CAIN Newsletter: 30-Nov-94 #0108
From: Atari SIG (xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 12/04/94-07:58:05 PM Z
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
Subject: CAIN Newsletter: 30-Nov-94 #0108
Date: Sun Dec 4 19:58:05 1994
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\ Nov 30, 1994 Vol.I No.8 /
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/____/__|__\_________ Central Atari ______| |________/
/____/___|___\________ Information Network ____| | | |_____/
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The Official Online Newsletter of the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG
_________________________________________________________________________
The Cleveland Free-Net Community Computer System is accessible worldwide!
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telnet freenet-in-{a,b,c}.cwru.edu (129.22.8.32 or 129.22.8.51)
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216/368-3888 | 300-14400 bps | type 'go atari' at any menu
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WWW: http://ace.cs.ohiou.edu/personal/mleair/cain.html
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Covering:
7800/XE/XL/800/400,FALCON030/ST/TT/ST(e),PORTFOLIO,LYNX,JAGUAR
CAIN Online Newsletter Published and Copyright (c) 1994
by Cain Publishing
Publisher/Editor
Voting/Conferences.........Mark Leair aa338@cleveland.freenet.edu
Assistant Editor
SIG Manager/Jaguar Area....Len Stys aa399@cleveland.freenet.edu
8-Bit Support Area..........Michael Current aa700@cleveland.freenet.edu
8-Bit Technical Forum.......Craig Lisowski aa853@cleveland.freenet.edu
16/32-Bit Support Area......Bruce D. Nelson aa789@cleveland.freenet.edu
16/32-Bit Support Area......Thomas Main em129@cleveland.freenet.edu
Atari Classic Gaming Corner/
Portfolio Support Area......Fred Horvat ap748@cleveland.freenet.edu
Lynx Support Area...........Barry W. Cantin aa852@cleveland.freenet.edu
Contributor.................Ari Feldman FELDAK79@SNYONEVA.CC.ONEONTA.EDU
_________________________________________________________________________
Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG Internet E-Mail: xx004@cleveland.freenet.edu
_________________________________________________________________________
Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG, P.O. Box 364, Mentor, OH U.S.A. 44061-0364
_________________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
>From the Editor..........................................The CAIN Newsletter
-Mark Leair
>From the SIG Manager......................The Cleveland Free-Net & Atari SIG
-Len Stys
Free-Net News....................................ASCII Art to Atari SIG Menus
-Atari SIG
Atari News..............Doom Creators Unleash 64-Bit Hell on the Atari Jaguar
Game Descriptions of November '94 Jaguar Game Releases
Atari Unleashes an Array of Jaguar Game Titles
Atari Jaguar Stalks Japan
Atari's Alien Vs. Predator Hits Big in Stores
Time Warner & Atari to Offer Jaguar Games on Full Service Network
Atari and Sega Finalize Deal
-Atari Corp.
8-Bit Computers Support Area...............................8-bit Product News
8-bit Feature Article (2)
8-Bit Commentary
-Michael Current
16/32-Bit Computers Support Area....................16/32-bit Product Reviews
-Thomas Main
Atari Classic Gaming Corner.......................Classic Gaming Product News
Classic Gaming Product Review
-Fred Horvat
Lynx Support Area........................................Lynx Feature Article
Lynx Commentary
-Barry W. Cantin
Jaguar Support Area...............................................Jaguar News
Jaguar Game Summaries
Tempest 2000 Soundtrack shipping soon
VHS Game Tape Offer
Jaguar Contest
Doom Internet Reviews
Dragon Internet Reviews
Brutal Sports Internet Reviews
Club Drive Internet Review
Alien Vs. Predator Hints
Alien Vs. Predator Cheats
Doom Cheats
Jaguar Messages of Interest
December 1994 Jaguar Letter Writing Campaign
Jaguar Commentary
-Len Stys
Upcoming Atari Shows......................................Atari Show Calendar
-Mark Leair
Voting Issues and Results............Reader and User Opinion Poll Information
-Mark Leair
General Information of Need.........................How to Contribute to CAIN
Article Requests
-Mark Leair
>From the Editor
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Mark Leair
The Holiday Season has come upon us! What a great time to "wish" for
something "Atarian"! For the Jag fans, there's the long awaited DOOM. If
you're an Atari 8-bitter, check out the 8 bit section for the "Atari 8-bit
Omnibus"...a catalog of companies that support the 8-bit...Something for your
Holiday Wish list could be at your finger-tips... Right now is also a good
time to buy a Lynx! Consult the Lynx section for details... There's even new
software available for the 2600! You will soon see that this issue is full of
holiday gift suggestions for your Atari computer or game system... Enjoy!
Next, the long-awaited "Who's Who in the Atari Community" is included as
a supplement to this newsletter. This contains names, e-mail address, and
brief descriptions of "influential" people in the Atari Community. People
considered "influential" in the community include user group presidents,
programmers, writers, ftp site maintainers, etc. If you fall under one or
more of these categories, you can be included in this list. Consult the
newsletter's supplement for further information.
Until next month, from all of us here at CAIN, have a VERY HAPPY Holiday
and a prosperous New Year!
-Mark Leair
CAIN Publisher
>From the SIG Manager
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Len Stys
The year is almost over and I hope everyone has enjoyed CAIN Newsletter.
The main goal of this newsletter is to keep everyone informed of what
has been going on and to encourage the readers of CAIN Newsletter to
participate in the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG. After all, this system
is our home and we love visitors!
We are also one of the few publications out there that likes to print
commentary. That is why we encourage our editors and readers to write
commentary for the newsletter. We aren't afraid of stepping on toes
because we believe it actually helps in the long-run.
This is another information packed issue of CAIN Newsletter. Even though
Atari is supposedly officially out of the computer business, we aren't.
We love reporting about Atari computers because they are still very capable
machines. And maybe one day, Atari will try to tackle the personal
computer business again. We all know that Atari's heart remains in this
industry...
The Jaguar is doing really well this Christmas. Alien Vs. Predator is a
hit and Atari is airing three new commercials in December. Hopefully,
we will see Atari concentrating on the Lynx in the near future again.
It is one heck of a handheld that should have more games available for it.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Free-Net News
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG will be adding new ASCII art to the menus
in the month of December. Stop by, check it out, and tell us how you
like it. We'd love more visitors for the Holidays!
Atari News
-=-=-=-=-=
Contact: Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
DOOM CREATORS UNLEASH 64-BIT HELL ON THE ATARI JAGUAR
SUNNYVALE, CA (December 2, 1994) -- Fans of the cult video
game DOOM can now experience what Jay Wilbur, president of
Id Software, the company that created the popular game,
describes as "the most powerful version of the game on any
video game system." According to reports from stores
nationwide, the Jaguar version of DOOM is already selling
briskly.
DOOM is an ultra-fast virtual reality showcase that plunges
the player deep into a 3D world filled with legions of
gruesome fiends. The Atari Jaguar is the first 64-bit video
game system in the world.
Unlike versions for other video game systems, the Jaguar
version of DOOM
* Offers nine additional levels of play, including
improved, custom-designed levels available only on the
Jaguar.
* Exploits the Jaguar's 64-bit power to deliver compelling,
realistic game play. For example, the monsters that
populate the Jaguar version's hellish world are not flat,
two-dimensional characters like they are on other
systems, but awesome, three-dimensional beings. Catch a
side-view as they walk around you, or turn-around and
shoot them in the back!
* Uses 65,000 colors -- compared to 256 on other systems --
for advanced lighting and shading effects that provide
the most immersive, first-person experience available.
* Allows for two players. Until now, this was only possible
on the personal computer version of DOOM. Although owners
of other video game systems can play their own, more
limited version of DOOM, they cannot play each other.
Jaguar fans will be able to link up two Jaguar systems
and either team up against the gruesome fiends or
challenge each other to a death match.
* Offers a special save feature so Jaguar players can go
back to the last completed level and continue their
mission through the bowels of hell.
* Takes advantage of the full size of the television
screen.
"We didn't just license the code to Atari, we developed the
Jaguar version of DOOM ourselves," explained American
McGee, a game designer at Id Software, the company that
created DOOM. "We streamlined and improved the graphics and
made the game even more compelling," he added.
The favorable reviews already are beginning to pour in.
Video Games magazine described the game as an "unqualified
addiction for those lucky enough to play it." The reviewer
added, "This one could be a guaranteed system-seller for
those considering a Jaguar purchase."
An aggressive marketing campaign will promote the Jaguar
version of DOOM and will include new television commercials
and print ads. The ad campaign will run in December, in
time for the holiday shopping season.
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game System"
(Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (Game
Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement of the Year"
(DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's first
64-bit game system, and the only video game system
manufactured in the United States.
# # #
CONTACT: Patrick Toland/Laura Paden
Edelman Public Relations
(415) 433-5381
GAME DESCRIPTIONS OF NOVEMBER '94 JAGUAR GAME RELEASES
[] Checkered Flag -- Players choose sound and visual
effects, music and pit crews and one of ten tracks.
Once practice runs are complete, drivers take a crack at
the qualifying heats. Then move on to single and
tournament race options and make a run for the checkered
flag!
