛÛÛÝ ÞÛ²²²²ÛÛÝ ÛÛß ÞÛÛÛÛ²²²²²ÛÝ ÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÜ ß ÜÛÝ ßÛÛÜ ÜÛÛ Þ²±
²ÛÝ ÛÛÛÛ ßÛ²²²²Û ÜÜÛÛ²²²²±±±²²Û ßßÛÛÜ Þ²²ÛÛÜÜÛÛ²²ÛÜ ßßßßß Ü²²±
±²Û° ßßÛÛÜ °ßßÛÛÜÜÜÜÛÛÛ²²²²±±±°°°±±²²Ü ßÛ²²Û²²²²±²²ÛÜÜ °ÜÜÛ²±±°
°±²²ÜÜ ßßßÛ²²²²±±±°°°° °°±±²²²ÜÜÜ° ßß²²±±±°±±²²²²ÛÛÛ²²±±°°°
Motiv8 are now over three years old, no bad for a courier group. Motiv8
in the early part of the year focused on the new fad IRC couriering, and
also moved onto the Internet. Motiv8 had a good BBS division and were
attempting to expand their Internet division. After the Malice split
two of their seniors, one the owner of their FTP WHQ left for Malice
and the other for Amnesia. But the owner of the ex-Motiv8 WHQ eventually
returned and was promoted to vice president.
One problem with Motiv8, actually there are two problems. The first being
Motiv8 gets used. People join Motiv8 and use them as a stepping stone to
get into the more famous groups. Motiv8 should be trying to keep it's
couriers not teaching them and then letting them go. The second problem is
that Motiv8 allowed (I don't know if they still do) multiple affiliations.
Members where allowed to be in two courier groups but this usually ended up
with the multiple affiliated person leaving Motiv8 to work full time with
their other courier affiliation.
The Best Courier Group of 1996 is :
Rise In Superior Couriering.
The Top Five Groups of 1996 (in Alphabetical Order) are :
Amnesia, Devotion, Empire, Rapier and Rise In Superior Couriering.
(1) Winter to you southern hemisphere people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_________ ____ ____ ___ _______
| _____/ / __ \ \/ | ____|
| | |/ | \ | ___|_
|____ |___ |__|| |____ |
|____/ |____/ \___/ |____/
-+ Game Groups of 1996. +-
1996 was a fairly nice year for games. A lot of great sequels and a few
original games too. Who will forget Quake, Red Alert, Duke Nukem 3D,
Tomb Raider, Crusader No Regret and Civilization 2. Lets discover who did
what in, the games scene for 1996.
Razor 1911..
_ ________________________ _____ ________ _
\\_____ \_____ \_____ \/ . \\_____ \\
dZG/\ __// _ |/ ____/. | \/\ __/
_/ \ \/ /_ _/ /_ | ! _/ \ \
\____\ \______\_________|_____\____\ \_
=======\___/===ù1911ùCDùDIVISIONù======\___/
I am starting my report of the legendary group Razor 1911. More specifically
their CD division seeing 1996 saw the death of disk base games. Razor 1911
are oldest group in the scene today (est. 1985). But in 1996 I have been
disappointed with RazorCD. This was the year Razor 1911 got it's reputation
tarnished big-time, with a few badly cracked big name games (Red Alert) and
a fair few betas (Privateer 2) put a dent in Razor's ego.
In the beginning of the year it was Razor releasing everything while other
groups where asleep. By the middle of 1996 RazorCD had a split and a few
members started leaving. By the end of the year RazorCD started releasing
again, and also managed to get the members of Paradigm to merge into them.
But it was RazorCD who release most of the biggest titles in 1996. I'm sure
a lot of people still have Civilization2, Quake, Red Alert and even
Daggerfall on their hard drives. So it leaves me to ask the question,
what is better? A group who releases some of the best titles but only
releases occasionally or a group that releases everything that they can get
their hands on, weather it's good or bad.
My favorite releases from this group, in 1996:
Civilization 2 (c) Microprose [xx/18]
Heroes of Might & Magic (Windows 95) [xx/16]
Operation Carnage (c) Beaucomm [xx/03]
Final Doom (c) GT Interactive [xx/30]
GENDER WARS (c) GT INTERACTIVE [xx/14]
DEADLINE (c) MILLENNIUM/PSYGNOSIS [xx/31]
F1 GRAND PRIX 2 RACING [xx/24]
Chessmaster 5000 for Win95 [xx/16]
QUAKE *REGISTERED* (c) iD Software [xx/17]
Triple Play Baseball '97 (c) E.A. [xx/45]
Marathon 2: Durandal (c) Bungie [xx/26]
Monster Truck Madness *GOLD* FINAL [xx/21]
Super Euro Fighter 2000 (c)DID/OCEAN [xx/50]
Daggerfall (c) Bethesda [xx/62]
Hybrid..
_______ _________ _____ ________________
\_ | \ \/ / _ /__\_ \_/ _ \
| _ \_ \ _/ \ \ __/___/ | / /
|___| |____|___/ /_\ \___|_______/
::d|___|::::::.\___/.:.\___\:::::::::
Hybrid, a brilliant group and a survivor, almost as legendary as Razor1911.
Hybrid during most of 1996 where asleep, some people even thought dead.
But a few times during the year there was a glimmer of hope, a sparkle that
lead one to think, are Hybrid one of the best groups of 1995 back? Then the
sparkle would die and we where left to ponder.
Luckily in the last few months Hybrid have shown us what they are capable
of. They have released a few good titles and are now back. Unfortunately all
those soccer games do not help their reputation much. But who else are going
to release those soccer games when Hybrid has complete dominance on the
United Kingdom release front (except for UK Electronic Art games)? Lets hope
Hybrid continues into 1997 and stays awake for the whole year this time.
My favorite releases from Hybrid in 1996:
GEX (c) Crystal Dynamics/Microsoft [xx/19]
Olympic Soccer (c) US GOLD [xx/16]
STRIKE BASE (c) MAX DESIGN [xx/33]
Zapitalism (c) LavaMinds [xx/30]
ABSOLUTE PINBALL (c) 21st Century [xx/04]
S.T.O.R.M. FINAL (C) AMERICAN SOF. [xx/50]
Screamer 2 (c) Virgin [xx/24]
AD&D - BLOOD & MAGIC (C) INTERPLAY [xx/25]
REALMS OF THE HAUNTING (C) GREMLIN [xx/27]
Halloween Harry in Zombie Wars [xx/05]
Napalm..
/\.
. ____ / >______. . _____.____ ____:.
.: \ \ /_\___. \__::> /:\ Y /'96:.
:: / . / \| __/ \:/ /__/ \ .:
./ \__/ " \ > " <______> \_/___>:
`< /:<___\___>/___\___>. <_____>:. :.
\/ .:. |/:. .:.mr! .:. .:: .
Well Napalm gets my vote for best file_id.diz for 1996. I am sad Napalm
are not in the scene anymore seeing they did come out with some big titles
including Decent 2 and Battle Arena Toshinden. But Napalm earned themselves
a bad reputation, their policy of getting the release out first and then
cracking the release later did not go down well with the scene. I'm sure
no one enjoys downloading a release only to find out they need 3 different
patches just to get the game to work.
But Napalm did release some quality titles and they where a pretty friendly
group considering all the flack they received. I always liked this group and
it's a shame they are not around to continue into 1997.
My favorite releases from Napalm in 1996:
Descent II (c) Interplay [xx/19]
Batman Forever (c) Acclaim [xx/06]
Conquests. Of The New World (c) Interplay [xx/16]
CHAOS OVERLORDS FOR WINDOWS '95 (c) NEW WORLD COMPUTING [xx/05]
TONY LA RUSSA BASEBALL 3: (c) STORMFRONT STUDIOS [xx/35]
BATTLE ARENA TOSHINDEN (c) PLAYMATES [xx/09]
THE NEED FOR SPEED SE FOR WINDOWS (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/56]
FIRE FIGHT (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/28]
CLOSE COMBAT FOR WINDOWS 95' (c) MICROSOFT [xx/11]
NFL QuarterBack Club '96 [xx/25]
Legacy..
--ÜÜÝ---ÜÜÜ-.--ÜÜ-ù---ÜÜÜú---ÜÜú---Üú-ÜÝ--
--ÛÛù---ßÜ.ßú-ÞÛ-ß-þ-ÞÛ-ßÛ--ÞÛ-Ýþ-ÞÛþÛÛÝ--
--ÛÛþ---ÞßßþÜ-ÜÛ-ßÛÜ-ÜÛßßÛ--ÛÛ-ÜÜ-ÞÛÝÞÛþ--
--ÞÛÝÞÝ-ÞÛÜÜÝ-ÞÛÜþÞÛ-ÞÛ-þÞÝ-ÞÛÛÛÝ--ÞÛßú.--
--ùßßß---ßßß--úßßßß---ß--ß--úßßß----ß-ù---
Legacy will be best remembered as the starting point for Reality Check
Network (November 1995). Legacy made it into 1996 before the leaders all
decided to leave the scene for good(1). Well after a few months, RCN was
back but Legacy was not(2). But when Legacy was around for the early part
of 1996 they did have some good releases but a lot more releases where
below par. Legacy lived for 6 months and before dieing, pretty much the
usual situation for the scene nowadays.
My favorite releases from Legacy in 1996:
QWIRKS (C) SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE [xx/06]
BLOOD (C) 3D REALMS [xx/13]
NEMESIS II : RETURN OF DRAGON FORCE (C) KOMODO STUDIO [xx/10]
ROR/Reflux..
_____________________________________________
\__¬ - ________¬ ./__¬ - ________¬
__/ \\__/ - \\ / \\__/
\__ | \\__ \\__ | \\__
/_____| ./_____________./___| ./
(=======|______/===================|______/=)
R E L E A S E O N R A M P A G E
(=[xx/xx/96]================================)
ÛÛÛÜÜÜÜ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛÛÛÜÜÜÜ Ü ß ßÛÛÛÛß úþÜ
ÞÛÛ ÛÛÛÞÛÛßÛÛÞÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÜ ÛÛÛÛÝ ° Û °
ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÝÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÝßÜ ÞÝ
ÞÛÛ ßÛÛÛ ÜÜ ÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ²Û ÛÛÛÜ ßßÜÜÛß °°°
ÛÛÛÝ ÞÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛ °° ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÞÛÛÛÛßß ÜÜܲßß²ÜÜ
ÛÛÛÛÜ ßßÛÛßßß ÜÜÜ ßÛÛÛßßßß ß ÜÜÜßßß ßßßÜ
ÛÛÛÛßß ÛÛ r e f l u x ! °° ßß
ß ÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ-- - -Ä -ÄÄÄ-Ä
When Released On Rampage started in 1995 they became a well known and an
established group. Unfortunately in 1996 RoR became a group known for major
controversy and stuff ups. The infamous fake Quake Final scandal being
the biggest of all. But when the Software Pirates Association banned
all RoR releases on their BBS's and sites, Tklp(3) had enough and reformed
RoR into a new group called Reflux.
