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Atari Explorer Online Issue 1994 14
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:: Volume 3, Issue 14 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 18 December 1994 ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: ::
:: ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI ::
:: EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER ::
:: ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE ::
:: ::
:: Published and Copyright (c) 1993-1994 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 ::
:: Atari Asylum ... [Closed] ............... Gregg Anderson ::
:: Unabashed Atariophile .............. Michael R. Burkley ::
:: Atari Artist ............................ Peter Donoso ::
:: User Group Coordinator .................. Ron Whittam ::
:: Jaguar Editor ................... Dimitri M. LaBarge ::
:: ::
:: Contributors: ::
:: """"""""""""" ::
:: Mark Santora, Christian Svensson, 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 ::
:: ::
:: 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 ::
:: ::
:: World Wide Web: http://www.dl.ac.uk/MISC/ATARI/atari.html ::
:: ::
:: Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu ::
:: (Internet subscription requests ONLY!) ::
:: ::
:: AEO is also in file format on the Jaguar Mailing List ::
:: ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Table of Contents
* From the Editors ......................................... Atari Forever!
* "Atari Holiday" RTC ................. Tom Gillen and Dan McNamee guested
at a recent GEnie RTC. Join the
fun, and read along.
* Ron Borta, Back into the Future ........... An interview with one of the
pioneers of silicon gaming.
* Jaguar Tackboard ................ AEO Development List - Press Releases -
Jag Developers Wanted - CatBox manual -
AEO's Top Games - Atari Demo Tape &
T2K Soundtrack CD Order Info -
AvP "Cheat On" Explained.
* Doom ............................. The latest computer classic now rules
console video gaming on the Jag!
* Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding ........... Swish and shred your way
through the powder.
* Checkered Flag ......................... "Gentlemen, start your engines!"
* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.
--==--==--==--==--
||| From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
||| Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, whaddya know? AEO made it out on time for once!
Hello there good readers, and welcome to the final issue of AEO for
1994. Your window on events in the World Atari would like to wish each
and every one of you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, a Nice Day
to Have and just Good Gaming and Atari Computering in general!
Inside, there's lots of Atari news; another GEnie RTC, three new
Jaguar game reviews, an interview with a silicon pioneer ("Dad" is
taking an interest in the industry again), and Michael Burkley's
listing of the latest (and best) PD & Shareware titles for our
computers - all led off by another stellar Atari Artist! (Dimitri's
computer suffered a last minute problem, keeping him from
contributing his column.)
What you won't find as usual, is the Annual Readers' Poll. I've
decided to postpone that, so you have one less thing to do during the
holidays. It'll be in our next issue.
If you've a Jaggie on your Christmas list, drop by the Jaguar
Tackboard and check out the Atari Dealer Demo Tape and Tempest 2000
CD Soundtrack offers from Atari. I have copies of both (I'm listening
to the Tempest Red Level music on my CD right now), and they'll make
"Excellent" stocking stuffers.
The Winter Consumer Electronics Show will take place in Las Vegas
from January 6 - January 9. Look for more exciting Jaguar news to be
formally announced there, like the availability of the Jaguar CD-ROM
for $149, and some new Jaguar games to be shown.
That news, combined with several original titles like the Highlander
series, BattleSphere, and Defender 2000 ("Now with Q-Sound!(tm)") due
out in 1995, and several new retailers, like Sam's Club, Venture and
Toys R Us moving the Jag into mass distribution, it's obvious that
Jaguar is set to pounce.
We'll see you again around then! Take extra care during the long
Holiday season, wish Peace and Love to those of Goodwill, and have a
wonderful time.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Atari Holiday RTC
||| File Courtesy: GEnie Atari Rountables
/ | \ GEnie: JAGUAR$, ST$
------------------------------------------------------------------
=========================================================================
(C) 1994 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May
be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on
GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign
up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection
type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE
and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information.
==========================================================================
Wednesday Night Real Time Conference
December 14, 1994
Host - Mike Allen
Guest Speakers - Dan McNamee
Tom Gillen
<Host Mike> On behalf of the Atari ST Roundtable, I welcome all of you to
this Atari Holiday Round Table Conference. Tonight I would like to
welcome Dan McNamee and Tom Gillen of Atari.
-------------------------------------------------------
Before getting started, some businlness about how an RTC works. While
the RTC room is in Listen-Only mode, you can only address our guest
when I let you talk.
To get my attention, just /RAIse your hand. Just enter this from your
keyboard: /rai
I'll acknowledge your raised hand as soon as I can, but please be
patient. I -WILL- let you know when your turn is coming up.
To save time you could write your message in advance and upload a
SAVED (ASCII) response using your favourite/favorite terminal program
or Aladdin. To upload a text file using Aladdin go under the TERMINAL
menu and hit "Send Text File", then select your previously saved
question.
When you are finished with your question PLEASE use GA. This does not
mean you are gagging, rather:
GA ===> Go Ahead It tells the guest that you are finished.
Some other RTC commands are:
? - Lists all RTC commands.
/sta - Status (list) of everyone in
the RTC room.
/exi - Exit the RTC, but you remain
logged onto GEnie.
/bye - Log off of GEnie directly from
the RTC.
/rai - Raise your hand. Lets me know
you wish to address our guest.
With that out of the way, let us proceed.
Welcome Dan and Tom, do you have a few words to begin this evening RTC?
GA
<You folks can start /RAIsing your hands now.>
<Tom @ Atari> Dan, should I go first?
<Dan @ Atari> yep
<Tom @ Atari> Hi there! My name is Tom Gillen, and the last time I
was part of an RTC, I was the Manager of the test department. Well
time has moved on, and so have I, into a Sports Producer position for
the Jaguar. I am very excited about the opportunity to help mold a
variety of different sports titles into what I like, and with the help
and input of others, hopefully into titles that they too will enjoy
again and again. I feel that too many of the sports titles currently
out for other systems lack longevity, most importantly in the "fun
factor and addictability" area. My goal is to overcome that hurdle,
and insure that any game that I produce turns out the best it possibly
can, utilizing the awesome power afforded by the Jaguar.
I am relatively new to the position, and am currently working on
Hardball III and a Motocross style game titled Supercross 3D. There
are other Sports titles currently in development, but until I get my
Producer feet all wet, they will be handled by their original
producers, and I might co-produce several of them. I am anxious to
know about what sorts of things you like and dislike about other
Sports titles, and intend to open up some additional message areas in
the Jaguar Roundtable for that very reason. By the way, I really
appreciate all of the responses that I received in the "Football likes
and dislikes" topic in the Jaguar category (CAT 26, TOP 45); they were
VERY helpful, and I will update you on the subject when I am able to,
I promise!!
Having been out of the test department for a little while now, I am
going to leave most of the non-sports related questions to Dan, though
I will be happy to help out if I can! GA
<Host Mike> Thanks Tom. Your turn Dan. <g> GA
<Dan @ Atari> Hi I'm Dan McNamee. You all should know me by now. ;-)
I work in the test department, and I was lead tester on both AvP and
Club Drive. Beyond that, I have done at least a little testing on
every game from Tempest 2000 on. GA
<Host Mike> Thanks guys. I want to note that new RTC software is
bneing used.
<Dan @ Atari> And it looks really cool!
<Host Mike> One thing to notice is that when you do a /rai it will
tell you where you are in the queue. repeated /raises will not add
you again until you have had your turn, but it will tell you where you
are in the queue. This is kind of handy if you are getting impatient.
<g>
<Host Mike> First in the Queue is MikeL. ga
<MikeL> Hi Dan & Mike! When can I get my hands on Iron Soldier, KN
and the Ski/snowboard game, and WHEN will there be any RPGs for the
Jag?
<Dan @ Atari> IS should be out any time now I don't have any dates
handy. Kasumi should be very soon as well Probably a couple more
weeks for Kasumi
<Tom @ Atari> As should Val D... I forgot how to type it, SKI should
be too.
<Host Mike> Hey - good news. Any more Mike?
<Dan @ Atari> Val d'Isere, Tom. ;-) RPGs - I certainly hope some will
be comming soon. I LOVE them!
<MikeL> Yeah... When will the stock go above 4.5?
<Tom @ Atari> I would love to tell you, but that is not my area in
which to speak.
<Dan @ Atari> Ask your local psychic? <G>
< Tom @ Atari> GA
<MikeL> Sorry, I use prunes and bran instead
<Host Mike> Hehe well, Next in the queue is KODGER. GA
<Dan @ Atari> GA
<KODOGR> What do I do if I want to submit a game idea to atari? I'm
really glad atari is listening to the people in this forum. Thatll
make a big difference, I'm sure.
<Dan @ Atari> Tom?
<Tom @ Atari> You can submit as detailed a game spec as possible to
either Dan or myself and we can make sure that it is seen by the
appropriate people.
<KODOGR> groovy
<Tom @ Atari> Please do send them in!! Thanks! GA
<KODOGR> and next up is...
<Host Mike> Thanks. Next is Sven, the latest addition to the AEO
staff. GA
<Sven!!!> my question involves the My question involves the Sega
deal... Why hasn't Atari announced them yet? ga
<Tom @ Atari> What do you mean "announced them"?
<Dan @ Atari> I assume you are asking about the 5 titles?
<Sven!!!> exactly
<Dan @ Atari> Those are still being decided upon. It's kind of an
involved process.
<Tom @ Atari> As far as I know, they are not definate yet. There are
some good possibilities in the current list, though. In fact, along
the lines of game ideas, if any of you know of Sega titles that you
think should be done... let us know! GA
<Sven!!!> Is Daytona being considered GA
<Tom @ Atari> Daytona is QUITE cool!
<Sven!!!> Thanks! GA
<Host Mike> Next up is Eric. GA
<Eric> dan - any other secret areas in club drive?
<Dan @ Atari> Yep, there is a whole hidden world.
<Eric> and what's the resolution & frame rate?
<Dan @ Atari> Dedicated Hitchhikers will be able to find it. ;-)
[Ed: Dan was referring to "Planet Todd", named for Todd Powers no
doubt - reached by pressing and holding "4" at the World select
screen, and then pressing "2".]
<Host Mike> Hitchhikers across the Galaxy?
<Dan @ Atari> I'm not sure what the resolution is. I'd guess 320x200,
and the framerate
<Eric> how bout a hint? we've found the dino, castle & hQ... ga
<Dan @ Atari> varies depending on the number of objcets onscreen,
nuimber of players, etc.
<Dan @ Atari> Mike> ;-) Eric> I DID give a hint. ;-)
<Eric> yea.. thanks...:-)
<Dan @ Atari> GA
<Tom @ Atari> Dan, is that something that he might find on the hint
line?
<Dan @ Atari> Tom> I'll have to check on that.
<Host Mike> OK - thanks. Next is Brian Harvey who REALLY should be
hosting this RTC. <grin> ga, Brian
<Brian> First, I wish to thank Mike for hosting this RTC. and I really
appreciate it. OK, next year seems to be the year, according to the
media, for the 64 bits SEGAS and Nitendos. I am sure this must make
ATARI concerned. Can you give us any hints of what ATARI has planned
to compete with them. That is, why should I buy an ATARI JAGUAR???
<Dan @ Atari> Lots of games available.
<Host Mike> lots of GOOD games!
<Dan @ Atari> Sega will have to deal with not having a lot of titles
just like Atari did.
<Tom @ Atari> From what we have seen so far, we are certainly able to
compete with, and likelydo better things with the Jaguar than on those
systems.
<Dan @ Atari> As for Nintendo, I've heard the U64 is delayed yet
again, but even if it is not, they will have a title availability
problem as well. GA
<Brian> Thanks Dan and Tom for making it here. I am all done! GA.
<Tom @ Atari> yes, there are MANY titles in development currently.
<Dan @ Atari> Thanks for showing up Brian.
<Tom @ Atari> Thanks Brian, hope all is well!
<Host Mike> Thanks. ST.Lou is next. ga Lou.
<ST.LOU> Dan and Tom, thanks for being here. It is always great to
have Atari reps in the house. :-)
<Dan @ Atari> No problem, Lou We enjoy being here when we have the
time.