"This one-player game offers a selection of more than
ten courses, different cars and equipment, a pallet of
car colors to choose from, even changeable weather
conditions. Checkered Flag has a strong Virtual Racing
feel." (Gamepro, July 1994)
[] Club Drive -- Choosing from four different themes,
players cruise through the streets of San Francisco in a
souped-up hot rod or plow through an Old West town in a
futuristic speed machine picking up randomly placed
energy balls. Players will never get enough once they
strap in and join the 64-bit club.
"It's like Cybermorph on the ground! Race through and
explore several different scenes, the likes of which
have never been seen in any driving game. These polygon
graphics might take you to places you've never been."
(Video Games Magazine, June 1994)
[] Doom -- Doom, which has received a national cult
following, is an ultra-fast virtual reality showcase
that plunges the player deep into a 3D world filled with
legions of gruesome fiends. As a renegade marine,
players use both state-of-the-art weaponry and their own
wits to survive. Dramatic, high-speed animation,
incredible graphics and Jaguar's uncompromising
multimedia realism bring this PC favorite to 64-bit
life.
"This game has already created a sensation on the PC
side and is an unqualified addiction for those lucky
enough to play it." (Video Games Magazine in June 1994)
[] Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story -- The spirit of martial
arts master Bruce Lee lives on in this dangerously life-
like combat simulation based on his biographical film.
Players apply discipline and a devastating array of age-
old fighting techniques to subdue opponents more cunning
than the real Bruce Lee ever faced.
"Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a superb `purist'
kung-fu fighting game for Jaguar" (Electronic Gaming
Monthly)
# # #
Jaguar is a trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari is a
registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products
named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their
owning companies.
CONTACT: Patrick Toland/Laura Paden
Edelman Public Relations
(415) 433-5381
For Immediate Release
ATARI UNLEASHES AN ARRAY OF JAGUAR GAME TITLES
The 64-Bit Jaguar Boasts the Release of Four New Titles
SUNNYVALE, Calif. (November 23, 1994) -- The video game
jungle is rapidly becoming Jaguar territory as Atari plans
to enlarge its current library with the release of four new
game titles in November, including the highly anticipated
Doom, the PC cult favorite. The Jaguar version of Doom is
the best version we've developed for any video game
platform," said Jay Wilbur, president of id Software.
Atari also is releasing three additional titles
including Checkered Flag, Club Drive and Dragon: The Bruce
Lee Story.
"These game titles are just the tip of the iceberg of
what's to come -- we'll have more than 20 titles available
for the Atari Jaguar by year's end," stated Sam Tramiel,
President and CEO of Atari Corporation. "Our software
library will continue to grow rapidly in the coming months
and the coming year with titles designed to capitalize on
the revolutionary technology of the 64-Bit Jaguar system."
With Jaguar's cutting-edge graphics, 24-bit true color
and CD-quality sound, game players experience the latest in
video game technology. Following is an outline of planned
Atari releases for late November 1994:
Game Title Game Category MFG.SRP
---------- ------------- -------
Checkered Flag Formula Racing $ 69.99
Club Drive Driving Simulation 59.99
Doom Action/Combat 69.99
Dragon: The
Bruce Lee Story Fighting/Martial Arts 59.99
Since its release, Atari's Jaguar game system has been
named the industry's "Best New Game System" (VideoGames
Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (GameInformer) and
"1993 Technical Achievement of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
The Jaguar is the only video game system manufactured in
the United States.
Over 200 third-party developers have agreed to create
new titles for the Atari Jaguar. The November game releases
are part of more than 20 games scheduled for availability
prior to the holidays. Other Jaguar titles expected before
year's end include Iron Soldier, Kasumi Ninja, Val D'Isere
Skiing & Snowboarding, Zool2 and Bubsy.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's only
64-bit system, and the only video game system manufactured
in the United States. Atari is headquartered at 1196
Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94089.
# # #
Jaguar is a trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari is a
registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products
named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their
owning companies.
Contact: Laury Scott/Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
ATARI JAGUAR STALKS JAPAN
SUNNYVALE, CA (November 21, 1994) -- Atari Corporation
today announced that the Atari Jaguar, the world's only
64-bit video game system, will now be available at all
25 Toys "R" Us stores and other selected stores in
Japan. Mumin Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, will handle
distribution and sales. Japanese consumers will be able
test-drive the Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia
System at special demonstration kiosks in Toys "R" Us
stores.
"The Japanese are very serious about their video game
systems, and they will choose the system with the best
graphics and most sophisticated playing environment,"
said Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "We think
that if they are given the chance to compare, Japanese
gamers will choose Atari Jaguar."
The launch in Japan marks another significant milestone
in building distribution for the Atari Jaguar system.
Introduced in October of last year, the Jaguar was only
available in New York and San Francisco during last
year's important holiday shopping season. Today, the
Jaguar is available throughout the United States,
Canada, Europe and, now, Japan.
"We have the best game system in the business, hit games
like Alien Vs. Predator and the soon-to-be-released
Doom, and we are expanding our distribution," Tramiel
added. "The momentum for Jaguar is building every day."
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game
System" (Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware
System" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement
of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's
only 64-bit game system, and the only video game
system manufactured in the United States.
# # #
Contact: Ron Beltramo David Harrah
Atari Edelman Public Relations
408/745-8852 415/968-4033
For Immediate Release
ATARI'S ALIEN Vs. PREDATOR HITS BIG IN STORES
SUNNYVALE, CA (November 22, 1994) -- Atari Corporation
today announced that initial production of its new
Alien Vs. Predator game, launched October 21st in stores
around the world, has nearly sold-out. Atari is working
with suppliers to rush additional quantities to stores in
anticipation of increasing pre-Christmas demand for the
game. Alien Vs. Predator utilizes the sophisticated
graphics and power available from the 64-bit Atari Jaguar.
"In less than three weeks, over 50% of our installed base
purchased Alien Vs. Predator," said Sam Tramiel, CEO of
Atari Corporation. "This is the most enthusiastic
reception we've ever seen for a game and is indicative of
what a truly great game Alien Vs. Predator really is. We
have also seen a strong increase in sales for the Jaguar
system coinciding with the release of this game and the
launch of our expanded advertising program."
Atari's new Alien Vs. Predator for the 64-bit Jaguar
system provides such realistic graphics and life-like
digitized sound effects that it creates a compelling,
first-person perspective. Gamers can choose to be the
Predator, Alien or Colonial Marine as they battle
through the Predator ship, the Marine Training Base or
the Alien ship, enjoying hours of entertainment. Alien
Vs. Predator is licensed from Twentieth Century Fox and
is based on the films of the same names.
Key game reviewers have been effusive in their praise for
Alien Vs. Predator . Paul Anderson of Game Informer
Magazine stated: "I was overwhelmed with the cutting edge
graphics and the innovative game play of AVP --no question
it's the best Jaguar game to-date."
"Alien Vs. Predator is the best 3-D action game that I have
ever played -- the graphics and game play are second to
none," wrote Dave Halverson, editor-in-chief of DieHard
GameFan. "If you own a Jaguar, you must own this game, and
if you don't own a Jag, it's time to get one. More games
are on the way!"
Atari plans to release more startlingly realistic games.
Games scheduled for late November release include Club
Drive, Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story and Doom.. December
releases include Iron Soldier, Val D'Isere Skiing, Kasumi
Ninja, Zool II and Bubsy.
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game
system has been named the industry's "Best New Game
System" (Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware
System" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement
of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia
entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's
only 64-bit game system, and the only video game system
manufactured in the United States.
# # #
TIME WARNER & ATARI TO OFFER JAGUAR GAMES ON FULL SERVICE NETWORK
MAITLAND, FLA. (Nov. 14) BUSINESS WIRE -Nov. 14, 1994--Time Warner
Cable's Full Service Network (FSN) President Tom Feige and Atari Corp.'s
CEO Sam Tramiel announced Monday an agreement to offer Atari's Jaguar
64-bit interactive video games on demand to FSN customers.
Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit interactive game system
features high-speed animation, textured three-dimensional color images
and graphics, and CD-quality sound.
Consumers will access the Atari games on the Full Service Network
using the 64-bit Jaguar game system device, which processes more than
100 times as much data at one time than 16-bit games, and twice as much
as 32-bit game systems. This significantly increases speed and lets game
players experience superior graphic performance and animation action.
Through the Full Service Network, the Atari games are digitally
compressed and stored on magnetic hard drives, and downloaded to the game
device at the consumers' request.
In addition, using a Hewlett Packard DeskJet 550C printer, consumers
will be able to print out game instructions with full-color graphics.
Approximately 30 Atari Jaguar game titles will be available on the Full
Service Network next year.
"We're proud to offer consumers games on demand from Atari Jaguar
because it's the most advanced and powerful game system available today,"
said Full Service Network President Tom Feige. "When we compared the
graphics and capabilities of the game systems on the market, Atari
Jaguar was the clear choice for us."
"Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is the network of the
future, " said Atari President and CEO Sam Tramiel. "Atari's Jaguar
system brings the most sophisticated hardware and games to the network.
We are proud that Time Warner picked Atari Jaguar for the Full Service
Network."
Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar game system has
been named the industry's "Best New Game System" by Video Games Magazine,
"Best New Hardware System" by Game Informer, and "1993 Technical
Achievement of the Year" by DieHard GameFan. Jaguar is the only video
game system manufactured in the United States.