Reflux was doing fine until Reality Check Network started including some
negative stories about Tklp and his group, which resulted in an overall
degrading of the groups reputation. But Reflux is not a bad group, they have
had some big name releases with the likes of Time Commando and Full Court
Press. Hopefully Reflux will earn back their reputation in 1997 and bring
us some awesome releases.
My favorite releases from Reflux (and Ror) in 1996:
TNN OUTDOOR BASS TOURNAMENT 96 (c) AMERICAN SOFTWORKS [xx/20]
S.T.O.R.M (c) ELECTRONIC ARTS [xx/28]
SKUNNY *MULTI-LANGUAGE* (c) MAGIC TOUCH [xx/07]
JEOPARDY (c) SONY INTERACTIVE [xx/39]
TIME COMMANDO (C) ADELINE/EA/ACTIVISION [xx/45]
HELLBENDER (C) MICROSOFT [xx/22]
FULL COURT PRESS (c) MICROSOFT [xx/10]
4GEN (c) D'INDIA SOFTWARE [xx/O8]
Prestige..
________________________/¯|__/| ___________
\___ \ __ / __/ __/ / |/ ____/ __/_
| __/ _/ _/ _| \__ \ \/ / ) / _| /
|___|\__\ \________ /___\__\__ \______\
+--------\___/÷e÷/aL!\/--------/_____\-----+
Well everyone knows that Prestige was an awesome force in 1996 with these
guys earning many accolades including the breaking of Tdu-Jam's record for
the maximum number of releases in a month (35). Unfortunately some of these
games where lacking in the quality stakes, but in general Prestige has done
one hell of a good job with excellent releases. But like every group
Prestige did have it's ups and downs with some uncracked and non working
releases but most people have forgotten about those by now.
Prestige is a kick ass group with a great reputation, awesome sites and
a nice courier crew. But weather if Prestige will be around in 1997 is
another story, the lost of a few important members including their leader
to Class won't help.
My favorite releases from Prestige in 1996:
Total Knockout Championship Female Boxing [xx/11]
Battleground 3: Waterloo (c)TalonSoft [xx/36]
SHELL SHOCK FINAL (C) CORE DESIGN [xx/15]
The Settlers II (English) (c) Blue Byte [xx/07]
AFTERLIFE (c) LucasArts [xx/40]
Ultimate Doom (c) Id Soft. Dos/Win95 [xx/21]
FRANK THOMAS' BIG HURT BASEBALL [xx/36]
LINKS: LS 1997 (c) Access Software [xx/45]
CRUSADER: NO REGRET *FINAL* (c)Origin [xx/25]
NETWORK Q RAC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP [xx/41]
STAR CONTROL 3 (c) ACCOLADE [xx/40]
FX FIGHTER TURBO (c) GTE [xx/42]
SKYNET (c) Bethesda Softworks [xx/11]
TOMB RAIDER (c) Eidos [xx/21]
Paradigm..
ÜÜÜÜÜ
ÜÜ ÛÛ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÞÛ Ü ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
ÞÛÛ ÛÛ ÜÜ ÜÜ ÜÛÜ ÜÜ ÜÜÛÝÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜ ÜÜ
ÞÛÛ ÛÛÞÛ ÛÛ ÛßÛÛÛÞÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ Û ÛÛ
ÞÛÛÜÛßÞÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ß ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ ² ÛÛ
ÞÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝÛÛ ± ÛÛ
ÞÛÛ ßßßßßßß ßßßßß ßßß ßß ßßÛÝßß ßß
ÄÄÄÄÄþ P A R A D I G M þÄÄÄÄÄÄ ßÛÜÛ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Paradigm (formerly Zeus) was founded by Zeus after he left Prestige. After
2 months of activity Paradigm merged into Razor1911. But before this merge
Paradigm did have a few major releases, including Syndicate Wars(4)
Fifa 97(4) and Heroes of Might and Magic II. Unfortunately two months is not
enough time to establish a reputation and Paradigm will be forgotten like so
many groups before it. Hopefully they can help continue the Razor1911
tradition into 1997 and beyond.
My favorite releases from Paradigm in 1996:
Heroes of Might & Magic II (c) NWC [xx/16]
RACE MANIA (c) Flair Software [xx/38]
CREATURES (c) iNSCAPE [xx/14]
Tyranny..
___|\___ _/\____/\___/\____/\_______ _/\
\__ \ | \___ )\___\ \ \ | /
/ |\__ \ : \/ (: | : \ : \ _ \
\__|_____/\_|__\__|_|__|__/__|__/____/
==============================[xx/xx]===
After being a major force in 1994 and 1995 the restart of Tyranny in
April 1996 was a bit shaky. Cyber Angel was confident he could restart
his group and once again be at the top by mainly focusing on disk base
games. Well after five releases Cyber Angel killed Tyranny, which is
now nothing more then a distant memory.
My favorite releases from Tyranny in 1996:
- TWINBLOK (C) WEBFOOT TECHNOLOGIES
- MAJESTIC: ALIEN ENCOUNTER CD (c) PIRAHNA
Motiv8..
_____ __ ______ _____ __ _____
/ \/ | |__| | / _ \
/ _ _ | _ |__| | | | \_ _/
/ | | | || | \ / - \
\__|_|__/\____/ |__|___|\___\_____/
-----------------------------------
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [xx/xx]
-----------------------------------
Well in general Motiv8 is a courier group, but from time to time they
do release the odd game. In 1996 Motiv8 released a few nice titles,
but a lot of them where either pre-releases or mini-rips. Hopefully
these guys will focus more on their courier side and leave the games
to the game groups.
My favorite releases from Motiv8 in 1996:
3D VCR Pinball *WORKING* [xx/03]
NBA Live 96 1OO% CD-Rip [xx/35]
Lemmings for Win95 [xx/01]
Stardust Final CD-Rip [xx/02]
Dynamix..
_____ /\._____ |\_. _ ____ /\___.__.___
\.__.\/ | _ \| | /.\\__ \/ _:__: | /
| | \__. | : |/ | \| \ / | |\ /
| : \ | | \ | _ \ \/ | |/ : \
|_____/ : :__|\__| |__/__||__|__/ |__RD
+-------\___/------\___|-»Presents«-\__|----+
xxxxxxxxxxxxx * xxxxxxxxx [xx/xx]
+-------------------------------------------+
Dynamix, otherwise known has the ex-USA division of Hybrid will probably
be most remembered for releasing the game of the year, Duke Nukem 3D! This
was an excellent release but unfortunately it was Dynamix's final release,
I wonder where those guys are now?
My favorite releases from Dynamix in 1996:
DUKE NUKEM 3D (c) 3D REALMS [xx/11]
Smart Games (c) RandomSoft [xx/06]
DEADLINE (c) NOVA SPRING [xx/16]
Dynasty..
ßß ßßßÛÜ ÛÜ ÜÛ ßßßÛÜ ßßßÛÜ ÜÛßÛÜßÛÛßßÜ ÜÛ ßß
°° ÜÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ °°D
±± ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÜÛÛ ßÛÜÜß ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ±±þ
²² ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÜ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ²²S
ßß ßß ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ßß
ßß ßßßß ÜßßÛÛ ß ß ß ß ßßß ß ÜßßÛÛ ßß
xx/xx/96 ÛÛÜÛÛ EOD þ VORTEX þ DYTEC ÛÛÜÛÛ ²²
ßßß ßßß
Dynasty formed after a merge between three different groups. Unfortunately
I can't say that this group has shown any growth or potential in 1996.
But there have been a few nice releases, and they do have some what of
a good reputation, hopefully 1997 will be a much better year for these guys.
My favorite releases from Dynasty in 1996:
- OFFENSIVE *ENGLISH* (c) OCEAN CD-RIP [xx/19]
(1) Read Reality Check Network issue 13 for futher information.
(2) Legacy was restarted by a non original member but died very soon
afterwards.
(3) The Krazy Little Punk
(4) Synicate Wars and Fifa 97 where released under Paradigm's old name of
Zeus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
___ ______ ______ ___
___ ______| |_ _\_____|_______ _\_____|__| |_ ___ ____
| | | _| | | | _| | |
| | | |__ | | | |__ | |
|___ |__ | |___ |__ |___ |__ | |__ |
|_____/ |_____/ |____/ |_____| |_____/ |_____/ |____/
-+ Utility Groups of 1996 +-
Pirates with Attitude..
ܲÜ
ÜÛÜ Üß±²Ý
ÞÛÛÜßßÜ Ü Üß °±²
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÜßÜ Üß²Ý Üß °²Ý ÜÜ
ÞÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÝÞÝ Üß ±² ÞÝ °±² ÞÝÞÛÛÜÜ .
ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÝÛ Üß °²Ý Û °±²Ý Û ÛÛÛÛÛßßÜÜ þ
ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ Üß °±² ÞÝ°±² ÞÝÞÛÛß Ü ßÜß
ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ Û °±²Ý Û°±²Ý ßÜÛÛÝ ßÜ
Ý ÞÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÞÝ°±²ß Üß Þ°±²ß Ü ßÛß ÛÜ
ÞÝ Þ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ Û°±±ß Üß ß ÜßÜß Þ²°Ü ÜÜ ÞßÜ
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ²ÜßÝ ÞÛÛÛÛÛÝÄÄÄÞ°±± Üß ÜÛßß ÄÄÄÄÄ ²±°ÞÝ ß Ä Û²Û ÄÄÄ-ÄÄÄ-Äú ú
Þ² ßÜÛÛÛÛÛß ÛÜß Üß ßÜ Þ²± Û Þݱ²Ý
ܲ²ÛÛÛÛß Þß þ ²±° ÞÝ Üß °±²
ܲ²ÛÛßß ÜÜ Üß . Þ²±° ßÜ ßÜ °²Ý
Þ²²ß ܲ ßßÜÜÜ ²±° Üß ßܱ²
²±Ý Þ²± ßßßÜ Þ²±°° Üß ß
Þ²Ü Û²± °Üß ß²²±±°ß
ß²ß Þ²±° °Üß ß²ß ..R.Noble <MiRAGE>
Û²±°°°Üß
Û²±±±ß ... Pirates With Attitudes
Þ²²±ß
ܲ²ß Proudly Presents ...
ß
Pirates with Attitude released some of the most wanted and best
quality releases of 1996. But it has been a sad year for PWA with
the loss of their presidential founder who left to form a new
group called Legends Never Die (1). PWA did a good job this year
and their is still no doubting their number one position at the top.
Yes PWA may not be as good as they once where, but to be honest all
the main utility groups where down this year compared to last.