<ST.LOU> I picked up a gaming magazine today and read about the year's
best and worst Unfortunately, it listed the Jaguar launch as the
year's worst because of the scarcity of titles. On the other hand it
raved about the 64 bit engine and the look of the games that have
already made it out. The review picked the Jaguar as the game console
to watch in the new year!
<Dan @ Atari> Hmmm, I would have said 32X personally. At least we
had a title at launch. ;-)
<ST.LOU> I am space invaders junkie so I would like to know what
game(s) are coming that are like Xenon Megablaster!? GA
<Tom @ Atari> I do not blame people for wanting a glut of titles right
off the bat, but that does take time, especially with a newer system,
and then there are plenty. GA
<Dan @ Atari> Hmmm, I can't think of any off hand.
<Tom @ Atari> Realize that there are many 3rd party titles being
worked on that we don;t even hear much, if anything about!
<ST.LOU> OK, what space-type shootemups are there, besides Trevor
McFur.
<Dan @ Atari> There is a 3rd party game being worked on called
something like zzyyoorrxx but we haven't seen it internally yet. GA
<ST.LOU> All right... let's try door number two... how about RACING
car games!? GA
<Tom @ Atari> There is a 3rd party title called F1 Racer that looks
nice, and supports multi-player.
<Dan @ Atari> Checkered Flag. ;-)
<Tom @ Atari> I would like to Produce a really cool racing game
myself, with network capabilities!
<ST.LOU> I would buy such a game. Saves wear and tear on my _real_
cars :-)
<Host Mike> something with the SCCA tracks like Limerock and
Riverside.
<Tom @ Atari> The addiction of competing against my buds is the best!
<Tom @ Atari> Tracks duly noted, thank you.
<ST.LOU> Haha... when do you guys do any work? :-) Before I leave ...
<Dan @ Atari> We never stop! <G>
<Tom @ Atari> If we don't "work", you dont play!
<ST.LOU> I would like to publically thank Don Thomas for his
tremendous assistance in resolving the prizes missing from some of the
Dateline Conferences with Bob Brodie. Don has delivered... in spades!
I love that kind of professionalism. Tell Sam to give him a raise, eh?
GA
<Tom @ Atari> Don is a good man, and I will pass that along to him.
<Dan @ Atari> Good! I'm glad he was able to get that cleared up.
<Host Mike> Amen!
<ST.LOU> Thanks. Thanks, Mike.
<Host Mike> Ok - next up is Carlos. GA Carlos.
<Carlos> Hi, Do you know how Bill Rehbock(sp?, sorry) trip to Japan
went..?? Or is he still there..?? GA
<Dan @ Atari> I don't know if he is back yet. I haven't seen him at
least.
<Tom @ Atari> He is coming back tomorrow, and I therefor I dont know.
<Carlos> Thanks... GA
<Host Mike> Thanks, Carlos. Next to the Mike is Pat. ga pat.
<Pat> Could you discribe any of the CD games that we will see in the
near future? When will the CDROM drive be out??? GA.
<Dan @ Atari> I think the CD is still on target for January as Bill
announced.
<Tom @ Atari> Battlemorph should be along soon, though I do not have a
specific date.
<Host Mike> <The queue is getting short. /rai if you have a
question!>
<Dan @ Atari> Battlemoprh looks AWSOME!
<Dan @ Atari> The FMV intro is GORGEOUS. Better than any FMV I have
seen on any of the other systems.
<Pat> Will there be a good supply of CD games coming out in '95?
<Dan @ Atari> The game itself also looks great. I also got a look at
a VERY preliminary Highlander game, and it looks real good too. The
graphics blow away the cartoon it is based on. ;-)
<Tom @ Atari> You should begin to see many CD games in the coming
year, as I know there is a push to do more of them.
<Dan @ Atari> GA
<Pat> Thanks I look foward to a great gamming on the Jag! ga
<Host Mike> Next up is Travis from AEO! ga Trav
<AEO-Travis> Hi Atari-dudes, we're really glad to have you here with
us for the evening! Tom, as far as Sega titles, I'm partial to World
Series Baseball. Would you say that Hardball III on the Jag will give
WSB a run for the money in terms of realism/action? GA
<Dan @ Atari> Hey Travis
<Host Mike> Trav - how about a FSU vs. Florida game?
<Tom @ Atari> I agree with you about WSB, and yes, if you already like
Hardball, it should give it a run for the money. We are
incorporating as many enhancements as we can into the game
<AEO-Travis> Mike, only if VisorBoy throws and stomps on his hat! ;)
<Tom @ Atari> and keeping in step with the new stadiums/divisions,
etc. It is looking very good, and I am confident that it will do
well. GA
<AEO-Travis> Tom, what about having a Hardball season interrupted by a
player's strike? Ha ha ha. Please ignore that. ;) Seriously, oOne more
question for Tom right now. Can you give out -any- information on
Supercross 3D? Is it slated for CD or cart? Will it have "network
capabilities?" GA and Thanks!
<Dan @ Atari> They just said on the news that the 95 season is
already in jepordy.
<Host Mike> Best thing that ever happened to Major League Baseball,
IMHO.
<Dan @ Atari> I agree
<AEO-Travis> Hey Dan and Mike, some of us like pastorial pastimes. ;)
<Dan @ Atari> <G>
<Tom @ Atari> Already happened, oh wait that was real life, or was it
a game, I cant tell the difference anymore! Yes,.... no
seriously........ [Supercross 3D] is to be a cart game, with the
possibility of 2nd and 3rd generation versions done on CD, and yes it
should be network-able.
<AEO-Travis> Tom, will it be "photoreaslistic" like games on "other
systems"? GA
<Dan @ Atari> Personally I think the strikes are all a conspiracy by
the game industry to up the sales of sports related games. <G>
<Tom @ Atari> It is going to look very cool, from what I have seen so
far, with much texture mapping, and digitizing possible.
<Host Mike> Ok - next up is our very own Charlie. GA Charlie
<Charlie> Hi Dan & Tom! Nice to have you here. I know this may be
outside your knowledge, but I want to ask if you know the number of
Jag's shipped to Japan for Christmas? A big deal was recently made of
Japanise sales in, I think, a NY Time article. I'm curious what
penitration of the market you're looking for. It's the one place where
you will be going up against the Playstation and Sega machines early?
<Tom @ Atari> I do not know that type of info, sorry.
<Dan @ Atari> Me either. Sorry.
<Charlie> ugh. and here I thought that was a good question. :-)
<Tom @ Atari> It is a good question,
<Dan @ Atari> I think we should do well over there, though because of
2 games, AvP and IS.
** <Tom @ Atari> disconnected.
<Dan @ Atari> DOH!
<Charlie> hehe. lost Tom
<Host Mike> Oh oh, we lost Tom. You're it Dan!
<Dan @ Atari> Arrgh! ;-)
<Charlie> well, lets try another question then. About Joysticks or
paddles .... Know of any? :-)
<Dan @ Atari> I've seen posts about a 3rd party stick being available,
but I haven't seen one around the office. Also, Alan (COCO - SYSOP)
has been asking some "marketing type" questions about how many people
would buy a $25 paddle controller. So we'll see.
<Charlie> ok, thanks Dan. GA Mike
<Host Mike> Let's try a limit our questions to one apiece. You can
always /rai again after you finish the first question. I'd like to
get through the queue a little more quickly.
<Dan @ Atari> Hey! Lance is here!
<Host Mike> Tom is Back! next up is Harj. GA Harj.
<Harj> Battlemorph & Blue Lightning: Do the distant objects like
mountains, buildings, etc just pop up suddenly like Cybermorph or is
there a smoother transition like Iron Soldier? And do you think the
Jag is even capable of doing a Daytona? GA
<Tom @ Atari> I is back too! Hey Lance!
<Dan @ Atari> Battlemorph is about the same. Maybe a little more
distance on the horizon.
<Tom @ Atari> I don't realistically expect the Jaguar to do Daytona as
you see it in the arcades, but it could come fairly close.
<Dan @ Atari> I haven't seen much of Blue Lightening yet to say for
sure. GA
<Tom @ Atari> The Daytona arcade machine is one big block of Silicon.
<Dan @ Atari> Tom> Lance says Hail to the Chief!
<Host Mike> Ok - next up is Brian again. GA Brian.
<Brian> Hi my name is Brian and I own a SEGA GENESIS. (Pause while
everone say hi Brian). I want a JAGUAR but I am waiting for a few more
games to be released and in particular games that would appeal to my
six and eight year olds. . I am wondering if the JAGAUR will have any
games for this age group. Well, specifically, those 13 and under. GA
<Dan @ Atari> A lot of younger kids do like Crescent Galaxy. Club
Drive is also well liked, and I think everyone will flip for Rayman.
<Tom @ Atari> Yes, I mean games like Dino Dudes and Raiden are fairly
in line with that age group. And there are more in terms of variety
to come.
<Dan @ Atari> Lance says Bubsy!
<Tom @ Atari> Bubsy, ZOOL II, SKI, etc. GA
<Brian> Thanks guys. BTW,a JAG ony comes with one controller right?
Will there me many two player games coming out next year?
<Dan @ Atari> Yes, it comes with one controller.
<Tom @ Atari> Many two player games, and my focus is going to be to
make every multi-player game support the Voice-Modem where possible!
<Dan @ Atari> There should be quite a few 2 player games comming too.
ga
<Host Mike> ok - Next is Sven. GA Sven.
<Brian> Thanks again. GA
<Tom @ Atari> To me, two or more player is where it is at.
<Sven!!!> My question is simple (I think)
<Tom @ Atari> GA
<Sven!!!> Why have no screen shots of Battlemorph been released? It
wasn't even on the promo video? ga
<Tom @ Atari> The producer would have to answer that, I really do not
know. Dan?
<Dan @ Atari> I think the ATD guys are being shy. <G>
<Sven!!!> ok fair enough... thanks! ga
<Host Mike> Next is our own, inimitable Thunderbird! Ga, Doug.
<T-Bird@4Play> With the release of JagDoom and 32Xdoom (lower case
denotes inferiority), is id still hyped up on doing Jaguar Games? I'd
like to see a Doom2 (shouldn't take long with the engine done) and a
CD version with lots of .WAD files! GA.
<Tom @ Atari> ID is far more hyped on the Jaguar than the 32X, from
what I hear.
<Dan @ Atari> Last I heard, iD is still hyped on the Jaguar.
<Tom @ Atari> We are still working with ID.
<Dan @ Atari> We should see a lot more from them for the Jag.
<T-Bird@4Play> Cool.... BTW on another topic... who's idea was "Club
Drive"?
<Dan @ Atari> Todd Powers I think.
<Tom @ Atari> The programmer's idea.
<T-Bird@4Play> And just what good are snub fighters going to be
against THAT? ;-)
<Dan @ Atari> ;-)
<Tom @ Atari> HA!
<T-Bird@4Play> (Star Wars is on USA now with JagDoom ads galore) in
case anyone wants to tune in.
<Tom @ Atari> That is what I like to hear!
<Host Mike> T-Bird - quit watching TV and program!!
<T-Bird@4Play> I'm can do both! oops I just can't spell.
<Host Mike> Ok, next up is MikeL GA Mike.
<MikeL> Thanks! Who at ATari is responsible for choosing the music
to go with the games? I compose music as a hobby and have some stuff
that's appropriate for games. Just curious...
<Host Mike> < /raises are gratefully accepted. >
<Tom @ Atari> The producer has a big say in that, but for general
composing queries, contact James Grunke, director of music. If you
had some music that you thought might be appropriate for a specific
game, you could send it to me. I am a musician, and would love to
hear (critique) it! GA
<MikeL> Thanks Tom ga
<Host Mike> Ok thanks. Next is Pat. ga pat.
<Pat> Whats up with Tiny Toons? Will that ever make it out or will it
suffer the same fate as Eye of the Beholder on the Lynx and never come
out? GA.
<Tom @ Atari> Tiny Toons is still in development, and getting close to
the test dept, I bet.
