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Atari Explorer Online Issue 1995 01
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:: Volume 4, Issue 1 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 16 January 1995 ::
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:: ::
:: ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI ::
:: EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER ::
:: ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE ::
:: ::
:: Published and Copyright (c) 1993-1995 by Subspace Publishers ::
:: All Rights Reserved ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: Publisher .................................... Michael Lindsay ::
:: Editor ........................................... Travis Guy ::
:: Assistant Editor GEnie......................... Ron Robinson ::
:: Assistant Editor CompuServe................... Albert Dayes ::
:: Assistant Editor Delphi.................. Andreas Barbiero ::
:: Assistant Editor Internet................. Timothy Wilson ::
:: Unabashed Atariophile ............... Michael R. Burkley ::
:: Atari Artist ............................. Peter Donoso ::
:: User Group Coordinator ................... Ron Whittam ::
:: Jaguar Editor .................... Dimitri M. LaBarge ::
:: Jaguar Editor ................... Christian Svensson ::
:: UK Correspondent .............. Darren "Dooz" Bates ::
:: ::
:: Contributors: ::
:: """"""""""""" ::
:: Chuck Klimushyn, Eric Michard, Jeremy Reimer ::
:: Mark Stephen Smith, Tim Steed, David A. Wright ::
:: ::
:: Telecommunicated to you via: ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: GEnie: ST/JAGUAR RT Library 38 ::
:: CompuServe: ATARIGAMING Library 10 ::
:: Delphi: ATARI ADVANTAGE & WORLD OF VIDEO GAMES Libraries ::
:: Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319 ::
:: AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10 ::
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:: Internet mailing address: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com ::
:: FTP recent AEO issues from: rahul.net:pub/wilsont/AEO ::
:: Search gopherspace under "aeo" for back issues ::
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:: AEO is also in file format on the Jaguar Mailing List ::
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Table of Contents
* From the Editors .................................. Our Designer Edition.
* Third Annual Reader's Survey ................. Your chance once again to
tell us what you want.
* Rare Gems ......................................... Quotes worth quoting.
* John Mathieson ................. The designer of the Atari Jaguar on the
history and inner workings of the cat.
* Computer Civilisation .................. A different way to approach the
computer corporate world.
* Andrew Whittaker .................. The man who gave the Aliens the gift
of intelligence chats with Sven
about his new software company
and Jaguar game plans.
* Jaguar Tackboard ................ An even dozen NEW titles grace our new
and expanded AEO Development List -
Press Releases - BattleSphere -
Cheats & Codes - CS Offers.
* Surfing the Jagged Edge ............ WCES online reports - Jaguar to the
Core - Behind Battlesphere -
Developer highlights.
* Cuppa with the Dooz .......... From the UK: Telegames' titles - gossip -
Dooz' views on Sensi Soccer & Zool 2.
* Iron Soldier ........................... War is fun in this 42-foot tall
robot. C'mon EGM. Try to trash
THIS top-notch title.
* Kasumi Ninja ........................ Featuring digitized gore a'plenty,
this Jaguar fighter pummels its
way onto the video game stage.
* Zool 2 ............................. Be-bopping action, and Travis' pick
for "Best Jag music this side of
Tempest 2000" mark this frantic
Jag platform title.
* Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales ........... "Cute kitty kiddie platformer
seeks nimble dpad operator."
* Stello 2.0 ............................. A review of the shareware title.
* "From a Saved Backup" ...................... The Ease of Atari computing.
* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... PD and Shareware files for
_your_ Atari computer.
* Developing News ................................ Atari Safari 1995
Dave Munsie Open Letter
* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.
--==--==--==--==--
||| From the Editors ........... Atari Explorer Online: Jaguar Voyagers
||| Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello all, welcome to the first issue of AEO for 1995. Your window on
events in the World Atari offers you special insight this go-around.
We've been able to score two outstanding interviews. The first one up
is a long chat I had over the past two days with Jaguar designer John
Mathieson. There's plenty of insight provided into the development of
the Jag, the place of the Panther in Jaguar history, a glimpse or two
into some of the "hows" and "whys" of Jaguar, and a bit of background
on the man himself. This interview is a MUST READ for all Jaguar
owners and fans.
Next up is a chat between Andrew Whittaker (designer of AvP), his
new business partner, and AEO's Christian Svensson. Fresh off of AvP,
Andrew has some interesting tales about design time, as well as a
peek ahead at his next video game project.
There's the usual AEO banter, four reviews of the pre-Christmas batch
of Jag games, the Third Annual Readers' Survey, a funny look at
Civilization as computer wars, and we welcome our new UK Jaguar
columnist.
Atari has lots of surprises in store for Jaguar owners, and for those
who will be new Jaguar owners in 1995. Join us in the electronic
pages of AEO throughout the year as we chronicle Atari's return. I've
a few more surprises of my own that I hope to be able to dole out as
we go along.
Next issue, reviews of Cannon Fodder and Pinball Fantasies, and who
knows what else.
Have =you= played Atari today?
--==--==--==--==--
||| The Third Annual AEO Readers' Survey
||| By: AEO Magazine
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG
-------------------------------------------------------------------
It's an issue later than normal, but it's once again time for you
to tell us, the editors of AEO, what you want us to focus on.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. When you're
finished, EMail the survey to us at one of the addresses shown at the
end of the survey. Please do not respond to the survey in any Bulletin
Board/newsgroup/public area, as other users wouldn't want to spend
online dollars reading 99% of the same text over and over again.
The rules are simple: Every response must come from an _active_ user
name/user number. Don't vote more than once, and feel free to take as
much space on the essay portion of the survey as you need!
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I. Please mark where you generally receive your copy of AEO from:
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B. CIS
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5 equals "I am facinated by this. I would read every issue of
AEO to find articles on this."
4 equals "This interests me. I would read a few articles on
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1 equals "Total boredom and annoyance. I would avoid this and
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0 equals "What are you talking about?"
Topic Your Rating (0-5)
""""" """" """""" """""
News from Atari (Press Releases, Interviews) ------------------
News from TOS Developers (Press Releases, Interviews) ---------
News from Atari User Shows ------------------------------------
News from Atari-attended Trade Shows --------------------------
Computer Industry (non-Atari) News ----------------------------
Online News (Recaps of the major Online Atari Nets) -----------
Online Conference Reprints ------------------------------------
Jaguar Material (reviews, news) -------------------------------
Lynx Material (reviews, news) ---------------------------------
Portfolio Material (reviews, news) ----------------------------
Editorial -----------------------------------------------------
Atari Computer Product Reviews --------------------------------
"Build-it-Yourself" Hardware Articles -------------------------
IV. Many readers get AEO for Jaguar/Lynx coverage and don't care for
Atari computer coverage. Then again, many readers get AEO strictly
for its Atari computer coverage, and don't care about video games.
Please indicate, through a percentage breakdown, how you would
balance the two types of coverage.
____% Atari computer coverage
____% Atari gaming coverage
The two percentages have to add up to 100% in order for the input
to be considered valid.
V. This is the essay portion of the survey. Please answer the
following questions.
A. What did you like _most_ about AEO in 1994? Be as chatty as
you like:
B. What did you like _least_ about AEO in 1994? Again, be as
chatty as you like:
C. Please complete the following sentence. "In the next year, I
would like to see AEO cover...."
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Thanks for your input into Atari Explorer Online. Please EMail your
responses to AEO.MAG on GEnie or to <aeo.mag@genie.geis.com> via
Internet.
This survey will be valid for three weeks (until February 7, 1995). At
that time, the results will be tabulated and posted in the next
available issue of AEO.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Rare Gems
||| Compiled by: David A. Wright
/ | \ Internet: centaur@hartford.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for December 11 to
17, 1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly
collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law.
Don't run with scissors. --:Dave
The difference between a dog and a fox? About ten drinks. --Unknown
Gay females spying: Lesbionage. --Uknown (and lucky he is)
People who fly into a rage seldom make a smooth landing. --Unknown
The art of acting consists of keeping people from coughing.
--Sir Ralph Richardson
There is only one good substitute for the endearments of a sister,
and that is the endearments of some other fellow's sister.
--Josh Billings
When a man fell into his anecdotage it was a sign for him to withdraw
from the world. --Benjamin Disraeli
Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals, "love" them. But those
who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives, love
them more. --Edwin Way Teale
===
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for December 18 to
24, 1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly
collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law.
--:Dave
This just in... Federal authorities have averted another attempt by an
unauthorized aircraft to land at the White House. The incident
occurred early Christmas morning, while the First Family slept. While
details are sketchy, it appears the pilot may have been in some
distress, as the roof of the plane was missing, and the lowered
landing gear appeared to be stuck. He still had control of the craft,
however, and was ordered away from the White House. He veered off and
authorities lost track. They say that that was unfortunate, as they
wish to investigate the matter further. They are concerned about the
large number of boxes seen in the plane, which may have been
explosives, and they want to bring animal cruelty charges against the
pilot, who had inexplicably tied several deer to poles mounted in the
front of the plane, perhaps in protest of game and wildlife
regulations.
The President was not awakened during the incident, and when informed
of it in the morning, he was understandably upset. He has ordered
staff to awaken him if any other such events happen at night, and to
review their security procedures so that certain measures he outlined
could be implemented. The measures include allowing the pilot to land,
deposit the suspicious packages, and leave unhindered. White House
security is extremely opposed to the measures, but the President is
insistant. Political analysts speculate that the President may be
thinking of crisis control procedures that recommend complying with an
assailant to avoid exacerbating a dangerous situation.
See, what'd I tell ya? He spots our new chimney, some kind of primal
urge compels him to go down, and, -presto-... We have Christmas
dinner. --Cannibal, "Non Sequitur" strip by Wiley Miller
All our decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to
last. --Marcel Proust
I need some duck tape. My duck has a quack in it. --Unknown
I could not, at any age, be content to take my place in a corner by
the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived.
Curiosity must be kept alive. --Eleanor Roosevelt
Be wiser than other people if you can but do not tell them so.
--Lord Chesterfield
Had the Greeks held novelty in such disdain as we, what work of
ancient date would now exist? --Horace
They are not all saints who use holy water. --English proverb
===
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for December 25 to
31, 1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM) Compilation
copyright 1995 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly
collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law. Now
serving number 95. --:Dave
What did -you- answer when you very first died and that angel asked
you if you preferred smoking or non-smoking?
--Man in Hell to another, "Bizarro" cartoon by Dan Piraro
It is easy to be beautiful; it is difficult to appear so.
--"Meditations in an Emergency" by Frank O'Hara
Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield.
--"The Man and His Two Wives" by Aesop
I will never do an Evil Twin Story. (Yes, you will.) No, I won't.
(Yes, you will.) No, I won't. (I've got chocolate.) No, I - what?
--J. Michael Straczynski
Darkness reigns at the foot of the lighthouse. -- Japanese Proverb
The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone
else he can blame it on. --Robert Bloch
I do not know what I may appear to the world. But, to myself, I seem
to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, diverting myself
in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the
ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before
me. --Sir Isaac Newton
===
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for January 1 to 7,
1995. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM) Compilation
copyright 1995 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly
collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law.
Available in moist air-- er, most areas. --:Dave
No man can sit down and withhold his hands from the warfare against
wrong and get peace from his acquiescence. --Woodrow Wilson
Mixed reaction: Having your boss breathe in helium before saying,
"You're fired." --"Wizard of Id" strip by Johnny Hart and Brant
Parker
The task of an educator should be to irrigate the desert not clear the
forest. --Unknown
If I reach for the moon and miss, I will still be among the stars.
--Unknown
For real sponge cake, borrow all the ingredients. --Unknown
If you want a place in the sun, you have to expect a few blisters.
--Loretta Young
Lean too much upon the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of
thorns. --Tehyi Hsieh
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--==--==--==--==--
||| A Weekend with the Jaguar's Dad
||| Interview by: Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG
----------------------------------------------------------------
Known world-wide as the "father of the Jaguar", John Mathieson is seen
by many as Atari's 35 year old savior. Born and raised in Scotland,
Mathieson obtained his education at Fettes in Edinburgh, then at
Cambridge University. He currently holds a master's degree in
engineering and in computer science, as well as the title of
Vice-President of Advanced Technology at Atari Corp.
Over this past weekend, I was able to participate in a special treat.
AEO was given permission to conduct an interview with Mr. Mathieson,
who graciously gave up some of his free time to answer all questions.
(Finishing up I might add, during the San Francisco/Dallas NFC
Championship game on Sunday, his first viewing of an American football
game.)
[] AEO: What were your interests/hobbies while growing up?
John Mathieson: Electricity generally, and stereo systems. I owned and
ran my own mobile disco system while a student. I still have parts of
it, but it doesn't run so well on 110V!
[] AEO: <Grin> You're an engineer, can't you design a converter?
John Mathieson: I just hate compatibility problems!
[] To whom did you look up to as a child?
I can't put my finger on anyone in particular. I always wanted to
become a millionaire before I was 30 (now put back to 40).
[] Are you a video gamer? What's your favorite game?
Well, sort of. I spent a lot of time on Sinclair Spectrum games, Manic
Miner being my favourite. In recent years I have enjoyed Doom and
Cybermorph particularly.
[] How did you get into the silicon industry?
When I left university, I was offered a job by Clive Sinclair, at
Sinclair Research. At that time Sinclair was about to launch the
Spectrum (a very cheap Z80 based home computer), which dominated the
UK home computer industry for a few years in the early 80s. My first
job was to sit and write BASIC programs to find bugs in the BASIC
interpreter - and this led into writing the demo program used at the
launch, and doing technical support to the marketing and PR people.
From there I moved into doing real engineering.
[] What other past hardware design projects have you been involved
in?
At Sinclair, I did a lot of cost reduction work on the Spectrum, and
then moved into peripheral design work on the QL (an early 68000 based
machine). I was lead hardware engineer on a project called Pandora,
which was a portable machine based on the Spectrum architecture, and
which used the Sinclair flat CRT plus some optics as a display. It was
never manufactured.
[] How did you come to work for Atari?
Sinclair folded in 1986, and the name was bought by Amstrad. With two
other colleagues, Martin Brennan and Ben Cheese, I started a company
called Flare to design a revolutionary games computer (from an idea
that floated around in Sinclair called Loki), which we dubbed Flare
One. This had a fast Z80, plus a decent video controller, a Blitter,
and a simple DSP. We targeted the Amiga, and this system was designed
to be faster and a lot cheaper. We funded this doing design
consultancy work. The Flare One system never made it as a games
machine - we sold a lot of chip-sets to a company who made video quiz
machines for UK pubs; and we also licensed it to a Welsh company who
intended to sell it as a games machine called the Konix Multi System.
This never happened, sadly. (Jeff Minter actually wrote a game for
it!)
Having done Flare One, we knew how we would do it better next time,
using a few year's advance of technology, plus all the experience we
gained. We also realised that we needed the backing of a larger
company to fund the development. At this point, Martin Brennan was
doing the design work on the main Panther chip as a piece of
consultancy for Atari, so we presented our ideas to Atari in late
1989. We set up a new company called Flare 2, which Atari owned 80%
of, and set out to design Jaguar. At this point, Ben Cheese left us
(he went on to design the Nintendo Super FX chip), so Martin Brennan
and myself were the design team. Martin designed the Jaguar video
system (which is loosely based on Panther), and the memory controller.
I designed the RISC processors and Blitter.
In late 1993, having finished Jaguar, Martin decided to move on to
something else, so I proposed to Atari (on the morning after the
Jaguar launch), that I move to the USA to continue work on Jaguar
technology. I moved here in January 1994.
[] Did you have anything to do with the design of the Panther?
Martin was employed as a contractor by Atari in late 1989 to work on
Panther. He made a lot of improvements to the concept, which already
existed when he started. We (Flare) took it through to working
developers systems.
[] Do you know what prompted the jumping from the Panther to the
Jaguar project?
I think it became clear to Atari that Jaguar would be launched one to
two years after Panther, and this made no commercial sense. Jaguar was
well advanced in design at the point Panther was cancelled, and it was
clear that it would be a far, far better machine.
[] Is there any Panther hardware in existence? <grin>
I think there is still a pile of developers systems in the office.
Make us an offer. <bigger grin>
[] Can you tell us a little bit more about Martin, and about any of
your other colleagues that assisted in the design/development of
Jaguar?
Martin, like me, is a Scot and a Cambridge graduate. Most of the best
engineers in the world are Scottish. (Beam me up....) Martin and I did
all the work on the chip-set, but honorable mentions should also go to
Richard Miller at Atari who was our engineering contact (who is also
ex-Sinclair (and has now left Atari)), and Tim Dunn who worked at
Flare and is now in Sunnyvale at Atari (and is also ex-Sinclair), who
did a lot of the PCB development work, and the design of the
developers systems around the Jaguar core.
[] Are you currently involved in the design, planning, consulting or
overseeing of Jaguar peripherals?
I am involved in the planning, but that is all.
[] What do you presently do for Atari?
I am Vice-President of Advanced Technology. I run a group whose
primary responsibility is the Jaguar ASICs. We do support and
cost-reduction of the existing chips, plus the development of future
versions.
[] For those readers who aren't engineers (like me), what is an
ASIC, and why does it sound so terribly important?
It would be perfectly possible to put together a machine with the
performance of Jaguar using chips picked out from the catalogs of the
major chip vendors. Unfortunately, doing it that way would give a
retail price of a thousand dollars or more. What I do is work out the
leanest, most efficient way of doing the functions we need, and then
design the chip-set to do it. By making the hardware do just what is
needed for games, and no more, there are a lot of cost savings to be
made.
We then put this design into custom chips called ASICs (application
specific integrated circuits, if you really want to know), and it is
the two Jaguar ASICs (Tom and Jerry) that make it so special. Having
done these, they then become unimportant, and the games become
everything.
[] How long did it take to develop the Jaguar?
Three years from start to being production ready.
[] Was there a single guiding principle behind the design of the
Jaguar?
Our main aim was to guess what technology would be practical when
Jaguar was in production (chip sizes, DRAM architecture, speeds, and
so on), and to leap-frog the rest of the world. Compare Panther which
was more of a "me-too" response to the SNES and Genesis. We took the
leap to 64-bit DRAM, and very large ASICs and package pin-counts.
We also set out to make it cheap and very fast!
[] What was the first "breakthrough" in the Jaguar design process?
The main one was realising that designing our own RISC processors made
sense. By integrating all the video animation logic - RISC processor,
Blitter, and Object Processor - in one chip, performance could be
higher and cost lower.
The CRY colour scheme Jaguar uses, which allows smooth shading of
16-bit pixels, was also a useful discovery.
[] <Laugh> I would guess that your CRY scheme is now patented by
Atari!
Yes. As you know from the Sega deal, Atari has a strong portfolio of
patents, and Jaguar has added to that. (Sega paid Atari $90M because
the Genesis infringes some key Atari patents.)
[] All other companies are now on official notice.... <grin>
What was the most difficult obstacle to overcome in the Jaguar
design process?
I think we underestimated the problems that would arise because we
were pushing the technology envelope. The first Jaguar silicon, which
was effectively beta test hardware, proved much harder to lay out and
get working in simulation than we expected. We believe at the time
that it was the largest ASIC, apart from test chips, that the major
Japanese silicon vendor we were working with had ever done.
[] The 68000 aside, how were the chips decided upon? How were Tom
and Jerry arrived at?
It's basically a simple division into a video chip and an audio chip.
The names were arbitrary.
[] What was the reasoning behind using the Motorola 68000 in the
Jaguar? Was it a "last minute" decision?
We had no strong feelings about an external CPU in the early days of
the Jaguar design. Atari were keen to use a 68K family device, and we
looked closely at various members. We did actually build a couple of
68030 versions of the early beta developers systems, and for a while
were going to use a 68020. However, this turned out too expensive. We
also considered the possibility of no CPU at all. I always felt it was
important to have some normal processor, to give developers a warm
feeling when they start. The 68K is inexpensive and does that job
well. I maintain that it's only there to read the joysticks. (Although
Leonard Tramiel now recommends that developers do that with the GPU
too!)
[] What do you say to those outsiders who insist on calling the
Jag's 68000, "The CPU of the machine?"
Call it what you like. It may be the CPU in the sense that it's the
centre of operation, and boot-straps the machine, and starts
everything else going; however, it is not the centre of Jaguar's
power. The centre of Jaguar's wonderful abilities come from the two
RISC processors for graphics and sound, and the two 64-bit animation
co-processors, the Blitter and Object Processor. The 68000 is like a
manager who does no real work, but tells everybody else what to do.
[] Here's a fresh question for you, I'm sure. <grin> Is Jaguar
really a 64-bit machine?
Jaguar has a 64-bit memory interface to get a high bandwidth out of
cheap DRAM. We achieve over 100 Mbytes/second, which is very
respectable, and gives the system its speed and flexibility. Where the
system needs to be 64-bit then it is 64-bit, so the Object Processor,
which takes data from DRAM and builds the display is 64-bit; and the
blitter, which does all the 3D rendering, screen clearing, and pixel
shuffling, is 64-bit. Where the system does not need to be 64-bit, it
isn't. There is no point in a 64-bit address space in a games console!
3D calculations and audio processing do not generally use 64-bit
numbers, so there would be no advantage to 64-bit processors for this.
Jaguar has the data shifting power of a 64-bit system, which is what
matters for games, so can reasonably be considered a 64-bit system.
But that doesn't mean it has to be 64-bit throughout.
[] What was the rationale for the "small" caches on the RISC chips?
Well in chip area they are not small at all, but huge.
[] I guess it'd depend on how a programmer approaches it, wouldn't
it? People who are used to writing tight code don't have any
troubles, while coders who are used to letting compilers "do the
hard part" for them see the RISC caches as tiny.
The most vocal criticism of the Jaguar architecture I have heard is
from John Carmack, who wrote Doom. A lot of his points are well made;
but he brought his game from an architecture with lots of central
processing power, and dreadful graphics rendering speed (the PC). Doom
was therefore a difficult port; as Jaguar presents both a very
different programming model and a much more balanced system. I don't
think many good games writers let compilers do the hard part - they
increasingly let them do the easy bits, but I believe most developers
still hand code the important stuff.
Getting the best performance out of Jaguar is not simple - and
programmers complain about it. But almost all of the developers I
spoke to expect to get much better performance out of their second
generation games, as they are now up the learning curve.
[] What about the Jaguar's hardware are you most proud of?
The RISC processor design.
[] Can you elaborate, or would that give too much away?
Well, without giving anything away, the performance worked out better
than I had hoped for. A lot of the early design decisions turned out
to be right in ways that may not have been clear at the time. There
was no single moment of invention, they just slowly evolved into
something that I am pleased with. Of course, it's not perfect.
[] You've already indicated that a custom-designed RISC processor
would be better suited in a fast video game console than a
processor taken "Off the shelf." Knowing Tom and Jerry as
intimately as you do, can you offer us a general comparison
between them, and the RISCs used by other consoles? (ARM-60,
SH-2.)
The ARM has a code size problem, as it uses 32-bit instruction words,
compared to our 16 bits. It's quite an old design now, and it does not
achieve the same performance we do at the same clock speed. The SH-2 I
know less about, but it appears to be slower at multiplication, which
is the key to 3D maths and audio synthesis. I know Sega changed both
the 32X and Saturn from one to two SH-2s to get better performance.