Time Warner Cable is the nation's second largest cable television
operator with 7.3 million customers in 34 states, and serves more than
500,000 customers in its Florida division.
Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is a digital, interactive
television network which merges cable, computer, and telephone
technologies to provide customers greater choice, control, and
convenience in accessing information and services.
Atari Corp. markets interactive multimedia entertainment systems,
including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and the only
video game system manufactured in the United States.
CONTACT: Time Warner Cable, Maitland
Tammy Lindsay, 407/667-2034
or
Atari
Ron Beltramo, 408/745-8852
or
Edelman PR
David Harrah, 415/968-4033
ATARI AND SEGA FINALIZE DEAL
Atari Corporation announced this week that it has received regulatory
approval in connection with its agreements with Sega and the transactions
have closed.
Sega has paid Atari $50 million (Atari's net being less contingent
legal fees and costs) in exchange for a license from Atari covering the
use of a library of patents. In addition, Sega has made an equity
investment in Atari of $40 million at a common share price of $8.50.
Finally, Sega and Atari have entered into cross licensing agreements
through the year 2001. The cross licensing agreement also allows the two
companies to publish on each of their respective platforms.
Commenting on the announcement, Sam Tramiel, president of Atari,
said, "We are very pleased to have closed these transactions. These
funds will be used to increase software development for the Atari Jaguar
as well as increased promotional activity and other working capital
requirements."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
8-Bit Computers Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Michael Current
This month, in addition to bringing you six (count 'em!) 8-bit product
announcements, we have two 8-Bit Feature Articles. The first is an
article by Frank Seipel on Corvus hard drives, and the second is an
overview of the various BBS software systems out there written by Winston
Smith. Both articles are reprinted here as posted on comp.sys.atari.8bit.
8-Bit Product News
------------------
CONTENTS:
Richard Gore back online
PC Xformer 3.0 (130XE emulator) now shipping!
Atari 8-bit Omnibus
The Atari 8-bit Omnibus
Nice hardware developments
Menu Print Info
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Richard Gore back online
From: CHMRIG@EAST-01.NOVELL.LEEDS.AC.UK (R. GORE)
Date: 18 Nov 1994 08:22:34 -0600
Hello world, after an absence of just over four months I'm back with
an e-mail account. My support for the Atari 8-bits has been continuing
and I have some new products for you. Read on for some brief details
and keep your eye on future digest mailings for the full details.
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
GTRACKER A sample sound sequencer program for Replay/Parrot
compatible sound files. Digitise your own sounds and sequence them
into a song file. Twin disk pack with several demo files, a player
program and a printed manual.
Price: #6.50 ($15) including shipping.
SUPER PRINT-LAB XE A new graphics design and print program for
use on 128k (or more) machines. Features include the usual array of
art tools, extensive support utilities and printer support for Atari 1029,
Atari 1020 (in full colour) and Epson compatibles.
Price: #6.95 ($16) including shipping.
Other titles:
JAWBREAKER #4 ($8)
MOUSEKATTACK #4 ($8)
Buy both Jawbreaker & Mousekattack for only #6.95 ($14)
ARENA #5 ($10)
BUBBLE ZONE #5 ($10)
ADDRESS:-
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH,
DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
E-mail: chmrig@leeds.ac.uk
Watch this space for more products and more details.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
PC Xformer 3.0 (130XE emulator) now shipping!
From: darekm@microsoft.com (Darek Mihocka)
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 23:45:12 GMT
"Imagine my glee at having a tiny little window on my screen showing
the good old SWANDEMO executing at previously unimaginable speeds...
Thanks so much for XF... I didn't think XF3 would be able to reach
that level of emulation, but I guess I was wrong."
- Oscar Fowler, PC Xformer user whose life was profoundly changed
Introducing...
PC Xformer 3.0 - The Atari 130XE Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs
PC Xformer 2.5 - The Atari 800XL Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs
November 10, 1994.
For more information, a product catalog, or to place an order, contact:
Darek Mihocka, c/o
Branch Always Software
14150 N.E. 20th Street
Suite 302
Bellevue, WA 98007 U.S.A.
Phone: 206-369-5513 Fax: 206-885-5893 Compuserve: 73657,2714 GEnie: BRASOFT
PC Xformer 2.5 is a free emulator for MS-DOS users who wish to run their old
Atari 400/800 and Atari 800XL software on their PC. The file XF25.ZIP is today
being released to the online services Compuserve, Delphi, and GEnie, and the
Internet. The ZIP file contains the PC Xformer 2.5 emulator, and
various sample
Atari 800XL programs and demos.
Also being released today is PC Xformer 3.0, the world's only 130XE emulator
for MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, OS/2 Warp, Windows 95, and Windows NT.
PC Xformer 3.0 is a powerful 32-bit version of PC Xformer, which runs up to
8 times faster than a real 130XE (on a Pentium) and is the only 8-bit emulator
ever to fully support display list interrupt, player missile graphics, and
GTIA graphics. PC Xformer 3.0 is available for only $29.95 U.S.
PC Xformer 3.0 also includes over 40 pages of documentation covering the use
of the emulator as well as Atari Basic, Atari DOS 2.5, MyDOS, graphics modes,
sound, error messages, and a complete glossary of Atari 8-bit terminology.
PC Xformer 3.0 also includes over 1 megabyte of public domain and shareware
Atari 800, Atari 800XL, and Atari 130XE software ready to run on the emulator.
Both PC Xformer 2.5 and PC Xformer 3.0 run on a minimum configuration of
an MS-DOS (or compatible) based PC, 640K of RAM, and a VGA card. PC
Xformer 2.5
is a 16-bit program which runs on 286, 386, 486, and Pentium processors, while
PC Xformer 3.0 only runs on 386, 486, and Pentium processors.
Features
--------
Many of the limitations of our old ST Xformer emulator and other clone Atari
emulators have been eliminated in PC Xformer. PC Xformer is written mostly
in machine language and takes full advantage of the PC hardware.
Features common to both PC Xformer 2.5 and PC Xformer 3.0 include:
- 48K Atari 400/800 emulation
- 64K Atari 800XL emulation with "RAM under ROM" memory
- allows user installable patches to the OS and BASIC
- displays all ANTIC text and graphics modes, including GTIA modes
- 256 color GTIA color palette
- displays player missile graphics (no collision detection)
- horizontal and vertical fine scrolling
- supports display list interrupts, IRQ, and NMI interrupts
- reads and writes to ST Xformer and SIO2PC generated disk images
- reads MS-DOS files directly from within Atari DOS
- switch Atari BASIC on/off with one keystroke
- switch between Atari 400/800 and Atari 800XL emulation with one
keystroke
- joystick emulation using the keyboard cursor keys
- full speed emulation on a 386/33 or faster
- slow and fast modes of emulation to take advantage of fast PCs
- compatible with all VGA cards
In addition, PC Xformer 3.0 adds features including these:
- 130XE emulation with 256K of extended XE memory
- player missile graphics with full collision detection
- on-the-fly disk image swapping
- 4 voices of sound, printer, and modem support
- real joystick support
- 386 optimized code for faster speed
- over 1 megabyte of sample Atari 8-bit programs
- over 40 pages of 8-bit Atari reference documentation
Below is a list of processors and the approximate speed of emulation relative
to an Atari 800:
- 286/16 - 0.3
- 386SX/20 - 0.5
- 386DX/33 - 1.0
- 486DX/33 - 2.0
- 486DX2/66 - 4.0
- Pentium/90 - 8.0
486 and Pentium users can use the slow/fast option to slow down the emulator
to normal Atari 800 speed or let it run as fast as possible.
PC Xformer 3.0 can be ordered for $29.95 U.S. directly from Branch Always
Software at the address above, or from these and other fine Atari dealers:
B & C Computervisions (U.S.A.) phone: 408-986-9960 fax: 408-986-9968
Mid Cities Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 310-867-0626 fax: 310-920-8933
Rising Star Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 800-252-2787 fax: 513-254-7970
Toad Computers (U.S.A.) phone: 800-448-TOAD fax: 410-544-1329
In addition, our Gemulator 3.02 Atari ST Emulator for MS-DOS can also be
purchased from the above dealers and these international dealers:
ACN (Holland and Germany) phone: +31 23351100 fax: +31 23361444
FaST Club (U.K.) phone: +44 602445250 fax: +44 602445305
Ordosoft (France) phone: +33 47547942 fax: +33 47513726
Paragon Computers (Australia) phone: +61 92213216 fax: +61 93258251
--
/--------------------------------------\
| Darek Mihocka. net: darekm@microsoft |
| Views expressed are always my own. |
\--------------------------------------/
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Atari 8-bit Omnibus
From: d.paterson2@genie.geis.com
Date: 11 Nov 1994 04:29:57 -0600
Have you ordered your copy of The Omnibus yet? This catalog of Atari 8-bit
hardware and software is a great source for all users, featuring products
from three continents. For only $5, you'll get your own copy sent out in
its own protective envelope. It's a great place to start when you're
writing your Christmas wish list. It even makes a great stocking stuffer.