<Dan @ Atari> Tiny Toons is comming along froim what I hear. It
hasn't hit test yet, but it should soon. ga
<Tom @ Atari> GA
<Pat> ga
<Tom @ Atari> GA, GA
<Host Mike> Thanks - next is travis again.
<AEO-Travis> This is for Dan and Tom (and Lance, if he's around). What
game out of the next batch of Jag games would you buy if you could
only buy one? GA
<Tom @ Atari> Hardball III of course!
<Dan @ Atari> Lance says he would buy Iron Soldier. Hmmm, tough.
<AEO-Travis> Tom, out of the Xmas batch. ;)
<Dan @ Atari> I think I would buy IS also.
<Host Mike> Family Feud?
<Tom @ Atari> I love IS, probably IS. Though if you love Sonic type
games, ZOOL II and BUBSY are very good.
<AEO-Travis> Okay one more and I'll shut up. (Ha!) Will either of you
be at WCES next month? How much better do you feel Atari's showing
will be compared to last summers? GA
<Dan @ Atari> I HOPE I will get to go to WCES.
<Tom @ Atari> I will be there, and I was not at the last one, so I
cant really compare, but..
<Dan @ Atari> I've always wanted to go to one.
<AEO-Travis> Me too. :/
<Tom @ Atari> I have seen a large, impressive list of games to be
shown, so I will hope for the best.
<Host Mike> Ok, last before we go informal is John B. GA John.
<John B.> Recently on line, there have been posts describing a Lynx
promotion advertized by a chain store. The special was a Lynx game
machine with 4 bundled games for the price of 69.95 Seemed like a
great Christmas present so I contacted to Atari Dealers to see if I
could buy the unit. They both told me Atari had not made the deal
available to it's computer dealers.
1. Why does Atari persist in alianating it's few existing dealers.
2. Who could we petition for Atari to open some sort of on line store
so we could buy directly here on GEnie.
<Tom @ Atari> Petition Don Thomas, he could do something in that area.
<John B.> Don Thomas, ok
<Tom @ Atari> I do not make those decisions, and therefor, I do not
alienate, nor condone alienating our dealers.
<Host Mike> John - Don's GEnie EMail name is ATARI.
<John B.> Tom, note I never you said you did, I said "Atari" :-) Could
I ask one more?
<Host Mike> sure
<Tom @ Atari> I know, I just feel your frustration, and wish I could
do more!
<John B.> A little while ago there was a post by Bill Rehbok stating
that Medusa systems had received the terms for licensing TOS from
Atari but had not signed and returned the contract. Also Wizztronics
which was to release a Falcon accelerator was also sent a licensing
agreement which they stated they would not sign. No one mentions
which TOS versions are being discussed.
Which versions of TOS are available for licensing?
a. TOS 2.06
b. TOS 3.06
c. TOS 4.xx
<Dan @ Atari> C As far as I know.
<Host Mike> all of the above?
<Tom @ Atari> me too.
<John B.> Ah..thanks. So TOS 3.06 is still for no one to have?
<Tom @ Atari> Though, to get the best answer, call Atari directly, and
ask Don Thomas, he should be able to find out for sure.
<John B.> Thanks.
<Host Mike> I wish to thank you, Dan and Tom, for making it here
tonight. I also wish to thank all the attendees for their questions
and patience. In frenzy mode ...now!
[Ed: Some post-formal comments....]
<Clint Smith APE> Dan, Club Drive originally had a menu option for
analog control. Any chance that it's still in there?
<Dan @ Atari> Clint> Yep!
<Clint Smith APE> Cool. What about Checkered Flag?
<Dan @ Atari> Clint> Nope, not in CF.
<Host Mike> Dan - any good RPGs in the works? AmberMoon, Ishar types?
<Dan @ Atari> Mike> Legions of the Undead is the only one I know of
for sure. I'm lead testing that one too. ;-)
<Sven!!!> Legions of the Undead? Is that anywhere near test?
<Dan @ Atari> Sven> Not yet, unfortunately.
<T-Bird@4Play> Scott says that the new GPU RISC routines are really
_fast_, and simulated analog control now works!
<T-Bird@4Play> Question time: Who likes and who doesn't like
"computer voices" in their Space Battle Games?
<AEO-Travis> Skylar is sexy, but dumb.
<darrell> I like
<Sven!!!> I think I could use a good computer voice in my games here
and there
<Allen@Sub-Etha> Computer Voices: Go for it, though let 'em be
selectable.
<Charlie> if the voice is majel barret, sure, go for it
<Harj> I like space voices.
<Allen@Sub-Etha> "Avoid the ground" and other comments make all I
show the game to laugh.
<KODOGR> Sexy Womans Voice
<Harj> Hmm..I mean computer voices.
<Clint Smith APE> Only ultra-sexy voices(who doesn't enjoy that "YES"
from T2000)
<KODOGR> Sexy Robot Womans Voice
<Sven!!!> I guess everyone agrees it should be a woman's voice...
<AEO-Travis> Sexy BritFem voices!
<T-Bird@4Play> We will see how RAM and ROM space go. maybe the
computer can say " ooh baby" when you shoot the "Finch".
<Charlie> yes, Sven, I'd think so. and the accent should be exotic.
Autrailian or British
<Harj> How about indian? If you want to be different.
<T-Bird@4Play> We were thinking of hiring the guy that does "Beavis"
for the voice...
<Allen@Sub-Etha> "I am thinking zat you jest hit de ground. Care for a
slurppee?"
<KODOGR> Is it permissable to represent Hindu Deites in videogames?
<Clint Smith APE> Heh, heh, your warp is like enabled...huh, huh
<Sven!!!> Hey, They'll be NO think here here thank you very much ;)
<Lance @ Atari> I saw the Playstation today. Looks nice.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, what did you play/see on it?
<Lance @ Atari> Ridge Racer.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, was it really close to "1:1"?
<Lance @ Atari> It's a good conversiion, but not exact.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, for the $64 question, could Jag & Jag CD do Ridge
Racer =as=well= as Playstation?
<Lance @ Atari> Jag Ridge Racre, I think so. But the Jag CD is worth
the price of admission for the VLM alone.
<AEO-Travis> Lance. Thanks for the observation!
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> Anytime, fellow oxygen breather!@+*%
<AEO-Travis> Lance, I'm really curious. Just WHOM did you strike to
get sent to the brig? :)
<Sven!!!> Bill?
<Host Mike> Nah, Jack.
<Sven!!!> Maybe Sam?
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> I struck Lt. Cmndr Cappa for getting in my
face, and his last dieing wish was that he could praise me for having
guts.
<AEO-Travis> Lance> What penalty would one get for slapping Tal
around? :)
<Host Mike> Travis - a pay raise?
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> you would be hailed by all in Test as God!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Ron Borta - Back into the Future
||| By: Christian Svensson
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.5 Internet: svensson@bucknell.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Past
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I've recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ron Borta from Borta
and Associates, who has had his career deeply rooted in the gaming
industry since the industry's inception. Considered by some to be the
father of the "arcade port", Ron has been involved with nearly every
console and computer ever released and has contributed such well known
home arcade conversion titles as: Wizard of Wor (which was the first
16K cart on the 800), Gorf, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Q-bert, The Empire
Strikes Back, Zaxxon, Robotron 2049 (which was the first 16K cart on
the TI99), Mousetrap, Carnival, Crazy Climber and most notably Pacman
for the Atari 800 which was the first "successful" port of an arcade
game to a home system.
Another notable star on Ron's profile is the fact that he became the
first person to patent software. (In this case, a program generator.)
He was part of a number of companies that were seeking the ability to
patent "technological breakthroughs." Through six years of hard work
and court cases, the United States Supreme Court finally sided with
Ron and the other technological companies thereby allowing them to
patent such items as bio-engineered organisms, certain chemical
processes, and software. Yet even today, many people are unaware that
software can be patented.
After many years in the game development industry, Ron left Chicago
and moved to Washington DC in order to branch out into a related
area, interactive television. For seven years, Ron worked in DC,
helping develop the concept of interactive television - or as he said,
"making TV more fun." Unfortunately, the general public was not ready
to embrace this concept quite yet, but Ron did learn many useful
things during this experience. Much of what he learned dealt with the
use of video and presentation, what frame rates are necessary to
immerse the user into the game, and different modes of rendering.
When programming Crazy Climber for the Atari VCS, Ron used a
technique that had never been used before (or very much since for that
matter). Each frame had separate parts of the game rendered such that
a given frame wasn't "stand alone." If one were to pause the game, it
would look as if the entire screen wasn't rendered. The result of this
technique was a far more visually appealing image. His experience in
interactive television, taught him why this was so, and more
importantly, how he could utilize this technique in later projects.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Present
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ron's next big venture was to create his own multimedia development
company, Borta & Associates. This company does multimedia work both
independently and as a sub-contractor for other larger companies. One
of the many fields they are leading the industry in is data
compression. B&A have developed not only specific compression schemes
for specific applications, but have specific manners of employing them
under different conditions. All of these schemes are written in
assembly language in an effort to minimize decompression times.
Borta & Associates currently develops for PCs, Macs, Sega (all
platforms), Nintendo, 3D0 and Atari. The majority of their present
work is in the PC market. Ron told me that they have products in
development now that will allow for "fully interactive games." Another
benefit B&A have over other competing companies is that their
libraries for Mac and PC are identical. This allows B&A to port to the
Mac far more easily (and quickly) than anyone else in the market.
They are currently working on a PC/Mac game with PF Magic.
As for Jaguar development, they are licensed developers and have a
system, but haven't started any independent development yet. They are
currently working on a Jaguar project with a LARGE developer. (Ron's
words were, "as big as they get.") He couldn't disclose who it was, or
what they were working on, but he said it was VERY impressive. "Just
wait" he said, "you'll see."
There are some things in the industry presently, that Ron is
concerned about. Given the fact that most developers are 2 to 4
person teams/companies and that the most original gaming concepts are
coming from these smaller companies, the costs of developing on the
next generation consoles are really a big obstacle. Ron said to start
up as an Atari developer, the cost isn't that bad ($15,000), but 3D0
was $35,000 (with a CD-ROM writer), and to jump into Sega Saturn
development costs almost $100,000. This could really discourage a good
gaming concept on another machine. He reminisced of the times when all
you needed to develop on the VCS or Atari 800 was a computer for a
couple hundred dollars or so. Another thing Ron would like to see
Atari do, is to exploit more of its older licenses as updated Jaguar
titles.
Ron's current favorite video game is Crash and Burn on the 3DO, "It's
got a couple of flaws in it, but it draws you into the game. It
reminds me of the first time I played Star Raiders on the Atari 800.
Though the graphics aren't realistic as they could be, the motion
draws you in there. I know the Jag can do it and I want to see games
like that on the Jag." As for Jaguar games, "I have all of the carts.
I like Alien vs. Predator, but it's a Doomish game, and I tend to shy
away from the violent games."
Another recent development at Borta & Associates is the addition of
Nolan Bushnell as COB. Nolan and Ron have been friends since the 2600
days, but had since gone their separate directions. It is ironic that
after going in such different directions, they independently arrived
at the same conclusion of what they should be doing. Nolan happened to
come across a piece of Borta literature while researching the market,
where he then gave Ron a call. After discussing the issues for a
period of time, Nolan then purchased, "an undisclosed percentage of
Borta & Associates for an undisclosed amount of money." Ron described
their business relationship as Nolan as the idea man, and he as the
person that makes these ideas a reality. Now they are basically
partners.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Future
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The future for Borta and Associates looks bright. Ron has several
ideas he would like to try on the Jaguar, but has been a little
reluctant to begin them immediately. Ron is looking at the sales this
Christmas in order to decide when they will start actively developing.
If it sells as well as he think it is going to, he said that
independent development could start as early as February.
In closing, Ron stated, "I own stock in Atari. I believe in Atari in
every way, shape and form and I believe that the Jaguar is the most
viable platform on the market."
I'd say that bodes rather well from a man with Ron's history and who
develops for all the major platforms.