(The rumour is this happened after they saw Jaguar.)
[] Is there anything about Jaguar that you would change if you could
hop into a time machine and go back?
Well, I would of course have to fix all the bugs, and do it in half
the time as there would be two of me!
[] How paternalistic are your feelings towards Jaguar? Do you see it
as a design, or as something more?
It's like a child which has grown up and left home. For three years
it was ours alone; but at the Jaguar launch in New York I suddenly
realised that it was no longer mine. It was quite a surprising feeling
at the time, but now it's just a design. Now, all I see are the
day-to-day problems - the production glitches, developers' problems
and so on.
[] You feel that Jaguar is the most powerful "video game" machine on
any market?
In the U.S. today, certainly. World-wide, the Saturn and PlayStation
are serious opposition. But in terms of entry price, Jaguar offers
much more bang-per-buck than those machines.
[] How hard would it be to turn Jaguar into a full-fledged computer?
Would such a task be feasible?
It would be possible. There was a proposal within Atari before the
Jaguar launch to do a computer version as well, although it never came
to anything. If it looked like the market was going to go that way,
then Jaguar would make a very nice computer system. It can drive a VGA
monitor with the right software, and just needs a keyboard and a
storage device. However, I think the PC has that market sewn up, and
Atari has no plans to do a Jaguar computer.
[] Atari has announced plans for the Jag II in their 1993 financial
statements. Do you have any input or information you can share
concerning the development of this new platform? Will it be
marketed as "Jaguar II"?
Jaguar 2 is currently in development, and that is my main
responsibility. I cannot discuss technical aspects of it, and I don't
think anyone knows what to call it yet.
I spoke to a lot of developers regarding where they saw the
shortcomings of the current hardware. As a result of this, and our own
experience, I set out with main design aims of better polygon
performance, better texture map performance, better audio, and
compatibility. You will have to wait and see how well we do with these
aims.
[] Fair enough. We're waiting to see. Jaguar 2 aside, where do you
see the video gaming industry going, in terms of hardware, in the
next few years?
It is a technology led industry, so you should look to SGI
workstations, and state-of-the-art arcade machines, to see what will
be console priced in a few years. It is interesting the way 3DO, Sony
and Sega all think there is a market at $400. I believe that the real
volume remains at a much lower price than that.
[] "The lower, the better." Right? <grin>
Absolutely. I think if you look at Nintendo's public statements on the
Ultra 64 (no CD drive, simple fast architecture), you will see they
think the same. The really high sellers, the old Atari games consoles,
the NES, SNES and Genesis are all around the hundred dollar mark.
[] Not a hardware question, but do you think that future video game
consoles will rely on operating systems?
No, not really. There may be some movement to standard libraries, but
I believe that the best performance will always be had by going
straight at the hardware.
[] Ever since the late 70's, video game hardware have followed, and
sometimes led home computer hardware in terms of innovation and
performance. CD-ROMs for storage, and parallel processors for
computational ability are the current rage. While many companies
are seeking to increase the amount of data that can be stored on
CD-ROM, and others are working to develop faster processors, what
do you see as the next leap in innovation in video gaming
hardware?
Realism and interactivity are what makes these machines exciting.
Realism is what we pushed for in Jaguar, by allowing 3D games. I
wonder if VR headsets will be the next leap....
[] Full color or monochromatic? I wonder as well.
We will see. The Jaguar headset we are working on with Virtuality
should be a lot of fun.
[] One final question; at the end of your day, how does it make you
feel to know that there are so many people around the world who
enjoy your design - both users, and developers?
It's a good feeling. Having been in this industry for 14 years, this
is the first product I have designed to make it into six figure
volumes. (And here's hoping for eight figures! (Tens of millions for
the non-mathematical.)) But as I said earlier, the baby has left home,
and my work on it is over. I think more about Jaguars 2 and 3.
[] On behalf of my readers, I wish to thank you Mr. Mathieson, both
for spending this time with us, and for all of the hard work
you've put in on Jaguar. We wish you and your creations the best!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Computer systems as opponents in the game Civilization 1.0
||| An extremely silly commentary by: Jeremy Reimer
/ | \ Internet: jreimer@wimsey.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
//// This text is Copyright 1994 by Jeremy Reimer, and may not be
//// reprinted in whole or in part without the consent of the author.
You would think that computers and their respective operating systems,
software and versions of Wing Commander would be interesting enough
that they could stand on their own, without comparison to all sorts of
other things. Why then is it that people are -constantly- trying to
compare their favourite beige box to a brand of car, or an airline or
train service, television set, dining experience or vacation spot? It
is quite obvious to those of us with more than two brain cells to rub
together that such discussions are superficial and bogus. The only
valid comparison that can be made is quite obviously that between
computers and the artificial players in Sid Meier's Civilization, the
best game that isn't Wing Commander that was ever made. (Emperor
level, random world, 7 opponents, of course! Those of you who have
scored over 300 percent without cheating on version 5, please stop
lying to us.)
Anyway, after a couple of drinks, it all becomes clear: the number of
cities an enemy civilization posesses is equal to its marketshare.
The amount of trade can compare to software support, and cash can
indicate the financial stability of the company. The differing levels
of computer technology (pre-emptive multitasking, document linking and
embedding, grape-flavoured bananas) correlate rather nicely to the
various levels of technology in Civilization in a rather elaborate and
highly interesting manner which I cannot discuss as I have run out of
space in this document.
So without further ado, let's establish once and for all which
computers compare to which civilizations, and then let a thousand
flamewars bloom.
//// The PC, running DOS and Windows - Americans
Obviously the Americans. Expansionistic and arrogant, yet militarily
weak, they have run over 70% of the planet. They are highly advanced
in some technological levels but extremely low on others (especially
things like literacy) Lowest levels of contentment of all the
platforms, frequent unrest, riots and food shortages, but they keep
forming new cities all the time (which any good Civ player knows is
one sure-fire way of always keeping one step ahead of your
competitors) Threatens to take over the entire planet but doesn't have
the military power to do so.
Microsoft maintains that the fully debugged, 32-bit starship to Alpha
Centauri will be "included in the next version of Windows, due in six
months". However they have been saying this for years now and have
only just finished building the first power module.
//// The PC, running OS/2 - Egyptians
Due to a civil war between IBM and Microsoft, the PC empire split
between Windows and OS/2 several years back. The Egyptians enjoy
better standards of living and better, if monolithic and by some
standards rather old fashioned, technology. Every once in a while one
of the American cities will admire the prosperity of Thebes and
defect, although there are still very few cities, military defenses
are poor and trade almost non-existant.
Microsoft says that Thebes is irrelevant and in any case they'd better
not get any ideas as the Americans are (as usual) itching to run them
over with cannons.
//// The Macintosh - Russians
The only civilization more arrogant than the Americans, Stalinist
Russia owns most of the planet that the Americans don't, and are
constantly waging wars and sending in diplomats to sabotage the enemy
with lawsuits. In typical Russian fashion, they claim to have invented
every technology before anyone else (remember Russia's claim that they
invented baseball?) but most of them conveniently forget that ever
since the suits came in and took over the company (Communist
revolution) that the Macintosh's technological growth curve has been
far behind everyone else, even the Americans. Their trade levels are
far below the Americans but better than the Egyptians. Every time a
new technology is discovered (e.g., PowerPC) they promptly announce to
the world that now they have this new power they are about to destroy
everyone else, but their defiant words are rarely backed up in the
real world.
Microsoft has just recently discovered a way to increase their trade
and cashflow and also destroy the Russians from within: they have sent
two diplomats carrying Excel 5.0 and Word 6.0 accelerated for Power
Macintosh, the Trojan Horses of software.
//// Unix - Mongolians
Barbaric and arrogant, all they ever do is attack. They have no idea
what trade is or how money works. Years ago in the days of chariots
and catapults they had better technology than anyone on the planet,
but failed to conquer more than a small, barren piece of land despite
all predictions that they would take over everything. They have a few
cities that are well-fortified and almost impervious to attack. They
could have been a greater force if only their ranks weren't riddled
with internal power conflicts. Still, they have a few good
technologies that help them survive any attack.
Microsoft continues to tell the world that the Mongolians are
irrelevant, but fails to mention the fact that their diplomats have
already stolen their best technological secrets for their own sordid
uses.
//// NeXTstep - French
The greatest snobs in the world, they have the highest levels of
technology on the entire planet but only own one city, and most people
haven't even heard of them. Continue to be amazed that everyone in the
entire world doesn't simply lay down their arms and join the French.
They used to be the Germans (back in the days of black hardware) but
then the Barbarians took over their city and they were reincarnated as
the French, now running on Intel boxes. They keep trying to steal
other cities by using diplomats (NeXTstep on HP, Suns, PowerPC, etc)
but they never have enough money and nobody can ever decide which city
they should try and buy out next. Their capital (Paris) is one of the
most beautiful, advanced and elegant cities in the world, but it is
just one city, and is rather poorly defended and has almost zero
trade.
Microsoft believes firmly that the French do not exist, and most of
the rest of the world reluctantly agrees with them.
//// Amiga - in limbo (sacked by Barbarians - used to be Babylonians)
They are of course the Babylonians because all Amiga users ever do is
talk about Babylon 5. They conveniently forget that just before
Barbarians sacked Nineveh they were $200 million in debt and most of
their key technologies had already been stolen by foreign diplomats,
everyone had stopped trading with them and they were down to one city
with a population of 1, and all their scientists had left.
Nevertheless most Babylonians feel that any day now they will be
reincarnated as the Zulus and go running all over the planet taking
over everybody, forgetting of course that in the meantime the other
civilizations have caught up and surpassed their once superior
technologies. Of course as in Civilization, if they wait too much
longer (after 1 AD) then there will be no hope of revival as another
Civ.
//// Atarians - non-existant (got bought out by Americans)
They used to be the Greeks but had to sell all their cities for lack
of money.
//// Acorns - English (what else?)
This civilization does nothing but sit on a tiny island and complain
that nobody knows about them. Which is true to some extent. Unlike the
historical English these English never had an empire, and have almost
no trade and no military potential.
Well that is definitely the last word on that! Stay tuned for an
in-depth review of why computers are really like breakfast cereals,
coming in some other lifetime.
--==--==--==--==--
||| From Golgotha to... Orlando
||| Interview By: Christian Svensson
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.5 Internet: svensson@bucknell.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
The darkness of the metallic halls seemingly encroach further (as if
that were physically possible), and your feelings of claustrophobia
increase. Engine hissing and the distant screaming of aliens fill the
corridors, giving yourself and all others present goosebumps.
Suddenly, you react to the surprise clawing attack of an Alien - its
attack cry as it jumps out at you, making your heart skip as you let
loose with both shotgun and invectives.
To whom do we owe this genuinely Giegeresque experience? Why, the
people on the Alien vs. Predator development team at Rebellion and
Atari of course.
One of the key members of this team was Andrew Whittaker, whom I have
recently had the pleasure of spending some time on the phone with.
Much has happened to Andrew professionally since work on AvP initially
began.
Andrew got into the computer field working as a member of the Grafgold
development team at Hossent Computers, then moved to the USB software
company, then on to Commodore Computers doing hardware development.
Finally, he wound up at Rebellion.
Andrew started at Rebellion as one of the two programmers for AvP and
was responsible for all the artificial intelligence (which took six
months alone to develop) and much of the 3D engine used in the game.
During the course of the project, Andrew left Rebellion in order to
join the ranks of Atari's in-house programming staff.
In my conversation with Andrew, I learned several interesting tidbits
that others might like to know about the development of AvP.
[] There can be over 3500 creatures in the game.
[] Before all of the objects and creatures were placed,the 3D engine
was running at about 50-60 frames per second. Due to the tracking
and AI of all of these creatures (not all at once mind you) the
engine slowed down to its present pace. Andrew was willing to
sacrifice speed for more realistic (and devious) AI.
[] Some people complained about the "cohabitation" of Aliens and
Predators in the same room (or some other unbelievable
combination). Well, Andrew had the AI so realistic, that in the
Marine scenario, the Predators went around the levels killing most
of the Aliens until they themselves were killed by the Marine -
thus making that game considerably more easy.
[] The ever present delays were due to the changing development
systems. Because they started development before the kits were
finalized, Rebellion would receive a "revised" development system
on almost a weekly basis. This forced them to backtrack and redo
certain parts of their earlier code from time to time.
A few short months after Andrew left to join Atari, Atari UK made the
somewhat surprising decision that they would no longer perform
development in-house, but instead would contract the work out to third
party developers. While this decision may be a wise move for Atari, it
left little reason for in-house programmers like Andrew to stay on
there.
//// Stalking One's Prey
Andrew's next move was to post what would become a "career changing"
(if not life changing) message to rec.games.video.atari asking if
there were any Jag developers with programmer openings. With AvP as a
huge success on the Jag, Andrew had numerous job and project offers.
In the midst of all of these was a reply from Jon Taylor, an Orlando
based computer engineer. Jon's career has taken him from Adventure
International (creators of the "Scott Adams Graphics Adventure"
series) eventually to Visionix Software (where he was doing low level
device driver, graphics and sound development). Jon proposed a
multinational development company, Springer Spaniel Software, a
concept that Andrew found very appealing. The concept started moving
towards reality in October 94 when Andrew and Jon began searching for
members to fill out the ranks of the teams on both sides of the
Atlantic. Only four weeks ago, a meeting was called in Orlando,
Florida amongst 20 potential team members, Jon, and Andrew. It was
from these 20 people, the English and American team members were
selected. These people were artists, programmers, musicians, business
personnel and other specialists.
//// Going in for the Kill
The business operations for Springer (distribution, legal operations,
publishing, etc.) will be handled in England and New York (where they
are in the process of setting up an office.) Meanwhile Andrew will be
leading the development team which will be split between Orlando and
England. The wonders of the Internet will allow the development teams
to communicate and share information continuously.
The development team's first project is what Andrew has defined as "a
revolutionary, fantasy role-playing game" for the PC on CD ROM. It is
slated to ship in the first quarter of 1996 and ports for the Atari
Jaguar (Jon emphasized that he is a BIG Atari fan), Sony PSX and Sega
Saturn are slated to follow in the second and third quarters of 96.
Andrew has emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence,
character interaction and superlative graphics. The projects name is
presently "Artemis" but Jon and Andy wanted to emphasize that this
titles shouldn't even be considered a working title yet.
Right now, Andrew is leaning towards an orthogonal, overhead view RPG,
but the gaming concept is still open to other (and multiple)
interpretations. Furthermore, Andrew and Jon are negotiating with an
unnamed fantasy author concerning the writing of a novella (which may
or may not be part of a series) to bundle with the game, thereby
developing the plot and description of the world in which it is set.
In closing, Jon and Andrew wanted to express that development will be
starting in earnest and with Andrew leading the development team, the
future is looking rosy for their first project.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Jaguar Tackboard
||| Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
/ | \ Compiled from online and official sources
----------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Independent Association of Jaguar Developers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The IAJD (Independent Association of Jaguar Developers) has started
accepting members on GEnie. The IAJD is a private group where
confidential discussions can be freely held. (Category 64 of the ST
RoundTable is the IAJD meeting place.) Consequently, membership in the
IAJD is limited to Jaguar developers who are registered with Atari
Corp. To apply for membership, send EMail to ENTRY$ on GEnie (or
<entry$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie). Regular EMail
correspondence with the IAJD should be sent to IAJD$ (again, or
<iajd$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Internet Jaguar Mailing List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Anyone with Internet EMail access can join the discussions on the
Jaguar mailing list. To "subscribe" to the list, send an EMail to
the following address: <listserv@ctrc.fs.saci.org>
Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the EMail, include this
line:
subscribe jaguar-l FirstName LastName
(Where "FirstName" is your first name and "LastName" is your last
name.)
To send mail to be read on the Jaguar list, address your letter to:
<jaguar-l@ctrc.fs.saci.org>. It will go to the list server and be
sent to the over 250 readers of the list.
IMPORTANT: If your mail server charges you by the character or by the
letter, please be aware that the Jaguar list can generate dozens, and
up to a hundred EMails in a day.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar FAQ
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Robert Jung <rjung@netcom.com> maintains the Jaguar FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) file, an updated list of Jaguar specs and facts. The
Jaguar FAQ is posted to rec.games.video.atari on Usenet around the
first of every month, and can also be found via FTP, address:
ftp.netcom.com, in Andy Eddy's /pub/vidgames/faqs directory.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// AEO Development List 2.01
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Editor: The following list of game titles has been confirmed to
the best of AEO's ability as of January 13, 1995. Entries in the
"S"tatus column reflect any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew titles, or
"?"uestionable listings since the last AEO list. Entries in the
"M"edia column reflect whether the title is "C"D-ROM or "H"ardware.
(Blank entries are assumed to be cartridge software.)
ETA dates are dates that have been provided by the developer. AMMV.
I have updated the basic format of the list since the Version 1.xx
series. Version 2.xx of the AEO Development List has titles divided
into three categories. First are titles in development, listed
alphabetically, followed by unnamed titles, with currently released
titles comprising the third section. I hope you will find this to be
an easier to use list.
//// Titles in Development
S M Title ETA Company Publisher
""" """"" """ """"""" """""""""
AirCars Q1/95 MidNite MidNite
Arena Football League Q1/95 V Real Productions V Real
n C Artemis Mid96 Springer Spaniel Springer
C BIOS Fear - All Systems Go
n C Baldy Q2/95 Atari Atari
n Batman Forever Q3/95 Atari Atari
? C BattleChess ? Interplay
C Battlemorph Q1/95 Attention to Detail Atari
Battlesphere Q2/95 4Play
Battlewheels 1995 Beyond Games Beyond Games
C Blue Lightning Q1/95 Attention to Detail Atari
C Brett Hull Hockey Q2/95 Atari
Burn Out Q2/95 Virtual Xperience Atari
Cannon Fodder PRODU Virgin Interactive C. West
u Casino Royale 4/95 Telegames Telegames
H Cat Box PRODU Black Cat Design
n C CD League Bowling Q2/95 V-Real Productions
Center Court Tennis ? Zeppelin Games
C Chaos Agenda - Atari Atari
Charles Barkley Basketball Q2/95 Atari
Commando ? Microids
n Conan ?
u C Creature Shock Q2/95 Argonaut Software Virgin
'Dactyl Joust Q1/95 High Voltage Atari
Defender 2000 H2/95 LlamaSoft Atari
C Demolition Man Q1/95 Virgin Interactive Atari
Dino Dudes 2 ? Imagitec Design Atari
Double Dragon V Q1/95 Williams Enter. Williams
C Dragon's Lair Q1/95 ReadySoft ReadySoft
Droppings ? Delta Music Systems
Dungeon Depths ? MidNite
? Evidence ? Microids
F1 Racer - Domark Group Ltd.
u Fight For Life Q1/95 Atari Atari
Flashback 2/95 Tiertex Ltd. U.S. Gold
C Freelancer 2120 - Imagitec Design Atari
Galactic Gladiators ? Photosurrealism
? Gunship 2000 ? Microprose
Hammerhead Q2/95 Rebellion Software Atari
u Hardball 3 7/95 Atari Atari
C Highlander Q1/95 Atari Atari
C Highlander II - Atari Atari
C Highlander III - Atari Atari
u Horrorscope Q2/95 V-Real Productions
u C Hosenose and Booger ? All Systems Go
Hover Hunter Q2/95 Hyper Image Hyper Image
Hover Strike Q1/95 Atari Atari
Hyper Force - Visual Impact
Indiana Jags - Virtual Xperience
u International Sensible Soccer 2/95 Williams Brothers Telegames
C Jack Nicholas Cyber Golf Q2/95 Hand Made Software Atari
n James Pond 3 Q2/95 Telegames
? Kick Off 3 ? Anco Software Ltd.
Legions of the Undead Q2/95 Rebellion Software Atari
? Lester the Unlikely ? DTMC
C Lobo 1995 Ocean Software Ltd.
Mad Dog McCree ? American Laser Games
? Mountain Sports ? DTMC
H MPEG
- Atari Atari
Nanoterror ? Delta Music Systems
Nerves of Steel ? Rainmaker Software
? C Neurodancer ? PIXIS Interactive
n Phear Q1/95 H2O Design Corp. Atari
Pinball Fantasies 2/95 21st Century C-West
n Pitfall II: The Mayan Adventure 12/95 Activision
u Power Drive Rally 5/95 Rage Software Time-Warner
n Powerslide 1995 Telegames
u C Primal Rage Q4/95 Time-Warner
Rainbow Warrior ? 3D Games
u RayMan 6/95 UBI Soft UBI Soft
C Redemption Q2/95 Atari Atari
C Return to Zork ? Activision
Rise of the Robots - Time-Warner
u C Robinson's Requiem H2/95 Silmarils Atari
Ruiner Q2/95 High Voltage Atari
u Soccer Kid Q1/95 Krisalis Software Ocean
n C Soul Star Q2/95 Atari
C Space Ace Q2/95 ReadySoft ReadySoft
u Space War 2000 Q2/95 Atari
Super Off-Road ? Telegames
u Supercross 3D 6/95 Atari
Syndicate Q1/95 Bullfrog Ocean
n C Thea Realm Fighters Q3/95 High Voltage Atari
Theme Park Q1/95 Bullfrog Ocean
Tiny Toons Adventures Q2/95 Atari
u Troy Aikman NFL Football 2/95 Telegames Williams
Ultimate Brain Games 3/95 Telegames
Ultra Vortex 1/95 Beyond Games Beyond Games
? Valus Force ? JVC
u C Varuna's Forces 4/95 Accent Media
n C Vid Grid Q1/95 Atari Atari
H Video Jukebox ? All Systems Go
Virtual Warriors ? Rainmaker Software
n Virtuoso 1995 Telegames
Waterworld - Ocean Software Ltd.
White Men Can't Jump Q1/95 High Voltage Trimark
n Wild Cup Soccer 1995 Telegames
u World Class Cricket 4/95 Telegames
? World Cup ? Anco Software Ltd.
Zzyorxx II - Virtual Xperience
//// Unnamed Titles in Development
S M Title ETA Company Publisher
""" """"" """ """"""" """""""""
H Jaguar / PC card ? Sigma Designs Sigma
3D shooter ? iThink
Football - Atari
H IR controller station - All Systems Go
Miniature Golf ? DTMC
RPG ? Level 7 Software
Racing - Gremlin Graphics
Soccer - UBI Soft UBI Soft
n Wayne Gretzky Hockey title Q4/95 Time-Warner Time-Warner
//// Current Releases
AEO
M Title Rated Company Publisher
" """"" """"""" """"""" """""""""
Alien vs. Predator 9 Rebellion Atari
Brutal Sports Football 7 Millenium/Teque Telegames
Bubsy 6 Imagitec Design Atari
Checkered Flag 5 Rebellion Atari
Club Drive 7 Atari Atari
Cybermorph 7 Attention to Detail Atari
Doom 9 id Software Atari
Dragon 7 Virgin Interactive Atari
Evolution Dino-Dudes 6 Imagitec Design Atari
Iron Soldier 10 Eclipse Atari
Kasumi Ninja 8 Hand Made Software Atari
Raiden 6 Imagitec Design Atari
Tempest 2000 10 LlamaSoft Atari
Trevor McFur...Crescent Galaxy 3 Atari Atari
Wolfenstein 3D 8 id Software Atari
Val d'Isere Skiing... 5 Virtual Studio Atari
Zool 2 7 Gremlin Graphics Atari
Pts Stars AEO Ratings
""" """"" """""""""""
10 ***** GAMING NIRVANA!!! - You have left reality behind... for good.