So rush your order to:
D.A. Paterson
Attn: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
PO Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
Make cheques or money orders payable to D.A. Paterson
Volume discounts for as few as five copies! Email for more details.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The Atari 8-bit Omnibus
From: d.paterson2@genie.geis.com
Date: 19 Oct 1994 17:36:54 -0500
Years ago I looked forward with eager anticipation as each new issue of
Antic and Analog hit the newsstands. Page after page of programs and news,
but even better were the ads. Dozens of companies with new and exciting
hardware and software all clamouring for my attention.
The shrinking 8-bit market has kept most advertisers from any large scale
advertising in recent years. Several months ago, I decided to change that.
I wrote to all the vendors and developers listed in Michael Current's list,
offering them free advertising in The Atari 8-bit Omnibus. And, page by
page, the Omnibus filled. Ads came in all shapes and sizes, from
professionally laid out full page ads to a torn piece of notepaper with a
handwritten scrawl.
And now it's complete. Find out about 'Lemmings' and 'Operation Wolf'
clones for the 8-bit. Slave a PC to your 8-bit. Make your original 800
compatible with the XE - even down to memory banking! And many, many more
offers, featuring software and hardware, showing that the Atari 8-bit is
still a fine machine.
On November 1, 1994, the Omnibus will begin shipping (it's off to the
printers right now). This twenty-four page catalog is only $5 US per copy,
shipped worldwide. Orders for five or more copies are only $4 US each, when
shipped to a single address.
To order, send your cheque or money order payable to David A. Paterson to:
ATTN: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
D.A. Paterson
P.O. Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
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Nice hardware developments
From: didi@didi.mayn.sub.de (Dieter Popp)
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 94 16:38:57 CET
Hello fellows,
in the last Abbuc-mag was an advert from a local-group of Abbuc
they developed some nice things. Here a short list
1, Atari-PC Interface cartridge
schematics and disk 10 DM
Herkules cart 15 DM
interface 35 DM
connection to modulport-parallelport 5 DM
2, LCD-Display on the Atari
schematics and diagramms 5 DM
3, Printer and clock modul
Modul 60 DM
schematics and disk 10 DM
OS with P: Handler 15 DM
4, RS 232 modul
schematics and disk 5 DM
modul 50 DM
5, modulexpansion (use 4-5 cartridges the same time) 45 DM
6, Inofs about different Hadware hacks
schematics and infos 15 DM
7, Case for above things available...
for more details write to:
Roland Buehler
Engelsgasse 21
72348 Rosenfeld-Bickelsberg
Tel. (germany) 07428-1260
or to
Jochen Scharllach here in the c.s.a.8bit
Gruss
--
-- Es sind die gl=FCcklichen Sklaven der Freiheit gr=F6=DFter Feind...--
Dieter Popp,
Unterfranken, Germany didi@didi.mayn.sub.de
- Member of A.B.B.U.C. -
Atari 400,130XE, XEGS, XF551, 800XL, 600XL, XEP80, HDI,
1050, 1064, and also an Amiga 4000
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Menu Print Info
From: mbitdc9306@newi.ac.uk (David Davies)
Date: 13 Oct 1994 06:23:35 -0500
Right, here's the current info on Menu Print ....
WHAT IS MENU PRINT?
Menu Print is a disk cataloguer. No, don't laugh ... it's not one of those
tacky PD Databases that call themselves disk cataloguers. This is the REAL
McCoy!!
OK, SO WHAT DOES IT DO?
It reduces the amount of typing you have to do when creating a disk database
with its ability to read several different types of menu and DOS disk. In
fact, it's sooo good that it even has the ability to know which boot disk
you've entered into the drive - so it can tell when you've just put Alternate
Reality into the drive.
It supports Rob C, Multiboot, Howfen Menu 3 and K & D Menu disks as well as
DOS 1, DOS 2, DOS 2.5, DOS XL, SpartaDOS 5.0, MyDOS 4.50, MachDOS, Atari
Disk Utilities, Transdisk IV XT and Transdisk IV XL. OOPS --- I meant
SuperDOS 5.0, not SpartaDOS ---.
When it finds a disk it supports, the contents are displayed on the screen
and are selected simply by tagging the entries you want to catalogue. Also,
anything that you have in your collection that is not supported can still
be entered manually into the Database.
WHAT DOES IT COMPRISE OF?
Menu Print is split up into three main sections, each accessible from a main
menu.
ID Library - This is where you can create your own boot disk recognition files
so that Menu Print can recognise future software releases or those not covered
on the free Library disk that will come with the package. Other Library disks
will be released in the future.
Database - See above. Just undergoing last minute testing.
Printer - Last bit to be written. I've got about 3-4 weeks to write it. This
will include label and list printers (hopefully I can add some sort of
sorting facility into it).
WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE RELEASED?
AMS 8 in November - I hope. My drive's been corrupting disks left right and
bloody center!!!!!!!
PRICE?
Dunno. Depends on how much it will cost to produce each copy but I hope it
won't be too far off the 10 pound mark.
Any questions? ... :)
David Davies
The Atari Classic Programmer's Club
MBITDC9306@newi.ac.uk
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8-Bit Feature Article
---------------------
The Corvus Hard Drive
From: fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Frank Seipel)
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 94 04:48:48 GMT
The Corvus to Atari 8-bit interface uses exactly two joystick ports -- ports
3 & 4. It was designed for use on an Atari 8oo, but could conceivably run
on an 800XL or 130XE. The main modification required would consist of
changing all references to PORTB to PORTA, and all references to PBCTL to
PACTL. Since the standard Atari OS doesn't recognize a Corvus, it cannot
boot from one. Thus you must either boot from 1) a floppy which then boots
DOS.SYS from the Corvus [this was supplied with the Corvus drive] 2) a
cartridge which fits in the right hand slot (I've never seen one, but they
exist) or 3) [best option] acquire a replacement personality board
(Integrator) which allows you to boot from any Corvus volume, any floppy
drive, or your Axlon/Axlon compatible RAMdisk. or 4) a cassette containing
the code to boot DOS.SYS from the Corvus [a program to write such a boot
cassette was provided with Corvus's Atari
8-bit software package that came with the drive].
To run a Corvus on an XL/XE, with an Integrator personality board or the
cartridge boot system, you would have to burn custom EPROMS of the modified
software, since both the software to be modified is on ROM chips.
The Corvus does not *have* to use a custom OS board. The Integrator board
is an option. I highly recommend it, though, since it adds direct operating
system support of Axlon RAMDISKS, allows you to swap any physical drive with
any device number (D1: through D8:), allows quick changes to the Corvus
mount table, and allows you run MyDos and full disk programs on your hard
drive, as opposed to the modified DOS 2.0D which you are forced to use if
you don't have the Integrator. What Mr. Corr said of SIO is true; the
Integrator only works with DOS's that use legal SIO calls to access the
drive, hence SpartaDOS X and SpartaDOS will not support the Corvus. The
Integrator, regrettably, does not overcome the problem of partition size; it
is still only possible to have 180K partitions on a Corvus using the
integrator. A patch for MyDos could be written to overcome this. This
would be a very short patch, since the Integrator would do almost all the
work of swapping partitions (see below). The SIO calls in MyDos would be
patched (namely, the read and write sector vectors). This would be the
extent of the patch. Prior to calling the built-in ROM SIO routines, the
patch would:
1. Divide the sector number by 720 and store the remainder of the division.
2. The whole number result of the division in step [1] would be the Corvus
volume number that the sector resides on. The volume number would be
incremented by one, since the Corvus volume numbers begin at one instead
of zero. The remainder of the division would correspond to the sector
number on that volume. The one-byte volume number would be stored in
RAM as the 'current volume' following step [3].
3. The patch would check to see if the drive number (eg D1:) in question is
presently set to the 'current volume' calculated in step [1].
4. If the drive were not presently on that volume a JSR would be made to
$C000 in the Integrator ROMS. This configuration routine is built into
the integrator and fully documented within the integrator manual. This
would reconfigure that drive number (eg D1:) to the volume number
calculated in step [1].
5. The sector number would be changed to the remainder of the division from
the calculation in step [1]. Thus, sector 725 would correspond to sector
5 (remainder of 725 divided by 720). Similarly, the volume number would
be the integral part of the division plus one -- thus sector 725 would be
on volume 2)
6. The patch would proceed to call the built-in ROM SIO routine, which would
then get or put the appropriate sector number on the appropriate volume.
Note that this patch would work for everything -- even directory reads --
since MyDos would be seeing the Corvus as one large drive. Also, delays
due to volume changes would not be excessive, since the configuration
command would only be issued at 720-sector intervals.
I do not believe any such patches were ever written but I think I've
demonstrated the necessary logic to do the deed. MyDos doesn't pay much
attention to checking if a configuration is legitimate, so you would just
specify the number of sectors and tracks corresponding to six megs, ten
megs, or twenty megs, and use the [I] command from the DOS menu to write out
a legitimate directory structure. Once the patch is installed with the
modified directory structure, it would work like a charm. Whenever a sector
above 720 is accessed, the patch would catch it. The format XIO call would
not need to be altered; the integrator ignores this anyway. Incidentally,
David & Sandy Small were geniuses; they might have already implemented the
patch into the OS; what happens when you try to access above sector 720?
Does it lock up, or does it automatically change volumes, or give an error?