--==--==--==--==--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
-- --
-- To enroll as a Delphi subscriber, modem call 1-800-365-4636. Press --
-- [Return] until you see "Password:", then type IP26 [Return] --
-- --
-- Answer all of the questions, and you'll be cleared for Delphi --
-- access in a few days. If you have questions about Delphi services, --
-- give a voice call to Delphi Member Services at 1-800-544-4005. --
-- --
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--==--==--==--==--
||| 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.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List 1.18
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Editor: The following developers, licensees and game titles have
been confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of December 16, 1994.
Entries in the "S"tatus column reflects any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew
titles, new "d"evelopers, or "?"uestionable listings since the last
AEO list. Titles in brackets (e.g. [Cybermorph]) have been completed
and are available in the US.
Expected dates are dates that have been provided by the developer.
Expected Date
or Titles
S Developer/Licensee Rating under development
" """""""""""""""""" """""" """""""""""""""""
20th Centrury Fox
Interactive
u 21st Century Software 2/95 Pinball Fantasies (Pub. C-West)
3D Games - Rainbow Warrior
- MORE
4Play Q2/95 BattleSphere
Accent Media Productions - Varuna's Forces CD-ROM
Accolade - Brett Hull Hockey
- Charles Barkley's Shut Up and Jam
Acid Software
? Activision - Return to Zork CD-ROM
Alfaro Corporation
Limited
All Systems Go - BIOS Fear CD-ROM
Q1/95 Hosenose and Booger CD-ROM
Q1/95 Video Jukebox (cart multiplexer)
- (IR controller station)
American Laser Games - Mad Dog McCree
Anco Software Ltd. - Kick Off 3 (for Imagineer)
- World Cup
Anthill Industries
Argonaut Software - Creature Shock CD-ROM (For Virgin)
Atari Corp. - Chaos Agenda CD-ROM
*7* [Club Drive]
u *3* [Crescent Galaxy]
Q2/95 Fight For Life
- (Football)
- Hardball 3
u Q1/95 Highlander CD-ROM
n - Highlander II CD-ROM
n - Highlander III CD-ROM
Q1/95 Hover Strike (was Battlezone 2000)
- MPEG
u Q2/95 Redemption (was Dreadnought)
- Space War
n - Supercross 3D
Q2/95 Tiny Toons Adventures
MORE
Attention to Detail Q1/95 Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2 CD-ROM
Q1/95 Blue Lightning CD-ROM
*7* [Cybermorph]
(For Atari)
Audio-Visual Magic
B.S.A.
Bando Svenska AB
Beris
Bethesda Softworks
Beyond Games Inc. 1995 Battlewheels
1/95 Ultra Vortex
BitMotion Software
Bizzare Computing
u Black Cat Design PRODU Cat Box (AV & comm expansion box)
(was ICD)
Black Scorpion Software
Borta & Associates
Brainstorm - [x86 Jaguar Development System]
Brandlewood Computers
Ltd.
u Bullfrog Productions Ltd. Q1/95 Syndicate (For Ocean)
u Q1/95 Theme Park (For Ocean)
Cannonball Software
Celebrity Systems Inc.
Clearwater Software
Computer Music Consulting
Condor Software
Cybervision
CyberWare
DAP
Data Design
Delta Music Systems Inc. - Droppings
- Nanoterror
Denton Designs Ltd.
Dimension Technologies
Diskimage
Domark Group Ltd. - F1 Racer
DTMC - Lester the Unlikely
- Mountain Sports
- (Miniature Golf)
Eclipse PRODU Iron Soldier (For Atari)
- MORE
Electro Brain Corp.
Electrom
Elite
E-On
Eurosoft
Extreme
EZ Score Software Inc.
Factor 5
Flair Software Ltd.
Frankenstein Software
Funcom Productions a/s
GameTek Inc.
Genus Microprogramming
Inc.
u Gremlin Graphics Ltd. PRODU Zool 2 (Pub. Atari)
- UNKNOWN TITLE (racing) - MORE?
H2O Design Corp.
Hand Made Software Q2/95 Jack Nicholas Cyber Golf CD-ROM
(For Atari through Accolade)
PRODU Kasumi Ninja (For Atari)
u High Voltage Software Q1/95 'Dactyl Joust
u Q2/95 Ruiner
n Q3/95 (fighter) CD-ROM
Q1/95 White Men Can't Jump (for Trimark)
Hisoft
Human Soft Ltd.
Hyper Image Productions - Hover Hunter
id Software *9* [Doom]
*8* [Wolfenstein 3D]
- MORE
i-Space
iThink - (3D simulation)
Imagineer Company Ltd.
Imagitec Design Inc. PRODU Bubsy
*6* [Evolution Dino-Dudes]
- Freelancer 2120 CD-ROM
*6* [Raiden]
? Dino Dudes 2
? Interplay - BattleChess CD-ROM - MORE?
Jaleco - Bases Loaded
- Cisco Heat
- MORE CD-ROM
JVC Musical Industries - Valus Force
Krisalis Software Ltd. - Soccer Kid
Kungariket Multimedia
Level 7 Software - (RPG)
- (Shooter)
Limelight Media Inc.
u LlamaSoft H2/95 Defender 2000 (For Atari)
*10* [Tempest 2000] (For Atari)
- MORE MINTER!
Loricel S.A.
Lost in Time Software
Malibu Interactive
Manley & Associates Inc.
Maxis Software
Media Technology Scandinavia
Merit Industries Inc.
Michton Inc.
Microids - Commando
- Evidence
? Microprose - Gunship 2000
u MidNite Entertainment Q1/95 AirCars
u ? Assualt
u ? Dungeon Depths
Millenium/Teque *7* [Brutal Sports Football] (For Telegames)
Miracle Designs
Nebulous Games
Neon-Buttner
Network 23 Software
NMS Software Ltd.
Ocean Software Ltd. ? Apeshi- (working title)
1995 Lobo CD-ROM
- Waterworld
Odyssey Software Inc.
-unnamed- - -unnamed-
Photosurrealism - Galactic Gladiators
Phobyx
Pixel Satori
PIXIS Interactive - Neurodancer CD-ROM
Rage Software Ltd. - Rally
Rainmaker Software Inc. - Nerves of Steel
- Virtual Warriors
ReadySoft Incorporated Q1/95 Dragon's Lair CD-ROM
- Dragon's Lair II CD-ROM
- Space Ace CD-ROM
Rebellion Software Ltd. *9* [Alien vs. Predator] (For Atari)
*5* [Checkered Flag] (For Atari)
- Hammerhead
- Legions of the Undead
Rest Energy
Riedel Software Prod.
Scangames Interactive
Sculptured Software Inc.
Selgus Limited
Shadowsoft Inc.
Sigma Designs Q1/95 "Jaguar on a PC" PC card
Silmarils ? Robinson's Requiem CD-ROM
Sinister Developments
Soft Enterprises
Softgold Gmbh
Software 2000
Software Creations
Software Development Systems
Spaceball Technologies Inc.
Steinberg Soft-und-
Hardware Gmbh
Tantalus Entertainment
Tantalus Incorporated
Team Infinity
Team 17 Software Ltd.
Tecnation Digital World
Techtonics
Telegames - Casino Royale
- European Soccer Challenge
- Super Off-Road
u 1/95 Ultimate Brain Games
- World Class Cricket
Teque London Ltd.
Thrustmaster
u Tiertex Ltd. 1/95 Flashback (for U.S. Gold)
Time-Warner Interactive - Primal Rage
- Rise of the Robots
- Arcade Games Using Jaguar
Titus
Trimark Interactive
Twlight
U.S. Gold Ltd.
UBI Soft International 2/95 RayMan
- (Soccer)
V-Reel Productions Q1/95 Arena Football League
Q1/95 Horrorscope
Virgin Interactive
u Entertainment Ltd. PRODU Cannon Fodder (Pub. C-West)
... [Dragon] (Pub. Atari)
u Q1/95 Demolition Man CD-ROM
Virtual Artistry, Inc.
u Virtual Studio *5* Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding
(For Atari)
Virtual Xperience Q1/95 Burn Out (Pub. Atari)
- Indiana Jags
- Zzyorxx II
Visual Concepts
Visual Impact - Hyper Force
Wave Quest Inc.
u Williams Brothers 1/95 Sensible Soccer
Williams Entertainment Q1/95 Double Dragon 5: The Shadow Falls
1/95 Troy Aikman NFL Football
WMS Industries
Zeppelin Games - Center Court Tennis
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.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Press Releases
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar On-line in Florida!
Contact: Ron Beltramo Tammy Lindsay David Harrah
Atari Time Warner Edelman P.R.
408/745-8852 407/667-2034 415/968-4033
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATARI JAGUAR ON THE LOOSE IN
TIME WARNER CABLE'S FULL SERVICE NETWORK
Orlando, FL . . . December 14, 1994 . . . Atari Corporation's Jaguar
64-bit interactive video game system went on-line today with the
initiation of Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network (FSN) in
Orlando, Florida. Atari Corporation's CEO Sam Tramiel joined Time
Warner Chairman Gerald Levin at today's inauguration event in Orlando.
Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit interactive game system
features high-speed animation, textured three-dimensional color images
and graphics, and CD-quality sound.
Consumers will access the Atari games on the Full Service Network
using the 64-bit Jaguar game system device, which processes more than
100 times as much data at one time than 16-bit games, and twice as
much as 32-bit game systems. This significantly increases speed and
lets the game player experience superior graphic performance and
animation action. Through the Full Service Network, the Atari games
are digitally compressed and stored on magnetic hard drives, and
downloaded to the game device at the consumers' request.
"Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is the most advanced
interactive network ever built, and it gives subscribers the most
advanced interactive gaming system available -- the 64-bit Atari
Jaguar," said Atari President and CEO Sam Tramiel. "Atari's Jaguar
system brings the most sophisticated hardware and games to the
network."
Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia Systems are also in use at the
"Home of the 21st Century, " a model home equipped with Full Service
Network capabilities, and other state-of-the-art home services located
in the Sweetwater, Wekiva, Lake Brantley and Springdale community near
Orlando. Five 64-bit Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia systems are
in use in the home, which is sponsored by Time Warner Cable's Full
Service Network and Southern Living Magazine.
"We're proud to offer consumers the Atari Jaguar system because it's
the most advanced and powerful system available today," said Full
Service Network President Tom Feige. "When we compared the graphics
and capabilities of the game systems on the market, Atari Jaguar was
the clear choice for us."
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar system has been
named the industry's "Best New Game System" by Video Games Magazine,
"Best New Hardware System" by Game Informer, and "1993 Technical
Achievement of the Year" by DieHard GameFan.
Time Warner Cable is the nation's second largest cable television
operator with 7.3 million customers in 34 states, and serves more than
500,000 customers in its Florida division. Time Warner Cable's Full
Service Network is a digital, interactive television network which
merges cable, computer and telephone technologies to provide
customers greater choice, control and convenience in accessing
information and services.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and
the only video game system manufactured in the United States.
//// Don Thomas Announces AvP RTC Trivia Contest Winners
I am pleased to announce the winners of the Alien Vs. Predator (AvP)
trivia contest. The contest was announced and the questions released
by Atari's own Ron Beltramo at CompuServe's AvP conference on November
29 and on GEnie's AvP conference on November 30.
The contest was open to all onliners who attended the conferences
and/or obtained a transcript of either/both conference from the Atari
Jaguar forum libraries.
Here are the answers to those mind boggling questions ...
1) Alien Vs. Predator by Atari for the 64-bit Jaguar interactive
multimedia system features the ability for the player to become any
one of three characters. What are those characters?
Answer: B. An Alien, a Predator and a Marine
2) Which film studios produced the Alien and Predator films?
Answer: C. Twentieth Century Fox and Twentieth Century Fox
3) Alien Vs. Predator is a virtual world challenge which is described
in the manual to be:
Answer: A. a tactical simulator depicting the events following the
fall of Camp Golgotha Colonial Marine Training Base.
4) An effective tool to be used while playing Alien Vs. Predator is
the H.U.D. which offers status displays. What does H.U.D. stand
for?