Hopefully PWA can still survive and dominate without Orion leading
them into 1997.
Drink or Die..
w a r e z b e a r z f r o m R u s s i a a n d b e y o n d
ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜ
ÜÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ ßßÛÛÛÛÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ
þÜ ÜÜÜÛÛßß ÜÜÜ ßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ß Ü ßß ÜÜÜÛÛßß ÜÜÜ ßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ
ßßÜÜÜÜÛÛßßß ÜÜÛÛÛÛ ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÜÜÜÛÛßßß ÜÜÛÛÛÛ ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ Ü ßÛÛÛÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÜÞÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ Û ÞÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ Û ÞÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛßÞÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛ ß ÜÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÛ
þ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÜÛÛÛÛÛ Ü þß ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÜÛÛÛÛß
ßÜÜÜ ßß ÜÜÜÛÛÛÛÛÛßß ÜÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛ ßÜÜÜ ßß ÜÜÜÛÛÛÛÛßß
ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛßßß ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß Ü ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛßßßß
ßßßßß
Drink or Die was a group with troubles in 1996. They started off the
year with a not so good reputation because of some non working releases
that where not cracked properly, 3DStudioMax, WildCat 5, and Novell
Netware where a few. Then Jimmy Jamez their leader left them for six
months or so and did not return until September.
When Jimmy Jamez returned in September DOD made a comeback. DOD had
gotten it's act together and became a member of the big boys again.
Jimmy Jamez showed the scene his great ability for organization and
now DOD are one of the best utility groups in the scene today.
Lets hope they continue on in 1997.
Rebels..
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Rebels is what some people would call an "old school" group (kids would
of cause say "old skool"). Old school meaning they have been around
for years on many different formats.
1996 started off as a bad start for Rebels because like DOD they released
some pretty poor titles that also ended up being uncracked. But after
all these mistakes they got their act together and started to release
some quality titles again. Unfortunately recently in the last few months
there has been a decline in Rebels releases. Hopefully soon Rebels will
come back in 1997.
X-Force..
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ÜÛÛÛÜ ßÛÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛÛß ÜÜ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÜ ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÜ
Ü ßÛÛß ÜÛÛÛÛßßßÛÛÛÛÜ ßß ÛÛÛÛÛßßß ÛÛÛßßÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛßßßß ÛÛÛßßßßß Ûß Ü
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ÜßÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ± ÛÛÛÛ²Û ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ßßß ÜÛÛÛÛ ß ÛÛÛÛÛßß ßÛÛÛßÜ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ±Û ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÜÜÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÜÜÜÜ ÛÛÛÜÜÜÜÜ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ°Û ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß ÛÛÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ
ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÛ ASCii<ROY>
X-Force started in 1996 as a plan lame group, bad releases, no sites
stupid attitude and an overall general lame feeling about the group.
But during 1996 they built up their reputation, and now they are a
strong solid group. One problem with X-Force during 1996 is that
they released a few RC's (Release Candidate). These are Microsoft
internal beta's for betatesters, which are pretty lame to release
because they are not complete and a lot of people have access to these
already. X-Force do have a big attitude problem, they where too lazy
to do an interview with us and they have fights with DOD, Sodom
Mortality and LND. Lets hope this changes in 1997.
Sodom..
Ü Ü ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÛÛÛ ÜÜÜ Ü²ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ
Ü²Ü ÞÛ ÜÛÛßßßÛÛÜ ÜÛÛßßßÛÛÛ² ÜÛÛßßßÛÛÜ ÜÛÛß² ÛÛ² ßßÛÛÜ
ß ÜÜÜ²Û ÞÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÝÞÛÛÝ ÞÛÛ²ÞÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÝÞÛÛÝ ÛÛÛ ÞÛÛÝ
þÜ ÜÜÜÜÛÛÛÛÛÜÛÛÛÛ²Ý ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ
ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛßß ßÛÛÛÛ² ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛßß ß ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ²ÛÛ
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Ü ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜÜ ßßßß ÛÛÛ ÛÛÝÛÛÛ ÛÛß ßÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ
ßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜÜÜßß² ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÜÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ
ÛÜÜ ßßßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ÛÛÛ
ÞÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ² ²Û²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛßßÛÛ ÛÛ² ß ß
ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÞÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ²ÛÛÛ ÛÛ² ²Ü²
ܲÛÛÛÛÛÝ ² ÜÜÜ ßÛÛÛÛÛÛݲÛÝÞÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÝÞÛÛÝ ÞÛÛÝÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ
ßßÛÛÛ²ÛÛÜÜÜÜÛÛÛÛ²ÛÛÛÛÛÜÜÛ۲߲ÛܲÛß ßÛÛÜÜÜÛÛß ßÛÛÜÜÜÛÛß ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ Û²Û
ßÛÛÜßßßß ßÛßß ßßßß ßßß ßßß ßßß ß±ß ß²ß
ÞÛ²²
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Aut Caesar, Aut Nihil! Either Everything or Nothing!
Sodom a group from Russia like DOD is also run by one of the editors of
this magazine. 1996 was a hard year for Sodom with a few popular and
some uncracked releases being released. But currently Sodom are in what
some would call "The zone". The zone is an area where you drift into
where nothing can go wrong. A lot of releases have been coming from
Sodom of late and their dominance in the Novell products can only help
their cause. Thankfully Novell has have given up their case on BBS's
so we can all use their products without fear. Lets hope 1997 is a
better year for Sodom.
(1) Read our interview with Orion for more information.
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Interview with: Lester (Drink Or Die, Amnesia)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Amnesia in 1996 and beyond.
Defacto2: Okay, please, introduce yourself to our readers, tell us what
groups you are in and what your past affiliations.
Lester: My handle is Lester, I am the Drink or Die leader and the Amnesia
Couriers leader. My past affiliations are Razor and Malice.
Defacto2: When Amnesia first started you where competing with Risc but now
at the end of 1996 Amnesia is not doing as well as before. What's
the problem here?
Lester: Well, as is true with every courier group, we have our ups and
downs, in early 96 Risc was on a downswing and we were on an
upswing, Risc is now doing well again, and we are regrouping with
the changing of a lot of things in Amnesia, we've had a lot of
different things happen to us in 96, and it's changed our attitude
on the scene. But I think that in early 97 you will once again see
the Amnesia you saw in early 96. A friendly competitive group
focusing more on the positives instead of the negatives of the
scene.
Defacto2: Sounds pretty nice. I spoke with Halfback about Amnesia, (he is one
of the best Amnesia couriers in my opinion) and he said that
the main problem is disloyalty with people jumping to Risc.
Lester: Well this is true, in the past we have had a number of people jump
over to Risc and what not, but if they are disloyal then we don't
really want them, we are trying to build a solid group of loyal
friends, instead of a egotistical super couriers with no loyalty
whatever.
Defacto2: So, we can say Amnesia will be back in 1997, as it was in the
summer(1) of 1996? There is no way Amnesia will die ?
Lester: Well with all the adversity that Amnesia has faced in 1996 without
dying, I don't see us dying anytime soon.
Defacto2: I think it's pretty hard to share personal time between two
groups, I mean you are leader of both Drink or Die and Amnesia.
Isn't it hard to get all the work done for both groups?
Lester: Yes I had a hard time equaling out my time between the 2 groups, but
now I have a better grasp on my time and the coordinator within each
group to handle the responsibilities when I cannot be there, etc. so
I do the best I can.
Defacto2: What are the new Amnesia goals? Or are your goals going to stay the
same as the old?
Lester: Our goals are the same as when we started, but not the same as what
they were in the middle of 96. We were trying to dominate and take
out the competition and contribute to the negativity of the scene,
now it's going back to the way it was, quality trading, quality
couriers, trying to improve the courier scenes status.
Defacto2: What do you think about the new couriers groups now days such as
Devotion, new Rapier, etc.?
Lester: Devotion is a very good group, they don't get involved in the
bullshit, they just do what they do and they do it well. I think
they can be very successful, Rapier is not as good as the old
Rapier, as the founding members of Rapier are not there. There
are the usual new groups that come and go every 6 months, I see
Risc and Devotion to be the other groups around for awhile.
Defacto2: What about Empire?
Lester: Empire is an up and down group, they lack the ability to hold on to
talent for any period of time to build a stable group. They might
stick around but will not be a major force.
Defacto2: How is Amnesia's BBS division going?
Lester: Amnesia's BBS team is doing well, we have the stable BBS team, but
our WHQ is temporarily down and we are currently adding a USHQ so
you don't see as much of it right now.
Defacto2: What was your favorite electronic magazine in 1996? And what is your
personal opinion about all bullshit which came from Reality Check
Network during 1996?
Lester: Well in my opinion there hasn't been a SERIOUS scene magazine since
Inquisition(2), most of the emags now report bullshit and rag and
nothing useful towards the scene, with the passing of RCN I was
hoping to see a new quality emag arrive, maybe yours will be it, but
I don't know.
RCN was never a magazine I respected or wanted anything to do with,
they were a complete disgrace to the scene news, and never reported
any truthful news, you couldn't trust anything they printed. So I
was glad to see them disband.
Defacto2: Okay, well, I'm sure, that DEFACTO 2 will live up to your
expectations. It will be similar to Inquisition but I wont say
anymore. Do you have any last words, or maybe any greets?
Lester: Maybe so. :) I'd like to just greet a few of the people who have
stuck by me throughout 96 and a few friends. Caserd, Prozac, The
Punisher, Jimmy Jamez, Davan, Nine, Widget, Eviltea and of course
the great TSR. I know I left a bunch of you out, but you know who
you
are.:)
(1) Winter for you southern hemisphere people.
(2) Inquisition was a text base magazine that publish 12 issues in 1995 and
1996.
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Interview with: Ramierz (Devotion)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: The Starting of Devotion.
Defacto2: Please introduce yourself to our readers, what groups you
are in now days, and what groups have you previously been apart of?
Ramirez: Hi, I'm Ramirez currently my only affiliation with Devotion, my past
groups, hmm they were Tct, Pantera, Solar, Darius, Sodom.
Defacto2: You left TCT, PNT, Solar, and Darius because they all died, but
why did you leave from Sodom?
Ramirez: Well, the reason I left Sodom wasn't just one reason, I had more
reasons but my main reason was that I didn't feel home in the group
anymore.
Defacto2: Why are you not in any games group?
Ramirez: Well I never applied to them to be honest ;) I never put some
strength in it to join games groups.
Defacto2: Can you explain further?
Ramirez: My interest were mainly utils, games are fun but I like the utils
more.
Defacto2: Okay, I can understand that, that's why I decided to go with to
start a utils group, games for just for fun. Games groups are pretty
popular, but in my opinion utils are better. How old are you, and
how long have you been on the net?
Ramirez: I'm 19, I have been on the net for 1-1.4 years, dunno exactly.