Finally, regarding speed: I once did a comparison of the speed of the Corvus
vs the Blackbox hooked to an SCSI drive. I don't recall the exact results,
but the data rate was comparable. The joyports are plenty fast; the problem
is the software. One advantage of the joyports is that (had the software
supported it) the drives would work with every single 8-bit computer ever
made, without any adapters. The cartridge port would have the same
advantage as an interface. Not supporting all platforms is one of the
disadvantages of all existing HD interfaces, except for the ATR8000, which
is slow and doesn't support SCSI.
______________________________________________________________________
Frank Seipel (614) 622-1653
fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
76116.1126@compuserve.com
8-Bit Feature Article
---------------------
BBS Software
From: winston@merk.com (Winston Smith)
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 1994 08:30:00 GMT
Here is the run down of ATARI 6502 8-BIT BBSes that I am aware of:
o A.M.I.S. BBS -- The A.C.E. Message Information Service.
This BBS was written in BASIC by the Atari Computer
Enthusiasts computer club (was it the Michigan chapter?). It included
designs for a ring-detector. You needed a sector editor and had to
allocate message space by hand, hex byte by hex byte.
o F.O.R.E.M. BBS -- Friends of Rick E. Moose BBS.
At the time, there were a lot of BBSes around
called things such as "FORUM-80" and "BULLET-80", ergo the name. FOREM BBS
was the first truly RBBS-like BBS for the ATARI 8-bit. It was programmed
in BASIC and was somewhat crashy. I think that this is the
great-grandparent of the FOREM-XE BBSes that survive today.
o ABBCS -- The ANTIC Bulletin Board Construction Set.
The user design of the ABBCS was very good. It sported
features such as intra-line editors. Unfortunately, the coding of the
ABBCS was really poor. You could practically blow on your keyboard and
crash this BBS. The BBS would sometimes crash several times a day.
o NITE-LITE BBS -- Paul Swanson's BBS with RAM disk.
Paul Swanson was a programmer from the Boston,
Massachusetts, USA, area. I'm not sure whether his BBS for the ATARI 8-bit
has been placed into the public domain or not. This BBS was the first to
support a RAM-disk, which Paul Swanson called a "V:" device for "virtual
disk". This BBS was written in ATARI BASIC and required a joystick
hardware "dongle" device. This was notable as being one of the first ATARI
8-BIT BBSes that could actually go for a week without having to be
rebooted. Pointers to the message base were kept in an ATARI "very long
string" (for which ATARI BASIC is famous). The BBS would only have
problems (for the most part) if this string became corrupted.
o ATKEEP -- An ATARI 8-BIT version of CITADEL BBS.
I believe that AT-KEEP, like FOREM-XE, requires the use of
the commercial BASIC-XE cartridge to run. This BBS program was very
popular around Louisiana, USA, from what I understand.
o Benton's SMART BBS -- BBS written in BASIC by Marco Benton.
This program is written entirely in BASIC. It
expects to be running under a SPARTA-DOS environment. This was a problem
until very recently, when SPARTA-DOS was released into the public domain.
This BBS program uses a "modem clock string" rather than an R-TIME-8
cartridge in order to retrieve the current time. It also comes with an
ATARI BASIC game door called "Sabotage".
o FOREM-XE -- FOREM using BASIC-XE.
This version of FOREM BBS requires the commercial BASIC-XE
cartridge in order to run. It is in the public domain and can import and
export messages from the ATARI PRO! BBS EXPRESS-NET (7-BIT text only,
control ATASCII graphics are reserved for message data-structure bytes).
FOREM-XE BBS is still currently in use as we speak, and may be reached via
the PRO! EXPRESS-NET as long as the cross-networking "transnet" is still in
effect.
o The BBS Express -- PRO! BBS demo program.
This is the public domain version of EXPRESS!-BBS,
which is the Keith Ledbetter companion project of the EXPRESS!-TERM
terminal program of days gone by. I am not familiar with this program. I
think that it is written in ACTION! and only supports XMODEM Checksum
transfers. I have never called or seen this program demonstrated.
EDITOR'S NOTE: BBS Express was originally a commercial BBS program with
versions available for the Atari 1030/XM301-style modems and Hayes
compatible modems. The program is now shareware, NOT public domain.
Furthermore, it was NEVER intended to be a demo program for BBS Express
Pro! The original BBS Express program worked with any Atari OS and was one
main program that performed all the BBS functions. Pro!, on the other hand,
requires SpartaDos 3.2, a Hayes compatible modem, and consists of several
small programs which perform the various BBS functions. Finally, it is
highly recommended that Pro! operates from a hard drive, although a large
ramdisk would work as well. -ML
o OASIS JUNIOR III -- OASIS BBS demo program.
OASIS JUNIOR III is the --ALL MACHINE LANGUAGE--
demo version of the OASIS BBS program. OASIS is very crash-resistant and
comes with a "dial out" screen so that the Sysop can use the BBS as a
terminal program to call and fetch files without having to bring the BBS
down and reload a terminal program. OASIS supports "Door programs" which
it refers to as "OASIS PAL modules". This OASIS demo module comes with an
excellent message system. The OASIS file system is one of the most
complicated that I have ever seen. It consists of "file libraries" with
suites of "file types". There is quite a bit of overhead involved in
performing a download (which may be a good thing, as it discourages file
hogs). There is a commercial version of OASIS called "OASIS IV" that
performs networking. There was an OASIS network between Boston,
Massachusets, USA and Murfreesboro(SP?), Tennessee, USA. Occasionally word
of the OASIS IV developers reaches the network from New Zealand or Canada.
o Frank Walters BBS -- I know nothing about this BBS except that Frank
Walters wrote it.
OASIS IV, CARINA, and BBS-EXPRESS-PROFESSIONAL! are all commercial
programs. I haven't heard anything about OASIS IV and CARINA for a while,
but PRO!-BBS is still a viable commercial enterprise last that I had heard.
8-Bit Commentary
----------------
Just wanted to get in a quick word on David A. Paterson's Atari 8-Bit
Omnibus. This thing is fantastic! Who can remember the last time we saw
advertisements from 30 different vendors and developers of products for
the Atari 8-bit computer in a single printed publication? With the "1994"
date stamped on the cover, I can only hope David plans on making his
Omnibus an annual publication. I urge everyone out there who even
occasionally uses an 8-bit Atari computer to send in your $5 and behold
this amazing resource for yourself. In case you missed it, here's the
address once again:
D.A. Paterson
Attn: Atari 8-bit Omnibus
PO Box 342
Cote-St-Luc, QU H4V 2Y5
Canada
Make cheques or money orders for US $5 payable to D.A. Paterson.
You won't be disappointed!
Until next month,
-Michael Current
16/32-bit Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Thomas Main
16/32-bit Product Reviews
-------------------------
ICDRAW
Color Icon Editor or Falcon030
Written By: W. David Parks (Dr. Bob)
Reviewed by: Thomas Main
The Atari Falcon is a versatile computer that has many features
that are not found on earlier Atari models. One of the these
features is an enhanced GEM desktop which features, among other
things, color icon support. These color icons add a touch of
pizzazz to our desktops and windows, making our computing
experience more visually pleasing. However, we are limited to
thirty-three icons on the Falcon, some of which are nicely
designed and some of which could use some improvement. Wouldn't
it be nice to customize or completely redesign those icons that
you don't like as much as the others? Or how about having more
than thirty-three icons? Wouldn't it be great to have the option
of having two hundred icons? If you've asked yourself questions
like these, read on. There is a simple yet elegant utility that
is a must-have for you and your Falcon, Dr. Bob's ICDRAW icon
editor.
ICDRAW is a complete solution for editing or creating original
icons for the Falcon. The GEM desktop stores icon information in
the DESKICON.RSC file. After starting the program and loading
this file (heeding all the safety procedures which are outlined
thoroughly in the docs) ICDRAW allows you to change any of the
Falcon's default icons. For instance, one of the Falcon's icons
is of a CD. I don't have a CD-ROM drive, so I have never had a
use for this particular icon. With Dr. Bob's icon editor I can
change it to a coffee cup--I have one of those. In this manner
it is possible to change any or all of the icons included with
the DESKICON.RSC file that came with the Falcon. Need ideas for
new icons? How about creating program-specific icons for your
favorite applications. I used to use the pencil icon for
AtariWorks, now I use one of Dr. Bob's creations--a Fuji symbol
with the word "Atari" superimposed over it. Or how about creating
different icons for popular file types. Isn't it boring to have
all your .INF files, .RSC files and .TXT files represented by the
same icon (a bunch of stacked pages)? I've made all my .INF
files look like stacked pages with the letters "INF" written in
red along one side and a blue and red crescent on the other. My
.RSC files are now all disks with the letters RSC inscribed in a
nice bold typeface, and my .TXT files are now represented by a
little book I drew. With ICDRAW, the possibilities really are
endless.
Let's take a closer look at some of the special features of this
program. When the program is first started a window that
contains the icon being worked on as well as some of ICDRAW's
tools is displayed. Other commands, which are used less
frequently, can be accessed through the GEM menubar. The window
has a "fat bit" display of both the icon and it's mask in which
you can edit the icon with simple mouse-clicks. Underneath the
enlarged display of the icon and it's mask are several "ready
access" tools. ICDRAW has undergone many revisions (I'm working
with v1.42) and it seems that Dr. Bob has gone to great lengths
to optimize the efficiency of the program with each new version.