Answer: A. Heads-Up Display
5. One of the many obstacles to avoid is referred to as a Facehugger.
A Facehugger is which of the following?
Answer: A. A creature that attaches itself to the face of its host.
METHOD OF RANDOM DRAWING....
All names were alphabetized and duplicates were removed so all entries
had an equal opportunity to win. A computer program written by Mr.
Michael Fulton picked three random numbers which were used to count
through the huge stack of entries ...
AND THE WINNERS ARE ...
PRIZE WINNER ONLINE ADDRESS
------------------------------------------------------------
Jaguar 64-bit Ewen Wheeler howard_saunders@
game system porthole.entnet.nf.ca
Autographed
AvP Cartridge Pete Ahles ahles@gate.net
Jaguar Clay Halliwell ehalliwe@emh.kunsan.af.mil
T-Shirt
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for entering.
The prizes have been shipped and are on their way.
Don't forget.... Tempest 2000 Soundtracks (on compact disc) are
available as well as Jaguar software preview tapes and Alien Vs.
Predator Posters! Contact your SysOp for more information or contact
Don Thomas at:
JAGUAR$@genie.geis.com
or
75300.1267@compuserve.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developers Wanted For Jaguar Publisher
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
C-West is a new California publishing house
established solely to
support the explosive growth in the Jaguar gaming user base.
Currently, C-West has two games, Virgin's Cannon Fodder and 21th
Century Software's Pinball Fantasies in production, and they are
looking for new titles to handle.
If you are a Jaguar developer without a publisher, give Peter Curry
at C-West a call to discuss terms. Peter can be reached at:
+1 (805) 546-9036 during normal Pacific business hours.
Cannon Fodder is due in late January for $59.99 retail.
Pinball Fantasies is due late February/early March for $49.99 retail.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// CatBox Manual
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
[Ed: The following is copyright 1994, Black Cat Designs.)
CatBox Preliminary Manual - December 13, 1994
CatBox is a low cost, high value peripheral designed to plug into the
Jaguar AV/DSP connectors on the rear of the console and provide
standard ports for connectability.
CatBox consists of two printed circuit boards (PCBs) mounted inside a
stylish case. The larger lower main board is called the I/O PCB. The
upper board is called the AVC PCB and holds the logic, amplifier,
signal conditioning, and patchwork in order to make everything work.
The AVC PCB also has space for future expansion and custom designs.
CatBox power is provided by the Jaguar game console. There are two
LEDs on CatBox which illuminate to show power and flicker to show
communications activity.
//// Cleaning the CatBox
If you need help with this, call a cat lover. We like dogs.
//// Opening the CatBox
There may be a need to see what is really inside the CatBox. Most
developer types wouldn't have read this far so this is really intended
for the novice and it will not void your warranty.
Remove the volume knob by gently prying it off with a screwdriver or
knob extractor.
There are two screws that hold the CatBox metal case together and two
more that hold the circuit boards in place. Remove the two philips
screws on the case bottom and slide off the top. Remove the two inner
screws that hold the boards in place.
Lift the board assembly out of the case bottom and pull the two
boards apart with your fingers.
The top AVC board which looks like it is mounted upside down has all
the electronics on it that make CatBox work. The bottom I/O board has
most of the connectors on it and the LEDs. The user moveable jumper
plugs are all on the AVC board.
Wow!
Besides looking extremely cool, CatBox provides three main functions
for Jaguar owners. These are Audio, Video, and Communications (AVC).
Each has three sections for a total of nine features!
AUDIO SECTION
Audio signals are distributed on CatBox in three different places.
These are the RCA type line level audio output jacks for left, right,
or mono output, the mono line level RGB monitor output, and the
amplified stereo headphone jacks.
//// Line level audio.
The I/O PCB has two RCA phono jacks that pass high quality line level
audio signals (600 ohm) from the Jaguar to other audio devices such
as audio pre-amplifiers. The red colored jack passes right audio
while the white colored jack passes either left or mono audio. The
left/mono switching logic works in the following manner. When an RCA
cable is plugged into the right audio jack, the white jack passes the
left audio signal. When there is no plug inserted into the right
audio jack, the white jack passes the sum of left and right audio
which is called mono. Use standard RCA stereo audio cables.
//// RGB monitor audio.
Pin 9 of the Analog RGB connector also carries the mono audio signal.
This signal is used for Atari SC1224 or SC1435 monitors or any other
monitor that has an audio amplifier and passes mono audio through its
monitor signal cable. Since most users will prefer to use stereo
audio, this mono signal is automatically disconnected when an RCA
cable is plugged into the right/mono (red) audio jack or when
headphones are installed. This function can also be disabled by
removing jumper J1 (RGB Audio). For more information, see Analog RGB
in the Video Section.
//// Headphones.
CatBox includes dual stereo headphone jacks on the AVC PCB. These
support the common 3.5mm (1/8 inch) size headphones as used with most
portable stereo equipment. Low noise amplification is provided to
match the 32 or 16 ohm loads common with headphones. We have found
that headphones with a sensitivity rating of about 100 dB SPL/1mW work
very well with the CatBox. Headphones with lower sensitivity numbers
usually have lower quality sound and lower volume.
The headphone jacks take top audio priority and will disconnect all
other audio output signals when a 3.5mm plug is inserted. There is a
volume control knob on the rear of the CatBox. Take care when
adjusting this level as higher volume levels for extended periods of
time may cause permanent hearing damage. Optional headphone extension
cables are also available for your convenience.
VIDEO SECTION
The three video outputs from CatBox are Composite Video, S-Video, and
Analog RGB. These three and the Jaguar RF output may all be used at
the same time or in any combination to connect multiple displays.
Analog RGB has the best quality display while Jaguar RF has the lowest
quality. Composite is much better than RF and S-Video is better than
Composite. The output you will use depends on the capabilities of
your television or monitor.
//// Composite Video
The yellow RCA jack provides composite video out. This signal is
commonly available on VCRs and may be used for recording purposes.
Since composite video has no provisions for audio, be sure to use one
of the CatBox audio sources as well.
//// S-Video
S-Video used to be called S-VHS but was often confused with the
totally different S-VHS high definition video tape standard. S-Video
has also been called Composite Chroma and Composite Luminance and was
used in the early 1980s on the Atari 800 XL and the C-64 computers.
Today the standard S-Video connector is the 4 pin round mini DIN as
found on many high end VCRs, TVs, video cameras, and CatBox. S-Video
cables are commonly available at Audio/Video stores. S-Video provides
an extremely sharp picture that is surpassed only by a good analog RGB
monitor.
//// Analog RGB
This connector is a female (holes instead of pins) DB9 located
between the composite video and S-Video connectors. Don't confuse
this with the other DB9 on the CatBox I/O PCB which is male (pins) and
provides RS232. The Jaguar supports Analog RGB monitors with a
Horizontal Sync rate of 15.75 KHz. These monitors were very popular
around 1985 but are not all that common anymore since VGA which has an
H-Sync of 31.5 KHz became the new standard. Look in the older used
market for some great bargains. An H-Sync rate of 15.75 KHz was found
more commonly on monitors made between 1984 and 1990. The Atari ST
color monitors and the Amiga color monitors both required this slower
H-Sync rate.
Since there is no one standard for RGB connections, custom RGB cable
adapters are available to adapt most monitor cables. These include
Atari SCxxxx, Amiga, DB9, and DB15. If you would like to make your
own cable adapter, the pin connections follow.
DB9S
1 Red
2 Green
3 Blue
4 Horizontal Sync
5 Vertical Sync/Composite Sync
6 Ground
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Mono Audio/NC
Note that jumper J7 (VS CS) on the AVC PCB allows you to select
Vertical Sync (VS) or Composite Sync (CS) which is a combined sync
signal not to be confused with Composite Video. The CatBox default
is set for VS. If the vertical screen keeps rolling after adjusting
vertical hold, try moving this jumper to the CS position.
The mono audio signal which feeds to the Analog RGB connector may also
be disabled by removing the audio jumper J1 on the AVC PCB. Although
there is built in protection so that leaving this jumper enabled will
not cause any problems, it is a good idea to disconnect J1 if you do
not plan to use the Atari13 monitor adapter.
The following is a list of compatible Analog RGB monitors that have
been tested and the adapter requirements.
15.75KHz Horizontal Sync monitors that have been tested and their
general requirements.
Monitor/Model Adapter J7 Position J1 Position
Atari SC1224 JVC Atari13 VS or CS ON
Atari SC1224 Goldstar Atari13 VS Only ON
Atari SC1224 Samsung Atari13 VS or CS ON
Atari SC1435 Magnavox Atari13 VS or CS ON
Commodore 1084D Magnavox Amiga23 CS Only OFF
Commodore 1084S Magnavox Amiga23 CS Only OFF
Commodore 1950 Amiga23 OFF
Magnavox Professional RGB 80 OFF
NEC Multisync Color Monitor None VS Only OFF
NEC 3D HD15S VS Only OFF
Sony 1302 OFF
Princeton Graphics Ultra 14 None VS Only OFF
Please write or send a fax if you have any questions about other
monitors or would like a custom adapter made. Please also send us
your positive experiences with other RGB monitors that we have not
listed so we can let others know. Please do not ask us to support VGA
and SVGA monitors that can't sync down to 15.75KHz. The required scan
doubling adapter would cost more than the Jaguar even if manufactured
in high volumes.
There are exceptions to the above rules. For example if an Atari ST
monitor cable for a Commodore 1084 monitor then naturally you should
use the Atari13 adapter instead of the Amiga23.
//// Atari SC1224 & SC1435 History
The following information is an attempt to clear up the confusion in
identifying the three different SC1224 monitors made for the Atari
ST. These are all 12 inch color monitors and were later replaced by
the SC1435 14 inch color stereo monitor which was made by
Philips/Magnavox.
The oldest was made by JVC and is identified by the 'Made in Japan'
label on the back. These were mostly made in 1985. The FCC ID
number is EBA90YSC1224. The signal cable and power cables both unplug
from the rear of the monitor. The case top has ventilation slots.
The JVC has a two-tone color scheme with a dark gray bezel (around the
tube face) and a light gray casing. The push On/Off power switch is
on the front bottom next to volume and contrast knobs. The JVC
monitor is the best of the SC1224s.
Next came the Goldstar monitor which was 'Made in Korea'in 1986. The
FCC ID is EBA9QKSC1224. The signal cable does not unplug from the
rear. The case top is solid and the entire case is light gray in
color. There are three knobs all on the right side of the case.
These are On/Off/Volume, contrast, and brightness.
The last SC1224 was also 'Made in Korea' in 1987 by Samsung. The FCC
ID is A3L9QNSC1225. Perhaps they had intended to call this the SC1225
when it was registered. Both the signal and the power cables are
fixed in the case and cannot be unplugged. Like the JVC monitor, the
Samsung is back to the two-tone color scheme with a dark gray bezel
and light gray casing. The push On/Off power switch is on the front
bottom next to volume, brightness, and contrast knobs. This is the
least desirable and ugliest of the SC1224 monitors but it does work.
In 1990 the SC1435 was Made in Taiwan for Atari by Philips/Magnavox.
This is a 14 inch stereo monitor. Both cables unplug in the rear.
The color is all light gray and a nice swivel stand is available. The
push On/Off switch is on the rear. This is the best color monitor
made by Atari for the ST and also works quite well with the CatBox.
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
Two new communications methods are available on CatBox along with a
DSP pass through. These are called CatNet and RS232. Communications
allow you to connect two or more Jaguars together for multi-player
games either directly or with modems. Each method is exclusive
depending on the toggle switch position on the rear. The three
position communications toggle switch next to the RJ11 jacks, points
to the port which is enabled.
UP = CatNet. Center = DSP Pass though. Down = RS232.
The dual purpose power LEDs (lights) also show communications
activity. The left LED blinks off when the Jaguar transmits data.
The right LED blinks off when the Jaguar receives data. The activity
should be visible to the human eye up to about 57.6K baud. You will
need bionic eyes to see the activity on higher baud rates.