9 ****+ Unbelieveable GAME!! - Your family notices you're often absent.
8 **** Fantastic Game!! - You can't get enough playtime in on this.
7 ***+ Great Game! - Something to show off to friends or 3DOers.
6 *** Good game - You find yourself playing this from time to time.
5 **+ Ho-hum - If there's nothing else to do, you play this.
4 ** Waste of time - Better to play this than play in traffic.
3 *+ Sucks - Playing in traffic sounds like more fun.
2 * Sucks Badly - You'd rather face an IRS audit than play this.
1 + Forget it - ... but you can't; it's so badly done, it haunts you.
0 - Burn it - Disallow programmer from ever writing games again.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Atari & Jaguar-related Press Releases
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jag Snags Big Titles for 1995
Coming attractions for Atari Jaguar
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - Batman Forever, Thea Realm Fighters
and Primal Rage top the list of coming attractions for the 64-bit
Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia system in 1995.
"The focus at Atari for 1995 is great software and lots of it," said
Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "We are working with over 200
developers to bring a wide variety of new games to the 64-bit Atari
Jaguar in 1995. The powerful Jaguar technology can handle popular
arcade games like Primal Rage or provide the speed and graphics
necessary for brand new games like Batman Forever and Thea Realm
Fighters."
Batman Forever, based on the much-anticipated Warner Bros. movie
scheduled for release this summer, pits the caped crusader and his
sidekick Robin against Gotham City villains Two-Face and the Riddler.
The Atari Jaguar Batman Forever game will incorporate the movie's
characters and feature the films newly-designed costumes and high-tech
equipment.
Market research demonstrates that over 90% of the U.S. population is
familiar with the Batman character, so there will be wide appeal for
the game. Batman Forever is scheduled for delivery to stores late in
the 3rd quarter.
Thea Realm Fighters combines the latest digital motion capture
technology and nationally known martial arts fighters, including
several used for both Mortal Kombat games, to create a super-realistic
fighting game. Among the well-known martial artists used for the game
are:
[] Ho Sung Pak, who played Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat I & II, is a
member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame and winner of the Grand Slam
of Martial Arts in 1991, and served as technical advisor for
choreography.
[] Phillip Ahn, MD, is a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Dr.
Ahn played Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat II.
[] Katalin Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.
Katalin is a black belt in Okinawan style Karate.
[] Daniel Pesina, who played Johnny Cage and the ninjas in Mortal
Kombat I & II, is a nationally ranked martial artist in forms and
weapons.
There are a total of 25-plus characters to compete against in Thea
Realm Fighters, including twelve main characters and twelve other
special characters. The characters can compete in four different modes
and with more than 30 different backgrounds, creating a wide variety
of combat situations and scenarios. The release of Thea Realm Fighters
is planned for the 3rd quarter.
Primal Rage pits seven different prehistoric creatures - each with its
own unique fighting style - against each other in a battle for world
domination. This one or two player game was a huge hit in the video
arcade market last year. Time Warner Interactive plans to ship a
compact disc version of Primal Rage in the 4th quarter.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game
system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United
States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale,
California 94089.
###
CONTACT:
Atari Corporation Ron Beltramo 408/745-8852
Edelman Public Relations David Harrah 415/968-4033
//// Jaguar Sports Titles
Sports titles coming from Atari
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - Baseball for 1995 may be uncertain
and the National Hockey League still is not playing, but there will be
sports galore on the 64-bit Atari Jaguar this spring and summer.
Atari Corporation today announced that a number of new sports titles
will be released in the first half of 1995.
"We're going for the gold with sports-oriented games at Atari this
year," said Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "Atari Jaguar
owners will play hockey with Brett Hull, golf with Jack Nicklaus,
basketball with Charles Barkley and all the baseball they want."
Sports games currently under development include: Charles Barkley-Shut
Up and Jam takes an in-your-face, over-the-top approach to America's
favorite indoor sport. Players will encounter some of the baddest
b-ball players on the streets as they try to rule the game's 2 on 2
streetball tournament. Charles Barkley-Shut Up and Jam is expected by
the end of the second quarter.
Brett Hull Hockey features super-realistic, digitized graphics and a
real-time 3-D hockey rink. Available on CD, Brett Hull Hockey will
provide the most realistic hockey video game simulation ever. Look for
Brett Hull Hockey to arrive in stores by the end of June.
Hardball Baseball will provide a graphically and statistically
true-to-life simulation of real baseball. Players will have the added
option of customizing teams and scheduling themselves for one game, a
playoff series or an entire season. Special software builds players'
statistics as games are played making Hardball Baseball even more
realistic. Atari plans to ship Hardball Baseball before the 1995
All-Star game, if there is one this year.
Jack Nicklaus Cyber Golf, a CD title, is a photo-realistic golf game
for the Jaguar that utilizes over 9,000 images of Murfield Village
Golf Course. This course is the first that Jack Nicklaus created and
is the site of the annual Memorial Tournament. Well-known sports
presenter David Livingston acts as a virtual commentator to teach the
first-time player how to play the game or provide comments and
suggestions for the more experienced players. Up to a foursome can
play Jack Nicklaus Cyber Golf, and the CD is expected to ship late
this spring.
Additional sport titles scheduled for the first half of 1995 include
Troy Aikman NFL Football (Williams Entertainment), White Men Can't
Jump (TriMark), CD League Bowling (V Real) and Sensible Soccer
(Telegames).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game
system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United
States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale,
California 94089.
###
CONTACT:
Atari Corporation Ron Beltramo 408/745-8852
Edelman Public Relations David Harrah 415/968-4033
//// Upcoming Jaguar Peripherals
Atari to expand Jaguar peripherals
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - New peripherals in 1995 are a key
part of the system expansion plans for the 64-bit Jaguar Interactive
Multimedia system, Atari Corporation today announced. "Since Jaguar
has already made the leap to 64-bit technology, we can focus on
providing even more value to consumers by expanding the system with
new and innovative peripherals," said Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari
Corporation. "By the end of the year, players will link multiple
systems, play each other over the phone and venture into new virtual
reality environments with their Jaguar systems."
Networking Jaguar systems through use of the Jag Link cable enables
the playing of network compatible Jaguar games on different systems up
to 100 feet away from each other. The Jag Link cable system can
support at least two simultaneous game players at once, depending on
the software. The system uses standard RJ11 phone line cable to link
two Jaguar interactive game systems and implements reliable
differential pair technology. The Jag Link cable is expected to be
available for sale in the second quarter of 1995 at a suggested retail
price of $29.99.
The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator allows players to link to each
other over the phone. The new technology, developed with Phylon
Communications, Inc., leaders in the fax/modem/voice technology field,
not only permits two players to play against each other using the
phone connection, but to speak with each other by using a headset. By
utilizing a "call waiting" feature, users can also pause a game to
answer a phone call. The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator comes complete
with a stereo headset and is expected to be available by the third
quarter 1995 at a suggested retail price of less than $150.
Also planned for 1995 delivery is Atari's virtual reality headset, now
under development with Virtuality Group plc, the leader in virtual
reality technology and arcade games. The two companies officially
joined forces in October to create the world's first immersive virtual
reality games for the home market.
The virtual reality headset should be available to consumers by Christmas
1995 with a targeted price of less than $200.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game
system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United
States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale,
California 94089.
###
CONTACT:
Atari Corporation Ron Beltramo 408/745-8852
Edelman Public Relations David Harrah 415/968-4033
//// Jag CD to Debut at $149.99
Atari debuts CD player for Jaguar at $149.99
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - Prepare to shift your Jaguar into
overdrive.
Atari Corporation Friday announced that its new compact disc
multimedia peripheral will be available in the first quarter, priced
at an amazingly affordable $149.99, including a CD game. The CD
player, which plugs into the top of the 64-bit Atari Jaguar
Interactive Multimedia System, plays CD-based Jaguar video games and
standard audio compact discs.
The Jaguar CD player provides 790 megabytes of raw data storage to
allow for the incorporation of many complex digitized images,
full-motion video sequences and loads of CD-quality audio soundtracks
into Jaguar games.
The powerful double speed Jaguar CD player incorporates incredibly
fast access speed for smoother game play and its massive data capacity
provides better graphical detail, expanded plot lines and more
characters, which all add up to more immersive and challenging games.
The first titles available for the Jaguar CD player include:
Battlemorph, Blue Lightning, Highlander, Demolition Man and Creature
Shock, with many more to come.
Atari's new CD Multimedia player includes the Virtual Light Machine
(VLM), which creates and displays light patterns on the video screen
in response to music played through the system. The result is a
stunning light show. There are 81 different pattern settings available
on the VLM. The VLM is built into the Jaguar CD Multimedia player.
"We want the Atari Jaguar to be the best value in the gaming market,
as well as, the most advanced system technologically," said Sam
Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation.
"With the new Jaguar CD Multimedia player, Jaguar owners will be able
to play incredible CD-based videogames, listen to audio discs and
watch the VLM. This combination of the most advanced technology, great
software and affordable pricing is what sets Jaguar apart from the
competition."
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game
system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United
States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale,
Calif. 94089.
###
CONTACT:
Atari Corporation Ron Beltramo 408/745-8852
Edelman Public Relations David Harrah 415/968-4033
//// 1995 Jaguar titles
Atari announces winning line-up of Jaguar titles for first half of
1995
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - By this summer, fans of the first
and only 64-bit game system in the world will have more than 50 games
to choose from, including dozens of brand new Jaguar game titles.
"Alien vs. Predator, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Kasumi Ninja, Iron Soldier
and Tempest 2000 were the top-rated Jaguar titles for 1994," said Sam
Tramiel, president and CEO of Atari Corporation. "In the first half of
1995, we expect many hit titles, including Fight for Life, Space War
2000, Hover Strike, Ultra Vortex and Rayman. These and other titles
will substantially increase the Jaguar library." Below are
descriptions of these upcoming hits:
Fight for Life: This 3-D fighting game, produced and published by
Atari, is set in hell, with each character striving for the ultimate
prize: the chance to gain redemption and live again. Players choose
one fighter from among eight different characters. They then battle
the remaining characters one-by-one and proceed to the final showdown
with the end boss. As they defeat each opponent, players can select up
to two of each character's five special moves, in effect creating
their own truly unique fighting character. (Do the math: The
possibilities are endless.)
To create 3-D animation of unsurpassed fluidity and realism, the
production team used state-of-the-art motion capture technology that
incorporated the movements of live martial arts experts performing
nearly 200 different moves. Artists then exploited the Jaguar's 64-bit
system to create stunning 3-D graphics that bring the characters to
life. According to Edge Magazine (December 1994), "The skyline
background looks impressive and the moves are well-animated." "Atari's
Fight for Life puts a floating camera around the 3-D fighting. Jaguar
owners will soon have a 3-D fighting game to call their own," remarked
a reviewer at GamePro (January 1995).
Space War 2000: In their intergalactic jousts, space knights vie for
old-fashioned glory, honor, fame and fortune. As they emerge
victorious from each battle, they procure such weapons as laser shots,
missiles, shields and cloaking devices. This first-person perspective
3-D adventure, produced by Atari, is fun for single players and
spectacular as a two-player game. "First-person gaming is reaching a
new high, and Space War 2000 is positioning to be a contender in that
wild and crowded race," stated a reviewer at EGM2 (January 1995).
Hover Strike: The mission: To lead the rebels in an attempt to
vanquish the formidable Space Pirates from the planet. The weapon: A
high speed hover tank armed with rapid fire cannons, powerful
missiles, on board radar and protective shields. This game, published
by Atari, uses the Jaguar's 64-bit technology to deliver an
action-packed, fully texture-mapped, first-person perspective 3-D
battle. Ken Williams of Electronic Gaming Monthly says, "The
first-person perspective serves this game well, adding a new dimension
to the genre."
Ultra Vortex: In this game, produced by Beyond Games, players test
their fighting skills in a nether world tournament. They can choose
among eight valiant fighters from different dimensions before the
final battle with the evil entity. Amazing sounds and graphics
inspired a game reviewer from Electronic Gaming Monthly to write,
"Ultra Vortex will make some people stop and turn their heads."
Rayman: Ten-year old Jimmy creates a stunning imaginary kingdom called
"Hereitscool" in his computer and transforms himself into Rayman, a
fantasy hero who combats the forces of evil to save his friends.
Here's what DieHard GameFan had to say about this winning title from
UBI Soft: "Absolutely brilliant looking. The control is perfect and
the artwork is phenomenal."
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit system,
and the only video game system manufactured in the United States.
Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, California
94089.
###
CONTACT:
Atari Corporation Ron Beltramo 408/745-8852
Edelman Public Relations David Harrah 415/968-4033
//// Springer Software Formed
January 5, 1995
Visionix (USA) and Mr. Andrew Whittaker (UK) have announced the
immediate creation of a new joint-venture company, Springer Spaniel
Software (SpringerSoft). SpringerSoft has already started the design
and development of a revolutionary new video game, under the
project-name "Artemis, which will be released for IBM and compatible
PC systems in the first quarter of 1996. Versions of the game for the
Atari Jaguar, Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and other
high-performance, CD-ROM systems are tentatively planned for second
and third quarters of 1996.
Andrew Whittaker will be leading the development of the new game. Mr.
Whittaker is a UK based game developer with over 15 years of
experience. Recently released games developed by Mr. Whittaker include
the smash-hit "Alien Vs. Predator" for the Atari Jaguar, a game which
has been rated as "Most wanted of the 1994 holiday sales season" by
both US and UK video game publications. Mr. Whittaker's other recent
releases include "Dark Seed" and "Ashes of Empire".
Visionix is a US based software development house that specializes in
video game, multimedia, graphics imaging, and operating system design
and development. Visionix employees previously worked on the
best-selling "Scott Adams Graphics Adventure" series for Adventure
International/Scott Adams, Inc.
Carol Street, the Vice-President of Production at Springer Spaniel,
commented that "SpringerSoft has been formed to take advantage of the
skills of both UK and US based graphics, sound, design, and
development specialties. Our games will be distributed worldwide,
including the domestic, European, Asian, Australian and South African
markets."
SpringerSoft will have offices in Orlando, FL, USA; the United
Kingdom; and New York, NY, USA.
For further information, please contact Jon R. Taylor at
(407)-648-0364 (USA) or via email to jtaylor@magicnet.net
Springer Spaniel Software
1240 Golfview Street
Orlando, FL USA 32804
email: artemis@magicnet.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Battle Sphere Description
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
1/13/95
Text Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 4Play. All Rights Reserved.
800 years in the future, the 7 dominant races of the galaxy are at
war. Stealing a plot idea from an ancient Star Trek episode, they have
agreed to confine their hostilities to Sector 51, a spherical sector
of space formerly used by the Earth government to secretly test new
weapons and starships. Each race has sent its best soldiers and
military hardware to participate in a tournament of space battles in
this Battle Sphere. The race that wins the tournament will be given
control of the galaxy.
//// The Races
The Oppressors resemble the human race's concept of demons and it is
believed that Earth legends of demons were caused by the arrival of an
Oppressor strike force that was somehow destroyed soon after it
reached the planet. They once controlled 80% of the known galaxy but
have been slowly losing their hold as they encounter one disaster
after another. The Oppressors will do anything to regain their former
hold on the galaxy.
The Se'Bab were an all-female slave race of the Oppressors until the
sudden arrival of the Telchines 50 years ago weakened their hold
leading to a brutal rebellion and double blow to the Oppressors which
destroyed half of their empire. The Se'Bab were bred for beauty and
obedience. This has translated into extreme xenophobia towards all
other races and extremely aggressive, almost suicidal battle tactics.
The Se'Bab bare one breast at all times in defiance of male power.
The Telchines appeared 50 years ago and are presumed to originate
from a neighboring galaxy. Their advanced craft brutally vaporized a
section of the Oppressor's empire which indirectly triggered the
rebellion that freed the Se'Bab from their Oppressor masters. The
Telchines do everything in threes and are obsessed with the 5 Platonic
solids. Their ships have threefold symmetry. No one has ever seen a
Telchine and lived. They appear to be transforming space around their
Empire.
The Slith are lizard-like beings whose ships seem to be alive. They
also have the greatest repair capacity of any race. Never leave one of
their ships for dead, it isn't. They are rumored to devour their
prisoners after interrogation. Their capitol ships resemble giant
writhing snakes and lizards, and can reproduce if sufficient resources
are supplied. Their weapons are tailored to achieving the paralysis
and capture of other ships for this purpose rather than simply
destroying them.
The Smg'Heed are the last surviving descendants of the human race,
mostly wiped out by a scourge of retroviruses and accumulated debt
from placing their entire GPP into developing absurdly powerful
weapons. As a result, their ships are based on modified 20th century
technology, have lousy maneuverability, but do incredible damage if
they manage to hit anything. Watch out for their self-destruct
systems! The other races decided to include them in the tournament
mostly on the fear that they'd activate one of their many
budget-busting Doomsday Devices had they not done so.
The Ocatanut are a feline race that follow the Slith wherever they
go. An uneasy alliance exists between them, but it has been suspended
for the sake of the tournament. There is the general belief that there
will be some form of power-sharing between them if either race wins
the tournament. The Ocatanut focus on stealth and speed to overcome
their enemies. Frequently, they will then share their kills with the
Slith.
The Thunderbirds are the sworn enemies of the Ocatanut and the Slith.
They are hawklike predators who blend speed and firepower in their
ships. They are fixated on coup-like behavior and they tend to make a
great show of any kill, making sure their victim knows who it was who
has beaten them. It is believed that the Se'Bab and the Thunderbirds
have been sharing technology.
//// Gameplay
Battle Sphere is everything we (Doug Engel and Scott Le Grand) have
wished for in space battle games, but haven't seen since the industry
seems intent on continually cloning Wing Commander in one form or
another. We personally cut our teeth on Star Raiders and consider it
to be the best Space Battle game ever done. (TIE Fighter is our
favorite Wing Commander clone that fixes the problems with Wing
Commander.) Accordingly, Battle Sphere has the play mechanics of Star
Raiders with 16 bit colors, and graphics along the lines of TIE
Fighter. There are 4 play modes:
1. Arena: 1-8 player Street Fighter II in Space. Players select any
ship they desire and head into a variety of arenas where the object
is to kill every other player (or every other player on the
opposing team) for points which can be utilized to improve the
functionality of their ships. The resulting ship can be saved for
future use. This is also similar to a space-based version of Sega's
Wing Wars I suppose.
2. Gauntlet: Single player or multiplayer cooperative 3D Missile
Command. The players are given 6 starbases to defend against waves
of incoming enemy fighters, bombers, capitol ships and strange
things until all starbases are destroyed. Periodically, a destroyed
starbase will be replaced.
3. Alone Against the Empires: A single or multiplayer cooperative game
similar to Star Raiders. The Battle Sphere is broken up into 64 or
so spherical sectors. Some of those sectors, close to the center,
contain starbases. The outer sectors contain armadas of enemy
ships, enemy starbases, and random strange things (all depending on
the skill level). Play proceeds as the enemy ships head for the
center of the Battle Sphere in order to destroy the starbases.
Enemy reinforcements will arrive at the edge of the Battle Sphere
as long as there are enemy starbases. Play continues until 1) All
friendly starbases have been destroyed (you lose) or 2) All enemy
forces have been eliminated (you win).
4. Network: 2-8 player Netrek meets TIE Fighter. Two alien races at a
time are placed in the Battle Sphere with a number of starbases and
capitol ships. The object of the game is to destroy all of enemy
capitol ships and starbases before an adjustable time limit runs
out. Failing this, the team that caused the most damage against its
enemy wins. This proceeds until all alien races have fought in the
Battle Sphere and the winning race is granted control of the
galaxy.
//// Miscellaneous
Current framerate is 25-30 fps although we can get it down to 1 fps if
we stack 10 massive starbases on top of one another and get up close
and personal, gee we must suck, eh? Anyone who played our demo at the
WCES will testify that we're pretty smooth, even better than TIE
Fighter on a 486 at this point. It is important to note that our
polygon engine is not running at full capacity yet. We have
intentionally left certain optimizations (like reduced detail models)
out at this point so that and speed decreases caused by adding A.I.
and such can be gained back with these techniques. Besides, we're
probably just really too lazy to do it right, huh?
All of our ships are gouraud shaded, many don't even look like polygon
models. Texture mapping is being used sparingly to provide detail on
top of the gouraud shading, a technique we're calling "Decal-
Mapping(tm)". Look for more and more of it as the game progresses.
Anyone who complains because it's not fully texture-mapped has
incredibly bad taste.
See who can count the most homages to other computer games and SF
movies and series.... The winner is a total nerd, worse than we are
probably....
The one thing we absolutely despise about Wing Commander is the huge
cockpits with the cute joystick which leaves an absolutely tiny
viewing area. Our cockpit designs are minimal and we are placing most
tactical information in HUDs. This way, if one turns off the cockpit
view, no important information is lost. At least they finally fixed
this in WC3!
Progress Report: All background engines are finished, as is the flight
engine, we are currently working on explosions to top Iron Soldier's.
Projected release is 2Q '95. The long haul continues.
//// 4Play
Douglas Engel: Networking code, Sound and music engine, cool intro,
artwork, ship design, game design, sound effects.
Tom Harker: All that annoying CEO business dude stuff, the CatBox,
game critic.
Scott Le Grand: Graphics and game programming, polygon engine,
game design, sound effects.
Stephanie Wukovitz: Music, game critic.
Acknowledgments: This game was not designed in a vacuum. Many people
have provided hints and ideas as well as denounced certain of our
ideas as plain stupid.
Here's an incomplete list, sure to grow:
Ralph Barbagiallo: For fixing an absolutely horrible-sounding MOD.
Jer Horwitz: For not being afraid to speak his mind about our ideas.
Allen C. Huffman: The GOD of Cool Samples.
Tim Wilson: The man behind our configurable radar scheme.
Various competitive system fanatics: Keep it up, your stuff's hilarious!
After all, we all know that the
JAG SUX!
Star Raiders, Doom,
TIE Fighter, and Iron Soldier: Our 4 strongest inspirational
computer games
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// New Cheats and Codes
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Iron Soldier: All Levels and Weapons
[] On the "Options" screen, press "3" "7" "6" "6" "8" "2" "4" and "2"
in sequence. Once you enter in the key sequence, you can then go to
"Load Game" and all levels and waepons will be selectable.
//// Iron Soldier: INSANE Difficulty
[] On the "Options" screen, press "6" "8" "4" and "2" in sequence to
enable a new difficulty level named "INSANE". (It is.) Once you enter
in the key sequence, the screen border will flash for a moment and
until you reset the Iron Soldier cart's memory (not your Jaguar), you
may then pick INSANE level whenever you desire.