The layout of the tools in the work window makes sense and is
easy to use--those features used most often are closest to the
main work area.
One of my favorite features of the program is a button beside the
palette, the "change" button. With it, you can select any color
in an icon and change it to another. For instance, if you have a
blue disk icon and want to change it to a yellow one, just click
on the "change" button and a mini dialog containing two palettes
will pop up. Select blue from the palette on the left, yellow
from the palette on the right, and all the blue pixels in your
icon will change to yellow! This is just one example of how user
friendly this program is. But ICDRAW's ease of use doesn't
impede its power or the scope of its features.
Another unique feature contained in ICDRAW is the ability to edit
the "animated" icons that the Falcon offers. As you probably
know, on the Falcon desktop, an icon has the ability to change
once it is clicked or selected. ICDRAW lets you edit an icon in
both its selected and unselected forms. For instance, by
default, the trash can icon has its lid raised in the selected
form; Dr. Bob included an edited version of the trash can that
showed the trash can full of refuse in its selected form. If you
wanted, you could create two entirely different icons for the
selected and unselected forms of an icon. ICDRAW makes it easy.
The ability to edit color icons is great, but if you use ST High
or Medium resolutions often on your Falcon, the icons have to be
monochrome. ICDRAW didn't neglect these screen resolutions and
offers a third form of an icon which can be used exclusively in
monochrome modes. This is extremely useful because a
multi-colored icon sometimes doesn't translate well in a two
color mode. So, instead of changing all of the icon's colors to
black, you can create monochrome patterns to simulate the hues
you had in color mode.
ICDRAW has a suite of editing tools that you would think are more
likely found in a painting program, rather than an icon editor,
but they're in there: line, frame, box, circle, disc, invert,
rotate by 90 degrees, echo icon pixels in mask, cover, overlay.
fill icon/mask, clear icon/mask, combine icons from paste
buffers, etc.
ICDRAW limits the icons created with it to be of sixteen or fewer
colors. I don't see this as a caveat because I have never used
all sixteen colors in an icon. But if you need a true-color icon
editor, ICDRAW will not suit your purposes.
As mentioned in the introduction of this review, ICDRAW also
allows users to use more than the thirty-three icons offered by
default on the Falcon. Well, actually, Dr. Bob has included a
separate program, which he dubs a "resource expander" which will
accomplish this task. This program simply allots more space in
the DESKICON.RSC file for more icons. You can increase your icon
capacity in steps with RSCXPAND. The choices available are 50,
64, 80, 100, 128, 150, and 199 icons. The greater the number of
icons, the greater the memory consumption. I expanded my
DESKICON.RSC file to 50 icons--that's an increase of 17 over the
standard, plus I have edited some of the default icons to suit my
taste, so the increase seems even greater. I have yet to use all
50!
Other programs that Dr. Bob has included with this package are
ICONPAGE.PRG, a program that will display all the icons in a
folder on a single screen for better viewing (I find this
accessory program more and more useful as my collection of icons
grows), and WICOPAGE.PRG, a similar program for displaying icons
that are in Microsoft Windows format.
Why would you want a Windows icon viewer? ICDRAW imports and
exports Windows .ICO format icons! Just think, you now have
access to the thousands of icons available for Windows! I'm
using this feature to make icons for people I know with clones.
Everyone's going to get a coffee cup icon with their name on it
and maybe one with a Fuji symbol on it. Perhaps this gesture
will create a better understanding between people and create more
cross-platform sharing of ideas. Maybe not. Anyway, it's nice
to have this feature available. Dr. Bob has also hinted at
making other import/export options available in future revisions
of his program, but for now my Mac friends are safe from Fuji
infiltration.
There are many reasons to like this program--it's easy to use,
has a host of features, and it works well. It also has something
which very few programs on any platform have--eminently readable
docs! Dr. Bob is not only an accomplished programmer, as
evidenced by this neat utility he has created, but a good writer
and a wit. His docs are clear, to the point, and written with a
sense of humor. I actually enjoyed reading the docs for this
program.
If this program sounds like something you would like to have, you
can find it on the internet via FTP. Alternately, I am sure Dr.
Bob himself has some copies lying around and would send you one
if you provided him with a disk/mailer and the small shareware
registration fee of $10-$15.
I have taken the following contact information for Dr. Bob, also
known as W. David Parks, from the docs to ICDRAW:
W. David Parks
180 N. Hazeltine Ave.
Campbell, OH 44405-1024
Phone: 216-743-4712
GEnie: W.PARKS3
Product: ICDRAW
Cost: $10-$15
M.A.G.E. (Majic Arcade Graphics Engine): A Review by Ari Feldman
Introduction
With Atari's introduction of the ST series way back in 1985, it
quickly became evident to many game developers and users
alike, that a new era in computer games had arrived. People
flocked to the ST series in droves, and with good reason.
The ST was a fast and inexpensive personal computer with
astounding audio-visual capabilities.
Practically everybody wanted to get into the act and create games
for the ST. Unfortunately, only a select few possessed the
actual programming and artistic skills required to produce
commercial quality entertainment software for the ST.
Seeing this fact as a golden opportunity, a British software
company called Mandarin released the STOS system and took the ST
world by storm. What made STOS so special was it gave the
average ST user the power to create games with many of the same
features found only in commercial offerings.
As a result, STOS quickly became a best seller, selling tens of
thousands of copies, but STOS too had its share of problems.
First, STOS was a poorly written application that crashed on each
new release of TOS. This made it and many of the games created
with it incompatible with the newer Atari machines. Second, STOS
was not a completely self-contained programming/development
environment. If STOS owners wanted to distribute their creations
to other users, they had purchase a separate compiler. If STOS
owners wanted their games to have sound and music, they had to
purchase a separate sound module and so on. This lack of system
integration and cohesiveness added unnecessary expense and caused
many STOS games to be uneven in quality. Third and finally,
STOS offered users relatively slow program performance and
placed many restrictions of the type of games users could create.
Thus, it eventually became clear that users who really wanted
to create truly professional quality games on the ST needed
something better to work with. But what? There was no game
development system better than STOS available for the ST, that
was until now...
Enter the M.A.G.E. (Majic Arcade Graphics Engine), an advanced
game developers toolkit so powerful that it just might set the ST
world back on fire! Recently released by MajicSoft, Inc. of
Columbia, South Carolina, the M.A.G.E. is not a programming
language per se but is instead a collection of some of the most
incredible game-oriented programming routines ever made available
to the general computing public.
The Good...
Designed to interface seemlessly with GFA Basic 3.5E, the de-facto
standard in ST programming languages, the M.A.G.E. plots,
animates, tracks, and explodes dozens of screen objects at once.
The M.A.G.E. can perform high-speed collision checks, color
flashing, color palette shifting, and special screen effects like
barrel scrolling, parallax scrolling and mirroring. The M.A.G.E.
also provides scrolling starfields, fast map room plotting, full
joystick controls and supports such essentials as digital sound
effects, XBIOS sound, and that nifty interrupt-driven chip music
featured in many imported European games.
Formerly known to some in the Atari community as the GP Graphics
Engine, the M.A.G.E. has been tried and tested in the real world
for almost two years. The M.A.G.E. is not some bug-ridden new
release. It works and it works well. In fact, if you have
seen such popular ST shareware titles as Mrs. Munchie,
Insectroid, Megapede, Kid Kong, and Cudlee's Quest, then you
have seen the M.A.G.E. in action. All of these fine programs were
written entirely with the M.A.G.E. system and many, many
satisfied ST users can attest to the high level of quality
exemplified by these programs.
Ok, enough talk about what the M.A.G.E. is. What you really want
to know is what does the M.A.G.E. give you for your hard earned
money? Well, the following are what I perceive to be the most
important attributes and benefits offered by the M.A.G.E. system:
a complete game development environment, professional
development tools, system-wide compatibility, extraordinary speed,
and ease of use.
For starters, unlike STOS and many other ST languages,
the M.A.G.E. is a completely self-contained game development
system. Everything you need to write your game from start to
finish is already included in the M.A.G.E. package.
You get a 177 page user manual, a graphics editor, a map-maker,
a sprite animator, a sound/music editor, a professionally drawn
1,000 image sprite library, a program compression utility, an
inline data maker for streamlining your finished programs, sample
source code and complete copies of the GFA Basic 3.5E
Interpreter/Compiler and GFA Assembler. As a result, there is
absolutely nothing left for you to buy.
In addition, many of the included programming tools are comparable
in quality to those used by professional ST game developers.
For example, the map-maker program will give you the ability to
create games with hundreds of background screens. The sound/music
editor will allow your games to have extremely intricate musical
scores and sound effects. And, the included sprite library will
make your finished programs appear graphically superior to many
commercial game releases (I should know about this last one, I
created all of the sprite and title screen artwork for the
M.A.G.E.!).
Another important feature of the M.A.G.E. is that it is fully
TOS and hardware compatible across the entire Atari computer line,
including the Mega STe, TT030, and the new Falcon030 (however,
there is no 256 or True Color support at this time and I have heard
that there are problems with the product on TOS 1.4 machines).