Naturally since the Jaguar is a cartridge based system and not user
programmable, drivers, baud rates and protocols are set by game
developers. Check your game manual for more information on
communications support.
//// RS232
Simple RS232 is provided on CatBox through a male DB9 on the I/O
PCB. This is connected as in the IBM AT standard as follows.
//// DB9P
1 NC
2 RXD (receive data)
3 TXD (transmit data)
4 NC/DTR
5 Ground
6 NC (DSR)
7 NC (RTS)
8 NC
9 NC
Note that there is no hardware handshaking. DTR is fixed on. An IBM
AT type null modem cable may be used to connect two Jaguars together
by their RS232 ports. An IBM AT type modem cable may be used to
connect CatBox to a modem.
//// CatNet
The communications toggle switch should be up for CatNet support
CatNet is a new dual-differential type of communications which is
based on RS485. CatNet connects Jaguars together with standard 4 or 6
wire telephone cabling and RJ11 plugs. Although common telephone
extension cables may be used, two conductor cables are not supported.
Because of the wiring scheme used, plug polarity is not important.
Cable runs of 1000 feet have been successfully tested but it is more
practical to keep cable runs under 100 feet between Jaguars.
Terminators should be left in the unused CatNet ports (ends) when
running a network. Low cost 25 foot cables and replacement
terminators are available from Black Cat Design.
CatNet is a half duplex network which requires arbitration. CatNet
uses 6P4C RJ11 phone type connectors and cabling and is reliable up to
120K baud per second with very long cable lengths. Up to 32 devices
will work under CatNet although we expect to see it used more commonly
in small local networks with a maximum of 4 or 8 players.
//// DSP pass through port
A DSP pass through port has been provided for compatibility with
future devices that may require it. A prototype of Atari's Jaguar
Voice Modem has been successfully tested while plugged into the DSP
port. The communications switch should be in the center neutral
position when using devices plugged into the DSP port.
//// Options and miscellany.
The following parts and accessories are available from Black Cat
Design and better dealers:
CatBox $69.95
Atari13 adapter $14.95
Amiga23 adapter $14.95
HD15S adapter $9.95
Custom adapter $19.95 (please supply pinouts)
Headphone extension cable $9.95
Null modem cable $9.95
CatNet cable 25ft. $4.95
CatNet terminator $4.95 (standard equipment)
Every effort has been made to make this a cost effective, innovative,
indispensable peripheral for your Jaguar system. We would like to
hear your comments and suggestions. Please write.
CatBox is a product and trademark of Black Cat Design, Inc.
Copyright 1994 All rights reserved.
For more information contact Tom Harker at:
ICD, Inc.
1220 Rock Street
Rockford, IL 61101
815-968-2228 ext. 222
fax 968-6888
GEnie ICDINC
CompuServe 76004,1600
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// AEO's Top Games
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I recently asked the editors and writers to submit a list of their
"Top 5" Jaguar games. While not all of the AEO staff has a Jaguar, and
not all of the Jaguar owners have five games, here's the lists of what
we like:
//// Albert Dayes
1. Tempest 2000 - Jeff Minter has revitalized Dave Theurer's 1981
classic to make it a must have game. Maybe someday Jeff will have
the time to code Missile Command 2000 (the 1980 classic also by
Dave Theurer). It is a Jaguar game that will always be one of the
very best.
2. AvP - No other game generates the true environment where your own
scream is louder than the Aliens. <g> "HIGH STRESS Environment" is
what my some of my co-workers call this game. Maybe there will be
a multi-player version someday.
3. Cybermorph - Regardless what anyone says this game will always be
an enjoyable game. It may not be a spectator's game like AvP or
Tempest 2000 but always one of the best places to fly.
4. Doom - Where "fire blowers" (IMPS) and "chewers" (PINK DEMONS) are
your friends, and cooporation usually means a rocket in your back
from your partner. Deathmatch should be great once the CATBOX is
available late this year.
//// Tim Wilson
1. Tempest 2000 - Lots of fast paced action & cool music. Great
update to a great game.
2. Iron Soldier - (I've played it!) Very smooth and chock full of
weapons.
3. Doom - It's Doom.
4. Alien Vs. Predator - Using the Cloaking device & cocooning Marines
were both cool.
5. Kasumi Ninja - (I've played it!) ...the Scottish fireball.
//// Ron Robinson
I'm not a gamer - probably related to my eye hand coordination being
only slightly better than the average turtle on a cold Fall day. The
two Jag games I like enough to go back to after having my son show me
the final scene are:
1. Tempest is not only a game, but a work of art in both sight and
sound. Probably one of the more beautiful games ever developed
IMHO. It also has some nostalogic value for me.
2. AVP because it can still make me jump 8 weeks after first playing
the blasted thing. I also enjoy the virtual world where you can set
your own goals and still enjoy the game with the only limitation
being your imagination. (e.g. try to clear out level 1 with only
the shot gun... or pretend the Aliens are really French businessmen
:')
Just think what the second and third generation games will do to us.
//// Dimitri LaBarge
1. Alien vs. Predator. Spooky. Eerie. Amazing. Gorgeous. Add in Barney
the Marine, too. Gaming heaven! (Now start on that sequel!)
2. Tempest 2000. I still haven't finished this wonder, but there's
nothing about it that isn't strictly dazzling. For me though, the
defining moment was the astonishing first warp, which looks as if
it was dredged up straight from the end sequences of 2001. The next
generation of gaming? After scientifically analyzing it, I have to
say: yup!
3. Checkered Flag. Who needs Virtua? Rebellion threw in everything but
the kitchen sink (well, maybe not a steering wheel, but why
nitpick?), and it made for a wonderfully thumb-numbing racing
experience, especially in the grueling tournament mode. Other
racing games will surpass it, but as one of the first sports games
for the Jag, it's a good 'un.
4. Dooooooom! (TM--Ask for it by name.) I haven't had as much of a
chance to play this beaut as I'd have liked, but a little while in
Nightmare mode will convert the masses in no time. The crisp sound
effects and vibrant colors put the Sega version's (allegedly)
competing version to shame, and with a terrific frame rate as well.
But maybe the most important thing is it cements the Jag as *the*
premier FP perspective game machine out there...
5. Wolfenstein 3-D. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best, and
this gut-churning throwback reinforced that. With its ultra-flat
stylized Nazi goons and blazing graphics, it stands for me as one
of the first true milestones on the Jag. Goofy slap-it-in-on-a-
rainy-day fun!
The list in my stocking next year: look for Ultra Vortex, 'Dactyl Joust,
Rayman... Stick around to find out!
//// Christian Svensson
1. AvP - one word: GodIt'sGotAtmosphere!
2. Doom - The speed is simply incredible, control is PERFECT!
3. Tempest 2000 - The techno is awesome (esp. from a subwoofer and
five speaker surround), the speed and the number of enemies are
simply incredible.
4. Cybermorph - The first game is definately one of the best. Great
depth of play, many many worlds to explore and conquer. Puzzle
solving in a shoot em' up is rarely seen.
5. Raiden - I'm just partial to shooters (esp. in 2 player mode).
//// Mark Santora
1. Alien vs. Predator - You are in the ultimate immersive simulation.
While the graphics engine isn't Doom quality, it has a better
gameplay value.
2. Tempest 2000 - The ultimate adrenaline rush. It doesn't get much
better for this type of game.
3. Doom - Great graphics and locals. Best version available.
4. Cybermorph - 1st Person Defender! Lots of fun, and a great pack in.
5. Raiden - I love a good shoot'em up.
//// Eric Michard
1. DOOM - The fastest version I've played yet, with more colors,
smarter AI.
2. AvP - Spent a lot of time immersed in this game. I love the
adrenaline rush when you get startled by a stealthy Alien or
Predator.
3. Tempest 2000 - forget the 3 other versions on the cart - Tempest
2000 is the only game to play.
4. Club Drive - I love this game for every reason stated in my review,
plus now there's been a whole new world found. (Planet Todd.) 2
player Tag is the best 2 player racing game on any system.
5. Cybermorph - still one of my favorites. I love exploring 3D polygon
worlds. Heck, I haven't been able to beat it yet.
//// Travis Guy
1. Alien Vs. Predator - Simply incredible immersive gameplay! I still
swerve & duck when a previously unseen Alien jumps into view,
screeching its attack cry.
2. Tempest 2000 - A game that I can play for hours, once I get into
"the groove". Nintendo's entire "Play it LOUD" campaign pales next
to this one game. I keep telling myself, "It's Jeff's -first-
Jaguar game. What's Depender 2000 going to sound like wailing on
Q-Sound???" Get the soundtrack CD.
3. Raiden - A great way to blow off steam for a few minutes. I love
tearing through enemies with the maxxed-out laser.
4. Cybermorph - Fly THIS, babe.
5. Dino-Dudes - Yes, Travis likes nice and simple puzzle games too.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Offers from Atari Customer Service
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// 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
//// 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.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// AvP "Cheat On" Elaboration
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There's been a few posts recently wondering just -what- the OPTION + 5
Cheat in the Alien Vs. Predator "Banana" cheat mode does do, besides
toggling between "Cheat On" and "Cheat Off" on screen.
[] Do the "Banana" cheat. (Details in AEO_0313.)
[] Press OPTION and "5" together. ("Cheat On" will appear.)
- When you take a hit, your energy bar will shrink, and it -will-
eventually disappear =but=you=won't=die=! (Unless you press
OPTION and "5" again without an energy bar present.)
- When your energy is depleted, any hit you suffer will not flash
the screen. (You can walk around quite freely while wearing a
facehugger, but you can't operate anything or fire a weapon.)
- (For Marine players) If you have -any- ammo, for -any- weapon,
it will be replenished when you run out. (Press OPTION, "1",
"2", "3" and "4" all together for full ammo on all weapons.)
--==--==--==--==--
||| DOOM
||| Review by: Mark "Stingray" Santora
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.4 Delphi: SANTORA
------------------------------------------------------------------
For those one or two people out there who don't know the plot of Doom
- Interdimensional Space Travel is the wave of the future. The test
site jumpgate near Mars, between the two moons of Phobos and Deimos,
has been becoming more and more unstable, until recently when anyone
entering the jumpgate, or surrounding area, has never been heard from
again.
Enter you and your team of intergalactic bad-asses. Your team is
ordered to the base on Phobos to secure it. While you secure the
perimeter, the rest of your squad heads into the base and are quickly
ripped apart and turned into mindless zombies to battle the last
intergalactic bad-ass - you.
Now you are on your way in the ultimate first person shootemup,
battling old friends and taking no prisoners. Along the way you are
going to meet some new "friends." But let's not get ahead of
ourselves....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Game
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After the title screen you are introduced to the main screen. There
are three items to decide upon before your journey into hell. First is
the Game Mode. There are three options: Single, Co-Op, and Deathmatch.
In a single game, you're alone battling the heavies. In a Co-Op you
link 2 Jaguars together with a null modem cable (via the Catbox) and
both of you go after the baddies. In Deathmatch it is you against a
friend, no holds barred using the same set up as the Co-Op. There's no
baddies present, just two good friends enjoying an afternoon of
kicking the living daylights out of each other. Without a Catbox, this
review is unfortunately solely based on the Single mode.
Next you can choose which level to start at. The way this works (as
opposed to other home versions) is that you can start at any level you
have made it to. So, if you were playing yesterday and stopped on
level 12, when you come back to it today, you can start anywhere you
want, up to and including level 12. Unfortunately you start with the
basic handgun and fist again and all the baddies are back. But,
usually there is more than one advanced guns lying around in your
immediate vicinity when you start a level.
Finally there is the Skill Level. There are five levels of severity to
choose from here. They are: I'm a Wimp, Not too Rough, Hurt me Plenty,
Ultra-Violence, and Nightmare. The game suggests Hurt me Plenty to
start, as do I. Obviously, the guys at ID Software are trying to
intimidate you, and they should. This game isn't exactly easy.