Defacto2: You are the one of the leaders from Devotion, pretty popular and
pretty good courier group. Probably number two or three courier
group. How old is Devotion and what the main goals in your group?
Ramirez: Correction, there are NO leaders in the group I'm a founder together
with Dizzident and Elmo. The goals of Devotion are pretty simple
kicking ass and friendship. I never expected to go this far though.
Defacto2: You must have some one who control things, who can
organize everything. When members have problems, you must have
someone who can solve them.
Ramirez: Answering questions, fixing things isn't a leadership based task,
everybody could do it when you have a little knowledge about the
scene the most is important thing is friendship that's a real good
key.
Defacto2: So everyone in Devotion can and are doing the leadership job? And
that depends, when?
Ramirez: Nobody takes the leadership in Devotion we mostly take care when
someone is in trouble etc. We try to be as honest as we can to each
other.. like an open relation ship ;)
Defacto2: What do you mean when you said earlier "kicking ass"?
Ramirez: Trading on sites being on top that's mostly the definition of
kicking ass isn't it?
Defacto2: In my mind, it's different thing, but okay, let's say you are right.
What's the differebce between running a release group and running a
courier group? Don't you think that in running a release group there
are more problems involved? You need to worry about such things as
supplying, spreading the releases, etc.? This is surely more harder
then running a top courier group.
Ramirez: You can't compare releasing groups with courier groups, they both
need each other but then again a release group has it's hard parts
and vice versa with courier groups.
Defacto2: What does Ramierz mean? Is it from a movie?
Ramirez: It comes from the movie Highlander yes, and how I came up with it?
I really don't remember exactly. Have been some years back but 1
day I just said I'm Ramirez from now ;)
Defacto2: Want to tell us anything about your previous handles?
Ramirez: That's a thing which put me on thought a while back I don't remember
my past handle I know that I had just 1 but I can't recall the name.
Defacto2: If we go back a few years, we remember the Internet was slow, with
only VIPs getting access. Now days we have a lot of ultra fast
links, and speed is increasing every month. But there is a new
problem, more 'usual' people can get access to the Internet these
days, especially kids(1), what's your view of the invasion of the
kids?
Ramirez: Well kids are a problem for sure they like to riot a lot, still
some people will improve and will learn from the past like everyone
should :), I think kids aren't the worse problem, if usual people
can connect on the net and a grab a release on some lame IRC
channels what about Feds then?
Defacto2: When I was interviewed Marbz (Leader of Empire), he said that he
has kick a few kid's from Empire because of ego problems and so on,
has Devotion ever had that same problems?
Ramirez: Kicking members isn't a really thing about devotion, normally
people will leave on their own we only kick if it really requires
to kick (which hasn't happened yet).
Defacto2: When Devotion was started, there's was a rule of only European
couriers being accepted, has this policy changed?
Ramirez: We changed that a little, in the beginning there was a rule only
Europeans could join, there are a few people outside Europe a part
of devotion now but the main rule is still to courier to European
sites.
(1) Kids being people from the age 12 to 16, or people who act like they are
those ages.
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Interview with: David and Goliath (Drink Or Die)
Conducted by: IPggi
Subject: DOD in 1996.
Defacto2: Welcome Davngol, please introduce yourself to the readers. What
present and past affiliations do you have?
David&G.: Hi, well, for all who don't know me, I am David & Goliath. Presently
I am a Retired DOD Council Member, meaning that when I am actually
here, I carry out some duties, but due to my career, I cannot be
here often. In the past I have been in PWA and The Corporation, as
well as a few other groups such as scum.
Defacto2: Do you know much about DOD's history, if so can you tell us how and
by who DOD was started?
David&G.: Well, DOD is a legend. It was founded and lead by Jimmy Jamez, one
of the greatest group leaders I have ever seen. When I came to DOD
about a year or so ago, he had pretty much retired and left things
to Lester and the council, but for the past 6-7 months he has been
back, and things have been rocking.
Defacto2: How long have you been in the scene David and Goliath?
David&G.: Oh, I have been around now for about 5 years approximately.
Defacto2: Would you say the scene has moved towards the worse since 1991?
David&G.: Well, back then, just to get involved in the scene was hard as
hell. You needed to have references and all kinds of connections,
and ways of accessing the boards. I remember it took me close to 6
months before I could get on a local board, and from there I met
lots of people who helped me move up. Nowadays, groups are forming
every 5 minutes, and there are thousands and thousands of new net
lamers joining them everyday. The word loyalty has disappeared and
now, any 15 year old with a modem can get in it.
Defacto2: So you would agree with me if I said 1996 was the year the kids over
ran the scene?
David&G.: Well, I would say the kids think they have taken over. All these
loser groups are run by them, but if you look at the main groups
like PWA, DOD, LND, RZR, PSG, you see them being run by adults. The
kids are present though as couriers. So I would say that the
majority of the scene now is probably kids, and that did not happen
only in 96, look back to 94 and 95 as well.
I was in #PWA the other day, and I saw re-directed messages on how
groups like Premiere were ragging on PWA. This is not right. In my
mind, PWA is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest group of all
time, and too see a bunch of Israeli lamers rag on them, that was
annoying. Especially looking at the quality of releases coming from
a group like Premiere. Respect has been lost. Groups like Premiere
with their lame leaders think they run the scene.
Also, I have seen quality really go down. I don't want to take
names, but there are some major groups out there releasing complete
crap, and calling the stuff plugins for this and that. I wish there
was a way to change all that.
Defacto2: I'm sure there are many people who agree with your comments
including myself. How would you rate DOD's performance this year?
David&G.: Well, without a doubt I would rate DOD as the top util group of
1996. PWA was also great this year, as they released Win NT 4.0
and Office 97, two of the best utils of 96, but DOD provided the
majority of major utils for 1996, and I was really happy with the
performance we gave. And again, all the credit goes to the hard
working suppliers, the poor crackers who have to D/L all this
stuff, and our great spreading team.
Defacto2: As 1997 is almost here, what are DOD's plans to continue the
success of 1996 past the new year?
David&G.: Well, like every year we plan on outdoing the competition, as well
as have some fun. DOD's crew will really have to come together in
1997, work hard and just simply put out releases. I believe that
the #1 goal is to get a release, test it, pack it, and get it out.
But due to the fact that we have HQ's etc., we need to spread too
:) So the boys will have to keep everything together, and get the
utils out as fast as possible.
Defacto2: Do you have any final comments or greets you wish to point out
before we go?
David&G.: Yeah, I would really like to say to the DOD crew it was really fun
working with all of them, and to keep up the good work without me. I will try to
come back during the summer and help out. I would like to send out
greets to Jimmy Jamez, Lester, Hemp Hoodlum, Jake the Snake,
Marlenus, Rambone The Pep, and to everyone else I missed. Good
luck in '97!
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Interview with: Marbz (Empire)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Empire in 1996.
DEFACTO2: Hello, please introduce yourself to our readers Marbz.
MARBZ: Well for the past year I have founded and I am one of the leaders
of Empire.
DEFACTO2: What is your full handle?
MARBZ: JP Marbitoz
DEFACTO2: What does it mean? If you don't mind telling.
MARBZ: Nah its not a secret, simple actually. JP are my first 2 initials
and Marbitoz is my original handle. I added the JP just because
I wanted a little change ;P
DEFACTO2: What groups where you in before you started Empire?
MARBZ: Well...I led a small courier group called dCS, but even before that
I was under a different handle. Sort of my beginning/learning
stages so I wont get into that. :P
DEFACTO2: Hehe, i remember dCS, it was quite nice courier group, good job. =>
Why did you was disband dCS and founded Empire in 1996?
MARBZ: Well dCS was more of a learning thing for me than anything. I picked
up a lot more on how to lead/coordinate a group and how its run. I
picked up a few traders from dCS after I disbanded it and started
Empire. For example Exploz, who I think is one hell of a trader
still today. Empire has built from then on.
DEFACTO2: Who came up with Empire name?
MARBZ: Well I decided on the Empire name before I disbanded dCS. Just so
the people who I was taking knew what they were getting into etc.
So I did.
DEFACTO2: Empire was formed in 1996, how was it started?
MARBZ: Empire started in February, it was a bit hard but it was more
organized then dCS because myself and some others knew what we
were doing from our past experiences. We took it slow together
and that is what just built us up as a team. More organization
the more you will get out of your traders is how I see it.
DEFACTO2: Okay, What your personal opinion about the courier scene in 1996?
MARBZ: 1996 had a lot of new courier crews come into the scene. Empire,
Devotion, Amnesia, DMT, and some others. I think its still very
competitive on sites and new boards are popping up a lot more.
There is still a need for more long distance traders but all in
all its still alive and kicking.
DEFACTO2: Well, Devotion couriers was decide to go without BBS devision
since it's BBS is a bit slow and requires more work. Whats your
views on this?
MARBZ: I think that they made a choice that a lot of the new courier
groups will do. The net is a lot faster and with new sites
popping up everyday so we will just have to wait and see how the
boards hold up. In my opinion I think boards are just as or more
important that the net. So you make the call i suppose.
DEFACTO2: Maybe you are right. Do you accept kids in your Empire as
couriers?
MARBZ: Kids? I don't think being age has anything to do with it. If you
do your job and act mature then your worth it.
DEFACTO2: What was the greatest day Empire in 1996?
MARBZ: Hmm, I would have to say when gahn joined. He is one of my best
friends and one hell of a guy. I couldn't replace him.
DEFACTO2: You really don't think it is Kids with ego's, lame ideas and that
piss everyone off? It's some times Kid's that are reasons for big
fights in the groups.
MARBZ: Of course...actually its not so much of the age its the way a
trader/person acts on IRC. If they have a ego problem I don't feel like dealing with it so I just kick em. There has been three people I have
had to do that to in Empire.
DEFACTO2: How are the top 5 courier groups currently?
MARBZ: Top 5 courier groups. Hmm, RISC still #1 , Empire, Devotion
Amnesia and Rapier/Millenium.
DEFACTO2: What do you think about Rapier re-start? As Empire leader, how do
think they are going?
MARBZ: Well because I am in the USA..I don't know the European boards etc.
that well but I do think its not doing too bad at all. Although
most of the originals that were in it before made it so much
better. But at least they are giving it a shot.
DEFACTO2: Any final comments or greets before we go?
MARBZ: Greets go out to my Empire traders and members.
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Interview with: Hoson (Hybrid)
Conducted by: Tok via Email
Subject: Hybrids future.
Note: This interview was done via electronic mail.
Defacto2: Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers, tell the readers what
groups you are in and what groups have your previously been in.
Hoson: My handle is Hoson, founder and leader of Hybrid. I was a member of
TDT, Nexus and Pyradical before I started Hybrid.
Defacto2: What can you tell us about Hybrid in 1996? How was the year for your
group?