This means a lot fewer compatibility headaches and assures you a
larger potential audience for your programs. Furthermore,
virtually any ST owner can share in the fun as the M.A.G.E. can be
used on a minimalist ST configuration (i.e. 512kb RAM and
720kb floppy drive), but like any other modern application, it is
preferable to run the M.A.G.E. system on an ST with at least 1 meg
of RAM and a Hard Drive.
Perhaps the M.A.G.E.'s greatest attribute is its ability to
let you to write some of the fastest running games possible
on the ST series of computers! For example, on a stock
8 mhz ST, the M.A.G.E. can produce games with over thirty fully
animated, 16 color, fully clipped sprites (screen objects)
running at over 20 fps (frames per second). Things get even
more interesting with a TT030 or a Falcon. On these machines,
the M.A.G.E. can really fly, supporting games with as many as
100 animated sprites running at over 20 fps! This is a
particularly impressive demonstration of the M.A.G.E.'s power when
you consider the fact that many commercial games written
entirely in optimized 68000 assembly language have trouble
achieving such speeds!
Finally, one of the nicest aspects of the M.A.G.E. is how easy it
is to use. The various M.A.G.E. routines integrate very well into
the GFA Basic environment. All one has to do to access one of the
M.A.G.E.'s many functions is to call the name of the desired
command and pass it a few parameters. It is just that simple!
As a result, game development on the ST has seldom been
easier. With the unique and powerful M.A.G.E./GFA Basic
combination, game projects that used to take weeks or months
to write using conventional (C and 68000 machine code) ST
development methods may now only take a few days!
The Bad...
As with anything else in life, the M.A.G.E. system has its share
of warts and blemishes. Granted, they are few in number but they
are pretty significant. The most glaring of these problems
involve the user manual, the lack of source code, he
M.A.G.E. licensing agreement, and the lack of future support and
upgrades.
The M.A.G.E. user manual clouds what is otherwise an very nice
software product. First off, the user manual is not spiral bound.
This makes it extremely inconvenient to use during programming
sessions since it will refuse to remain open without placing
a heavy object on its pages. Second, the M.A.G.E. command
summary located at the end of the manual is very poorly organized.
Instead of arranging the various M.A.G.E. commands according to
their specific function, as is the typical practice of many
programming references, the manual takes the opposite approach
and lists the M.A.G.E. commands alphabetically. I can't begin
to tell you how frustrating it is when you have to flip through a
dozen pages just to find information on two related commands!
My final criticism of the user manual is due to the lack of
coverage given to certain M.A.G.E. commands. Some commands have
inadequate documentation while others don't have any at all!
Case in point: the M.A.G.E. MS_BLIT command. MS_BLIT is an
optional command that is supposed to add a significant speed
increase to your programs, yet the syntax for this potentially
useful command is noticeably absent from the manual. To their
credit, however, MajicSoft is aware of this last problem and is
already working on a user manual addendum that will be made
available to all registered owners of the M.A.G.E. product.
While the M.A.G.E. is very powerful system, one pays a price for
all of this power with an extremely high learning curve. This
being said, one should not attempt to use the M.A.G.E. unless
they are comfortable with structured programming concepts and
the GFA Basic language. Yet, even seasoned programmers will need
some time to adjust to the M.A.G.E.'s large and daunting command
set. Because of this, it would have been nice if MajicSoft had
included more sample source code then they actually did. The
three example games provided are good starting points but
given the complexity and the sophisticated nature of the
M.A.G.E. system, they simply aren't enough.
The Ugly...
One of my biggest gripes with the M.A.G.E. has to do with
the accompanying software licensing agreement. You see, in order
to use the M.A.G.E. system for commercial development purposes,
a developer must pay MajicSoft a special license fee (your
choice of $1000 annually or $2500 lifetime). From a sheer business
perspective, this arrangement makes sense, however, it also has the
potential to inflict untold damage on an already pathetically
weak domestic ST software market. For many current ST developers,
survival is a daily struggle and the additional burden of a license
fee may ultimately prove to be enough to force existing developers
out of the ST market and deter new ones from entering into it.
Furthermore, with the recent departure of the M.A.G.E's primary
author, Dave Munsie from MajicSoft and MajicSoft's poor financial
health, I have serious reservations regarding the availability of
future support and updates to the M.A.G.E. To my knowledge,
MajicSoft does have available a $5 upgrade which fixes known
compatibility problems with TOS 1.4 machines, but other than that
I think you're on your own!
Recommendations...
So, even after all of this, can I still recommend the M.A.G.E.?
Well, the answer is an equivocal yes depending on who you are and
what you need to do. If you are a novice user without
the first clue on how to program then I would not recommend this
product. However, if you are an advanced level programmer with
a working knowledge of GFA Basic and who likes to write games,
then the purchase of the M.A.G.E system will probably be one of the
best software investments you will ever make.
The M.A.G.E. can be obtained directly from MajicSoft, Inc. at:
348 Meredith Square
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 788-8177
Retail Price (at time of writing): $40 U.S.
M.A.G.E. System Requirements:
Any Color ST/STe/TT/Falcon computer with at least 512kb of RAM and
a Double Sided Drive. One megabyte of RAM and a Hard drive is
recommended. Knowledge of GFA Basic is also strongly recommended.
Should you have any questions, I can be contacted on the internet
at:
FELDAK79@SNYONEVA.CC.ONEONTA.EDU
Atari Classic Gaming Corner
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Fred Horvat
Classic Gaming Product News
---------------------------
It's hard to believe that it has been over 17 years since the Atari 2600
was released! Over 1000 games have been unofficially released for this
system. Believe it or not new game cartridges are still coming out for the
most popular game console ever produced, the Atari 2600! Yes I said new
games are coming out, not by Atari or other major companies, but from third
party individuals who really care about their favorite gaming system. Ed
Federmeyer E-mailed me a couple of months ago inquiring if there still was
any type of market for new 2600 games or products. I told him there is still
plenty of loyal followers and a larger number of people discovering for the
first time the experience of the 2600. He was looking for someone to handle
the production of a game; someone who had the equipment and knowledge to
take his program and transfer it to cartridge. Ed found Randy Crihfield to
handle this and the distribution for him. A couple of months later Ed has a
new cartridge available called SoundX (Sound Experimenter). I do not own this
cartridge but from Ed's description and from others who own it, SoundX is not
a game, but a program that demonstrates the sound capabilities of the 2600.
You change the pitch and volume to create different sounds. Ed is currently
working on a Tetris type game for the 2600. Since Tetris was never released
for the 2600 this game may sell quite a few copies. SoundX cost $16.00 and no
pricing information has been given yet on the Tetris type game. To order
yourself a copy of Soundx contact :
Randy Crihfield
5480 Sacramento Place
Colorado Springs, Co 80917
719-573-4910
Classic Gaming Product Review
-----------------------------
In honor of the Jaguar's October 21st release of Alien vs Predator, I am
doing a mini review of the first video game from the 1979 20th Century Fox
movie "Alien." It was for the Atari 2600 and was called "Alien." The game
was made by 20th Century Fox Video Games and was released in 1982. First off
we've come a long way in 12 years. The objective of the game is to smash as
many of the eggs and/or avoid adult Aliens in the hallways of the space ship
and to pick up as many prizes as possible. After explaining that, the game
resembles Pac-Man on the first screen. You run around the maze smashing eggs
(dots). Like in Pac-Man there are Pulsars (Power Pills) that weaken Aliens
and turns them blue. If you run into them when blue they are destroyed.
There is also an opening on the left and right side that allow you to
hyperwarp from one side to the other. You also have a flame thrower that
turns Aliens away or immobilizes them temporarily. The flame thrower is
limited in use and time. When all the eggs are smashed you are transported to
the bonus round. The object of the bonus round is to travel from the bottom
to the top of the screen and grab the prize shown at the top. You only have 8
seconds and the screen has plenty of Aliens running horizontally. You don't
lose a life if you don't succeed. Gameplay is like Pac-Man or any other
Pac-Man clones. Really no difference. Graphics are OK for the 2600. The
Human and Aliens look good but are nothing fancy. No one will get scared of
these Aliens. When you hyperwarp from one side to the next, the special
effects are real nice. The human fades out and shrinks and them fades in.
When the human dies, an outline of the human is show as if he were shocked.
Sounds are OK. The sound of crushing eggs can pass as such. My only
complaint with the sound is that there is always a siren going off in the maze
screen. This can get annoying in a hurry. The game on a whole is middle of
the road for the 2600. It pretty much is the same as a Pac-Man type of game
but with the Bonus Round. I'd like to thank Tim Duarte from the 2600
Connection for sending me a copy of the documentation. I own this game and
figured out how to play it in a couple of minutes, but with the documentation
it is easier to explain to others. As the saying from the movie goes "In
space no one can hear you scream". Well, if you don't like this game they
sure will.
Lynx Support Area
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Barry Cantin
Lynx Feature Article
--------------------
This month we'll take a closer look at the game "Scrapyard Dog", and the
warps in it that send you from one level to another. The game consists
of six "stages", each of which contains four parts. The first three stages
of the game are, in order:
1) Junkyard
2) City
3) Forest
The only three warps known (by the Usenet community) start in these
stages and wind up sending you two stages ahead in each case.