//// Bubsy Level Codes
Level Passcode
2 392652
3 458227
4 958936
5 739294
6 184792
7 812615
8 781367
9 126712
10 236721
11 673167
12 792323
13 672328
14 782389
15 672345
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Offers from Atari Customer Service
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Iron Soldier Posters
Atari Corporation will soon be taking delivery of a cinema-quality
Iron Soldier promotional poster. For those who don't know about Iron
Soldier, the phenomenal new 64-bit Jaguar game due to arrive in stores
as early as this week, you are in for possibly the most incredible
game of 1994. As the pilot of a mammoth robot, you have been assigned
one of many challenging missions... sometimes to protect and often to
destroy. Look down at your feet as you walk, but not too long, there
are virtually real helicopters, tanks and convoys out to get you
within the crowded cities and open countryside.
Mr. Greg LaBrec was so highly praised for his work on the Alien Vs.
Predator Poster that he has been inspired to produce an awesome poster
for Iron Soldier. The poster looks just like a poster you would see at
a theater and is intended for retail store windows and promotions.
If you want one of these great Iron Soldier posters, I'll send you one
FREE if you prepay Atari's minimum shipping and handling charge of
$4.95. That covers the tube, postage and the raw costs to get it out
the door. All you have to do is request your copy at any time
beginning right now through January 2nd. The more you onliners want
the more I'll go crazy trying to catch up when I get back from
vacation!
Here's how to request an Iron Soldier poster (or an Alien Vs. Predator
poster)...
Send $4.95 ($6.95 U.S. funds for Canada) in the EXACT amount. Payment
may be received in Money order, check, MasterCard or Visa. Please
remember to include mailing name and address, online address and
daytime phone number.
REQUESTS BY EMAIL with CREDIT CARD:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
-or-
jaguar$@genie.geis.com
REQUESTS BY BBS with CREDIT CARD:
private SysOp mail on
CATscan @ 209/239-1552
REQUESTS BY FAX with CREDIT CARD:
408/745-2088
REQUESTS BY MAIL: (checks payable to Atari)
Drive Don Crazy Iron Soldier Poster Sellout
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
(offer good while quantities last and limited to North American
mailing addresses only.)
Note that the posters will be delivered to Atari one per tube. I
cannot double up posters. Everyone can request as many tubes they
like at $4.95 S&H per tube, but please do not request for more than
one per mailing tube.
Don't forget these other items too.....
Tempest 2000: The Soundtrack
12 outstanding tracks from the hit video game. The cost is $12.99
plus $3.50 shipping and handling. (The shipping and handling is
reduced from Atari's normal $4.95 for a limited time.) That's a
total of $16.49 ($17.56 in California) ($18.49 in Canada).
Software Preview VHS Video
It features over 30 professional video captures PLUS Atari's recent
television commercials. The price is $8.95 plus $4.95 S&H or a total
of $13.90 ($14.64 in California) ($15.90 in Canada).
Alien Vs. Predator posters
There is one FREE for each shipping and handling fee of $4.95 ($6.95
in Canada).
You can help a LOT by passing this offer electronically to another
Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make a hard copy and give to friends.
Thanks!
//// Tempest 2000 Audio CD
The Tempest 2000 Audio CD is due in at Atari Corp. very soon! Sixty
minutes of pulse-pounding techno-rave music, this marks Atari's first
ever video game soundtrack. To help get everyone in the holiday mood,
Don Thomas at Atari Customer Service has another special online offer.
Send in your pre-order now, and Don will guarantee you'll get your
copy out of the first run. What the heck, you'll even save on
shipping.
[] Song List
1. Thermal Resolution 3:59
2. Mind's Eye 4:52
3. T2K 5:23
4. Ease Yourself 7:52
5. Tracking Depth 5:04
6. Constructive Demolition 4:05
7. Future Tense 5:54
8. Digital Terror 5:07
9. Hyper Prism 4:26
10. Glide Control 5:12
11. Ultra Yak 4:00
12. 2000 Dub 7:31
[] How Much?
The Tempest 2000 Audio CD is priced at $12.99, and if you order now,
$3.50 for shipping and handling. (California residents, add the 8.25%
state sales tax.) That comes to a total of $16.49. ($17.56 in CA.)
Mastercard, Visa and money orders accepted. (Checks and money orders
should be made payable to Atari Corporation)
Note: This is a special pre-order! The CDs are not in, but are
expected to arrive within two weeks. Please allow 14 days from
the receipt of your order before shipping.
Note #2: If you don't mind waiting an extra day or so for your CD to
go out the door, ask Don really nicely if he can get John
Skrutch and/or James Grunke to personally autograph your CD.
[] Where To?
To order, US Mail your order to:
Thomas' Terrific Tempest Tunes Deal
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact Don via the Internet on GEnie at:
jaguar$@genie.geis.com
OR via the Internet on Compuserve at:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR via private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552
OR fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
The CD is produced by AtariMusic; a division of Atari Corporation. The
executive producer is Mr. John Skruch. The director of audio is Mr.
James Grunke.
//// New Dealer Demo Video
Atari has a brand new VHS preview tape and it's better than ever! Over
30 Jaguar titles have been captured on video tape and just in time for
the Holidays. This tape has been meticulously produced under the
direction of Mr. Greg LaBrec using state-of-the-art direct-to-tape
equipment and techniques. The action sequences selected were provided
by the game producers or the guidance of the third party developers.
Okay, okay... forget the hype... it's a darn cool tape and it has a
cool plastic box and label too.
This new edition updates the previously released software preview
videos with exciting captures to show off last minute changes to games
that are now in production. There are incredible sequences featuring
action games such as Iron Soldier and high-resolution fantasy games
such as Rayman by ubi Soft.
Although this tape has been developed primarily for the use of Jaguar
retailers, I have twisted marketings arm and they (actually he) has
finally allowed me to sell copies to our faithful online Jaguar fans.
I told him how everyone wants to see what has been taking so long. I
mentioned that gamers want a good preview of things they are being
asked to spend $50 to $70 on. I assured him people want an update of
what has been going on in the past few months since CES. Now he's
convinced and I have to sell more than three tapes fast or he'll never
believe me again. <g>
Want more info? Here's the video menu...
Approx.
Tape
Pos. SEGMENT AVAIL. IN STORES
===========================================================
:20 TEACHER SPOT
:49 Doom EARLY DECEMBER
2:34 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story LATE NOVEMBER
4:00 Checkered Flag EARLY DECEMBER
5:45 Iron Soldier MID DECEMBER
7:42 Zool 2 LATE DECEMBER
8:57 Kasumi Ninja LATE DECEMBER
10:25 Club Drive LATE NOVEMBER
11:56 ALIEN VS. PREDATOR SPOT
12:27 Alien Vs. Predator AVAILABLE NOW
15:34 Ultra Vortex (Beyond Games) DECEMBER
17:06 Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding EARLY DECEMBER
18:49 Bubsy LATE DECEMBER
20:05 Double Dragon V (Williams) DECEMBER
21:30 Flashback (US Gold) DECEMBER
22:49 Brutal Sports Football (Telegames) DECEMBER
23:50 Sensible Soccer (Telegames)
25:03 TEMPEST 2000 SPOT
25:34 Tempest 2000 AVAILABLE NOW
26:58 Wolfenstein 3d AVAILABLE NOW
28:06 Cybermorph AVAILABLE NOW
29:20 Raiden AVAILABLE NOW
30:32 Evolution: Dino Dudes AVAILABLE NOW
31:35 Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy AVAILABLE NOW
32:50 Syndicate (Ocean) DECEMBER
33:47 Theme Park (Ocean) DECEMBER
34:35 Air Cars (Midnight) DECEMBER
35:39 Troy Aikman NFL Football (Williams) DECEMBER
36:34 Cannon Fodder (Virgin) DECEMBER
37:43 Dragon's Lair (Readysoft)
38:31 Hover Strike
39:20 Fight For Life
40:00 Burn Out
40:43 Rayman (ubi Soft) DECEMBER
41:52 VLM (Virtual Light Machine) DECEMBER
Okay, okay... here's the deal. The cost is $8.95 plus $4.95 shipping
and handling. That's a total of $13.90 ($14.64 in California) ($15.90
in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and money orders accepted (Checks and
money orders should be made payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY
NAME! <g>. I can ship to any location in North America including U.S.
and Canada. To order, send your order to:
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact me via Internet or on GEnie:
jaguar$@genie.geis.com
OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552
or fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
Because Atari has a committment to fulfill dealer orders first, please
allow up to 14 business days after your order is received before we
ship. Shipping will be via UPS Ground to all North American addresses.
Personally, I'm going to have my tape signed by Greg LaBrec. If you
want him to sign your copy, let me know and I'll see if I can catch
him in a good mood for you! <g>
I also have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining. There is one for
each shipping and handling fee of $4.95 ($6.95 in Canada). These are
cinema-size posters and I've already heard back from gamers who have
had theirs laminated, mounted and framed.
By the way, you can help a LOT even if you don't want to order the
tape or request a poster by passing this offer electronically to
another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make a hard copy and give to
friends. Thanks!
--Don Thomas
Atari Corporation
--==--==--==--==--
||| Surfing the Jagged Edge
||| By: Dimitri Mark LaBarge
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.6 CIS: 71501,3353 AOL: dimitril
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, it's been a little while and a total computer disaster since my
last column, so it's a hearty welcome back for the Atariphiles out
there. We're just coming out of an interesting holiday season, with
units selling well and morale good at Atari HQ. Also helping to
relieve post-holiday hangovers was Atari's huge WCES display, with
over 40 kiosks displaying a variety of new titles, some of which we'll
discuss just ahead. Atari was noted for having some a terrific turnout
of third-party developers actually present to discuss their wares,
much more pleasant that seemed to shroud other displays (most
noticeably, the aptly-named Fortress Sega). To top things off, Atari
won Innovation awards for both AvP and Iron Soldier. But enough of
that, let's dive into the cat tidbits.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// WCES Rumors and Perspectives
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, by far the most impressive information mentioned to the
browsing, interested WCES-goers was the mention of an imminent Jaguar
core system - a standard unit, but with no enclosed game... for the
groundbreaking price of $199! This is indeed a magical number -
suddenly the 64-bit powerhouse in in direct competition with the
swiftly dilapidating units from our friends at Sega and Nintendo, and
only slightly more pricey than the vaunted 32X add-on. This pricing
strategy has a number of advantages:
First, the possibilities for networked play are tremendous. Say you
want to buy a second Jag for networking Doom, or AirCars, or
UltraVortex, but you don't want that extra copy of Cybermorph... that
problem is solved with just a core unit. Another advantage is if
you're primarily interested in JagCD games. Suddenly, you have a $199
core unit, and at $149, an astonishingly priced CD-ROM add-on (which,
it was confirmed at WCES, will have have an unspecified pack-in
besides Jeff Minter's amazing built-in Virtual Light Machine). Do the
Math - even without discounts, you've got a full CD-ROM unit with a
game for $350. This kind of news should be a tonic for the Jaguar....
[Editor: Atari have received lots of feedback from retailers,
resellers and distributors at WCES on this topic, and I understand
that the bean-counters in Sunnyvale have been told to, "Burn the
midnight oil" on this.]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Online Atari WCES Reports
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
AEO didn't have anyone present at WCES as a reporter, although Bob
Brodie did keep Travis up to date with late night calls and FedEx
packages. AEO was able to get permission from two video game dealers
to reprint excepts from their online WCES reports however.
//// Joe Catedula, Tronix Multimedia & CIS VIDGAMES SysOp
Atari had a pretty large setup - with Jaguar systems everywhere you
turned. On a large screen, the sleek CD attachment was showing off
the built in VLM (Virtual Light Machine). I finally got to see a
very close-to-finished version of Rayman (if not finished already).
The game is stunning, especially with an RPG display. It was nice
to see other segments of the game, as opposed to the usual jungle
shots we've all been seeing in mags and videos for the last 6
months. Blue Lightning for Jaguar CD is really shaping up, and the
3D routine looks much better than it did at previous showings. A
new company was showing a very impressive 3D space combat game
called HOVER HUNTER - with stunning landscapes (like Comanche on
the PC), and very smooth action. HOVER HUNTER will support up to 8
players with the CATBOX (come on - get this gizmo out already!).
Getting back to Jaguar CD for a moment, a new game (from out of the
blue) called VARUNA'S FORCES was going through various stages of
its demo (work in progress). This looks like a 3D, FMV style
shooter with awesome graphics (something like NovaStorm). Other
Jaguar carts that were showing were: PHEAR; a 3D abstract puzzle
game, F1-RACER; a very decent racing game with GOOD CONTROL,
Pinball Fantasies; looks like all other versions with a tad more
color, SPACEWAR 2000; a one/two player space shooter with nicely
bit-mapped ships, RAGE RALLY; a sharp-looking, top-down racing
game, HOVERSTRIKE, a 3D tank game (originally planned as Battlezone
2000 I believe), BURNOUT; an ultra-smooth, high-speed motorcycle
racing game for one/two players (split screen), FIGHT FOR YOUR
LIFE; Atari's answer to Virtua Fighters - though still early in
production, and a fighting game in the style of Streets of
Rage/Golden Axe tentatively called Conan or something like that.
I spoke with one of the Tramiels about the release of the Jaguar
CD, and he said quote "When enough CD games are available, we'll
release it - although we could have released it just so folks can
fiddle with the excellent VLM". Speaking of the VLM, it is really
hypnotic. I own both a 3DO and Jaguar, and I do like the visuals
for audio CD playback on the Jaguar (hey, whatever Jeff Minter does
is gold in my book). I also saw a lengthy demo (well, as far as you
can take it) of BATTLE SPHERE which looks like an interesting
multi-player (or single) space shooter. The objects are detailed
and smooth - I believe using textured polygons. Whatever it was -
they had almost rounded corners, instead of rough triangles. Battle
Sphere is yet another game that will support the Catbox. Moving on
to ULTRA VORTEX, I must say - it's still a bit rough here and
there- but I truly like it much better than Kasumi Ninja (although
I didn't mind Kasumi). The sound is a lot better (especially the
sadistic announcer), and the characters are more interesting. Ultra
Vortex grabbed the most attention out of all the other Jaguar games
in the booth.
//// Marty Chinn, from Video Source.
While most companies had stayed in the same area, Atari had moved
to a bigger location, in the main building along with Nintendo and
Sega. They also had a mediocre showing. Fight For Life wasn't that
impressive. In fact as far as polygons went it didn't look to have
too many more than FX Fighter. However it was smooth and fast in
execution. I didn't get a chance to play it but will check it out
tomorrow. The Jaguar CD is expected to be out in late
February/early March for a retail of 149.99. They expect 5 titles
to be out at the release with over 10 by the end of the year. There
will be a pack in though. The first five titles are expected to be
Blue Lightning, Battlemoprh. Highlander, Demolition Man, and
Creature Shock. Virtual Light Machine will be built in. Other
periphials have been announced in the press kit. Jag Link cable
will allow you to link games up to a 100 feet of each other. It's
expected to be released second quarter of 95 at a retail price of
29.99. The voice modem allows you to talk to your friend while
playing the game, but will also allow you to pause the game and use
call waiting if you get a call in the middle of the game. Its
expected to be out by fall of 95 for less than 150. Virtuality
Group and Atari are still working on the VR headset due out by
Christmas for under 200.
Rayman was quite fun. It was awkard in controlling at first but
should easily be a hit for the Jaguar. Unfortunately there will be
a 32X release at the same time of the Jaguar release. Air Cars
looked to be the worse game made for the Jaguar. Battle Sphere
looked very impressive. The shading on the polygon based ships were
beautiful. It moved nice and smooth and in many ways reminded me of
a well done Wing Commander type game. Hover Hunter by Hyper Image
is looking great. They currently have it at 13 fps and it moves
really smooth. The whole landscape is textured mapped with real
time shading and when completed it will have all the realistic
phsyics of real life. That looked to be one of the better games of
the show for the Jaguar. Varuna's Force was very early and all that
was shown was FMV but the video was excellent and the actor was one
of the best actors that I've seen in a game.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// A Hot Game Hovers Near
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Shown for the first time at WCES was a astonishing new game called
Hover Hunter, and it's said to be utterly stunning. While details of
this game are still a bit sketchy, this one has already become the
Iron Soldier of the show because of the amazing, ultra-realistic
Comanche-like landscapes. For those of you who are into Comanche:
Maximum Overkill's beautiful Voxel Space landscapes, you know you're
in for a treat - for those of you not so lucky to know what I'm
talking about, you will be in for a more than pleasant treat.
The Jaguar seems to be building a repertoire of independent, brilliant
programmers to create games like Tempest 2000, Iron Soldier, and now
this wonder. Any system would be lucky to have just one of these
assets.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// An Eclipsed Future
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, our German friends at Eclipse took the time to leave us a
Christmas treat on the Net - the announcement that not only is Iron
Soldier 2 for next Christmas, but we can look forward to several other
undisclosed titles from them as well. I'm happy to report that these
developers are extremely committed to the Jag, which adds a continuing
note of optimism to the ever-expanding Jag library.
To sate the curiosity of some of you who might be wondering exactly
how long it takes to produce a hot game for the Jag, here are some
statistics straight from Eclipse:
Some info about Iron Soldier:
frame-rate: 25 frames (PAL-Jaguars), 30 frames (NTSC-Jaguars)
megabits: 16 megabits (2 MB)
musics: 12 megabits (1,5 MB) compressed down to 4 megabits (0,5 MB!!)
months to develop Iron Soldier: 10
[went to] production: 31.10.1994
(2 weeks later than planned by Atari)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Jag Gains an Accent
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
One of the more interesting showings at WCES was the debut of a new
game called Varuna's Forces, described by some as similar to
Novastorm. The terrific guys from Accent, who are developing the game,
have been kind enough to lend us some preliminary details of the game:
A little about our game. It is an action/strategy game where you
command a team of 4 soldiers on various missions. You can control
them from a commanders map screen or "jump into" each character AvP
style when they need help. All of that is supported by FMV movies
and CD quality dialogue.
Look for more info on this CD game, which is due for completion in
March, in a future column - as well as an inside look at these new
developers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Atari's New Pad
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Joypad, that is. Yes, in response to our numerous requests for an
additional controller, Atari is now soliciting suggestions for a brand
new controller unit. Laury Scott at Atari has mentioned that they are
currently leaning towards a 6-button controller, somewhat similar to
the one available from Sega. (An interesting technical note is that
the additional 3 buttons may simply come from the 1-2-3 on the keypad,
for as much compatibility with current games as possible.) However, no
decisions on the unit have been made. But thanks to Atari for being
responsive on this issue of importance to a lot of users.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Battlesphere Under Construction
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, thanks to our friends at development house 4-Play, Atariphiles
on GEnie have had an almost unprecedented opportunity to interact and
influence directly the development of a Jaguar video game. As a
companion to the lengthy description of Battlesphere provided by Doug
Engel (found elsewhere in this issue), we thought we'd take you a
little bit into the creative process behind this ambitious game. The
perspectives start right after AEO uploads 4-Plays Targa screenshots
and BattleSphere has a very good WCES showing...
A couple of people had commented about the minimalist designs of the
cockpits, versus what will eventually be in the Heads-Up Displays
(HUDs) of the various ships. Scott LeGrand (Oppressor) explains the
design intentions:
There will be more info in the cockpits: some idiot lights and
indicators in the cockpit proper and a HUD for everything else...
In addition, the targeting indicator around the designated target
will have a small shield strength bar under it...
We are going for maximal viewing area. I H A T E Wing Commander's
cockpits...
Doug Engel (Thunderbird) added:
And the gunsights will be 'aimable' by a 'gunner' on controller #2!
Also commented on were the beautiful new starfields, designed to give
that cinematic quality you only get from big budget space epics.
If you're looking at the static TARGAS you're missing this thing in
motion. If you're recalling what you saw at ToadFest, forget it!
Scott re-wrote the starfield renderer and it's got stars galore.
With the framerate increase of pure RISC, it's really hot.
Noted especially were some of the startling background objects,
perhaps the best ever seen in this type of game. Doug Engel:
The ones we have in there currently are hand-painted by yours truly
and then reduced in size to their game dimensions and anti-aliased.
I think they look hot. Some of the nebulas I am especially proud of
because they look just like photos of real galaxies/nebulas. The
ringed planet is also cool.
One particularly interesting area of debate came up when a WCES-goer
made this unique suggestion:
...someone at WCES suggested that we should make our stars
'twinkle'.
The scientific reasons for why stars only twinkle' inside an
atmosphere were quickly pointed out. Yet, that didn't deter the
participants of that discussion, and options were thrown about for a
way to accomodate this effect. Everything from a user-configurable
keypad combination to turn on a twinkle effect to very thick shields
were suggested; in the end, though, it looked as if that option
wouldn't be included. But this discussion led to interesting comments
on the finite resources of any gaming system:
Unfortunately, as I described earlier, most of the 'neato' effects
people are suggesting are simply not possible due to the fact that
there's a finite amount of power in any system. There are also
hardware limitations to worry about too.
While we'd love to look exactly like Babylon 5, we have to live
with what's physically possible to do.
Rest assured, we will have creative effects for these things. Just
don't go expecting the results to mimic Star Trek or anything.
One person I talked to wanted me to make the shields look like the
shield effect in the movie Dune, later used by the Borg... where
the shield appears as a glass-like barrier.
If we could do it, we would... but those effects were generated by
sophisticated image rendering programs on powerful computers over
the course of hours/days. No way to do that stuff in real-time.
Don't worry.. we WILL have cool effects. Just not the ones
_everyone_ wants us to do because they saw it in a movie/etc.
However, Doug Engel pointed out that other highly sophisticated
effects such as texture-mapping will indeed be present in the game,
although it wasn't seen much at WCES:
Like I said before... some of our objects are competely
Texture-Mapped. I just didn't have time to fly around looking for
specific objects at the time. We were prepping for WCES, it was
late-late at night, and I needed to put together some screens to
hand out at WCES...
For what it's worth, that night while I was doing that, Scott was
in L.A. linking in the decal maps for the remaining races. Some
ships (the Telchines) in particular came out utterly awesome. Once
the squadron insignias are in place, our ships will look insanely
cool... far superior to any Texture-Mapped game.
You guys _do_ realize that certain popular arcade car race games
use gouraud shading and phong shading to achieve that metallic
effect and then have the detail mapped over it... (sound
familiar).
To finish this continuing discussion, a reflective note on exactly
what makes 4-Play unique and why they hope it will make their games
something unique:
There's a _lot_ of aesthetic considerations to bear in mind when
writing a game engine. A lot of planning and 'art' must go into the
design of a game engine. That's why the programmer must be in touch
with the artists and/or must be an artist himself. That's why Scott
and I work so well together. I know art and I know code. I
understand what the limitations of the hardware/software and know
how to exploit the hardware to make my art look it's best, and
create effects that are original. Scott knows code and has many
years experience with 3D engines. We communicate daily, and we are
both striving for perfection. We experiment and go back-and-forth
with our discoveries and how to exploit them to be original.
Remember... we come
from the days when you _had_ to do something
nobody else thought of in order to make your game look 'cool'.
Atari 800 games are what we cut our teeth on.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// And Next Time
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
More Jag info, more on games, more on the JagCD. And a special
welcome to new VP of Software Development, Jon Correll, whom we expect
some very good things from. That's the dish for this ish!