Hoson: 1996 was a great year - a lot of releases and most of them without
flaws. We always try to make our games work - and I think most of
them do. Thing about 1996 is that the "scene" consists of too many
lamers who think it's our obligation to provide them with technical
support.
Defacto2: 1996 was the good year with a lot of great things happened and scene
has changed a bit. With the end off 1996 I've have been asking a lot
of people what was their best memory of the year?
Hoson: Tough question. Could've been the fact that Acclaim are on the edge
of bankruptcy, so we won't have to play their shitty games anymore.
Defacto2: Any bad memories?
Hoson: When Mad Turnip quit Hybrid for 2 days! BAD!
Defacto2: Does Hybrid have a minimum age limit when accepting new members?
Hoson: Nope, the limit is the knowledge and expertise.
Defacto2: What are the main goals of Hybrid?
Hoson: To release working games for the audience.
Defacto2: How come you can never be found on IRC. Don't you think a leader of
a group needs to put a lot of time and effort into their groups?
Hoson: I do that through voice calls.
Defacto2: Hoson is strange nick, what does it mean?
Hoson: Nothing! Comes from a Swedish movie I saw 12 years ago!
Defacto2: How old are you?
Hoson: Above 20!
Defacto2: What do you think about kid leaders? Are they good or bad for the
scene, for example: CP (dead-mty), TQR (dead-nfs), etc.?
Hoson: Don't know them. They probably suck.
Defacto2: What are the current 3 best game groups in the world?
Hoson: Hybrid
Razor
- and that's it. The others suck.
Defacto2: Have you been busted before, if so when?
Hoson: Yes - about 4 times, but that was a few years ago.
Defacto2: What do you think about group fights i.e. Razor1911 vs. Prestige?
Hoson: I love them! Makes it a lot funnier!
Defacto2: Any last words or greets before we go?
Hoson: Crackgroups should start to "tag" their releases, not only in the
silly nfo files, but hex edit the highscore lists or whatever.
Otherwise the people who use the software we bring them will not
know who gave them the opportunity doing so!
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Interview with: Orion (Legends Never Die)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Legends Never Die
DEFACTO2: Hello, Please introduce yourself to our readers Orion.
ORION: Well that is kinda easy, those that have been in the scene for
sometime have heard of me. Some good some bad, :) but I run a
group called Legends Never Die. (LND).
DEFCATO2: What groups where you in before LND?
ORION: I was the founder and President of the Utils group called Pirates
with Attitudes (PWA).
DEFACTO2: You where on vacation for about half of 1996, what changed had
when you returned?
ORION: Besides all the new faces and all the new ego's. Seems that every
kid with a modem was a someone in the scene. At least in their own
eyes they were. The scene was a more or less still the same as it
was when I left. I really never left the scene completely. Just in
the day to day running of PWA. I was always on IRC and talking to
the people within PWA..
DEFACTO2: My personal opinion that in 1996 there was a kid-wave. A lot of
kids found ways to connect to the Internet. Kids now seem to be
everywhere don't you think? In 1994 and 1995 there where a lot
less kid's than now. I would call the year of 1996 - YEAR OF KIDS.
ORION: Most definitely, 1994-1995 a lot of people (kids) didn't jump on
the Internet bandwagon. But once they bought tickets to it, they
are taking it for a large ride... And for the most part its okay,
but a lot of the kids are coming in with large unwarranted ego's
that just make them look as the fool. So 1996 yes definitely is
the year of the KIDS.
DEFACTO2: When exactly did you return from your vacation?
ORION: I came back 3 months ago, from pseudo vacation. took some time off
for the family, work, etc. (AKA real life)
DEFACTO2: How long did you spend on this vacation?
ORION: Non active in the group do you mean?
DEFACTO2: Yes.
ORION: Approx. I would say close to 6-7 months
DEFACTO2: Tell our readers the little story again, why such respectable man,
like yourself decide to start another group, when you where leader
of PWA, probably the best utility group?
ORION: PWA in my eyes was at its top. I couldn't see PWA rising anymore
then it was. Its been #1 for 2 years straight, you can't get any
higher then that. I wanted to get the old feeling back of building
again. So I left PWA and formed LND. Wanted to see something come
out of nothing as PWA did. Not knowing if the group was going to
succeed or fail, is the excitement of it all.. Contrary to popular
beliefs and unwarranted rumors. There wasn't a harsh split with
anyone in PWA. We are friends and will remain friends. I still
consider PWA my baby as many do that were there from the conception
of the group. We still talk and joke as we did, just don't tell
each other what we are releasing.. :)
DEFACTO2: I can understand your point of view. Okay, tell us a little about
Legends Never Die. How was it formed, who are it's founders, and
are you guys doing?
ORION: Actually LND was formed the night of PWA's last meeting. In the
middle of the meeting I decide right there and then to form LND. I
messaged TMOD (Master of Disaster) and with him and I we formed LND. We
absorbed Mortality 45 minutes after the group was formed. Then TMOD
went to work. I have never met anyone that can take a job to do and
take it to its fullest extent. TMOD and I have been friends for
close to 8 years now. He is my eyes and ears of the group and
scene. LND has taken a lot of flak when we first started with all
the rumor and suppose stealing from other groups. But as time went
on, people are starting to see LND as it truly is. A group to demand
attention.
DEFACTO2: Well is it true that LND was formed because Mortality died?
ORION: Meaning what? If Mortality didn't merge with LND saying that LND
wouldn't be where it is today?
DEFACTO2: Yes.
ORION: No its not true. LND was formed already and already in 30 minutes
of life already had a full member list and suppliers and crackers.
Mortality and the people from that group only enhanced the group.
It wasn't "because" of them at all. That is ridiculous to say..
DEFACTO2: Who came up with the name "Legends Never Die"?
ORION: Actually it was Gunslinger that came up with that name. Months
before the group was formed he created the channel for us "old
fucks" to hang out in and not have the kids in there pulling their
little pissing contests. Just a channel where we can bullshit on a
adult level.
DEFACTO2: How long will it take you to bring LND up to the position of
the number one utility group?
ORION: Its going to take time to bring any group to that level. LND is
only 2 months old. It took PWA 1.5 years to make it there, s I
don't give it anytime frame to make it #1. If we do make it there
that' great if not such is life. As long as we have fun doing it
that's all that matters to me.
DEFACTO2: If LND ends up being number 1, that must mean PWA will drop to
number two or less. Would you rejoin PWA to bring it back up
again?
ORION: Only one group can be on top. Either it be LND or PWA to means the
same.. It doesn't matter to me either way.. I would like to see LND
be there for a time to prove that it can be done again.. but in all
honesty it doesn't matter to me
DEFACTO2: What your personal opinion about utility scene in 1996? Who are the
top 5 utility groups?
ORION: There isn't 5 groups that rank toward the top. PWA, LND, DOD are
the leaders, shifting 2nd and 3rd weekly. There are a few groups
out there that have potential if they can get releases on a daily
basis they would be something to contend with. But as it is right
now there aren't many.
DEFACTO2: What do you mean under "daily basis" ?
ORION: Weekly instead of monthly, releases that can't get pulled of the
companies web sites etc..
DEFACTO2: You have any final comments or greets?
ORION: Just watch LND as it matures in the future. It will surprise a lot
of people.
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Interview with: Mason (Motiv8)
Conducted by: IPggi
Subject: Motiv8 in 1996.
DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to the readers Mason, what groups are you
currently in and what have you been apart of in the past?
MASON: I have been in the scene for nearly 14 years. Most of my years in
the C-64 scene I was in groups like dom, x-ray, unicess, motiv8
(c-64 section) 3 years ago I went to PC scene and started motiv8.
DEFACTO2: So you left the C-64 Motiv8 group to start a new PC division?
MASON: No - I'm still in motiv8 c64 as cracker.
DEFACTO2: Why did you feel the need to start a motiv8 PC division, and make
it a courier group?
MASON: Because I started in the PC-scene unknown and it was easier to
start my own then asking to join a group.
DEFACTO2: How does the old and current C64 scene compare with the current PC
scene, are there many obvious similarities?
MASON: I like the C64-scene better, but we miss some parts of it in the PC
scene. If you look at releases - all of them used to rate releases,
but they don't subtract points for non-working and dupes also the
limit of the release groups is getting out of control.
DEFACTO2: You have spent the last three of your fourteen scene years in the
PC scene. Do you think in the past 3 years the PC scene has
declined in quality?
MASON: Yeah a lot has. Now even every kid setup a site with their NT
server.
DEFACTO2: Would you say 1996 is the year that the kiddies took over the
scene, well at least over-ran it?
MASON: Exactly ... and it will be worse.
DEFACTO2: But there were kids on the C64 scene, where they not. Most of the
scene legends started in the scene at an early age.
MASON: That is true, but in the c64 scene you had to do something to be
known there.
DEFACTO2: Do you have any plans of leaving the PC scene if it gets worse or
will you continue on?
MASON: Well ... As long my old friends is here I will stay in the scene.
But more of them are quitting the scene so I'm not sure how long
I will be here.
DEFACTO2: How would you rate Motiv8's performance in 1996?
MASON: Well, we haven't been doing much in 1996, but we are getting better
and better again and that will be better for 1997.
DEFACTO2: Motiv8 had some in house fighting early in the year with some key
members quitting. Did this effect Motiv8's performance this year?
MASON: It has been giving problems, but key members has left many times
before the important thing is that I'm still in the top of Motiv8
and I hope to be there until I get tired of it.
DEFACTO2: When you do tire of Motiv8 will you kill the group or pass it one
to someone else to continue the Motiv8 name?
MASON: When I'm gone Motiv8 will be killed as its a part of the deal with
Motiv8 C64 to Motiv8 PC or another c64 member should be president.
DEFACTO2: What are Motiv8's plans for 1997? Will we see more releases like we
saw earlier in the year or will you focus more on being couriers?
MASON: Well ... we will do more about the courier - I'm not sure about our
plans on releasing .. but personally I don't care for a group being
both couriers and releasers.
DEFACTO2: Well thank you for your time, any final greets, comments, etc.?
MASON: Yeah ... I want to say hi to friends around in all groups in the
scene (nearly all of them have old motiv8 blood) and to you behind
the magazine - keep up the good work - its a good thing for the
scene.
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Interview with: Winter Hawk (Masque)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Masque in 1996.
DEFACTO2: Hello, Please introduce yourself, and tell us, what groups you are
in, and what groups you have been in the past.
WINTRHWK: Hello all readers of Defacto E-Mag, I am Winterhawk, I am a
co-leader of the utilities releasing group called Masque. Let's
see what groups I have been in, have a few hours? :) Welp I started
out as a courier. I was in HTC, Hardwire, Motiv8, Malice and
Stealth, all courier groups. I have ever been with FSW, Vendetta
and Masque as far as release groups do.