Control is handled by full use of the control pad. Up walks you
forward, while pushing down backs you up. Left and right turn you
respectively in those directions. To "Slide" to the left or right, you
have to press the "C" button and press left or right on the control
pad. "C" is also used to open doors and use the elevators. Using the
"A" button while moving your character effectively conveys the sense
of "running." Trust me when I say you will use this option far more
than you think. "B" is your gun weapon. Of course, all these are
customizeable so, to each their own with the set up.
The Keypad overlay details which button to press of a specific weapon.
Buttons 1-7 follow this while button 8 and 0 are not used. Button 9 is
used to bring up the map.
The Map falls into what is known as "automapping." You will only see
on the map areas you have walked through. If you were to look across a
lake of acid and see a platform, portions of that will show up on the
map, but not all of it. Done against a black backdrop, the map is a
basic representation of the level. Yellow lines are for the walls
while brown indicates a door, and lifts can be found by a purple line
on the map. While looking at the map you can zoom in and out of it to
get a better indication of the area you are in by pressing "B" and up
on the joypad. Conversely, if you want to zoom out press "B" and down.
You can also scroll it sideways by simply pressing left or right on
the pad. By pressing "C" and moving the joypad your character will
move. He is represented on the map by the cutest little green arrow.
One thing to note however is that the game does not stop while you are
playing it. If you are getting hit by a zombieman and want to look at
the map, he will continue to attack you while you stop to ask for
directions. Find a safe place to stop and look at your map. There are
23 levels in Doom, and 1 "secret" level. Each level is massive and
takes quite some time to complete. They are not as large as the levels
in Alien vs. Predator, but there are 24 total here. I think it's more
than a fair trade off.
Throughout the levels there are doors, elevators, hidden doors, and
levers. Some doors require the correct color matching key (red,
yellow, or blue). You will have to find these keys. Hidden doors are
in the walls and there is a lot of trial and error to find them.
Although the map will sometimes give you a good idea of where to try
and look.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Basics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
To battle in the world of Doom, at first you are armed with your fists
and a pistol. As you progress throughout the game you will find a
Shotgun, Chainsaw, Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, and the BFG 9000
(Big YouKnowWhating Gun). Each of these weapons are unique as they
each have a pay-off. There isn't any way to completely point out how
much fun it is to take the chainsaw to a bunch of imps. But beware of
using the Rocket Launcher on enemies that are too close to you as you
will end up hurting yourself as well.
When the game starts you are presented with a full screen image of the
3D world you are battling in. Across the bottom of the screen is your
information bar. Listed in the bar, from left to right, are:
1. Your ammo count for the weapon you are currently using.
2. Your health (normally maxxes out at 100 but can be increased with
soul spheres up to 200).
3. The key you have, or don't have. There are generally 3 keys per
level.
4. A picture of you (kinda ugly,too!)
5. Your armor rating. Like the health, it normally maxxes out at 100
but can be raised to 200 with special armour.
6. The weapon indictors, which tell you which weapons you have.
7. The Level Indicator.
Whichever weapon you are holding is displayed on the environment
screen. The better to blast you with....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Bad Guys
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
[] Former Humans (Zombiemen): these are your old friends, they're not
anymore.
[] Former Human Sergeants (Zombies with shotguns): Big guys with Bad
Attitudes.
[] Imps: Tough, brown monsters who spit out fireballs.
[] Demons: Pink, but not nice. Will open wide and swallow you whole.
[] Lost Souls: Flying around fireheads, but not the brightest enemy.
[] Cacodemons: Huge floating heads that spit out lightning.
[] Barons of Hell: Huge monster that make you wish for a T-Rex.
One of the nice things to note is that each weapon acts differently
with each bad guy. And on top of that, the power of the weapon seems
to decrease with added distance between you and your intended dead
meat.
Also make note that these demons are full 3-D creatures, they turn.
You can see their sides and backs. They just don't slide left and
right as they do in inferior versions of Doom.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// More Basics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Scattered throughout the levels are various items to pick up. To grab
them all you have to do is walk over them.
//// Healing
1. Stimpacks help you out by raising your health a bit.
2. Medkits are much better at healing you and are a step above
Stimpacks.
3. Berserk Packs take you to 100% health and turn your fists into
something that imps and the like should avoid. This power up will
generally allow you to take out baddies with one or two punches.
It lasts the rest of the level.
4. Health potions are in little blue bottles and raise your health by
2%.
5. Soul Spheres take you to 200% health. They are rare.
6. Invulnerability Artifacts make you invulnerable for a brief time.
//// Things to Wear
1. Security armour (green) will bring your health up to 100%.
2. Combat armour (blue) will bring you up to 200%.
3. Spiritual armour will slightly raise your armour level.
Radiation Suits help you as you trot your way through the green ooze
that flows like rivers throughout the complex. Be sure to check these
river or canals out for extra stuff.
Backpacks allow you to carry extra ammo. They also have additional
ammo in them when you find them.
Computer Maps update your automap so you have a better idea where you
are going.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The textures used throughout the game are nothing short of awe
inspiring. Sometimes beautiful and sometimes so discrete that you
don't notice, those are the ones that are the most impressive. These
textures are a combination of ones found in Doom and Doom ][ as stated
by the programmers at ID Software.
The levels are claustrophobic and hauntingly real. They look as if
someone took a castle off the shores off the highlands of Scotland and
moved it to Phobos. Excellent.
The Characters are a well defined and move convincingly. They do get
pixelated when you get really close to them, as do some of the walls,
but it is not bad. In this game if you are close enough to a baddie to
examine the pixilation, you're in a lot of trouble....
=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound
=-=-=-=-=-=
Ok, I have a minor gripe here. After playing Alien vs Predator (and
finishing all three scenarios, thank you), I was a little disappointed
with Doom's sound. In AvP there is always a little background hum
going on, something to give a little ambiance. I like ambiance. But in
Doom the effects, while well placed, are a little scarce. It is
important to note however, that there is music between the levels
which is quite good. But lack of music during the actual gameplay did
not deter from the overall experience. Though I feel that music during
the gameplay would have distracted me from the game, I think there
should have been at least a little ambient noise to keep the gamer
going. Aside from that, great sound.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. Doom PC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I had never played Doom on the PC but I had seen it. So, after getting
Doom I made it a point to go over to a friend's and play it on his
486DX/33. I brought my Jag and A/V cable and we went over it, bit by
bit...
Speed is roughly equivalent to the 486. (Don't forget that the Jag is
doing it in 16 bit color.) My friend was very impressed with the
shading of the hallways. The Jaguar shines here as the lighting
effects are far superior to the PC version. There was some slowdown on
the Jag with a lot of enemies on the screen, but it doesn't detract
too much from the game. My friend was actually so impressed, he plans
to pick a Jag up after Xmas when he gets his bonus.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. doom 32x [Ed: lower case used to denote inferiority]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There isn't really much to compare. The 32x version has forward facing
bad guys, a smaller screen window to play the game through (so the
game will run faster), maybe 256 colors, no level save feature (start
anywhere), only 15 levels (2 secret if you play from the beginning),
and is slower than the Jag version.
Oh, please let me invest $100 in a Genesis, $160 in a 32x adapter, and
another $70 to get a pseudo-Doom. Not.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jag Doom is as close to perfect as it is going to get. Even John
Carmack considers it to be the best version of Doom that ID has ever
done. One thing to note is that the Doom engine was not fully
optimized for the Jaguar; if it had been, it could be running faster
than we could play it at! I assume that when Quake is released for the
Jag, it will be fully optimized so we can see a major speed increase.
This is the type of game you are not going to finish in one sitting,
or two, or three. You are going to play this for a long time. Then,
when you get higher up in the levels, you will wonder where all these
guys are coming from. You will wish you were playing an earlier level
only because it is easier.
It is very difficult to find everything scattered throughout the
levels. Secret rooms, objects that are placed at the exact point that
if you don't walk over into a corner, you would never notice that
something in the shadows; these are what will keep you coming back to
Doom. Not to mention that this is the best way to take out aggressions
on a video game since Tempest 2000!
So go out, grab Doom, and go kick some interstellar butt!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Doom JagNet: No
Design: Id Software Players: One or Two (via null
Published by: Atari Corp. modem cable)
Price: $69.95(US) Available: Now (US, UK)
Here's the summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Graphics - ****+ The graphics are top notch. If they had been at a
little higher resolution they'd have been better.
Audio - *** Nice sound f/x but a little more was needed to
totally immerse the gamer.
Control - **** Smooth and easy to pick up. Surprisingly good
with the joypad.
Gameplay - ***** Highly addictive. Don't forget to put the
controller down and eat on occasion.
Overall - ****+ Worth every penny.
Mark's Keys to Ratings
(sort of a state of mind)
***** - "There can only be one." Highlander.
**** - "Excellent!" Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
*** - "That was just called Pillow Talk, Baby." Army of Darkness.
** - "I've got a very bad feeling about this." Star Wars.
* - "Not if you tied my tongue to the tailpipe of your car and
dragged me naked through a field of glass!" The Hard Way.
About your reviewer:
Mark "Stingray" Santora has always been known as the "technical" one
in his family. He is the most computer literate of his two other
brothers and his parents still have trouble with the VCR. He is 23,
and a May 94 graduate from the University of Miami with a dual major
in Film Production and English Creative Writing.
Mark has been using Atari products as far back as he can remember.
The original style 2600 followed in 1980 by the big one - an Atari 800
with a whopping 48K. He moved on to a Mega ST2 (now a 4) in 1987 and
it has been his proud computer since. Over the years he owned a 7800,
which is still in his basement, one of the first Lynx game machines as
well as one of the first Jaguars. (Serial number K13B002383 for those
involved in the GEnie discussion.)
The "Stingray" comes from two different backgrounds: 1. the very cool
fish he's swam next to while diving, and 2. the extremely cool car.
When he's not writing reviews, playing video games, or diving, he
writes screenplays (two with the WGA so far) and works on film sets as
well as rock concerts. Mark tries to stay diversified.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding
||| Review By: Timothy Wilson
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.8 Internet: wilsont@rahul.net
------------------------------------------------------------------
You've seen 'em on the slopes and in the Olympics, those amazing
skiers that can weave between those flags or jump amazing distances
and land perfectly, In VSS you get your chance to step into the ski
boots of one of these super shredders.
When starting the game, you can choose to play one of three modes:
Free-Ride, Training or Competition. In Free-Ride, you must beat times
and ski through checkpoints, sometimes making decisions on which trail
to take. In training or competion, you can also choose from Slalom or
Downhill. Both require you to ski between flags, but the flags in
slalom are closer together (less space to ski through) and are always
set on the opposite side of the trail from the last. Downhill flags
are spaced far apart left-right, and set up so radical moves aren't
required to reach the next set.
Of course, you can choose either skis or snow board, and pressing
Option lets you configure buttons and joypad controls (yea!).
Tim: Gee, maybe I should explain it a bit more huh?
Reader: Yes, that would be nice, Tim. What does it look like?
Ok, Your view is from behind and slightly above your skier, the camera
pretty much retains its position from behind, so if a big hill comes
up, you sometimes can't see what's on top. The course also wanders
from side to side, and there are usually trees, rocks, poles, or signs
framing the trail. The main trail has a "used" look to it with criss
cross patterns of previous skiers. A nice touch is that your character
also leaves a mark in the snow. Your character can jump, turn, or
"power turn" at will. Although when jumping you cannot move left or
right (nothing touches the ground of course!), and power turns tend to
slow you down drasticly. If the charater happens to slam headlong into
a tree, rock or snowplow, you'll be treated to a nice show of the
skier bite the white, tumbling forward for a good 50-100 feet.
I think the skier is really a Toon though, as he never gets hurt, only
loses time in these collisions. So, no worrying about fatigue or life
bars. Strangely, hitting other skiers only slows the player down a
little bit. I was hoping for a tangled mass to slide down the hill and
prehaps a reprimand by Val D'Isere Personel, but I didn't even get a
"oof!" or "Ouch!".
Everything in the game is a beautifuly scaled colorful sprite. No big
chunky pixels as sprites get closer. The backdrops for the game and
menus are nicely done, some look digitized, and some look drawn (but
drawn very well). Val D'Isere logos, Atari Fujis, and Virtual Studio
banners are all over, along with a dash of popular ski-sub-culture
icons and motifs.