--==--==--==--==--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--==--==--==--==--
||| Cuppa with the Dooz
||| By: Darren Bates
/ | \ Internet: dooz@batesg.demon.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi there all you Atari freaks in the US of A. My name's Dooz and I
will be attempting to keep you lot updated on what Atari is up to here
in the UK. Like many of you out there, I got my Jaguar on day one and
I have been carefully scrutinizing each and every game that has been
released so far, (my favorite being Iron Soldier obviously). Let me
tell you now, Atari is VERY busy with an army of British programming
teams, trying to bring you the best games for your Jag.
Teams such as Rebellion (AvP, Legions of the Undead, Hammerhead),
Bullfrog (Syndicate, Theme Park), Sensible Software (Cannon Fodder,
Sensible Soccer) and up to 100 other groups are beavering away with
the Jag games of the future.
One of the most prolific companies over here that deals with Atari is
one we have probably all heard of, TELEGAMES. These people are the
ones that brought us the enjoyable and violent Brutal Sports Football.
Not only do they produce their own games, they are one of the biggest
Atari publishers as well.
Telegames have no less than EIGHT games in the pipeline that they are
making or publishing, so lets have a look at what they are.....
[] Number One is Sensible Soccer - International Edition. A full view
of this will follow later on so go and have a look there. This is a
Feb 95 release.
[] Number Two is for all you budding strategists out there - Ultimate
Brain games.
Now don't get put off yet, not only does this cart include versions of
Chess, Backgammon and Checkers, it does them in style too. I have only
seen the chess part of the game and can tell you it surprised me! The
programmers have come up with a beautiful 3D chess game with thousands
of colours and wonderfully detailed chess pieces. Not only that but
the game will have plenty of functional sound FX and even a
multi-level chess game to tax your brain that little bit more.
Also, the two player option makes this one a bit more interesting than
its title. Look for this in March 95.
[] Number three is Casino Royale, anyone who has seen the Star Trek -
TNG episode titled "The Royale" will know what this game is about.
Gambling galore with games such as Roulette, Bridge, Poker and
Blackjack all with impressive presentation and 24-bit backgrounds and
tables, (sounds boring though doesn't it?). I'm afraid Data, Worf and
Riker are not in it either. This will appear in April 95.
[] Game number four is another not-too-impressive title - World Class
Cricket. This action packed title (not!) will have plenty of options,
slick presentation, save and replay modes so you can see your favorite
six-hit over and over. The game may have some neat graphical touches
such as zooming camera angles that pan round the pitch and follow the
ball. This is another April release. For some odd reason, an American,
Travis, has expressed interest in this game.
[] Now this is more like it! Number five is Wild Cup Soccer. The
pseudo-sequel to Brutal Sports Football.
Anyone who liked BSF will LOVE this one. In my opinion it is greatly
improved over its predecessor, the side view of BSF has been replaced
by a FIFA soccer-type view which gives the game a bit more depth. The
scrolling has been improved tenfold and is now smooth as a baby's
bottom. The game is pretty much the same as before though, forget
about the goals and just kill everyone instead, ace! Teams of eleven
players will compete to win, anyway they can. Winning means money and
money means more weapons and more weapons means more carnage! Yet
again, the two player game is the best and will keep you maiming for
hours.
[] Games six and seven are rumored to be possible JagCD candidates.
Powerslide and Virtuoso are two totally different games which can make
good use of the memory capacity of the CD.
Powerslide is a realistic off-road driving game where you can drive
wherever you want, as fast as you want, and as reckless as you want,
as long as you get to the finish before the other chaps. This is also
being done for the 3DslOw so it will be interesting to see how the two
versions will compare.
Virtuoso is a Doom-type shoot-em-up with a difference. The view is
from behind your character who is a well-hard heavy metal dude with a
shotgun. The game has fully rendered enemies and nice texture mapped
corridors and overall is an eye pleasing game. The character you
control has the added bonus of being able to put his back against the
wall to avoid oncoming fire and shoot while hiding!
[] Last but not least is James Pond III - Operation Starfish. If you
have just seen Zool 2 you will have some idea of what this game is
like. Bright colors, great music and the kiddies will love it. I
don't. Sure it will be improved over the Genesis version and it will
have redesigned levels, but I want a bit more than this.
That's all from Telegames for now, fifty percent of their games may be
worth a look, especially Virtuoso. Thanks to Telegames for all the
info for this article.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Rumour City
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ok, it's time for gossip time. It has been suggested that a new Jaguar
specific mag is about to hit the UK. "Jaguar Advanced Gaming" started
off as a free supplement on our local GamesWorld magazine. The small
supplement was very successful and has caused the makers to think of
producing a full-blown mag, (when a few more games are around). How
about that? A JAG-MAG!
Also it has been rumored that Atari UK is planning a special bundle
which consists of 2 Jaguars, 2 Doom carts and a link up lead.
Excellent! This bundle is likely to sell for around 400 UK pounds
(approximately 615 dollars), but if it was to officially come to the
US as well it would probably sell for about 500 dollars. This is a big
move by Atari and is quite welcome as it gives us the option to not
get Cybermorph!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Dooz' Views
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sensible Soccer
Sensible Soccer will be Sensible Software's second title on the Jag
after the excellent blast, Cannon Fodder. Ok, so you look at and say,
"Is this a Jag game?" Do not worry, this game is more than just meets
the eye, it has that all-important ingredient we Brits call Gameplay.
This has been widely praised as the best soccer game ever, and the Jag
version is just as good.
Here we have over 50 international teams to choose from, stats and
names for each individual player, kit design mode to create you own
personal team, seasonal weather, and the all-important replay mode
which captures your best goals so you can watch them over and over,
(and rub your mate's nose in it as well!). The two player game is
great as always, and it is most satisfying being able to curve the
ball from outside the box, around two defenders and into the net.
Admittedly, it is difficult to curve the ball with the Jaguar's pad,
but with practice you'll get used to it, and the simplistic graphics
are not what you expect from a 64-bit game. However, it is ultra
smooth, fast, furious and the screaming and cheering crowds make it
more than worthwhile.
Overall ----- 83% ----- A superbly playable game but has not
got that Jaguar wow factor.
//// Zool 2
Gremlin Graphics are highly thought of over here in the UK. Creators
of classics such as Supercars and Lotus Turbo Challenge, Zool was a
departure from their driving games in an attempt to dominate the Amiga
platform sector.
This Jaguar version is improved over the computer and 16-bit versions.
The colors are crisper and even more colorful, the scrolling is very
smooth and the music is some of the best heard on the Jaguar so far. I
have to emphasize the music as it is the best part of the game,
ranging from sweet boppin' tunes to all out rave, it remains
consistently excellent and makes this game acceptable rather that
mediocre.
The game itself is a bit below par though, its the normal run and jump
affair, (although it is faster than a blue hedgehog on steroids), and
the colors are a bit hard on the eye after a while. The word
psychedelic comes to mind as the graphics are just a bit too hectic
for my liking. The kids will probably love it.
The game is very difficult later on as well, while your moving and
jumping around so fast its hard to keep your eyes on all the enemies
hidden amongst all those colors. I must admit I was reaching for the
"off" button on many occasions.
Overall ----- 75% ----- Great sounds, mediocre gameplay
and basically just not good enough.
Ok, that's all from the UK for now, see ya next time!
About the Author
""""""""""""""""
My name's Darren, better known as Dooz (don't ask, my brothers called
me it for years).
I am a 22 year old Atari fan and have been for many years, and have
decided to follow the progress of the Jaguar since its release in
1993. The release of this marvelous piece of hardware had me intrigued
from day one so I had to get one. AEO Magazine have given me the
opportunity to exploit my interest in Atari and have some fun in doing
so, besides, it's nice to have some recognition in the States!
I like to keep up to date on the games scene which is why I buy just
about every games mag under the sun, (works out quite expensive
actually considering I get 12 different mags per month) and I also
enjoy the discussions and arguments we have on the Internet. I am also
a keen martial artist (Tae-kwon-do red belt) and am an avid Next
Generation Trekkie.
I hope to be able to keep you Atari fans happy by updating you on the
latest Europe Jag info, wish me luck!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Iron Soldier
||| By: Chuck Klimushyn
/ | \ GEnie: L.FULGENZI CIS: 74064,1466
----------------------------------------------------------------
"...Cybermorph is one heck of an engrossing pack-in
and a great preview of things to come for Atari's
new gaming console. Looking at the game as it runs
on my television I can't help but sense the ending
of the 16-bit era for home video games is near.
Let's wish Atari well in making the Next Level of
gaming theirs."
It was almost exactly a year ago that I wrote this to close my
strategy guide on Cybermorph for AEO. As we begin 1995, Atari's Jaguar
has passed it's one year anniversary, the 16-bit era is still ending,
and the Jag has entered into its second year of release.
Traditionally, this has always been an important landmark with a
video-game system. The programers are assumed to have gained enough
familiarity with the new hardware to present competent titles that
accurately represent what the system is capable of doing. Games that
were a bit rough around the edges are forgivable with a console's
first wave of titles. Similar efforts are judged harshly if they
continue to appear in a unit's second year of release.
In many ways Iron Soldier is the second wave successor to the Jaguar's
first title, Cybermorph. (Perhaps even more than Cybermorph's
scheduled sequel, Battlemorph.) Battlemorph is a CD based title and
the increased storage capacity makes comparisons to the original cart
game difficult. It's time to see if Iron Soldier stands up to the
expectations required of a next wave Cybermorph successor.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Nuts and Bolts
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Iron Soldier takes place in the future, adopting a familiar Cyberpunk
theme where Industry has conquered government in the form of the Iron
Fist Corporation (IFC). IFC has turned into a typically oppressive
totalitarian regime and has bred the usual rag-time resistance to
challenge them. That's where you come in. The innovatively named
Resistance has managed to steal the prototype of a new weapon, the
Iron Soldier: a 42 foot robot that makes tanks of today look like
soap-box derby race cars. You're elected to pilot the Iron Soldier
(IS) through 16 varied and progressively difficult missions
culminating in a strike at the very heart of IFC's territories.
//// Missions and Game Play
There are three difficulty settings: easy, medium, and hard. I didn't
notice much difference between easy and medium, but hard was a
definite step up in the frustration level. Enemies appear to do more
damage and are tougher to kill. Choppers and light tanks I often
ignored in the lower two settings. I was seeking these same units out
and stomping with a vengeance at the highest level of difficulty.
Pillboxes for which I previously wouldn't bother to switch from a
medium range gatling gun were now treated to long ranged attacks from
my rail cannon or rockets. This feature along with the varied mission
should provide excellent replay value.
The game presents the missions in 4 blocks of 4 missions each. You can
save after completing a block in the first 3 groups and thankfully
after every mission in the last block. Within the first 3 blocks you
have the freedom to complete the missions in any order. This is
noteworthy since some tasks are much easier to complete after gaining
a new weapon available in the latter missions of the block. In the
last set of missions you are fully armed and must complete the
scenarios sequentially.
The missions are extremely wide ranging. They vary from from simple
search-and-destroy tasks, to hunting enemy IS's, attacking fortresses,
escorting truck convoys, territory protection, and more. During these
missions a wide assortment of IFC's armed forces will be thrown at
you. You'll have to cope with attacks from the ground, air, and even
from sea! To deal with these attacks you'll gain progressively
stronger weapons obtained through the various scenarios. You'll
demolish buildings to find extra ammo and packages to repair your war
machine. You'll develop and try different strategies to meet a
mission's objectives. I found several missions that were my favorites
and I replayed them numerous times to find the most efficient ways to
victory.
My all-time favorite was "Best Defense." It takes place at night. You
must guard a research building from attack by land and airborne forces
while dodging units hell-bent on your destruction. The night time
battle visuals and accompanying music were captivating!
//// Armament
One of Cybermorph's strength was the wide variety of weapons at your
disposal. This allowed you to match your own talents and preferences
with the weapons to meet the task at hand in many different ways.
Iron Soldier expands in this worthy tradition with a much wider range
of offensive and defensive capabilities. Your IS contains 2 shoulder
mounts for weapons, 2 waist mounts, plus one hand held mount. Some
weapons may only be mounted at a particular area, such as on the
shoulders.
Into these mounts you will eventually be able to choose from the
following items:
a. Standard Manipulator - essentially your fist that packs the punch
of brass-knuckles of the first magnitude.
b. Cassy Assault Rife - Your first projectile weapon. It's a 75 mm
semiautomatic hand held rifle. Remember your pistol in DOOM? It's
about as effective....
c. Parker Chain Cutter - Another hand held item. One big buzz-saw
that's much better than your fist for demolishing buildings and
indispensable for up-close-and-personal fighting with an enemy IS.
d. Badger Hand Grenades - Short ranged, oil drum sized grenades that
provide the game's biggest bang, but aiming them takes serious
practice. Try shooting for the first click on your radar scope.
They mount at the waist.
e. Rachels Gatling Gun - A six-barrel 40mm gatling gun that will make
short work of light tanks, helos, and pillboxes at up to medium
range. Your standard "active" weapon. Can be mounted on hips or
shoulders.
f. Wolfpack Rocket Launcher - Less of a punch than grenades but much
easier to aim and a far longer range. A must for taking out heavy
tanks quickly. Shoulder or hip mounted.
g. Charlotte Rail Cannon - Now we're talking... a 120 mm armor
piercing shoulder mounted gun. Slow firing, but the quickest way
to stop the A-10 clones and smashing things from a distance.
Pretty good for wrecking an enemy IS too.
h. Slate Heavy Shield - Shoulder mounted device that halves incoming
damage when active. Not a bad choice in latter missions when the
air attacks get really nasty, but taking it means one less weapon
can be carried.
i. Sable Cruise Missile - The best eye-candy in the game. You get to
fly one of these shoulder mounted babies in a stunning chase-plane
view around the battle field till you hit something or you run out
of fuel. The problem is, they're only as strong as a grenade and
reloads are scarce. Still, skillful use in the game's last
scenario can take away some of that mission's pain.
j. Radar Screen - More of a game feature than a weapons item, but
still a very important part of your defense. Enemies are tracked
360 degrees around you. Air units are red, land based nasties are
yellow, and enemy IS units are blue. Missiles, grenades, and bombs
are white. The screen is extremely helpful with dodging bombing
runs by the attack planes and missile salvos from an enemy IS.
Picking the right weapons to complete each mission is one of the most
appealing aspects of the game. Are you expecting to engage in long
range or close-in fighting? Are you sharp enough with the gatling gun
to skip taking along the heavy slate shielding for extra defense?
Grenades or rockets, how's your aim? Heck, take both!
Iron Soldier goes beyond Cybermorph in allowing flexibility in
selection and deployment of your armament. Perfect, and in complete
accord of what's expected of a second generation title! My only
disappointment was the inability to mount weapons on both hands, which
is standard with most other mech-type simulations. Instead, the
handheld weapons requires the use of both mechanical arms to operate.
//// Opposition
All these wonderful toys that go boom would be for naught if there
weren't interesting and challenging things to shoot at. Iron Soldier
does not disappoint. It has a wide variety of enemies, each with
different strengths and weaknesses. Each has its own pattern of
attempting to make your life miserable.
There are two forms of tanks, light and heavy. Light tanks are pesky
little things that are tempting to ignore, but will inflict a
surprisingly high amount of damage if they draw an extended bead on
you. Luckily, you can stomp 'em like ants <g>. Heavy tanks are much
nastier. They pack a strong punch, are fast in tracking you, and are
too large to be stomped. Heavy tanks require a steady steam of rockets
to dispatch.
Air borne attacks come in three varieties of "G's". A "Glaive"
helicopter that is as tempting to ignore as a light tank. The "Greave"
V.T.O.L. is far more worthy of your attention. If these jump jets get
close they'll circle around your head, just beyond your gun sight and
quickly drop a large quantity of very damaging bombs. The "Gantlet"
Attack Plane is an A-10 clone bent on your destruction with even more
bombs than the V.T.O.L.s. It's very thick skinned and requires
extended gatling gun bursts to take out. Luckily, a single well placed
shot from a rail cannon will send it to earth in a spectacular shower
of pieces.
There are two pillboxes: one armed with two missiles - "Javelin"
Rocket Launcher, and another with fixed heavy machine guns - "Heaume"
Gun Turret. Each will do a steady stream of damage if not dealt with.
They're best destroyed at long range with rockets or the rail cannon.
"Behemoth" Frigates are one of the surprise bonuses in the game.
They're actually large ships that you have to contend with on several
missions. Armed with cannons and rockets, it's risky to get too close.
To make matters worst, they can speedily put to sea, out of range of
many of your weapons. Not a good thing when your mission objectives
call for their destruction.
Enemy Iron Soldiers complete the roster of opponents. They progress in
toughness through the missions. They can target you at long range with
unlimited cannons or rockets. At close range their fists can inflict
heavy damage on you. Grenades, rockets, and cruise missiles help you
for distance attacks. At close range, it becomes a riotous rock-'em-
sock-'em-robots affair as you dodge in with your fist or chainsaw to
inflict damage and dance out of range before the enemy IS can respond
in kind!
The AI of these enemies is one of Iron Soldier's real strengths.
Target a light tank for stomping and it starts running for the hills.
Draw a bead on a helo and it'll climb and bank trying to get above the
range of your gunsight. The V.T.O.L.'s will cagily circle around your
head, just temptingly away from your gunsight, while they pound your
IS into spare parts.
The enemy ISes are the only disappointing loafers in the bunch. At
long range they have an inexplicable habit of walking away from you
after drawing devastating aim on your IS. At close range they are
thrown into confusion, walking in random directions trying to gain
distance to use ranged weapons, and responding far too slowly with
their punch against close range attacks of your fist or chainsaw.
Iron Soldier easily surpasses Cybermorph in the quality of its
opponents. They are far more complex in design and movement patterns
than those in Cybermorph. The helos and attack planes give the
appearance of startlingly realistic flight, all at a frame that is
silky smooth. The quality screams of a true next generation title, and
meets the expectations of the "64-bit" promise of the Jaguar. I would
have liked to see more combat with enemy IS units, but I'm
nit-picking.
//// Control
At first control and movement of your IS may seem lumbering. Pressing
the joypad left or right results in painfully slow movement in the
respective direction. Pressing the joypad up or down allows you to
change the angle of your view to in a skyward direction. You can
actually look down at your iron boots as you stomp luckless tanks and
small houses <g>. Pressing A plus up/down on the joypad increases or
decreases your speed. (It's possible to move in reverse at up to about
a third of your best forward speed.) The B button fires your active
weapon. This is selected through a sharp, full color number-pad
overlay for the robot's waist and shoulder mounts, or the options
button for handheld weapons.
Thankfully using the C button in combination with the joypad will
increase the speed of your IS's rotation. This is still barely enough
to keep pace with fast circling air borne pests. An undocumented
feature is to press the C and A button in combination with the joypad.
This results in satisfyingly fast targeting. It takes some time to
accurately use the C/A/joypad together, plus press the B button to
fire, but it makes the progressively harder air attacks in the latter
missions much more manageable!
The game provides an advanced control option that allows you to set a
course and then have your turret free to rotate approximately 180
degrees. An interesting option to use if you're sure of your path. I
tended to avoid making much use of the feature and preferred to
generally zig-zag to help avoid air attacks.
There's a couple of undocumented control features included. Pressing
"Pause", and then "1" or "3" will single-step through gameplay.
Pressing "8" during a game appears to display the current mission
stats.
The increased complexity of Iron Soldier is more difficult than using
the simple pin-point accurate controls of Cybermorph. Given the
increased realism of a viewpoint that allows varying degrees of
elevation or recession, however, I found it to be a more than even
trade off.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Presentation and Impact
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
So, all the essentials for a good sim. are here: lots of toys to
shoot, fun targets, and decent control. The basics are only a start,
though, and it's up to the graphics and audio aspects of the game to
present a virtual world that impacts the gamer to the point of
suspending their disbelief enough to become lost in this alternate
reality. Cybermorph provided enough in each category to have gamers
jumping for joy with its virtual playground. Does Iron Soldier, a year
later, improve on the illusion?
//// Graphics
The battle areas of Iron Soldier are comprised of different cities in
the future. Buildings range from towering skyscrapers to squat fuel
tanks, and small houses. Gone is the sparse, angular look of
Cybermorph's universe. It's now replaced by rounded Power Plants,
circular smoke stacks, curving exhaust vents, and sweeping bridges.
Skyscrapers now have numerous windows and shapes. Texture mapping now
accents several of the buildings and objects on the landscape. The
environment still definitely has a shaded polygon look, but has been
refined and is extremely eye-pleasing.
The over-used triangular shaped enemies of Cybermorph have been
replaced by realistically shaped helicopters, planes, and tanks. The
helos have softly rounded underbellies that look great as they fly
directly over your head. The graceful wings of the A-10 clone are both
captivating and unnerving as the plane completes a gentle bank and
begins to initiate an attack run towards you. Again, texture mapping
is used to accent several of these opponents, most notably with the
helos and tanks.
Missions take place both during the day and night with appropriate
lighting changes. Seeing missiles streak from partially illuminated
helos at night is especially good looking.
Explosions are varied. The best are the airborne enemies that
disintegrate into dozens of different pieces that will rain about you
if you're close enough. Buildings are a bit more tame as they blow up
into perfectly square blocks. Light tanks explode humorously, with
gears bouncing.
The game has strong backgrounds of varying skyfalls, mountains, and
city images. The storm clouds of the night missions are especially
haunting. Gone are the bland colors from the backgrounds in
Cybermorph.
Finally, the visuals give a great sense of walking in a two-legged
tank. The objects on screen rise and fall in proportion to your speed.
Unfortunately this effect is lost when moving in a direction devoid of
on screen items or moving away from a city toward the background
mountains and skyfalls. An acceptable concession to ROM space for a
cartridge game. In all respects, Iron Soldier clearly surpasses the
first generation graphics of Cybermorph.
//// Audio
The music and sound effects are the most disappointing aspect of Iron
Soldier. This is particularly troublesome because they're both pretty
good. Ok, let me explain. The game allows you to select having music
in the game, but at the cost of losing some important sound effects.
Mostly these are the distance cued sounds of approaching helicopters
and tanks. Unfortunately, these sounds effects don't appear
directionally cued. If you wish to have these important audio hints
in the game, you must sacrifice the music.
This is too bad since the six in-game tunes are the best music I've
heard for the Jag since Tempest 2000. Even though they're in mono,
the music come across very well. The tracks range from strong driving
numbers that would fit in a Miami Vice episode to a rather eerie treat
that accompanies the night action missions.
The other sounds such as the explosions, firing guns, and launching
missiles are well done and present with or without music. It is
troublesome to me that Jag games appear to have such difficulty
integrating audio. I'm not a game developer so I can't accurately
state where the problem lies. I'm a consumer. I know the competition
can and does provide both quality music and sound effects in their
games. At this point in the Jaguar's development it should, too.
Apparently audio hasn't shown the growth that graphics have since
Cybermorph was released. It does rate higher than Cybermorph though
with the inclusion of in-game music and more sound effects.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Those of you who have followed my posts under the handle of [Chas] in
the Video Games Roundtable on GEnie know that at best over the last
year I've been ambivalent about the Jaguar. At times I've bordered on
on bashing Atari. My unit generally sat in my closet except for a week
or so of enjoyable use every quarter as the 1994 games trickled out. I
have trouble liking systems that get new titles released once every
three months, no matter how impressive the specs.