DEFACTO2: Hardwire merged into Fate in 1995. Didn't Fate get all the Hardwire
couriers? So why did you not join Fate?
WINTRHWK: I did not agree with what Fate's ultimate plans for Hardwire was.
They wanted 4 couriers and our sites and the plans were to drop all
the other members thereafter, I did not agree with that.
DEFACTO2: If I'm right it was in end of 1995. And you joined Malice after
that?
WINTRHWK: It was in the Fall of 1995, about September, and yes that was
eventually lead me to Malice. I actually went to Motiv8 after the
Hardwire thing. Malice allowed me to be in Motiv8 and Malice. They
felt I could devote time and represent both groups well enough.
Funny cause it is a policy I ended up despising as a leader later.
DEFACTO2: What can u say about couriers groups in 1996?
WINTRHWK: What can I say, I think the entire scene is different. Way to many
people. To many groups that think they are #1 and have no idea how
to have fun. Most of these couriers have lost sight of the ultimate
goal, being a courier is a hobby...:)
DEFACTO2: Well, you are leader of Stealth, pretty respected courier group as
well, what's going on with this group?
WINTRHWK: Stealth is not a subject I care to discuss. The reason for the
Stealth break up is personal amongst Stealth members and was a very
unfortunate event. Stealth had the ability to be great...just
things got in the way.
DEFACTO2: Why did you decide to go with utilities and not games? Do you
dislike games? My personal opinion is that games are for
fun/kids/etc. I have no time for it, so I prefer useful programs
for business, etc. that can help me everyday, the ones that are
too expensive to buy.
WINTRHWK: Masque started out as a group to release files as we got them. The
main reason for Masque was a way that four friends could stay
together. We have released a few games including children games.
But the main releases are utils. We seem to be running 50% OS/2
and 50% the other platforms. But I think games are hard to rip and
crack and a group must have a lot of time and dedication to release
games.
DEFACTO2: What are the main goals of Masque?
WINTRHWK: To have as much damn fun as possible while we are on the net! My
members get the job done and still have the best damn time. I
guarantee you will not find a better group on the net. We may not
be the #1 releasing group but you know what we do not care. Our
friendships in Masque are what counts the most to us.
DEFACTO2: Nice goals, when was masque was started, 1995?
WINTRHWK: We started Masque in October, 1995.
DEFACTO2: We all know that you are a female, how are feelings on the scene,
when there's 80+% dominance of males?
WINTRHWK: Being female does not bother me. Seems to bother 80% of the males
on the net...:) Seriously... Me being female has no bearing on how
I view the scene. I do not think it has helped nor inhibited me.
Just gives my enemies a few more choice words to call me..:)
DEFACTO2: It's nice to see women on warez scene, life is bad without women
so it's good, that you and others like you are in the scene. What
do you think about GLOW? A group which was started by women.
WINTRHWK: Well I do not see GLOW as a woman's group. I see them as a release
group. A good one at that. I was asked to join GLOW when they first
started. But the conflict of running my own group did not allow
it. And secondly it is kinda nice being the only female in Masque,
it does have it's advantages..:) Wait my friend Tempest is now in
Masque. But I have learned to share Stone with her.
DEFACTO2: Well, what do you think about kids on scene? (13-16) ?
WINTRHWK: Kids on the scene, I do not mind them as long as they have some
maturity to them. I have a member, Vivid, he is very young but
more mature than 90% of the net. What I despise is the little
kids that try to act to so tough.
DEFACTO2: Don't you think the scene has changed a lot because of kids?
A lot of kids now have access to the net and the scene.
WINTRHWK: Yes, the scene has changed but because of the easy access to the
net. But also the groups are to blame. We have allowed total
strangers to come in to make 'us better'. In my opinion it has
destroyed the scene. When a courier can become #1 by FXp <monkey
trading> it is sad. Real couriers do NOT use FXP!! That is just a
small example.
DEFACTO2: Yes, I'm total agreement with you dear. Let's see, what will
happened in 1997? Any ideas what will you doing in 1997?
WINTRHWK: My plans are to stay with Masque and my friends in there. I will
never join a courier group again, being a courier is just not fun
to me anymore. On a personal side they are to get married and
enjoy life.
DEFACTO2: Any greets or final comments before we go?
WINTRHWK: Greetings go to all of Masque, you guys are the greatest, Stone
my favorite rock and Handy you are simply my world!
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Interview with: Shadow Master (Prestige)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Prestige in 1996.
Note: As you all know Shadow Master has left Prestige, this interview was done
a few weeks before he left. So some of the information could be dated.
DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to our readers.
SDWMASTR: Hi, I'm Shadow Master.
DEFACTO2: What groups you in now, and what groups have you been in before?
SDWMASTR: I am now in Prestige, and in the past I was a member of Legend,
Genesis, Tdu-Jam, and Razor.
DEFACTO2: How long have you been in the scene and when did you join Legend?
SDWMASTR: Well I've been in the scene for 7 years, but I did not begin
supplying until I joined Legend in 1994.
DEFACTO2: Prestige started in 1996, why did you decide to start your own
group and did not earlier?
SDWMASTR: Well to be honest, Prestige was around on the Amiga for 2 years I
believe, and it started on PC in 1995, with the release of Pinball
Illusions Disk Version. I was never a founding member, so I might
be wrong on those facts. I never considered Prestige or had even
heard of it until 1995, when FanFan, who ran Genesis, mentioned
they were giving us some PC titles. A few months down the road
when all the people from my other groups had retired, I was in
Razor.
I was extremely unhappy with Razor, but there was no place else for
me to go, as everyone else I knew from way back when had retired.
Then Prestige released "Super Star Wars," and since I happen to read
.nfos all the time, I noticed my old friends Tazman and Troops were
back. These where the guys I worked with in Legend, and so I sought
them out and asked if they could use some help. From there things
kind of skyrocketed, and the reason PSG has been so successful is
because of the efforts of all those who joined after me, and worked
with each other to make something great.
DEFACTO2: Now our readers know a little bit of history about this great,
great group Prestige. Lets talk a bit about Razor1911, everyone can
see that these two groups have a lot of fights. Can you explain
further?
SDWMASTR: There is bad blood between many of our members and the Razor people.
If you'll take note, either our members are people who were in
Razor and left for some reason or another, i.e. me, Mod, Faceless,
Sternone, or those who used to lead the group, TRC, Marauder,
Randall Flagg, Wolverine, or those who used to always be in the
groups competing against Razor. It's a mix of reasons, but we
could keep people here all day with them...it's a LONG story to
say the least.
DEFACTO2: I've seen a lot of people moving from RazorCD to Prestige, can you
tell me anyone who has moved from Prestige or RazorCD?
SDWMASTR: As far as I can recall, there has never been a Prestige member who
left for Razor. Zeus and Karrade both left PSG and are now in
Razor, but when they left it was for the group Paradigm. I cannot
think of anyone who left Prestige with the full intention of going
to Razor.
DEFACTO2: What is your personal opinion about Paradigm and the merge into
Razor? I saw some topic by a member of Prestige saying
"paralame + beta 1911 = superlame 90201 " or something like that.
SDWMASTR: I don't like the Razor people and I don't like the Paradigm people.
My personal opinion is that they deserve each other :D.
DEFACTO2: What where Prestige's best releases for 1996?
SDWMASTR: The only one I can think of off the top of my head was Tomb Raider.
I don't play PC games, so you'll have to forgive me if I only
remember the recent stuff.
DEFACTO2: Wait a min, your saying that leader of Prestige does not play
PC games. I don't believe it, how come?
SDWMASTR: I long ago lost interest in PC games, as I favor role playing games,
fighting games, and platformers. I've found console machines such
as PSX are much better for the type I like. My enjoyment in the
scene comes from the competition, not from playing the games. I used to
play floppy games, but now, I just don't play any PC titles.
DEFACTO2: What are your future plans?
SDWMASTR: My future plans are to continue on with the PC scene until the
Nintendo 64 scene breaks, and I will then try to lessen my
activities in the PC scene and concentrate on console supplying.
DEFACTO2: What your final verdict of 1996? Was it a happy year for Prestige?
What do u think about Scene in 1996? Don't you think it's almost
turned into chaos, with people only caring about quantity etc.?
SDWMASTR: I think that while it has been a happy year for Prestige, the
quality of the scene has lowered in general. People no longer
appreciate the groups, but what with me seeing group leaders stoop
so low as to threaten people and whatnot, it doesn't come as a
surprise. I never listen to people claims of "Quality not Quantity".
I have supplied more PC and Console titles than almost anyone I
know and the only time a group has ever said "Q not Q," is when
they were the ones getting their ass kicked. That does bring me to
a point of how the scene has lessened. People are so willing to
talk about how lame a puzzle/card/chess game is, they neglect that
fact that these are wanted titles. I bet most people didn't know
that Smart Games outsold Wing Commander 4. Pretty good for a
"lame" release in my opinion. Ah well, times change.
DEFACTO2: What do you think about games companies? Do you think developers
have stopped making good games, leaving us poor quality gameplay,
no scenario, doom clones with lots of FMV(1)? About 40% of gaming
companies have split, like: ID, 3dREALMS, Microprose, Spectrum
Holobyte, and a lot of them are on the way to being sold off.
Maybe the scene problems originate from the companies problems?
Maybe scene problems originate from the companies problems?
SDWMASTR: I believe that is correct too. Now instead of downloading 3 disks
of something that would always work since it was the whole game and
finding out is was total crap, now companies fill 650 megs. with
total crap.
DEFACTO2: Yes, that's it. I hope companies will think about that in 1991-1994,
there were a lot of nice games, with excellent gameplay, story, and
so on, the only thing missing was good graphics and sound.
Companies could make brilliant games without any Real Time video,
but now it's all crap. Do you have any final comments or greets?
SDWMASTR: Thank you. I'd like to greet all the people like you who support
Prestige in all its endeavors. There are too many people to name,
but most can be found inside Prestige.nfo :D
(1) Full Motion Video
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Interview with: Hawkeye (Rapier)
Conducted by: IPggi
Subject: Rapier, past and future.
DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to our readers Hawkeye. Can you also tell
us your current and past affiliations.
HAWKEYE: Well, I'm one of the Leaders of Rapier and I'm also in Sodom member
and Prestige courier. I've been in net-scene quite a long time. I
used to lead Jihad (euro courier group) long time ago, it was like
Devotion nowadays, I guess many people still remember it.
DEFACTO2: How long have you been a member of Rapier? Can you give the readers
an insight into Rapier's History?
HAWKEYE: Well, I've been in Rapier since it started! Manhunter got me into
(old) Rapier when he left from Malice and started the (old) Rapier.