The sound and music were pretty good. Title music, option screen
music, and I think there was a few skiiing tunes as well, so there was
always music playing, it didn't really grate on my nerves or anything,
but eventually it would get old. The sound FX were adequate, with a
good sampling of swoosh, hiss, and swish noises, and a few other
sounds like bodies tumbling and slalom flags being hit, and the
victory yell (YEEAH!) as you jump off a big hill.
Control was fine, there were plenty of configurations to choose from,
many of the controls can float between the buttons and the d-pad. A
realistic setting is #9, you always accelerate, and you can only steer
on the d-pad. I prefered having "up" being speed, down brake, while
the buttons did jump and power turn. I got "Jaguar thumb" after a
while, since a lot of jockeying is needed, and in that setting I
needed lots of diagnals. If playing two player, you must hand
controller 1 back and forth, which was slightly annoying.
As for game play, hmmm, well, pretty much run-of-the-mill racer.
There wasn't any difference between the skis or the board, only a
change of graphics. The terrain in the game is what you could predict:
Some places have ice, so you can go fast, but it's hard to steer, or
sometimes it's a creek bed or bare dirt which -really- slows you down.
My friend and I had the most fun in Free-ride, since we didn't have to
beat other times, just make it through the checkpoint, and we could
pick different routes. In competition, you have to get a better time
than the person above you on the competition ladder. If you don't make
it, you lose one of your chances, of which you only have three.
Personally, I had played it out in a night, I had fun, but not enough.
Admittedly, I only got to level 2 in the Free-ride, but it got
exponentially harder from level 1, and you have no choice but to
complete the current run, which you have to keep playing over and over
until you basically memorize the tough parts. It does have a slightly
addictive quality to it, in that I wanted to see the new scenery or
just get the next checkpoint in sight.
In the end, I have to give this a "try before you buy" stamp.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Val D'Isere Skiing Price: $59.95(US)
and Snowboarding JagNet: No
Design: Virtual Studio Players: 1 or 2 (one controller)
Published by: Atari Corp. Available: Late December
Here's the summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Gameplay - ** Drop in cars and you'd have a so-so race game.
Graphics - **+ Excellent use of colors and very fast.
Sound - *** Music is just under T2K's. FX are sparse.
Control - *** Lots of configurable buttons.
Overall - **+ I'd rent it once, and then buy a lift ticket.
(Overall is not an average!)
My standard five star rating scores:
***** Whoa! this is some major powder!
**** I can't wait to shred!
*** These lines are kinda long, but at least it's a good run.
** Hey! Quit scratching my skis, dude!
* MY LEG!!! OW! MY LEG!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Checkered Flag
||| By: Mark "Stingray" Santora
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.4 Delphi: SANTORA
-------------------------------------------------------------------
It begins with a sound. The purr comes to life and surrounds you,
echoing through your head. It is almost deafening. Your heart starts
to pound harder. It gets louder, almost blocking out the revving
engine noise. Then it happens, in a flash of light the green comes;
and the race begins.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Overview
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Taking a break from blasting imps, aliens, and predators, you strap
yourself into the first full fledged racing game for the Jaguar,
Checkered Flag.
In this tribute to Virtua Racing you control your racer as you speed
around 10 different tracks with 6 different views, in four different
weather conditions, with up to 5 drones that compete with you for the
title. As you can see, there are quite a number of different options
in this game.
A quick note: This review is based on having played Checkered Flag for
over a week. So, none of those, "he only played it for five minutes"
comments, please.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Game
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After the title screen comes the set up screen. Here is where the best
part of Checkered Flag lies. You can control just about everything in
the game. First you start with your car. What Color, sir? Choose
between 6 color combinations. Next, what's it like outside? The
weather is either Sun, Rain, Fog, or Dark (available with joypad code
8,4,7,3 when "weather" is highlighted). Next your airfoil, sir, would
you like that high or low? Tires, dry or wet? Now, would you like to
control the 6 speed transmission yourself or would you prefer the 5
speed automatic? And how many of the 5 drones would you care to race
against? Fine. thank you. Is this a tournament, single race, or free
practice? Good. How many laps would you like to go sir? Up to 99, we
do have to sleep, you know. Splendid. And finally, which of our 10
tracks would you like to drive? If there were any more questions I
would be certain a butler was hovering about. After selecting from
your plethora of options, hit A, B, or C and let's go!
You are on the starting line with the Announcer, very crisply saying,
"Gentlemen, start your engines!" You drop your car into gear and your
engine screams into action, redlining. When the starting light turns
green, you speed off into the horizon. As previously stated, Checkered
Flag is a tribute to Virtua Racing. Your car, the opponents, and the
landscape are all comprise of polygons. The only bitmaps are the
excellent skies that are the horizon.
There are six different views in the game for you to choose from.
View one is in the car looking out from the drivers position. View two
has you just outside the car just above your airfoil. View three
places you about 5 feet above and behind your airfoil. View four is
like a helicopter chase view of the race. View five is a little lower
than the helicopter chase, but much closer to the car. View six best
represents another helicopter chase, but from quite a bit higher up.
The exterior views smoothly flow from one to the other. They are
changed by pressing buttons one through six on your numeric pad. I
find that views three and four are the best for the game.
Your joypad controls the movement of the car, left turns you left and
right turns you right. When using a manual transmission, pressing up
shifts you into the next higher gear. Pressing down, shifts you into a
lower gear. There are six gears in the manual transmission.
Control is one of the main factors that seems to have everyone
talking. Of course, I picked up Checkered Flag on the day of release
and my initial comments were not very good. The control is
exceptionally touchy. The manual refers to steering as, "While holding
the joypad down, the car will turn a small amount at first, then will
turn more sharply before lessening again." What does this mean? It
means that you can not hold the pad down while you turn. If you do,
you will end up turning ninety degrees and crash into whatever polygon
is there. Trust me, you do a lot of crashing in this game.
Thank god your car is invulnerable. It does not get damaged, it does
not blow up. It either stops completely, slows down, or flips - a lot.
And it always ends up on its wheels. (I think they are taking this
cat/jaguar thing a little far.)
Another thing to note about the flipping is that while you are
flipping you still have control of your car! If you keep your
accelerator depressed, you will keep moving once you land. You can
also steer your car somewhat, while you are flipping to help you
correct your course once you land. The problem with the steering in
this game is what will keep it from becoming a full blown hit like
AvP.
On the other hand, and if I didn't mention this there would be plenty
of angry CF players out there, you can turn around. In other words,
this game is not on rails. You can drive anywhere on the track you
want. Sure, you can't drive over the water, but who can? So in essence
you get 20 tracks, 10 in one direction and 10 in the other.
There is also a pit right next to the starting line. You can pull in,
and pull out. As far as I can tell there is no practical purpose for
the pit. I wish there had been. Perhaps if you damaged you car, or in
long races if your tires wore down. Maybe someone in your pit crew
telling you how many laps you've done.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The graphics are quite colorful. Your car is sharply animated and the
horizon smoothly comes into view from the lower camera angles. As you
move up, though, the horizon jumps into the frame much like
Cybermorph. However, the distances to the horizon are accurately
portrayed here by the use of color. The colors are faded and less
vibrant in the distance than they are in the immediate vicinity of
your car.
Speaking of distance, there are several things that can hinder your
driving ability (besides the control). There is Fog, which is very
nicely implemented. In fact, you must specifically change your tires
for it. The distance is covered in a wet looking blanket, and so is
the road. Without the Wet tires, you're all over the place more than
usual. The Rain isn't that impressive an effect. The rain is flat and
boring looking and appears to be placed on as a sort of transparency
behind your car. Ok, imagine the HUD on AvP. That's where the rain is.
It isn't half a mile down the road. And the road doesn't "look" wet.
You know little puddles and such. The best of the weather conditions
is night. The darkness is great and I find it to be the most
impressive of all the backgrounds and driving simulations. It kinda
reminds me of the classic, Night Driver.
On the screen you have the race course in front of you laid out and
your speed indicator, gear, position, lap time and best lap time,
tachometer, and your track map. All of these remain on screen
throughout your race. You can, by pressing the option button on the
set up screen, turn off the tachometer, and stop the race map from
spinning - or turn it off as well. From the option screen you can also
customize the controls of your pad. Default settings are "A" for
accelerate, "B" for brake, and "C" for cruise. From within the game
the Option Button gives you access to the sound f/x and music volume,
which you can alter. These alterations, along with the pad controls
and the screen display will be saved to the cartridge's flash memory.
Like all the other Jaguar cartridges to date, up to 100,000 changes
can be made before the memory is no longer usable.
The five drones (maximum) that you race against are just as well drawn
as you. Unfortunately, they are difficult to see at times until you
are almost on top of them. All of the sudden you seem to be on top of
them, and then you are, literally. You crash and go flipping through
the air, and then you're on the road again. The sound of the other
cars are not very well used, as it is difficult to tell sometimes if
they have passed you because you can't hear them!
=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound
=-=-=-=-=-=
The music in the game is one of the best parts. For each of the ten
tracks there is a specific tune. There is also a specific tune for the
opening screen and option screen as well as the "Race Winner" screen.
The music is top class, different than Tempest 2000, but then that
type of music wouldn't work here. The sound effects are limited to
that between your car engine and the other cars whizzing past you.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. Lynx
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I know, I know, it isn't really fair to compare a 64 bit console to a
8/16-bit handheld. But I felt that this review would be strangely
incomplete without it. Some say that the handling is identical between
the two versions of the game, so I dusted off my Lynx case, dropped in
my Checkered Flag card and played again. Like the Jag version, your
car is invulnerable. It will come to a complete stop or spin 360
degrees before allowing you to take control of it. But unlike the Lynx
version, the Jaguar version has multiple views. As for the control,
the Lynx version handles much better. It handles exactly how you think
it would handle for a video game. It doesn't overturn you for holding
the pad.
Also where the Lynx version shines over its younger brother is in the
Lynxability of it. This is my biggest gripe with the Jaguar version,
a one player game. If a split screen wasn't possible (I don't see why
not) than you should at least be able to link the systems together
like Doom. This would severely helped the gameplay of the Jaguar
version. We all know there is nothing more fun than beating your
friend at a video game. Don't believe me? How many times do you see
people
lining up to play Mortal Kombat 2 against a friend. It's one
thing to beat up a computer, but beating your friend is another story.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I was disappointed in the end product of Checkered Flag for the Jaguar.
I was expecting more, at least a two player option. I could at least
forgive the harshness of the controls but without it, is just becomes
a VR knock-off that can be fun, but requires patience to learn to
drive. And then after a while, you end up wondering what else is there
to do in the game besides drive in circles. We can only hope the
Checkered Flag 2 will be what we hoped Checkered Flag would be.
If you are in desperate need for a driving game, I'm not telling you
to buy it, but you could do worse. With some other racing games in the
pipeline, perhaps you should save your money and pick up other stuff
until then.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Title: Checkered Flag JagNet: No
Design: Rebellion Players: One
Published by: Atari Corp. Available: Now (US, UK)
Price: $59.95
Here's the Summary ratings:
"*" is a whole
"+" is a half
5 stars maximum
Graphics - **+ They are good, but not great. After 6 months delay,
you wonder if this was the best they could do.
Audio - *** Sound f/x are only adequate, but the music helps out.
Control - *+ It just doesn't work all that well.
Gameplay - ** Just below average. If it was average, you could
control it better.
Overall - **+ There are other racers in the pipeline. Wait for them
unless you need to buy it.
Mark's Keys to Ratings
(Sort of a State of Mind)
***** - "Oh, you want some of this, too?" - Aliens.
**** - "Yippie Ki Yea!" - Die Hard.
*** - "Full Impulse Power, Mr. Scott." - Any Star Trek Film.
** - "Bogus!" - Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
* - "There anything else that'll keep it from falling?"
"Yeah, the basement." - Speed.
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:: Volume 3 - Issue 14 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 18 December 1994 ::
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