Iron Soldier has renewed the initial excitement and promise I felt
upon originally playing Cybermorph. It surpasses the game in every
aspect to which I've made comparisons. If Atari can deliver more of
these second generation titles at a healthy pace it truly can become a
serious competitor. Happy New Year Atari! You're off to a fine start,
keep 'em coming!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Iron Soldier JagNet: No
Design: Eclipse Players: 1
Published by: Atari Corp. Available: Now
MSRP: $59.95 Age Rating: K-A (Kids to Adult, 6+)
Here's the summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Control: ***+ Lumbering, until you become accustomed to using the A,
B, C buttons and joypad simultaneously. Satisfying
afterward.
Gameplay: ***** Absolutely the best mech-sim available on a console.
(I've played them all.) You =will= feel like you're
in a 42 foot bipedal tank!!
Graphics: ****+ Improves upon Cybermorph with rounded and curved
objects, accented with texture mapping. A fantastic
frame rate. Only a fully-textured map game would have
scored higher.
Sound: **+ Good music or good sound effects, you can only pick
one. Yeah, I'm being harsh, but amateur hour is
over....
Overall: ***** Yep. Five Stars. Dedicated Mechheads will buy the
Jaguar to play this game when the word gets out, it's
that good! It's so fun it negates my audio concerns
for now
What they mean:
***** Stunning! Time to give away my Sega 32X!
**** Sweet! Atari wasn't kidding about that 64-bit stuff!
*** Fine by me, but I bet EGM will majorly rag on it....
** Whadda ya mean, "Do the math?"
* Let's see if it doubles as a cutting board!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Kasumi Ninja
||| By: Eric Michard
/ | \ GEnie: E.MICHARD
----------------------------------------------------------------
For many generations, rumors have persisted of a small, well-hidden
island known as Kasumi, which has produced the world's most renowned
ninjas. With the help of the Preeminent Celestials, the island is kept
shrouded in secrecy. An impenetrable wall of mist surrounds the
island, making it undetectable to modern technology. Those who find
the island uninvited, are never heard from again.
All your life you have trained hard in body and spirit at the only
home you have known: the Dragon Cloud Temple on Kasumi Island. At the
temple you are trained by the Elders, a group of three wise and
powerful Ninjas. This group of Elders consists of Hiei, who embodies
the lighter aspects of human nature; Kaioh, who embodies the aspect of
indifference; and Gyaku, who embodies the darker side of human nature.
This balance of good and evil is what keeps the portal to the
netherworld closed.
Using the blackest magic, Gyaku eliminated the other two Elders,
throwing the cosmic forces out of alignment. When this happened, the
gate to the demon world was blown open and Gyaku became possessed by
the most powerful demon in the netherworld. With this power, Gyaku
could destroy the Earth!
Your fate has been preordained by the Celestials to fulfill a great
and terrible prophecy. You were told of this by the Elders when you
were very young, and throughout your life you wondered what it meant.
Now you are sure it is your destiny to defeat Gyaku, close the gate to
the netherworld and restore balance to the universe.
The Celestials cannot help you directly, but they have blessed you
with the power of absorbing other's abilities. To gain these
abilities, you must defeat a variety of champions representing the
best fighters in the world. They have been chosen by the Celestials to
aid you in your quest. Only through persistence and perseverance, will
you have a chance to challenge Gyaku.
...so starts Kasumi Ninja, Atari's first foray into the lucrative and
cut-throat market full of endless sequels and violence, the tournament
fighting game genre.
Kasumi Ninja is a tournament fighting game quite similar to the
popular Mortal Kombat series. It offers one-player story mode and
two-player versus mode.
Story mode requires you to start out with either of two ninjas, and
proceed to defeat the remaining six fighters before you are allowed to
take on the evil Gyaku and close the portal to the netherworld. Each
character has its own set of special moves and at least one extra
bloody "Death move" which can be performed after you have beaten your
opponent 2 out of 3 matches. After defeating a character, you are
allowed to fight as that character in any further matches.
Two player versus mode enables two players to fight it out with any
two of the eight main characters. You fight for 2 out of 3 rounds, and
then are allowed to select a rematch, choose new characters and combat
zone, or exit back to the main options screen.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Cast of Characters
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The game contains eight main characters. They come in a wide variety
of fighters from around the globe. Each has their own style of
fighting and a "Combat Zone" specific to their origins.
//// Habaki and Senzo: The twin Ninjas
Orange and green-clad ninjas, both have the same special moves and the
same abilities. They differ only in their color and their "Death
moves". At the beginning of the one-player story mode, you are
required to choose from these two only. They are both relatively quick
and versatile, with a good range of moves.
//// Chagi: The Kickboxer
"Five time world kickboxing champion, has never lost a professional
bout." Chagi has a large number of kicking moves, and seems to be
slightly quicker than the ninjas.
//// Alaric: King of the Goths
Alaric is quite a bit larger than Chagi and the Ninjas, and as such
moves a bit slower and doesn't get quite as much height in his jumps.
He does, however, have a few very nasty special moves and is one of
the tougher opponents to beat in one-player mode. Alaric likes to play
with fireworks. Looks sort of like the late John Belushi, before he
died.
//// Thundra: The Amazon Queen
Dressed in a skimpy bathing suit type of outfit, Thundra is quick and
her long legs give her a wider range in which to make contact on her
different moves. She has an odd flying leap attack, which is also used
for her "Death move."
//// Pakawa: The Comanche Chief
Another larger fighter, Pakawa is probably the most powerful. He moves
a little slower, but does some wicked damage with his thrown knives,
thunderous stomps and hair-raising "Death move."
//// Danja: The Urban Vigilante
Another scantily clad female, Danja is also very athletic and quick.
Her special weapons include exploding bolas.
//// Angus MacGreggor: The Scottish Brawler
A red-headed and bearded Scotsman wearing a kilt, Angus is a
slow-moving brawler with a couple of interesting moves. The manual
claims that his anger at running out of brawling opponents "grew
inside of him like a fire consuming his soul". He has a very odd way
of releasing that fire in one of his special moves.
//// Lord Gyaku: Evil possessed Ninja
The Demon-possessed Ninja you must defeat to close the portal to the
Netherworld. In his first incarnation he looks exactly like the other
two ninjas, only dressed in black. He also performs some very
surprising special moves, both defensive and offensive.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Options and Settings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Mode Select Screen
On starting up the game, after the title screen, your first options
screen is the Mode Select Screen. Here you can choose between One
Player Story Mode and Two Player Versus Mode, set the difficulty level
from 4 choices: Easy, Normal, Hard and Ninja God, and access a
secondary Game Options screen.
//// Game Options Screen
Here is another spot to set difficulty level, and this is where you
can set the Gore Level, turn on the Parental Lock, enter the code for
the Parental Lock, set the game Time Limit, toggle "Story Text" on or
off, and show the game credits.
//// Gore Level Settings
Due to parental concerns about the violence and gore in these types of
fighting games, as well as recent Senate hearings and the industry
adoption of game ratings and parental warning labels on the packaging,
Atari has included a Gore Level setting as well as a Parental Lock
feature to prevent those tender young eyes from seeing the gruesome
Death moves.
The Gore Level Settings include:
[] None: No blood whatsoever. Makes it tricky to tell when your hits
do damage. You have to keep an eye on the sword indicators at
the top of the screen, which fill with blood as each
respective fighter takes damage.
[] Combat: Connecting hits produce blood which flies from your
opponent, but it disappears before collecting on the ground.
[] Disturbing: Blood now pools on the floor, and sword indicators also
drip blood when you or your opponent take a hit.
[] Gore Fest: All the blood of the Disturbing setting, plus the
extreme violence of the various death moves are now available. For
a complete list of all of the Death Moves and special moves, see
the moves list included later in this review.
//// Parental Lock
Turning on the Parental Lock requires the entry of a 6 digit password,
and eliminates the "Gore Fest" gore level setting, so the Death Moves
are unavailable. The other 3 gore codes are still included, so you, or
the children you are locking out, can still play the game with the
dripping and pooling blood. Don't forget the passcode, or your
cartridge will be permanently locked out.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Kasumi Ninja views like your basic 2D tournament fighting game. The
fights are shown from a side view, with a sword indicator at the top
of the screen for each player along with the character's name and a
mark for each round won in that particular combat zone.
The fighters are composed of digitized graphics of actual costumed
actors. The Jaguar's large palette of colors is used, as well as a lot
of frames of character animation. Each character has a wide range of
kicks, punches, roundhouse kicks, flying kicks and punches, and
several special moves like fireballs, teleports, combo moves and
grabs, throws, headbutts and lunges. All are nicely animated. There is
enough animation so that you can see the whole range of motion in a
kick or other move, unlike some other popular fighting games I've seen
where you just see the first and last frame of a movement, with
nothing in between.
The shadows cast by players actually match the various moves and
jumps, unlike some other fighting games where you get just a little
circle under the fighter.
The Death Moves show a diverse number of physical atrocities, with
animated and very bloody decapitations, chopping in half of bodies,
scalping, head-pulping leaps, exploding corpses, and several other
brutal endings. All of these, of course, are accompanied by buckets
of blood, fractured bone and pulpy grey matter. The Death moves are
definitely not for the faint of heart.
The backgrounds in Kasumi Ninja are thought by some to be its most
outstanding feature. They are beautifully rendered in full color with
multiple layers of parallax scrolling to lend it an almost 3D effect.
In the floors alone I have counted at least 5 layers of separate
parallax scrolling, giving it an illusion of depth and perspective as
you move forward or back across the combat zone. The pools of blood on
the floor closer to the bottom of the screen move slightly faster than
those in the "deeper" layers. Add to this about 10 more layers of
foreground and background parallax scrolling in 8 to 10 different
"Combat Zones".
There are no cheering spectators like in other fighting games, but I
always thought that was kind of a stupid feature, myself. Kasumi Ninja
contains animated torches and campfires, a horse in Pakawa's combat
zone, and even a fully animated silhouette of the Loch Ness monster in
Angus' combat zone, among others. In the final round against the
demon, the setting is in Hell complete with flying gargoyles, pits of
fire and dismembered corpses hanging from gallows.
You start off the game in the character selection area, which is a 3D
DOOM-like octagonal room with statues of the various available
characters you can play as, and then challenge to a fight after you've
chosen your own character. It's a little jerky and has no relation to
the actual game, but a nice touch nonetheless.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound & Music
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Each Combat Zone has its own background music, which almost fits the
type of geography shown in that zone, such as the bagpipes in Angus'
zone. The overall quality of the music is merely average. I usually
keep the music turned way down.
The sound effects show a bit more variety, with digitized grunts,
screams, explosions and various other bloody sound effects. Each
player has a distinctive "hai!" or "ha!" sound that he or she yells at
almost every offensive move which tends to get a bit repetitive.
The announcer's voice is a badly accented, sometimes barely
understandable Japanese voice which is actually sort of laughable. It
took me some time to realize that the announcer was saying "show no
mercy" when it came time to attempt a death move. It's so garbled that
everyone who heard it thought it was some other language. The sound
quality of the digital sampling, however, is quite good and there is
no evidence of the normal clipping and low-fidelity sound which is
normally found in the 16-bit fighting games.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Control
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Prior to Kasumi Ninja, I was most definitely =not= a fan of this genre
of video games, so I won't attempt to compare the control in Kasumi
Ninja to any of the popular competitor's games like Super Street
Fighter II Championship Tournament Edition (what is its latest
incarnation, anyway?), or Mortal Kombat II. What little I did
experience of those titles turned me away from the whole genre. The
special attacks were virtually impossible for me to pull off, or even
remember. I quickly lost patience with them and had no desire to play
any of them. In KN, I have had no problem whatsoever in discovering
and reproducing the whole range of special and death moves.
The basic control consists of the Dpad for moving left/right, jumping
in either direction, blocking and crouching. The A button is used
mainly for the various punches, B is used primarily for the different
kicking moves. The C button is held down during the special moves and
death moves. Like other fighting games, the obvious combinations
result in flying kicks, floor sweeps, roundhouse kicks and punches and
many more.
With a little practice I was able to discover a large number of
special moves like teleports, thrown knives and explosives, fireballs,
and all of the other moves detailed later. I encourage new players to
refrain from using the lists of moves provided here, as discovering
them for yourself is a lot more fun than reading them off a list.
If you just want to see them all quickly and have no patience, then by
all means go right ahead. The death moves are pretty funny, in a
sickly violent way.
The character response is certainly quick enough for me, although the
increased animation frames in some of the moves make for what
sometimes seems like slow response, since it takes a certain amount of
time to animate some of the more elaborate motions. I've played
versions of SFII that were just way TOO fast, with moves that were
more of a slideshow than a fluidly animated punch or kick. This may
make for quicker response, but seriously detracts from the look and
feel of the game, in my opinion.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Gameplay
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The main emphasis here is on the violence. In all respects, Kasumi
Ninja is a good solid fighting game with excellent graphics, digitised
sound, unbelievable backgrounds and a lot of bloody, violent martial
arts moves and various ways to murder your opponent.
To those of you who object to this type of senselessly violent,
gratuitously bloody video game, if you won't let your kids play Mortal
Kombat, Kasumi Ninja is extremely bloody and viciously violent at
times, probably worse than the Mortal Kombat series. Even with the
Parental Lock on, all but the highest Gore Levels are still available,
you can't lock out ALL of the blood.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// In Summary
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Take away the graphic violence and "death moves", and the game seems
to lose something. It's still just a basic 2D tournament fighting game
and once you beat it, it's still just a fighting game with a limited
number of characters and combat zones, and you've beaten them all.
(Although Travis understands that not everything in the game has been
discovered by 'Net players yet.) 2 player fights against an equally
skilled friend are a lot of fun, and no doubt where a lot of these
games' appeal lies, but in Kasumi Ninja, no handicap feature is
included for those both-hands-tied-behind-your-back fights against a
novice player.
I vowed I wouldn't buy a fighting game until it could rival an arcade
fighting game, and KN is the closest I've seen yet on a home console.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Kasumi Ninja Networkable: No
Programmed by: Handmade Software Players: 1 - 2
Published by: Atari Available: Now
MSRP: $59.95(US) Age Rating: MA (Mature/Adult 17+)
Here's the summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Control: **** A large number of easy to perform moves for each
character.
Gameplay: ***+ A lot of fun to learn and discover the different
special attacks and view the brutally violent death
moves, especially against a friend.
Graphics: ****+ Full color animated backgrounds, 10 different
digitised fighters, and a lot of blood and gore make
for some very impressive arcade graphics.
Sound: ***+ Average music and good quality sound samples, though
sometimes repetitive. Some excellent thundering
sound effects make up for the music.
Overall: **** Kasumi Ninja is an excellent arcade quality (and
arcade violent) tournament fighting game that should
appeal to most fans of fighting games.
Ratings Key
"""""""""""
***** "Hai-keeba!" --MST3K
**** "Finish Him!" --MK I
*** "All right, we'll call it a draw." --Monty Python and the Holy Grail
** "POW! SPLAT!" --Batman
* "It's Morphin' Time!" --MMPR
[Kasumi Ninja Special Moves]
(All moves are functional, though subject to further refinement)
(C + means HOLD C while doing the following...)
Thundra (Amazon Queen)
"""""""
C + dwn, up - Teleport to opposite side
C + fwd-fwd-fwd when close-in - Grab + punch combo
C + bk,fwd-fwd - Flying line attack
A + bk when close-in - Throw opponent
[*] Death Move: C + fwd/up diagonal 3 times from a distance
Angus (Scottish Brawler)
"""""
C + bk to fwd upper half-circle - Fireball
C + dwn, fwd when medium-close - Head butt
C + dwn, up when close-in - Throw forward onto head
A + bk when close-in - Throw over back
[*] Death Move: C + fwd,bk,dn when close-in
Pakawa (Native American)
""""""
C + bk to fwd lower half-circle - Throw knife
C + fwd-fwd-fwd - Grab head & head butt
C + bk,up,up - Thunder stomp
B + bk when close-in - Throw over head
[*] Death Move : C +fwd to bk lower half circle, twice
Chagi (Kickboxer)
"""""
C + bk, fwd-fwd - Fireball
C + bk, up - Forward kick-jump
C + fwd,fwd,B - Triple knee-punch
A + bk when close-in - Throw over head
[*] Death Move : C + bk,fwd,bk, hold fwd/dn diagonal + A
Alaric (Goth)
""""""
C + bk to fwd lower half-circle - Slide attack
C + dwn to up back half-circle - Throw explosives
C + fwd/up diagonal - 2-handed fist attack
[*] Death Move : C + bk,fwd,bk, hold fwd/dn diagonal +B
Senzo (Green Ninja)
"""""
C + up-up - Teleport to opposite side
C + bk-bk, fwd-fwd - double round-kick attack
C + bk to fwd lower half-circle - Fireball
A + bk when close-in - Throw opponent over head
[*] Death Move: C + up,dn
Habaki (Orange Ninja)
""""""
C + up-up - Teleport to opposite side
C + bk-bk, fwd-fwd - double round-kick attack
C + bk to fwd lower half-circle - Fireball
A + bk when close-in - Throw opponent over head
[*] Death Move: C + dn to up back half-circle
Danja (Urban Female)
"""""
C + dwn, up-up - Teleport
C + bk-bk-bk, fwd - Throw explosive bolo
A + back when close-in - Throw over head
[*] Death Move: C + bk/up diagonal 3 times
I've left off the descriptions to leave some remnants of a surprise
for the player.
Thanks to GEnie Jaguar RT posts and some Usenet posts for the Death
Moves. The rest I discovered the first 2 days or so with the game.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Zool 2
||| By: Tim Steed
/ | \ GEnie: T.STEED1 AOL: OTR TimS
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Nth Dimension is under attack, and it's up to you to save it from
the invading forces of Krool! Krool has sent his evil, morphing
henchman, Mental Block, to seize power. Only you, playing as either
Zool, master ninja, or his lovely and daring sidekick Zooz, can
prevent the ultimate destruction. Along the way, you may even receive
help from Zoon, the intergalactic wonder-dog. But in the end, the
continued existence of the Nth Dimension rests upon YOUR shoulders.
As the manual to this game states, "Hold on to your senses, and set
your controls on Maximum Weirdness. Strange things are going on!"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Overview
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A lot of Jaguar owners have been waiting patiently for a good
platform-game. They look at Sonic on the Genesis, Mario and Donkey
Kong Country on the SNES, and they say, "Hey, I'd like one of those!".
Well, here you have it. Along with Bubsy, another recent Jaguar
release, Zool 2 helps to fill the platform-game void for the Jag, at
least until Rayman comes out.
The theory remains the same: collect a bunch of items by moving over
them, avoid/kill bad guys, and make it to the end of the level as
quickly as possible.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Game
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The game loads up with a nice full-screen animation of Zool. After a
few seconds, it goes to the title screen. If you wait even a few more
seconds, the game kicks into demo-mode. High scores are flashed next,
title screen, demo-mode, etc. The demo-mode might be worth watching,
as you get glimpses of later levels in the game.
Pressing "Option" brings up the options screen (surprise!). You can
turn "Inertia" on or off. Inertia effects your character's forward
movement. With inertia On, your forward movement continues for a few
inches even after you stop pressing forward on the joypad. With
inertia Off, you character stops immediately after releasing the
joypad.
Next on the options screen is difficulty setting. This can be set to
easy, normal, or hard. With easy, you get eight lives, and must
collect most of the items on each level. With normal, you get six
lives, plus you must collect all items on each level, plus some that
are hidden! On hard, you get only four lives, must collect all items
on each level, plus some hidden ones, and you must also kill a lot of
bad guys. Whew!
After difficulty, you can set number of players, one or two. It is
possible to play two players with a single joypad, also, with each
player swapping off when it's their turn.
Lastly, there is a Configure option, where you can set which buttons
are used to Fire, Jump, and use special items. Set these however you
wish with the usual A, B and C buttons.
After all options are selected, you then press start to begin play. A
large screen confronts you, asking you which character you wish to
play, Zool or Zooz. This is important, as each of them has their own
special move. Play then begins, and you are confronted with bad guys
right from the outset.
The controls take a little getting used to, but they're not any more
complicated than other platform games on other systems. Pressing Up
on the dpad lets you climb walls or jump vertically (as does the A
button), Up/Right or Up/Left lets you jump to the right or left, Right
or Left runs to the right or left, Down/Right and Down/Left lets you
slide right or left, and Down lets you crouch or climb down walls.
The B button is the fire button (with default settings). Pressing B
fires bullets in whatever direction you are facing. Holding down the B
button and running into a wall initiates a height-scaling backflip,
which propells you higher into the air than a normal jump. When
hanging on a column, holding down the B button will let you crawl left
or right.
As I mentioned earlier, Zool and Zooz have their own move. While in
mid-air, pressing the B button initiates a spinning power-jump. This
jump is used to break through false ceilings (Zool) or false floors
(Zooz).
Along with these moves comes the standard in-game options. Pressing
pause will pause the game, and while paused you can use the A button
to change music volume, or the B button to change FX volume.
The main playing screen is laid out simply and effectively. In the
upper left hand corner you have your score. To the right of your score
is your current health indicator, shown with red ovals. Whenever you
get hit by a bad guy, you lose one of these. When they are gone, you
lose a life. To the right of your health indicator is the high score.
Moving to the bottom left corner of the screen, you have an indicator
showing you how many items you have picked up. This can be misleading
at first, as each item you pick up may not count as a "full" item,
meaning you will have to pick up more than one item to move the
indicator up a full point. In the lower middle section of the screen
you have the time remaining on the current level you are playing. The
LI in the lower right hand corner represents how many lives you have
left, depending on what difficulty level you started the game with.
During the game, you can find various power-ups. Some of the various
items you can find are:
[] Restart Points - Small red posts that flash green when you pass
them, thereby activating them. If you die after
you pass one of these, you will restart the level
from the last one of these that you activated.
[] Bonus Hearts - After you defeat certain enemies, little red hearts
with wings will begin floating up to the ceiling.
Grabbing one of these before it gets out of reach
restores health by one point.
[] Bomb - This device follows you until you decide to use it. Pressing
C ignites it, killing all visible enemies on the screen.
[] Twozool - Splits up your ninja for double the action.
[] Shield - makes your character invincible for a short time.
[] Time Bonus - adds precious seconds back onto your time-clock.
[] One-Up - Pretty self-explanatory, a free, additional life!
[] Super Shot - Press C after picking this baby up, and you launch a
swirling missile of destruction that will take care
of the most ferocious opponents.
[] Chupa Chups - Restores your ninja to full health!
[] Zoon - Collect three of these, and when you finish your current
level, you'll access a bonus level that Zoon the wonderdog
will help you with!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Though the foregrounds are quite colorful and sharp, the backgrounds
should have been done by the folks who did Kasumi Ninja. The
backgrounds really remind me of some Atari 2600 games I used to play,
mostly only three colors and very dull. Still, you don't play the game
IN the background, right?
Objects in the foreground are colorful and quite clear, even with a
normal TV hook-up. A lot of objects are shaded, giving a subtle 3-D
effect, with lots of little areas that seem to reflect light.
Zool and Zooz themselves are quite nice, with details like eyes and
glints of light on their heads and shoes clearly visible. Movements
are standard fare, nothing real spectacular. When either ninja shoots,
a small, white dot races off towards the target.