But then the (old) Rapier died because Manhunter didn't had enough
time to lead it and there were some problems with council. Suddenly
in the Summer Rioandken and Cq asked me to join to this (new)
Rapier and I joined. We then tried to get old members back, but it
wasn't so easy as they were involved in other groups but at least
some of those came with us, and here we are now!
DEFACTO2: The old Rapier if I remember correctly was more dominate on the BBS
scene while the new Rapier seems to focus more on the Internet, was
this a deliberate change or was this just part the continued
progression of the scenes movement towards the Internet?
HAWKEYE: Yes, old Rapier was more dominate on the BBS'es, but this time
we're trying to hit to the sites, cause nowadays those mean much
more than BBS'es. BBS'es can't compete with the Internet sites!
Nowadays release groups uploads their releases to sites before
BBS's.. and it wasn't like that when old Rapier was alive, in that
time BBS couriers got new releases from BBS's and gave them to net
couriers.. but not anymore!
DEFACTO2: How was Rapier's year in 1996?
HAWKEYE: Heh, well it was kinda messy =) We lost many good couriers but also
got many good ones back, and I personally think that we have quite
good net team right now. LOYALTY means everything for us! Always if
new member comes to Rapier. I'll talk with him about the loyalty. I
got enough for people like nevermind, that group hopper doesn't
even know what loyalty means! But everything seems to work pretty
good right now! We have very good sites, and good net team! Maybe
next year we'll be ready for competing with Risc! =)
DEFACTO2: Loyalty is an important issue with most groups, no one likes a
group hopper. How is Rapier's performance on the main scene sites?
HAWKEYE: Well, we're getting more people to main sites right now and people
who we've added, they've done GREAT job! like [Zero_T]. He's quite
new in scene, but he knows what loyalty means. many groups have
tried to get him but he'll stay cause he likes us, Rapier is like
one big family! And that's the way we make the group work, if
everybody are friends in the group no one will leave.
DEFACTO2: Now that 1996 is at an end, what are Rapier's plans for 1997?
HAWKEYE: Nothing special I think, maybe give some friendly competition to
Risc and Devotion. We're like #3 courier group right now and
Devotion is #2 and Risc is #1, maybe we'll try to be #2 in next
year =) We're doing this just for fun!
DEFACTO2: Fun, I hear that word a lot but we all know that everyone loves
the competition and even the politics involved. Of cause some
people take it too far. Does Rapier have that more friendly
atmosphere of Devotion or the more competitive atmosphere of Risc?
HAWKEYE: Heh, our Atmosphere is like Devotion's or even better =)
DEFACTO2: Well I must thank you for this interview and hope 1997 is a good
if not better year for Rapier. Any final comments or greets?
HAWKEYE: Well, I would like to greet these guys! Manhunter, Chromatiq
Haywood, Eci, Fronthead, Drake, Cyberphreak, Smaster, Zer0_T
Samuraion, Darkforce, Crazy, Ddruid and of course to everybody who
knows me =) and special FUCK OFF to Nevermind!
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Interview with: M:et (Rebels)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Rebels in 1996.
DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself, tell our readers what groups you are in
and what groups have you previously been apart of?
M:ET: I'm M:ET leader of REBELS I have been in the scene since 1982 when
I got my first computer and started to mail swap some games. I
started Rebels Amiga and have been in Rebels since then. But on the
PC I have also been in Razor1911, Nexus and TRSi, but now it is
only Rebels and utils that counts.
DEFACTO2: You are one of the founders of Rebels?
M:ET: Of the name Rebels yes. I guess it was on the Amiga back in 86 or
85.
DEFACTO2: Okay, how long has PC Rebels been on the scene?
M:ET: Well it started some years ago with that me and nick from Rebels
Amiga bought our first PC's and started to release some demos and
stuff. Later on we merged with 2000ad and then we started to
release utils seriously. Then again to become a real elite group we
merged with Pantera with me, Omnibuz, Doson and Racjam were leaders
so I guess we can say that the 4 of us made Rebels to what it is
today. A few days ago we merged with CB4, so the leaders of Rebels
now are 5, myself, Doson, Charley, Omnibuz and Skater.
DEFACTO2: Okay, I know there are two parts of Rebels. Sweden and USA. Is
Rebels made up of only people from the USA and Sweden?
M:ET: Well there are not 2 parts of rebels, we work together and are one
team. But we have most members in Sweden and USA, that is correct.
But we also have members in lots of different countries.
DEFACTO2: Why do you have official couriers? Currently it is Devotion and
Stealth where previously. Doesn't Rebels have enough time, to
coordinate an internal courier division?
M:ET: Well to keep the member list as short as possible we took the
decision to use a well organized courier team that we know would
spread our releases fast and reliable. But sure we could put in an
courier coordinator in rebels but we see no point in that when
Devotion are doing such a great job.
DEFACTO2: How was 1996 for Rebels? Are their many good memories from this
year?
M:ET: Well we started off great and were among the top 3 util crew
released a lot and only good quality.. then in September we
almost died, people got tired and had lots of school work and
different personal problems, but in the beginning of December after
hard work from the leaders we were back and strong again. We started
to release as hell again, and now since the merge with CB4 I guess
we are one of the to 3 again, so look for rbs-*.* on your boards
and sites cause I can assure you it is worth the dl.
DEFACTO2: What would be the top utility groups in 1996?
M:ET: Well that's hard to say, to be a top group you must have been around
for a long time and there is not many of us left and of course you
must still release a lot and quality stuff .. if I must mention some
top groups I can just say PWA and DOD, they are cool and have been
around for a long time.
DEFACTO2: You said there's five leaders in Rebels, am I right?
M:ET: Yes now we are 5 all with different assigns and duties. All work
hard with their part of Rebels and there are no "lazy" leaders in
Rebels. We don't work that way, we all have lots of things to do. As
we are over 80 members now there is a lot to have in mind.
DEFACTO2: Isn't eighty members a lot of work to deal with?
M:ET: Well we all work on friendship and sure there will be some problems
when we are so many members. But all have their duty and all knows
what to do and as we are 5 leaders there should not be any problems.
DEFACTO2: Why are there so many members, you don't have any couriers.
M:ET: Well you will see we have lots of suppliers and lots of crackers.
That's the main part of Rebels we don't have a single courier. we
also have 2 dupe checkers to be sure that we don't dupe anyone and
we have some packers jut to be sure that we can get a releases out
24 hours/day and then all sysop and site runners are counted as
members, and all this together makes 80..
DEFACTO2: Thanks for your interview, any final greetings?
M:ET: Hmm thanks for the interview and good luck with the mag.. final
greetings must go to the new merged Rebels and all out on the scene
that do this for fun and in a friendship way see ya all.
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Interview with: The Krazy Little Punk (Reflux)
Conducted by: IPggi
Subject: Reflux improving?
DEFACTO2: Please introduce yourself to the readers, what are your current and
past affiliations etc.
TKLP: Okay I will list only affils that mean a shit to me.. Tklp, EX-Fate
releaser, ROR founder, RefluX Founder, Ex-PNC supplier, Ex-XForce
supplier, Amnesia member, Sodom supplier, EX-Master couriers member
and EX-Rebels supplier.
DEFACTO2: It's seems you have been in quite a few groups, are you a "group
jumper"? I mean will you join a group only until you have taken
what you want and then leave?
TKLP: Gee your nice, I've only jumped groups with Utils, because they all
seem not to give a damn about their supplier, sort of use and abuse
them, and have empty promises. Sodom is the only group who seems to
be ambitious and follow through with their promises. As for
couriers, MST died off because of Ego's, Fate well, it was Fate, and
I was in it for quite some time, When I was a Senior in RTS, I did a
lot, but ORD- never did shit so I dropped out since it was a waste.
DEFACTO2: I just like getting straight to the point :) Anyway please tell the
readers some history about Reflux and how it was started.
TKLP: Okay, well Reflux was started from the best of ROR. ROR as you know
had problems since the whole Quake mishap, and when the SPA formed,
TSR wasn't fond of me since there was some rumour, I, and Jestah
King was going to redo Razor 1911 which was not true, so in order
to retaliate, he voted to ban ROR (Napalm should have been banned
Way Before). But since there was a lot of talent in ROR, we
disbanded the name, took the best of the group, recruited some new
fresh mat. We Named it Reflux because it means "A RECHARGE OR
REBIRTH" which is what we were when we began.
DEFACTO2: There was a lot of conflicts between ROR and a lot of game groups
and Reality Check Network. How did ROR end up being the target of
these peoples hatred?
TKLP: ROR didn't really have any problems with any other game groups
except LEGACY, since we were their main rivals. And about ROR, I
think it is cause we let a lot of people in and always had to kick
people out which accumulated, the epitome of the biggest mistake
in ROR History was the Quake Beta labeled as Final.
DEFACTO2: Ahhh the infamous Quake Beta. Why did you release this? Piston did
an interview with me in the old Defacto and he claimed, "well you
did get a chance to play the full quake game before it was released
even if it was a beta." But I remember before you released the fake
Quake that this full beta version was already floating around.
TKLP: Okay well [RI-X], who supplied Quake Final To Razor, told me it was
the final, and he sent it to me hex edited supposedly to look like
the final, I trusted him, and released it. the deal was he got
hardware out of it.
DEFACTO2: What did you give him for this released that caused the death of
your group, a Hard drive, a Playstation?
TKLP: We were going to give him a 17" Monitor, but we didn't since the
release was bullshit.
DEFACTO2: Lets go back to Reflux, how would you rate it's performance in 1996?
TKLP: Well it was very mild, we had high and low times, but nothing too
spectacular I admit, partly do to my living at military school and
also a long vacation during the summer when we lost our main
suppliers. But we picked up in December, and with the comeback of
g0d and others, We will do extremely well I assure you in 97.
DEFACTO2: Some group leaders in the other games groups says Reflux could be
competing with the likes of them if they got their act together,
what do you say to that?
TKLP: Well not to be modest, but I personally could easily be one of the
tops in the scene supplying wise, just that since I board at my
military school, I only have the weekends to do store pickups, so I
have to depend on others to take care of the store pickups, but with
the joining of G0D who owns his own hardware/software store, that
will help out a lot, also we have picked up some dedicated people to
do store pickups. Organization is being worked on extremely and
RefluX Will Rise To Retain The #1 Spot we once held the early months
of ROR in 1995.
DEFACTO2: G0d will be supplying for Reflux? Didn't he retire earlier in the
year?
TKLP: Yes, and he has made his way back to the scene, now that he has a
lot more time on his hands.
DEFACTO2: What are Reflux's plans for 1997?
TKLP: Well RefluX, with the addition of G0D, the more activity of my other
co-leader Tai Pan, and the new supplying recruits, we are
guaranteeing dominance in 1997. We shall claim our #1 spot which
once was ROR's its very first couple months (October 95). With the
fall of Prestige, we shall take over the US store pickups, and
hopefully build a foundation in Europe also. We shall be the first
to release a game in 97.. Dec 31 at midnight, watch for The Flux...
it will be devastating.