The speed of your characters is amazingly fast. I didn't realize how
fast this game moved until my wife loaded up her old favorite, Sonic.
Sonic seemed to be moving through molasses after playing Zool for
awhile! Even with lots of moving objects on-screen, I noticed no
appreciable slow-down. (Though I've heard some players have noticed
some.) Trust me, there's ALWAYS lots of moving objects on-screen!
Control is excellent, very precise and responsive, especially with
Inertia turned off. You need it, though, as even on "Easy," there are
lots of bad guys to shoot, dodge, and run away from. High reflexes are
a must with this game.
=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound
=-=-=-=-=-=
The initial boot-up music is pretty cool, and definitely a bit on the
wacky side. My wife called it "cute," and it's the kind of music that
makes you want to laugh.
Music during game-play is good, but nothing earth-shattering. A
fast-paced tune helps you on your way, which is catchy and feels
appropriate for the task at hand. (Travis says he feels Zool's music
gives it an edge over Bubsy, but you know the odd things he comes up
with.... :)
Sound effects are above average. When a bad guy hits you, you hear a
sound like a spoon hitting a frying pan. Other sound effects are quite
good, too, like when you jump and power-spin, you hear a "whooshing"
noise, and when you do the ninja backflip, you hear a high-pitched
ninja shout. Pretty much anything you do is accompanied by some sort
of sound-effect.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Zool 2 is a fun, challenging type of game for people who really like
the platform-game genre. Fast-paced action, and lots of bad-guys makes
this one of THE most challenging platformers I have ever played. Even
on Easy setting, I wondered if they had by chance gotten Easy and Hard
mixed up during programming! :)
Overall, if you LOVE platform-type games, definitely give this one a
try. Zool 2 is a good candidate to hold us over until some stunning
platformers arrive in the future (like Rayman!). Also, if you have
played and liked Bubsy for the Jaguar, and thought he was too slow or
easy, give this one a try. Zool's NOT slow! And Zool's NOT easy!
However, if you HATE Sonic, Mario, and games like them, stay away from
this one altogether. There are more games that are available which will
appeal to you.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Zool 2 JagNet: No
Design: Gremlin Players: 1 - 2
Published by: Atari Corp. Available: Now
Price: $59.95 Age Rating: K-A (Kids to Adult, 6+)
Here's the Summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Control : ****+ A very small learning curve, but once you are past
that, it's smooth sailing. Fast. Responsive.
Configurable, too!
Gameplay : *** Everything you'd want in a platform game, maybe a
bit too fast and difficult for younger folk, but
since I ain't young, mabye not. :)
Graphics : *** They are good, but not ground-breaking. Nice
foreground visuals, very plain and generic
backgrounds.
Sound : *** Sound FX are slightly above average, with the music
being catchy and atmospheric for a platform game.
Overall : ***+ A decent platformer which compares quite nicely to
Sonic, Mario or other games of their ilk. If you only
want something that will stun you, though, better to
wait for Rayman.
Ratings Key
"""""""""""
***** Almost Rayman-esque! Donkey Kong who?
**** Pass the magic-mushroom tea!
*** That Sonic's a slowpoke!
** You mean, if you jump on them, they die?
* My, that Mario Brothers 1 looks interesting.
About the Author
""""""""""""""""
Tim has owned one type of Atari machine or another for over 14 years,
starting with the 2600 (which he still owns). He's been the president
of an Atari User's Group, he used to run an Atari BBS, and now he
sells Atari Jaguars at work (Babbage's).
In his spare time, when AVP has scared him too much or when he
finishes a few missions on Iron Soldier, Tim frequents AOL, GEnie, and
CompuServe. He also enjoys miniatures games, and role-playing. Tim's
patient and forgiving wife, Jill, also works to support his various
gaming addictions. (She also is waiting for Rayman, too!)
Tim's favorite games of all time include Adventure (Atari 2600), MULE
(Atari 8-bit), Starglider (Atari ST), Ultima Underworld (IBM PC), and
AVP (Atari Jaguar), though Rayman will undoubtedly join that elite
list. :) Tim owns a 486DX2/66, SNES, Sega Genesis, 3DO, Atari
2600/7800/ST/Jaguar. After trying for several years to write reviews,
articles, short-stories, etc, Tim was finally able to beg Travis to
look at a review. That's how you are reading this now.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales
||| By: Dimitri Mark LaBarge
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.6 CIS: 71501,3353 AOL: dimitril
----------------------------------------------------------------
You know, it's funny - a year ago, I wouldn't have wanted to get near
a cat. They just seemed to be totally alien to my personality. Then I
moved to Nashville with a house full of cats, and suddenly I found
myself kin with the little beasts. Maybe that explains why I've found
this new version of Bubsy to be such a blast. Or maybe it's just a
whole-heartedly fun game with that most rare of qualities in an age of
"Pick-and-Flick" adventures - undeniable charm.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Starters
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The game opens with a standard title screen and a perky title song;
from there you can access the Options screen, which lets you pick the
number of players (a nice option is allowing you to select 2 players
with either 1 or 2 joypads), enter passcodes, set your controls and so
forth. From there, you can enter the game at any time.
The game itself consists of fifteen very long levels, broken up into
five motifs of three chapters each. Each motif features a takeoff on a
different fairy tale - the game designers have chosen to lovingly warp
Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, Arabian Nights, 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea and Hansel & Gretel (with such pun-laden titles
as Alice Doesn't Live Around Here Anymore). Unlike other platformers,
where your actions are almost always the same, the motifs do tend to
affect gameplay. For instance, navigating the cup stairways and
mushrooms in the Alice in Wonderland scenario tends to be a much
different challenge than climbing the ascending beanstalk in the Jack
and the Beanstalk levels, or wobbling around in a bubble in the 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea sequence.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Control Yourself
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Bubsy has three basic controls, which prove quite effective: Look,
High Jump and Jump/Glide. Using the Look command lets you take a brief
glance in any direction, which can be helpful in spotting a lingering
enemy (very necessary for getting the drop on Tweedle Dum and Tweedle
Dummer, a bigger Menace-2-Society than you might expect). High Jump
give you a nice, long jump, whereas Jump/Glide gives you a brief popup
in the air.
Using the controls in concert propels you a long way towards
completing the game - running and jumping only will cause a very
premature death... remember, you're a cat, not an Italian plumber. For
instance, jumping on your enemies to bop them out of existence is a
bit of a trick proposition - but using your high jump, and then
activating the jump/glide button will give you a short, easily
controlled flight to your adversary's doom. This is even more
effective when combined with a run - simply a matter of holding down
the directional pad either left or right. Using this, you can achieve
glides of fairly startling distances. I find the control very well
designed, and the joypad is greatly suited to this sort of game.
//// Bag o'Goodies
Bubsy has a few tools to help him on his journey - a T-shirt to add an
extra Bubsy to your count. You start out with a generous ten Bubsys,
but in fine cat tradtion, you get that many lives because you NEED
them. Level markers are placed at strategic locations, letting you
start from that position should you die prematurely. Another T-shirt
will give you invincibility for a short time, and you can open crates
with random contents (my favorite is one that explodes with bananas,
making the surface you're on very slippery if you start to run). A
password is provided upon the completion of each individual level,
which is a godsend. Last but not least is a transporter device, which
can take you through a shortcut within levels. You'll have to look
carefully to find the needed switches to open up important areas in
the game.
//// The Blue (Green, and Red) Meanies
The enemies are a varied lot, and while there are certain generic
enemies that seem to show up with unwelcome frequency between the
motifs (there are psychotic wasps that are a bit too difficult and
random to handle - you have to jump and glide into them - they're even
worse when they start flying in packs on later levels), on the whole,
the enemies are well chosen and sweetly animated for each level.
Playing cards, Cheshire Cats and White Rabbits can be found in the
first three levels, whereas thugs such as harem guards and stabbing
sharks patrol later levels (and don't even ask me about the hamster in
the submarine). Bosses such as the Mad Hatter also show up for an
added challenge at the end of each motif. A lot of thought was put
into bringing these characters to life - for instance, the Ali
Baba-style harem guard lunges at you almost immediately to split you
in half, but if you jump and glide down upon him, he's too dumb to
look up. In the best Chuck Jones style, he starts looking left, right,
and at his feet until doom descends upon him.
Bubsy is as well-animated as the rest, especially when he gets tired
of waiting for you to move and knocks on the television screen for
your attention... The only complaint I have in this area is that
there's not enough variety between levels. While the first level in
each motif is filled with these imaginative enemies and character
designs, they generally don't change after the first level featuring
them, leading to an unfortunate monotony.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Levelling With You
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The game levels... well, they are long. Long. Oh boy, looooooong.
While they're well-thought out, and definitely keep the game a
challenge for longer than you'd expect, after you've died a bunch of
times you start to wonder if you've hit upon way too much of a good
thing. This may be a by-product of the same affliction as the enemies
- wonderful artifacts of invention are extremely pleasing in the first
level of the motif, but when they don't really change or add anything
new in the second or third rounds of that fantasy scenario, then some
of the fun tends to drain out. Perhaps this game was designed too
well, because the good stuff is so well designed that it's a letdown
when you don't get more of it.
However, the challenges that are there are nicely developed. My
favorite have been the mushroom patches, some of which just seem to
go up forever. The game takes into account the curved surfaces of
the mushrooms, and gives you a struggle to balance yourself to the
top of the 'shroom (and smaller ones are harder still!). Slippery
rocks work the same way, and it's a good (if maddening) touch.
You'll need your jumping and gliding skills to get across some of the
wide, wide lakes - remember, cats HATE water! - as well as avoiding
fatal falls down hollow wells.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// A Graphic Analysis
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The graphics and animation, as mentioned before, are by far the best
aspect of the game. Lovely parallax scrolling enhances the gorgeous,
stylized fantasy backdrops while your enemies pass by in fluidly
animated style. There's a fine spirit of Warner Bros. working here,
and is what lends the game its charm. If Bubsy slams into a wall, not
only does he conk out with birds floating above him, but he starts
swiping at the birds; grumpy-looking cactii look at you suspiciously
then charge you. The color selections are well chosen, and the
graphics are by far the crispest of any of the Bubsy versions.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sounding Off
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The only truly weak spot in the game is its sound and music. It's
not that they're if low quality - they're not. In fact, they
definitely impress on first listen - each level opens with a nice
sample of Bubsy saying some smartalec remark. It's the listens after
that when they start to grate. Now, the bips and bops of Bubsy
collecting point coins and leaping on enemies are inoffensive and
nothing special, but nothing distracting either. Unfortunately,
that's the best that can be said.
Again, we wind up with the problem of repetition dimishing the game a
bit. While I like the speech sample that opens the level, it doesn't
vary except between motifs. The same is true of the music. While these
two items are of good quality, it makes the whole game suffer when you
have to go through them again everytime you die. This is the one area
of the game that needed a great more improvement. This wouldn't have
been such a big drag if you could just turn it off - and with the
music, you can. But you still have to listen to that sample every time
you start over, and you do tend to start thinking of more pleasant
things to do than going through that again - like shoving bamboo
shoots underneath Bubsy's nails.
In the end, don't make any more of it than it actually is. Bubsy is an
all-around fun game, with some absolutely wonderful elements compromised
slightly by repetition; but in this reviewer's opinion, the platformer
of choice for the Jag, and a perfectly priced Darn Good Time (TM).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Bubsy in Fractured Price: $49.95(US)
Fairy Tales JagNet: No
Programmed: Imagitic Design Players: 1-2
Publisher: Atari Age Rating: K-A (Kids to Adult 6+)
Le Summary du ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Control: *** Easy to play, but jumping and gliding takes some
practice.
Gameplay: *** Addicting and fun, but too much of the same thing
dulls excitement.
Graphics: ***+ Terrific and imaginative. Half a point off for
repetition, though.
Sound: *+ I don't think so. Headphones with Peter Gabriel or
Zamfir required.
Overall: *** Not a must buy, but a clever, funny platformer.
Dimitri's Keys to Ratings
***** A gaming miracle; search the New Testament for references.
**** PCs run screaming at the sight of this.
*** Verified to be more fun than tractor pulls.
** Causes the same reaction as hearing, "Can I have a kidney?"
* Jesse Helms. Televangelists. McRibs. Burn, baby, burn....
--==--==--==--==--
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||| Stello 2
||| TOS Review by: Mark Stephen Smith
/ | \ Internet: msh@dl.ac.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stello 2 is the latest version of the Othello program by Claus J.
Pedersen. It contains several improvements over it's earlier
incarnation. The program utilises a GEM interface and is well
constructed. The program is shareware and as such has a few options
missing from the unregistered version. The game is in no way crippled
and is still very playable without the complete set of options.
This review is based upon the complete registered version as kindly
donated by Claus. Using GEM it manages to maintain high compatibilty
across Atari platforms and this review is based on it's use on both my
ST and Falcon.
//// Some Background.
As I said earlier the game Stello is based upon the game Othello. The
game Othello is an old board game set on an eight by eight grid. The
pieces consist of two types of counter, black and white. The game is
two player with one player choosing white and the other taking black.
At the start of the game the board is set out with four counters in a
square in the middle of the board, two white and two black, with
similar colours set at diagonals.
Movement is in any direction and the players take turns. Movement
however is only possible by placing a new counter of your colour on
the other side of an opponent's, making all your opponents counters
between your first and last counter into your own colour. If it is not
possible to place your counter within a straight line in any direction
across your opponents from any of your counters then you can not move,
and have to miss that turn.
The player with the most counters on the board when the board is full
is the winner. If the number is equal it is a draw.
Stello runs in any resolution with at least 640 pixels across and will
use up to 16 colours. The board is presented in a window which doesn't
take up much desktop space, using higher resolutions just gives you
more space but doesn't increase the size of the board which is fixed.
The board can be moved around by dragging the window and is
represented as a series of lines forming a grid and circles in either
black or white for the counters.
To improve the appearance it is possible to load a background picture
into the board. Several are provided and can be chosen in 2, 4 and 16
colours. It is also possible to add chess like notation at the sides
of the board to work out the position for moves.
There are several options available from the menu bar at the top of
the screen. Using these options you are able to save and load your
game (there are some pre-saved games for you to try). You can choose
to play against the computer, a human opponent, or even watch while
the computer plays itself.
The computer plays a very strong game and as such you have several
options to help adjust the computer's strength. You can set the
maximum time the computer has to make a single move, the maximum time
the computer has to think in the entire game, and the number of
consecutive moves the computer will think ahead.
Other options allow you to keep a log of all moves made via a table or
a visual representation on a second board. These are very nice
features. You can also force the computer to move, swap sides during a
game, go back a move, ask for the best move available to you and set
up the board for a particular set of positions.
The program is both GDOS and MultiTos compatible and works well with
both of these. The program is very stable and in the several hours I
played with it I never encountered a single error. There are also
facilities to print the record of moves. All this leads to just about
all the features you could ask for in a version of Othello for a
computer. Several of the menubar options are also supported with
keystroke equivalents.
Help is also provided with the aid of Hypertext, full documentation is
in this format and all the options are described using Hypertext.
//// Conclusion
Visually, the program is tidy and with background graphics the display
would have to be considered a little better than functional. However
for this type of game this is more than good enough. Sound is
non-existent, but again this game does not need any sound.
Gamewise this plays a very good game of Othello, and when I say this I
mean very good! This can be one of the program's weakest points
however when playing the computer. Even with the moves ahead set to
one, and the time to think set to a minimum you'll still if a novice
need a lot of practice to beat the computer. I have managed to beat it
a few times on the odd occasion but you do have to concentrate on the
possible outcomes of every move available to you.
Most fun can be derived in two player mode, and this is where I found
the game more entertaining, battling against a human opponent. Other
than to see how the computer thinks and for a demo of the game,
computer versus computer serves little purpose and isn't very
entertaining.
The option to save is good if you are taking your time and battling it
out against the computer on a harder level. The game was designed to
play the strongest game it could and this is the only problem with the
current version. There is no adjustable level of skill as such for the
computer, or no beginner level.
//// Overall
If your looking for a game of Othello you could do a lot worse than to
look at Stello v2, although a little hard, in two player it can be
fun. I'd recommend this and look out for the future versions.
Rating 83%
//// Future
As I write this the finishing touches should have been done to the
next version. The next version makes all options available from the
keyboard and will have levels of difficulty introduced making it
easier for the novice. Keep an eye out for this available at various
FTP sites.
--==--==--==--==--
||| "From a saved backup...."
||| By: Ron Whittam
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Keep it going.
In this column I hope to foster communication and support for 8-bit
and ST computer owners... presenting a positive and directive
approach. This will help to strengthen the users group base and
encourage the executive element.
If you have a question you would like me to answer, or a topic you
would like to see covered; send me an Email!
I am sick and tired of people telling me the Atari ST is a dead
computer. The PC-XT is dead, the PC-AT is close to its demise, even
the PC-386 is showing signs of age. With the speed and power of the
PC-486 and PC-Pentium (not to mention the PowerPC) developers are
leaving these dinosaurs behind. NOT SO WITH THE ATARI ST! Atari
developers are still producing new Atari software that runs very well
on the Atari 1040ST c. 1985. While I have added a hard drive (20MB)
and a memory expansion board (4MB), my Atari ST is doing fine. I still
use the orginal Atari mouse. I got a cordless mouse, but after
changing the batteries once too often (I use it a lot), I came back to
the original... it just feels right. Its a good computer. And it is
ALIVE and WELL.
I have a few friends that have computers. Most of them have Atari
computers (because I met them at the Atari Boise Users Group). A few
have other computers. I often get into discussions about computers. I
get a lot of interesting answers when I ask what they DO with their
computers. The Atari owners tend to use it daily. I get the response
"I rarely turn it off." On the other hand those owning other computers
usually scratch their heads and then list the programs they own (often
with pride). They don't actually use any of them, except one or two.
They write letters, or teach their kids typing. They have an
encylopedia on a CD-ROM that they have not used since the day the set
up the CD-ROM.
Granted, there are a lot of computer owners (of other computers) that
really do use them for more then just writing letters or playing
games. Some of us (including myself) use them in our jobs. But using
the computer in the home isn't done the way the TV advertisements
would have us believe.
For example two of my friends are in a similar line of work. They are
sub-contractors. One is a plumber and the other is an electrician.
The plumber has a PC-compatable and the electrician has an Atari ST.
Neither have computer aptitude. Both are mechanical and handy with
hardware tools. Both bid projects and bill for services. Both have a
list of clients and suppliers. Both work long hours. And both bought a
computer to help them do their business better. The plumber created a
bid sheet in a Lotus Works spreadsheet. Very impressive spreadsheet.
But when I last checked, it was easier to use a pencil, paper, and a
calculator. He has Intuit's Quicken for his finances. But the last I
checked, his wife was using it for her household checking account.
On the other hand, the electrician is using CARDFILE for keeping track
of his accounts, K-spread for doing bid sheets, and ProText for
writing letters, (not sure what he uses for billing). He also uses an
Atari finance program to keep track of his expenses. He has Warp9 and
a host of utilities. He also uses a Computer Aided Design (CAD)
program to design wiring layouts for his projects. Based on these
examples, I learned that the Atari is not just easier to learn and
use; it is less expensive to operate. The supporting hardware and
operating system cost a lot less then other computers, and the
application software is reasonably priced for the average person.
The recent developments of SCSI connections via the DMA port or
parallel port allow the Atari ST to use CD-ROMs, tape drives, large
hard drives, and other SCSI devices. The Atari also leaped into the
multi-tasking arena with NeoDesk 4 and Geneva by Gribnif. These
products provide a 3-D user interface with mutlitasking in a windowed
environment. Other similar products are surfacing from Europe, like
the Magix desktop and others. Amazingly, these products run on an
Atari ST.
As you anticipate the future of Atari, look at the top-flight
developers. Programs are being developed that get the job done. A
recent advertisement on TV made the statement that there were only two
types of computer choices. Not so. The Atari is THE computer choice of
many of us. We arn't just die-hards, we know when we have a good thing
and we use it. My MICRON Pentium 90MHz PCI computer in most every way
is superior and more innovative (in 1994) then my Atari 1040ST of
1984, but I still gravitate to the ease of use and solid productivity
of my Atari.
It seems that I continue to hear comments, here and there, from other
users that the Atari ST is still a good computer. Here is a letter I
received recently from the Internet:
Hello,
I got your address from the AEO magazine. I am the owner of an
Atari 1040ST for the second time. The first time was when it was
new and just introduced to the market years ago. A couple of years
later I sold it for $300 after paying over $1000 for it new and
bought a 386 IBM clone which led to my current fully loaded 486-66
multimedia PC. I had to get the ST though for 2 reasons; 1.
Nostalgia & 2. It was only $50.
I cleaned it up and it looks new and, after replacing the mouse,
works like new.
[Note: I took the liberty to delete portions of this letter. Kevin
also asked for some information and a newsletter to be sent to him. I
will be responding to him via the Internet, as well as, sending him an
ABUG Newsletter. Any user groups in the San Diego area? Please drop me
a note and I will put you in contact with Kevin. - RBW].
Thank you.
Kevin Stiles
Another strong point the Atari computer has going for it is the Atari
owners and, predominately, the user group. There have been many
efforts over the years to bring user groups together. There are small
and large associations of user groups across the nation. One way to
keep in touch with other groups is through sharing newsletters. I
would like to discuss both of these areas in AEO during 1995. If your
user group is connected to another by some loose or close tie, please
drop me Email (see methods below). Also, if your user group exchanges
newsletters (or would like to), send me your exchange address in an
Email message. I will publish it in a future issue of AEO.
1. Send info on newsletter exchange.
2. Send info on "Atari" BBS phone numbers.
3. Send info on Atari Users Group addresses and meeting times.
"An empty Email box is an empty Email box." -ANON
Until next time. . .
Ron Whittam is a Customer Support Specialist for a small software firm
in Boise, Idaho; and the President of the Atari Boise Users Group. He
can be contacted on GEnie (EXPLORER.4), on the Internet at
<r.whittam@genie.geis.com>, or on ApC BBS (208-362-1790).
--==--==--==--==--
||| The Unabashed Atariophile
||| By: Michael R. Burkley
/ | \ Delphi: MRBURKLEY GEnie: M.BURKLEY1
----------------------------------------------------------------
This is surely going to be my shortest Unabashed Atariophile article
to date. I have been incredibly busy with church work and vacation
(driving 1506 miles in six days and visiting family in four different
States drove me to another state - exhaustion!). I've been spending a
lot of time online, but a lot of it visiting people and downloading
files rather than writing descriptions. I'm sure you know all about
being busy. Time seems to be the item we all have in the shortest
supply. That being so, I'll quit my introduction and get on with the
file descriptions!
[] 15EAGLES is a color TIFF (.TIF) picture created from a
color-scanned photo of 2 F-15E Strike Eagles. They are in close
formation with weapons visible. Not compressed because of no size
savings! Delphi.
[] 15EOUTLN is a set of five .IMG line art drawings of the F-15E
fighter jet (one being the F-15 logo). Scanned at 300 dpi using
TouchUp from MyGraph. Very nicely done. Delphi.
[] AMTERM43 is the Amateur radio packet terminal program by Alan
Lennon of Northern Ireland (dated Jan 2, 1993). This terminal program
for HAM radio/Atari ST--TT users is full-featured and well documented.
When used with the MSTe/TT it uses the Modem 1 port. It requires at
least one meg of RAM. This version adds the ability to automatically
pickout call signs and addresses from your messages and store them in
a database for future use. The program allows you to auto-forward
files, do YAPP up/down file transfering, HF/VHF, and more. It hasn't
been tested on a Falcon. Delphi.
[] ASN_EDIT by Dirk Sabiwalsky is v.1.0 of his program which will
allow you to edit GDOS ASSIGN.SYS files - automatically! It will
create the ASSIGN.SYS file, check for font ID conflicts, display the
fonts so you can see them, and more. It will work with all GDOS fonts
and you can use it to add them to your SpeedoGDOS setup. Docs in
German with a not very useful English "translation." Delphi.
[] BASA2GFA by Myeck Waters (dated Aug. 24, 1994) is a GFA Basic v.3
program (in .GFA form) which will help you translate PC BASICA
programs from the PC world into GFA v.3. Output is in the form of a
text file that is loaded into GFA using the MERGE function. This will
not produce a completed translation but will greatly shorten the time
needed to do it. Delphi.
[] BLEND is a file containing two .TIF format pictures created using
the new Blend Module for Calamus SL. A text file telling about the
module is also included. The Blend Module is a tool for creating
raster graphic areas with gradient fill patterns. Choose between two
types of blends; linear and circular. Within each type of blend there
are a number of user-definable options for creating various styles of
blends. Delphi.
[] BRAHMS01 is "Variations on a Theme" by Paganini: Johannes Brahms,
Book 1, OP 35. This is a piano solo arranged by Damon Atkinson.
Delphi.
[] BRAHMS02 is a MIDI file compiled by Damon Atkinson. This file is
from the second book of variations on a theme by Paganini, from
Johannes Brahms. To listen to this you will need a sequencer that
accepts standard MIDI files and a MIDI compatable tone generator of
some sort (maybe a piano-like one? <g>). An interesting doc file
included. Delphi.
[] CLAV2R1 is CLA Logic v.2.0 release 1 (beta4) by Craig Graham and
Peter Brooks-Johnson (dated Dec. 5, 1993). CLA Logic is a Logic
Circuit Design & Simulation software that is intended as a tool to
enable fast prototyping of digital circuits. The design part of the
package (perhaps a bad description, as design & simulation are
completely integrated) supports the standard set of logic gates
(american style). The integrated simulation section of the program can
be accessed at any time and provides interactive use of the circuit,
with Logic scope analysis, "live" indicator bulbs, active logic
probes, etc. The whole enviroment is graphical, using icons & windows
to produce & simulate the design. GDOS or SpeedoGDOS required for
printing. At least 640x400 (ST High or better), two meg of RAM, a
double sided (but only if you can format 850K disks) or hard drive
required. Shareware. ST--Falcon, MultiTOS and Geneva compatible.
Delphi.
[] DATACHRI by Ron Stein is a short story entitled, "Data's First
Christmas." I thought this was a very interesting story about Data's
investigations into "The Christmas Spirit." Data while wondering just
how one goes about getting this spirit learns that "it is more blessed
to give than to receive." I really liked it! Delphi.
[] DMJFNTS2 is a set of twelve smooth and sharp fonts by Damien M.
Jones (the author of View II, SoundLab, and much more). Versions for
Warp 9 and NVDI are included, color and mono screens. He uses them all
the time. You might like them too! Delphi.
[] ESSCD63 is ESS-Code v.6.3, the MIME-Encoding/Decoding,
UUE/UUDecoding utility (and BTOA, and SHIP files, too) by Michel
Forget of Electric Storm Software (the programmer of MasterBrowse, an
excellent desktop text SHOW replacement and general file viewer - see
MB49BIN). This file (dated Nov. 11, 1994) will allow you to quickly
(very) and easily (it uses GEM with keyboard shortcuts to everything
and more) convert binary files to ASCII text files or return ASCII
text files to their original binary state (you can also run it as a
TOS program by itself or in conjunction with an archive shell).
This version support the MIME conversion method which is rapidly
replacing all other conversion methods. ESS-Code can now handle
MIME-Encode/MIME-Decode requests from the operating system, or when
ESS-Code is called as an installed application. This will allow you to
both send and receive binary files (non-text files) through the
InterNET using the most compatible methods! It includes an expanded
command line interface for those of you who like such things, and the
manual can now be read online. Compatible with TOS 1.0 through Falcon
and MultiTOS (Geneva, too), with online help (through ST Guide), and
much more. The author has put a lot of work into this program. Color
or mono up to any Falcon resolution. Shareware (register this and you
get an optimized and personalized version of this program, free
registered versions of MasterBrowse and his other shareware programs
and $5 in coupon discounts from Suzy B's Software!). Delphi.
[] FARMER DUNK is two very interesting (and difficult) files which
give you a word puzzle and its solution in PageStream format. It is
called the "Farmer Dunk" puzzle, and you have to find out the age of
Farmer Dunk's mother-in-law using a series of clues in the puzzle.
There are some hints for solving it (along with the complete
solution), but you will still have to warm up your engineering, math,
and logic skills (unless you want to cheat and read the solution!).
This is a challenge! Put into PageStream format by Barry Poston.
Delphi.
[] GHOSTLNK is a program which allows your ST--Falcon to read and
write to any drive on an IBM PC (but not the other way around).
Unfortunately it doesn't allow you to run your programs from the IBM
hard drive (next version!). It requires a NULL modem cable from your
ST to the PC. It works! Delphi.
[] HAM_LOG by Wendell Hanson (W7JIR) is a HAM radio log book for the
ST--TT (maybe Falcon?). If you are a HAM radio operator you can record
all your ongoing discoveries with this program. I don't know enough
about HAM radio to tell you more. It works with my TOS 1.62 and Geneva
Color system (I haven't checked it with mono, but it looks like it
should work in that as well). Docs included. Delphi.
[] MB49BIN is MasterBrowse v.4.9 by Michel Forget of Electric Storm
Software (dated January 1, 1995). Master Browse is an EXCELLENT
program which completely replaces the desktop's SHOW routine for any
ST--Falcon. It will allow you to search, mark blocks of text (a new
easier way to do this in v.4.5), cut and paste using the Atari
Clipboard, print out your selected text(s) in a multiplicity of ways,
and piles more features (in part the docs are so extensive simply
because there are so many features! If you want a text file viewer to
do something, this probably already has that feature!).
MasterBrowse can be configured to call an alternate viewer for special
types of files, such as pictures or sound files. It is _Fast_ and
smooth, and can take full advantage of GDOS/SpeedoGDOS, the features
of MultiTOS, MultiGEM, Mag!X, and Geneva, as well as the alternative
desktops such as NeoDesk, TeraDesk, and Gemini. Another nice feature
is that MB supports Peter Seitz' View Protocol, which allows other
programs to instruct MB to display a file instead of using their own
default viewers.
A REALLY nice feature new in this version is that MB will emulate the
TOS 1.4 Item Selector for all of you TOS 1.0 and 1.2 users out there.
Keyboard (he deleted the user configurable feature in this version,
but it will be coming back in the future) or mouse controlled. Online
help (using the ST-Guide .ACC). It has an easy-to-use installation
program. Shareware ($15). SUPPORT SHAREWARE AUTHORS! (If you register
this program you get a $5 credit from Suzy B's Software). Color or
mono. This will work on floppy or hard drive systems. Delphi.
[] MINT112B, MINT112D, and MINT112S are the binary (program),
nocumentation (really just for the programmer, not much in it helped
me), and the source files for MiNT v.1.12 from Eric R. Smith (released
Nov. 17, 1994). If you have MultiTOS you can just pop the MINTNP.PRG
into your AUTO folder and you're set. If you use MiNT with MultiTOS
you will be able to multitask several GEM programs. Without MultiTOS
MiNT will allow you to run one GEM program and several TOS/TTP
programs. This version is not officially supported by anyone,
according to the author, but is you are presently using MiNT or
MultiTOS I would recommend that you get this, as I've heard that it's
much improved over previous versions. Delphi.
[] MORSEMAG is MorseMagic! v.1.81 by Steve P. Reed (dated 1988). This
program is really two programs in one package. First, there is a handy
Morse practice utility which allows you to control the letters
(numbers, punctuation) you wish to practice, the speed of practice,
the tone of the code, the interval between characters, and much more.
Secondly, there is a unique Morse code tutorial that teaches you Morse
code, in 21 modules. Excellent docs included. Color or mono. This is
the best Morse Code program I've seen. It helps you along in such
small steps (the size of which are really configurable by you) that
you want to keep learning because you keep succeeding! Shareware.
ST--STE and Geneva compatible (at least). Just recently uploaded to
Delphi.
[] M_READ25 is Mountain Reader II v.2.5 (MRII) by Anthony Watson
(dated Nov. 27, 1994). The author continues to improve his work,
again! MR II is a message reader for the Atari which allows you to
use both QWK and Bluewave message formats. This allows you to call up
any BBS which supports either of those formats, download all the
messages which you have previously indicated you desire. That saves a
lot of time and money for you right there, but there's more. MRII
allows you to _answer_ all of those messages offline, composing them
"just so" and then uploading them all as a packet which the BBS then
distributes appropriately. Now that saves A LOT of time and money! It
features a 3-D interface, an internal editor with clipboard support
(or use your favorite external editor), a hypertext help system,
offline conference configuration, user lockouts, full bulletin support
with ANSI emulation, offline file requests, and much more.
This demo version is only limited in that you cannot save your
configuration files. Docs and online help included. Shareware.
Requires at least one meg of RAM (two is better). Floppy or hard drive
(Hard Drive is MUCH better!). ST--Falcon and Geneva/MultiTOS/Speedo
GDOS compatible. Any res greater than ST Low. The author provides
excellent and active support of his shareware. Contact him with a
problem and he will fix it! Delphi.
[] MUTT02 by Wally is a Warp 9 8x16 font for monochrome displays
especially designed for readability and use. Using this will give you
fine and yet distinct letters on screen. Delphi.
[] PGP261ST is "Pretty Good Privacy" version release 2.6.1 by Phil
Zimmermann (dated mid 1994). This is basically a bug fix of version
2.6. PGP, short for Pretty Good Privacy, is a public key encryption
package; with it, you can secure messages and data files you transmit
against unauthorized reading and digitally sign them so that people
receiving them can be sure they come from you. The keying is very
secure and efficient. Excellent docs which explore both the theory and
practice of public encryption. I would recommend this file just for
them. English, French, and Spanish help files are included (all docs
are in English).
Unfortunately, due to an extremely stupid law by the United States
Government this program cannot be sent (legally) outside of the US by
anyone within the country. Of course, you can get it anywhere outside
of the US (it's on the Internet, which is accessed world-wide), but if
you aren't within the US, don't bother ordering this file because we
can't send it to you. Dumb! I really doubt our national security is in
danger! And the funny thing about this is that the ST--Falcon
compatible version of this program was compiled by a German (Harald
Denker) in Germany and then imported into the US. It's still illegal
to export it! Delphi.
[] PCXF30 is a press release for Darek Mihocka's PC Xformer v.2.5.
This is his Atari 800XL Emulator for MS-DOS Compatible PCs. His PC
Xformer v.3.0 is the Atari 130XE Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs.
He used to have a ST version of Xformer, but he has forbidden anyone
(PD distributors or otherwise - he's even pulled it off of GEnie
according to a letter to me) to distribute it (though that hasn't
stopped it from circulating, alas). He says (in a letter to me), "ST
Xformer is dead. Kill it. Bury it." He doesn't want ANY of his Quick
Utilities shareware programs distributed anymore, either. That's too
bad, because they're nice programs! I wish he would just release them
as freeware, but.... Anyway, PC Xformer v.2.5 and 3.0 are excellent
commercial products!
[] PRIV8_IS is a Type 1 MIDI file of the song "Private Eyes" by Hall
and Oates. It was sequenced on a Falcon030 using EditTrack Platinum.
Delphi.
[] PSSLIB2 is PSSLIB v.2.0 for the Yamaha Patch Editor/Librarian for
the Yamaha Portasound Series 480/680 FM Synthesizer by Mike
Silverstein (dated May 7, 1994). This fully functional E/L is GEM
based and is very easy to use. It now features keyboard and mouse
control, support for the Custom Drummer, import/export of SYSEX files
and messages, and more. It include LHA v.1.3 by Roger Burrows (docs
and everything) for compressing the patches you create. This used to
be a limited Shareware demo, but the author has now released the
fully-working (and enhanced) version to us all! ST/STe and Falcon
compatible (maybe TT, too). Color or mono. Full (interesting) docs
included. Delphi.
[] RSVE_E1 is RSVE by Harun Scheutzow (the author of HSMODA4). RSVE
(dated July 4, 1994) makes it possible to use higher line speeds than
19200 Baud over the serial port Modem1. The supported baud rates are
38400, 57600, and 115200 (though these last two are not recommended
for unaccelerated ST's). This file comes with complete English and
German docs detailing (with .IMG files) the procedures for the PCB
layout and FAL (Gate Array Logic) programming for this system.
Shareware. Delphi.
[] SPEEDOM2 is Speed-o-meter v.2 by Erin Matthew Monaco (dated 1994).
This is "The multitasker's speed gauge" and it allows you to
accurately judge the effects of the variety of programs you run on
your system. This version has been improved for greater compatibility
with other programs and a number of other "tweaks." It will run in a
single-tasking mode (just see how much moving your mouse around slows
up your bare system!) or with Geneva or MultiTOS. By playing around
with this the author has found a number of ways of speeding up his
system by quick and easy means (I'll let you read the docs to find out
about them!). Shareware. ST--Falcon compatible. Erin has also written
a lot of other programs, Blitzschnesll v.1.47 being the first to come
to mind (BLITZ147). Delphi.
[] SSAM108 is SuperSam, the Superb Sample Editor, v.1.08 by Daniel
Hastings (dated 2nd half of 1994). This save disabled Shareware sample
editor for the Falcon030 allows you to digitally store sounds on disk
(in a slew of different formats), and edit them in a variety of ways
including reversing them to play them backwards, cutting and pasting,
combining multiple sounds and many more functions. I counted at least
30 features before I quit! Geneva and MultiTOS compatible, this looks
to be an excellent program! Registration brings a key for the complete
program (this demo version also limits D2D to files of 800K or less).
Superb docs included (I guess it goes along with the name!). Delphi.
[] STALK303 is the mid-Dec. 1994 patch program from Gribnif Software
which will update the original (and unmodified) disk of STalker v.3.02
to v.3.03. A newer patch program which will take your v.3.03 STalker
to v.3.04, is now out I understand, but I think you still need this
patch before you use that. I use STalker all the time online (and I'm
online a lot!). I think this upgrade it great! A lot of minor changes
and bug fixes are included. For Delphi users a great benefit is that
now Z-Modem downloads may be restarted after an interruption. Get
this if you have STalker v.3.02 (there is a free patch program for
v.3.00 to 3.01 upgrades and you can upgrade versions previous to that
directly from Gribnif). Delphi.
[] STENO210 is a patch program from Gribnif Software which will update
your original and unmodified STeno v.2.00 disk to STeno v. 2.10 (dated
mid-December, 1994). A newer patch which will take your STeno v.2.10
to v.2.11 is now out, I understand (though I haven't gotten it). You
will still need this patch in order to use that new one (I think). I
use STeno all the time and I'm glad for this update. There are lots of
added features to this new version of STeno, making a great program
even better. If you have STeno 2.00, get this! If you have a previous
version of STeno you really need to upgrade! Contact Gribnif in that
case. Delphi.
[] STBALL16 is v.1.6 of STarBall by Dave Oldcorn. This is perhaps the
best pinball game I have ever seen! I recommend it to you highly. The
play area is three screens high (with three sets of flippers), and
there's a lot of action, surprize bonuses, and much more! The scene is
in outer space and as you play the pinball game you are forming a
starfighter (by hitting all the objects about, gaining points, and in
general, surviving!). The controls really work (meaning you can
control the direction of the ball by skillful use of the paddles). The
graphics and sound are excellent.
If you have a Falcon, the game is even better, as it will allow you to
play .MOD files in the background and display 50 frames per sec for
ultra smooth operation (you can also get the 50 fps with an
accelerated ST - great!). There are three levels of play with three
amazing bonus levels and one "amazing secret barking mad bonus
screen." This version fixes the bug when running from a Hard drive (on
some machines), you can save your scores, and more. ST (even a 512K
machine)-Falcon compatible. Docs included. Get this! Shareware. An
excellent sound file for this game for STE, TT, and Falcon users may
be found in STARBLFX. Delphi.
[] STARBLFX is a new set of sounds for STarball (dated Sept. 11,
1994), that great space pinball game by Dave Oldcorn (see STBALL16).
To use these sounds you must has an STE, TT or Falcon. The samples are
12.5kHz and 6.25kHz, some of them are terrible, most of them are
average, a couple are brilliant. They are a definite addition to this
shareware game. Delphi.
[] SVKP0_1 is Sircware VK Pro by Chris Brookes (dated July 24, 1994).
This virus killer program (freeware for the nonce) recognises 61
bootsector viruses, several different Link viruses -and- repairs Link
virus infected programs. The author has promised updates (he has great
plans) but only if you contact him and comment about the program
(unrecognized boot sectors gratefully received). Docs (with an
interesting file name!) included. Delphi.
Gee, maybe this wasn't such a small "Unabashed Atariophile" article
after all!
Take care!
All of these files can be found on one or more of the following
on-line services: Delphi (MRBURKLEY), GEnie (M.BURKLEY1) The CodeHead
BBS (818) 980-6763), Toad Computers BBS (410-544-6999), and at Toad
Hall, now the official BBS of the Boston Computer Society
(617-567-8642) (as Michael R. Burkley).
Drop me a line!
Michael lives in Niagara Falls, NY. He is a former Polyurethane
Research Chemist and is presently the pastor of the Niagara
Presbyterian Church.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Developing news!
||| Items of interest from TOS platform developers and supporters
/ | \ -------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// ATARI SAFARI '95 Feb 18, 1995
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The fifth annual ATARI SAFARI '95 will be held in HOUSTON at the
Ramada Hotel on February 18, 1995. The show is sponsored by HACE.
Hours are 10:00 AM til 6:00 PM.
Admission: $4.00 ($1.00 for kids under 12 yrs of age)
Sales Tables: $20.00
Houston ATARI SAFARI'95 The Ramada Hotel is at 7787 Katy Freeway.
(Interstate 10) between Antoine and Silber.Everyone is invited to the
5th annual Atari Safari. This will be the largest gathering of Atari
Users in Texas and surrounding states.
Primarily a vendor show, vendors will include Binary Sounds, COMPO,
ChroMagic Software Innovations, Clear Thinking, DMJ Software, It's All
Relative, Oregon Research Associates, Systems For Tomorrow, TOAD
Computers, and Trace Technologies in addition to local individual's
tables.
There will also be Atari User Groups with demos and PD/Shareware
software sales.
Free 8-bit or ST software with registration. And hourly door prizes!
ATARI SAFARI '95.
Additional information or table reservations (by 2/10/95):
HACE BBS (713) 458-9923
George Iken (713) 493-0122
Bill Kithas (713) 855-0815
HACE,
PO Box 820335
Houston, TX 77282-0335
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// An Open Letter
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
To: John Stewart
President of MajicSoft
348 Meredith Square
Columbia, SC 29223 (Last known home address)
(803) 788-8177 (MajicSoft phone number)
Micro Computer Depot
714 Bultman Drive
Colony Square
Sumter, SC 29150 (Last known work address)
(803) 775-5165 (Last known work phone number)
From your affiant: Dave Munsie
5601 Ammons
Haltom City, TX 76117
(817) 485-9293
This is a notice from your affiant to MajicSoft to clear up any
misunderstanding about property ownership of software experiences
designed by your affiant.
As of June 16th, 1994 the contract between your affiant and MajicSoft
was dissolved due to the fact that when your affiant moved to South
Carolina to continue further development with MajicSoft and soon after
due to a lack of sufficient financial earnings, MajicSoft ceased any
and all compensation to affiant what so ever resulting in severe
duress, eventually leading to your affiant (and family) being served
an eviction notice from the county of Richland, State of South
Carolina, Civil Case# H004859-940741.
As a result of this notice affiant has taken the time to remove any
questionable software experiences designed by affiant that may fall
under ownership of MajicSoft PRIOR to June 16th, 1994 from two public
file transfer services; GEnie, Delphi.
The software experiences designed by affiant in question are:
ST Invaders
Kid_GP
Frogger
Kid_Kong
Evader
Dark Pearl
Best of Dave Munsie Volume 1 (Only because it has the above games in it)
Dev_Shell
Any software experiences COMPLETED by your affiant AFTER the date
stated herein of June 16th, 1994 was and is the property of your
affiant. Any information to the contrary must be recieved by your
affiant within 30 days of this notice.
To: Any and all Atari related vendors, users.
Re: MajicSoft distribution rights of software designed by Dave Munsie
From: Dave Munsie
5601 Ammons
Haltom City, TX 76117
(817) 485-9293
The following software is the 100% sole property of MajicSoft.
I have no legal ownership of the following software.
M.A.G.E. (MajicSoft Arcade Graphics Engine)
M.A.G.E. Arcade Hits Volume I (And all programs included thereof)
Dev_Shell
Any and all questions relating to these programs should be addressed to:
MajicSoft
348 Meredith Square
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 788-8177
Attn: John Stewart, President of MajicSoft.
--==--==--==--==--
|||
||| Shutdown ........................... Power off, EXIT, BYE, Logoff
/ | \ -----------------------------------------------------------------
We welcome feedback from all of our readers; feedback both positive
and negative. Whatever you think of our efforts, we sincerely would
like to know. Our EMail addresses are sprinkled throughout each
issue - with the new Internet gateway into GEnie, you can reach us
through the Internet also. Append "@genie.geis.com" to any of our
GEnie addresses.
Until the next issue of AEO, I remain,
Your Editor
Travis Guy
Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
--==--==--==--==--
(This issue printed on recycled photons)
--==--==--==--==--
DNFTEC
--==--==--==--==--
No Inflation Necessary
--==--==--==--==--
"Damnit Reggie!"
Sweet As Sugar
--==--==--==--==--
Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a (we try) bi-weekly publication covering
the entire Atari community. Reprint permission is granted, unless otherwise
noted at the beginning of the article, to registered Atari user groups and
not for profit publications under the following terms only: articles must
remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each
article reprinted. Other reprints granted upon approval of request. Send
requests to <aeo.mag@genie.geis.com>. Opinions presented herein are those
of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the
staff, or of the publishers. All material herein is believed accurate at
the time of publishing.
--==--==--==--==--
Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, Mega STE, TT030, Atari Falcon030, TOS, MultiTOS,
NewDesk, BLiTTER, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Jaguar, Atari Portfolio, and
the Atari Fuji Symbol are all trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari
Corporation. All other trademarks and identifying marks mentioned in this
issue belong to their respective owners.
--==--==--==--==--
Atari Explorer Online Magazine
"Your Source for Atari News"
Copyright (c) 1993-1995, Subspace Publishers
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:: Volume 4 - Issue 1 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 16 January 1995 ::
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