DEFACTO2: Okay, best of luck, any final words or greets before we go?
TKLP: Welp I hate doing greets because I always leave out someone, but
ill try ;) .. Tai Pan - For always standing by me. G0D - For coming
back, and also just being my comrade through a lot. and to some
buds:
FLOUNDER,RETIX,TOK,GENOCIDEX,CAS,ERD,REAL,KALI,PHALYCIDE
THEFIRM,PROZAC,SMASTER,MADTURNIP,LOST SOUL,DOGFRIEND,ALICE,COMWOOD
(PCROX),ZIMA MAN,ZEUS,CRACKPOT,RIDDLER, and anyone I forgot I
apologize.. oh and a BIG FAT FUCK YOU TO THAT LARD-ASS ARCH|VILE ..
laff Oh and a greet to XDC, ALCHEMIST, MANIC,R00T and PEST .. okay
that's it ;)
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Interview with: The Punisher (Razor 1911)
Conducted by: Tok
Subject: Razor 1911 in 1996.
Interviewer: Saint Tok
DEFACTO2: Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what
what groups you are in, and what groups have you previously been in.
TPUNISHR: Handle is The Punisher, I am the current "leader" of Razor 1911
and a senior in Drink or Die. I have been in several groups, from
ETA to MTY, to AMN, to EMP etc. but my main concern has always
been Razor.
DEFACTO2: Please, tell us a little story on why you became the Razor
leader. Why where you chosen?
TPUNISHR: Can't truly say to be honest, I have done a fair share in the
group over the 1 to 1 1/2 years in the group, started off as a
courier, got into supplying some titles and me and TSR became good
friends and things just kind of happened from there. I'm sure
there are others that can do it, and there might be others that
can do it better...you never know, but I'm doing the best I can
and will continue to.
DEFACTO2: What is your views about this group Razor 1991, legend of the scene.
How long are you planing to stick with it?
TPUNISHR: Welp, Razor has been the longest lasting group to ever hit the
scene. It's had its share of leaders and members come and go, but
still continued to release high-quality titles time and time
again. I think the "legend" is a achieved status, something that
people in the scene will never forget no matter what certain
people say or do. I will stick to this group till I can't do it
anymore.
DEFACTO2: How do you explain Razor being "kinda down", Razor has gotten it's
self a bad reputation in 1996 'beta' releases, and a lot of people
leaving Razor for other groups. What is your comments about that?
TPUNISHR: Welp, the fact that Razor was down all depends on how you look at
it. Razor has slammed some GREAT titles in 96. Matter of fact I
was looking through a CGW top 100 games of the year and Razor had
most of the titles in the top 10. The group has never believed in
releasing anything and everything despite what some people try to
portray to the scene. Razor did release some beta's due to a
supplier who would package them as finals and hex edit etc.. I
don't think I need to name names. The group has had it's hard
times, but we just released Red Alert not too long ago, and have
had some nice titles in between there, NBA Jam extreme, Tunnel B1,
and so forth. The group is on a nice roll right now.
DEFACTO2: Was 1996 a good or bad year for Razor 1911? What are your good and
bad memories for 1996?
TPUNISHR: I've had some bad memories in 96, the beta's, the group fights,
the bullshit politics of it all to be honest. I myself have done
some bad things in 96 and don't expect Santa to come, but we all
make mistakes and we learn from them. That's part of real life as
well.
It's been a decent year for Razor 1911, we have some things to
work on and some things to learn from, 97 will be a promising
year.
DEFACTO2: What about good memories?
TPUNISHR: My absolute best memory would probably be us slamming Red
Alert and TSR's retirement, we had me, Zeus, TSR, Thirdson,
Pharaoh, SMaster, Vitas, Pitbull, Sir_Alf, all just hanging out on
the net and on a voice conference wishing TSR farewell and having
a good time, hell SMaster was even given OP's in #razor that
night. To be honest, there are a ton of memories but it's really
too difficult to just pick one or two or even three.
DEFACTO2: When you say 'the group fights' do you mean the Razor-Prestige war
or do you mean something else?
TPUNISHR: That particularly, but it's really no bother anymore. Prestige
has a well-trained set of people to run to the store, therefore
they win on title's that hit the store. Granted there have been
some big titles to hit store and PSG has won on them, however it's
a fact that most of the blockbuster titles get nailed inside or by
other means of supplying. Which is where Razor tends to excel.
The fight between PSG and Razor is one that started from friendly
competition and turned over time into all out war. It's settled
down a bit. Hell, I got a call from cybphreak, Skill and Blue Adept
for Christmas.
DEFACTO2: What do you think is better: Strike on time in month with ultra
quality release like Quake, Red Alert, etc., or release 20-30
games per month of not too high quality, since there's ton's of
games out every month.
TPUNISHR: Welp, for me personally if I can supply or see 4 kick ass titles
under the Razor flag, or see 20 to 30 titles that I don't even
want to remember none the less play I would choose the 4 hands
down every time. But that's just me, PSG says they do the scene a
favor by giving them everything, good for them.
DEFACTO2: Okay, I got your point of view. Tell us your top three games
groups right now.
TPUNISHR: Welp not in any particular order because everyone has an opinion.
Razor 1911, Hybrid, Prestige are the only 3 groups that I think
can constantly supply title after title. Reflux is showing some
promise but it remains to be seen if they can stay consistent.
DEFCATO2: Do you want to greet someone or have any last words?
TPUNISHR: My heart filled greets go to: Vitas (slap that woman around a
little), Pitbull (you've slapped your's too much), TSR (blood in
blood out), ZEUS (get a fucking day job :D), Thirdson, Pharaoh,
Manhunter, SMaster, Chairman, Dong Silver, Wedge, Dark Rebellion,
Madturnip, Jimmy Jamez, Holybeast, Beowulf, Kali, Chinablue, and
EVERYONE else in the PC scene. Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year!
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Interview with: Saint Tok (Sodom)
Conducted by: IPggi
Subject: Sodom in 1996.
DEFACTO2: Please tell the readers a bit about yourself Saint Tok. Don't forget
to mention you past and present affiliations as well.
SAINTTOK: Hehhe, well what I need to tell about my self. Well, I'm from Russia
my nick name was Tok, and I have added Saint into it. So, I'm Saint
Tok now. I'm leader of Sodom, was in: Motiv8, Amnesia, Prestige
Razor 1191, ROR.
DEFACTO2: Saint Tok, why did you feel the need to add the "Saint" in front of
your nick, don't you think this is a bit egotistical?
SAINTTOK: Well, I can explain, no, I did not think about ego's when I was
added it, I just did it because of one big reason: people don't know
what TOK mean. so, when I was added Saint, there is no need to
explain what my nick means... it's easy now... just Saint Tok, btw.
TOK means in Russian: HIGH VOLTAGE, for example...220/110 v =>
DEFACTO2: But why did you choose "Saint" ? Surely another word could have been
used?
SAINTTOK: Well... I did not know... just add Saint... well, maybe because I'm
living in Saint Petersburg... but can't tell you for sure. =>
DEFACTO2: You have been in a few groups in the past year, especially a lot of
game groups. Are you a group jumper?
SAINTTOK: No, I was site-op of site called: PROGRESSIVE.. so, I just come into
Prestige, as member site, after that, in Prestige was conflict
between me and Zeus, so, I was decide to leave PSG and Razor invited
me as EHQ. I was in Razor as EHQ for a few weeks before site owner
was busted. Sodom was brother group with ROR., so I was in ROR, and
supplied games to them. That's it., I'm pretty loyal, and hate group
jumpers.
DEFACTO2: Are you the original founder of Sodom, and how was Sodom started?
SAINTTOK: Well, yes... I was founder.. Sodom was started in 1995 summer, with
NetRunner, (NetRunner from Russia, not from DOD).
DEFACTO2: How has Sodom progressed since that first summer of 95?
SAINTTOK: Well, it depends.... hard to say actually, but when we was started
there' was only 10 people, and main goal was "bring out quality
releases from Russia, in English". Now we work with 56 people in
Sodom, I mean, Sodom now has 50+ members world wide. We are
respected, good group, and we have good reputation. We have anything
we want, people in Sodom are happy. We have brilliant organization,
and we bring out quality and useful releases.
DEFACTO2: So why isn't Sodom Number 1, or even in the top 5 ?
SAINTTOK: Sorry? You don't think Sodom is not in top5?
DEFACTO2: Well the top 5 is highly debatable.
SAINTTOK: Well, okay, I don't think I need answer your question then.
DEFACTO2: I would say the top 3 include DOD, LND, PWA. But after that it's
hard to say. Why are you not in established position like those
three?
SAINTTOK: Well, it's because of age.. we are only 1.5 years. here, so, and
I'm really not sure. that LND is in top 3 groups over here, but
it's just my opinion.
DEFACTO2: Yes true, opinions vary. Okay, Sodom has been in the scene for over
2 years now, how would you say the scene has changed since Sodom
first started?
SAINTTOK: Hmm... hard question... times fly.. but I was on the scene before
Sodom start.. so I can say how it's changed from 1992 or whatever.
Well, the main reason why it's changed a lot, are kids, and a lot,
shit loads of people who can get access to Internet for free, or
for little money., there's are a lot of people and kids who did not
know shit, I mean, who think that they are gods, and can talk about
anything. Ego shit, disloyalty was brought to the scene by kids as
well. But Internet is improving from day to day, link's better and
better from month to month as well, but it's really bad, that every
kid want to start he's own group, and that's what going on now days.
Groups born and die, every month. And I did not know, why they do it
probably they want to be popular, or something, I saw a lot of guys
in RCN, which where trying to be popular, but everything is okay,
and we can live here in peace.
DEFACTO2: How would you rate Sodom's performance in 1996?
SAINTTOK: From 1 to 10?
DEFACTO2: No I mean in words.
SAINTTOK: It's depends, about what part of 1996 we talking about. But, in
general, I'm glad about that, and there' was up and down times, so
in general I'm happy, and what the hell, we are alive, and I can
tell u that only few groups which was started in 1995 still alive
now.. so, that's it.
DEFACTO2: What are your future plans for Sodom?
SAINTTOK: Well, work, work, work, release, release, release, fun, fun, fun,
and lot's of other things, we will show what we can do in 1997, and
I know for sure, you won't be disappointed.
DEFACTO2: Any greets or final words before we go?
.
SAINTTOK: Greeting fly out to: Prestige, Razor, Hybrid, Risc, Devotion
Empire, Rapier, Motiv8, PWA, DOD, Rebels, XForce, LND, Masque, and
everyone from SODOM!
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Well that was our first issue for you. Any questions, comments, etc please
email IPggi at defacto@defacto2.com
Defacto2 Issue January 1997 (c) 1997
LINE2546|12TH