The Lynx FAQ lists only three of these warps (courtesy of E.J. Saloka)
but there are probably more:
----------------------------------------------------------------
WARP to FOREST:
To perform the warp, you must be on JUNKYARD Level 2. Move right
through the level to the stack of tires. Jump onto tires and press
down. The can room will appeare show where the
arrow starts and where the prize ends up:
Start Finish
1 5
2 1
3 4
4 2
5 3
You are now small in size. This allows you to knock on the WARP
door and warp. As you move to the right, press up in front of the
tree to get an extra life. Keep moving t by bullets, dogs, mice,
and bird droppings. Jump up where the hub caps are hanging on a line
to get invincibility. Also pressing down while on top of the third
brown can (the one to the left of the mouse caught between cans) will
give you a shield. When you get to the toilet just before the office,
jump up on the toilet. Face left and hold down. A red warp door will
appear to the right of the office. Move over to the door and hold up
to open the door and warp.
WARP to DESERT:
To perform the warp, you must be on CITY Level 1. Move to the
right until you get to the black cat up in the window above the mail
box. Throw a can to get rid of the cat. Jump up to window where
the cat was and press up. You will now be small. Move back to the
left to door by mail box. Jump up the steps to get level with the door.
Hold up while in front of door to get a red warp door to appear above
the door. Now quickly jump onto mail box, jump to the left edge of
the screen while holding the jump button (to achieve a higher jump).
This will put you at the red warp door. Press/hold up in front of
the door to warp.
WARP to ICE:
You must be in the FOREST level 1. At the start of the level, move
to the right to the log when the rabbit comes out. When you jump on
the log over the hole where the rabbit came out, press down on the
joypad. You are now small. If you go to the right, you will
encounter a tree with two snakes. Enter the door to enter the shop.
Exit the shop and the snakes are gone. Now jump on the stump to the
right of the shop. Face left and hold down till the WARP door
appears on the branch. Jump up to the door and press up. You will
now warp to the ICE area.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, here's the deal -- we'd like to uncover more of these warps!
I personally have seen several locations (not listed) in which Louie
can get small; all we need to do is locate the red doors through
which he must travel to complete the warp!
To help you get further in the game, here are a couple hints I have
used which will help, courtesy (again) of the Lynx FAQ:
1) You can occasionally get a free shield in a level -- initially
(as the timer is on 299) pause the game and press the B button.
You should see a message on the pause screen that reads "Shield
Awarded". If this doesn't work, then try it at 199 seconds and
again at 99 seconds.
2) To get a bunch of free lives: If a shop you are about to enter
has a red $5 money bag on the same screen, take the money before
entering the shop. Then exit the shop. The $5 money bag will
appear again. Take the money and enter the shop again. Repeat
this over and over to build up your money supply. Don't worry
about losing a life or two by running out of time for the level
because just ahead in another shop, you will buy yourself more
lives ($35) and max out your shields ($10) to nine. This method
can be used on another level towards the end of the game to
get lots of lives.
If you have located any warps that are not listed here, please let
me know and I will list them in next month's issue! Send them to
aa852@cleveland.freenet.edu and I will include them.
Lynx Commentary
---------------
We've seen recently that the Home Shopping Channel has been selling off
Lynx systems for $99.99. These systems include the Lynx and three cards:
California Games
NFL Football
Baseball Heroes
(They have been touting this as "six games", because California Games
consists of four events... but only three game cards are included)
They have been selling like HOTCAKES! Why? because people still
recognize the Atari name and still associate it with high-quality game
products. Why else? Look at the deal they're offering! The other two
color handheld game machines *alone* cost at least that (well, the Turbo
Express is probably going to cost more, if you can ever find one).
It IS a very good deal. Electronics Boutique is selling a similar package,
as is Sam's and probably other outfits.
But what about the games? Atari is still sitting on several completed Lynx
titles, including "Battlezone 2000" and "Eye of the Beholder". All these
new Lynx systems being sold and no new games to support them?
We'll see what Atari's next move will be regarding the Lynx. They claim
that they have no plans of dropping the machine, and it doesn't appear that
these package deals being offered everywhere are the result of Atari's
cleaning house. With only three Lynx titles released this year and the Jag
starting to take off -- commercials (good ones at that) and new titles --
perhaps December will bring us a new Lynx game or two.
I'm not gonna hold my breath, but it would be nice. The Atari name can
still live in its handheld, and perhaps the numbers (quite impressive) of
Lynx systems sold over HSC will send a message to the Tramiels: "Release
those games... release those games..." All six of them. That, and a
little publicity, and they will sell.
Additional Lynx Commentary
--------------------------
Len Stys
Let's be honest with ourselves. The reason Atari Corp. isn't releasing
any new games for the Lynx is because the Lynx and its games were not
selling as well as the company had hoped. If Lynx games were selling
really well, Atari would release the new games despite the fact that the
company is concentrating on the Jaguar.
If you remember a few years ago, Atari Corp. had many excuses why the
Lynx did not sell well. The first excuse was lack of games. The reason
the Lynx wasn't selling well was because there were under twelve games
for it. The second excuse was that Atari Corp. had a problem with getting
the LCD screen for the Lynx and could not manufacture enough to meet
the demand at that time. The third excuse was that the company did not
consider demand for the Lynx in Europe and underestimated the demand.
The fourth excuse was because Atari Corp. didn't have a tabletop game
system, it didn't have the clout that Sega and Nintendo had to push their
handheld on consumers. The last public excuse that I have heard from
Atari Corp. was that handheld game systems just don't sell as well as
tabletop game systems.
Atari Corp. never said so, but the company obviously feels that the Lynx
isn't selling well because it and its games are priced too high.
If Atari Corp. did not believe so, the company would have never lowered
the price on the Lynx and its games.
Atari Corp. attempts to look outward to explain why the Lynx has not sold
well in the past. The problem is that the company refuses to look
inward for the failures of the Lynx. Atari Corp. must realize to
themselves that the reason the Lynx has failed is because the company did
a poor job of marketing the Lynx. Once Atari Corp. realizes that the
company is the root of the problem, the company can work on solving the
problem for the future. It is painful for one to admit that they are at
fault. Nobody ever wants to think that they are to blame. But until
someone admits it, the problems continue.
Most of the Lynx marketing was poor. The Lynx TV ads were acceptable
except that they were only aired on cable because it was cheaper. But the
reason it is cheaper is because a lot of people don't see the ads on cable.
The Lynx mall tour a few years ago sold more Game Gears than Lynx systems
because stores only carried one or two in stock. The "Batman Returns"
television commercial was great, but only few stores carried the Lynx and
they only carried a few in stock. It took weeks to get new shipments in
and by that time, the impulse buying was over. And it took not weeks to
get the Batman Returns game during the promotion, but months after the
movie was out of theaters. People bought the Lynx so that they could
play the game when the excitement was still happening. Most people that
went to Toys "R" Us for a portable saw a Game Gear that was focused and
a Lynx that was either out-of-focus or not even on. The choice was clear
which to buy. And how about other stores? The Lynx was hardly ever in
plain view and most of the time, the Lynx games were under a bunch of
Nintendo and Sega replacement controllers. The Lynx magazine inserts
weren't too great. The largest Lynx insert was the "Batman Returns"
insert and it hurt a person's eyes to read the writing on the dark-
patterned background. The same logic was used in the final Lynx magazine
ad that I saw that was used in most of the Lynx magazine ads. The big
excuse in the past was that the reason the Lynx sold poor was because of
lack of games. So in the beginning of 1994, when the Lynx has close to
seventy games available for it, what kind of ad do I see? A magazine ad
that shows the Lynx and five games.
Another big problem was with the Lynx game price structure. I would go
to Toys "R" Us two years after a game was released and it was still priced
at $39.95. The Lynx game price structure did not encourage people to
keep buying Lynx games. People did what I did. The $39.95 price tag for
an old game discouraged me and instead of buying the game, I put the Lynx
away for a few months. Sega and Nintendo doesn't reduce prices of games
just to get rid of a lot of extra stock. They reduce prices of games to
keep people playing their system.
Now, Atari has reduced the price of the Lynx to $59.95 and lowered the
price of Lynx games tremendously. The company is also packaging several
Lynx games with the Lynx. This is good for consumers. But it is
bad for Atari. The price reduction of the Lynx is good because it will
get more Lynx systems out there. But the price reduction of Lynx games
is bad because the games are becoming unprofitable to Atari.
I estimate there are between five-hundred thousand and one-million Lynx
owners out there today. So why isn't Atari releasing any new games?
It is simple. Because of Atari's poor marketing and distribution efforts
in the past, Atari has -no way- of reaching these Lynx owners to let
them know there are new games. Most people don't read GAMEPRO to find out
if there is a new game available. Most people just go to their local
store and ask if there is a new game available.
Atari Corp. is going to have to throw out all previous ways of selling the
Lynx and start from scratch. If Nintendo can release a monochrome and
monotoned GameBoy back in 1989 and still have it on the market today,
Atari can still sell the Lynx color handheld system--especially since it
is still the best handheld on the market today.
The first way to do it is Lynx promotional material inside of the Jaguar.
I don't mean cheap stuff either. I mean four color full-pages. The Lynx
on the cover, the screen shots inside, the accessories and comparison chart
on the back, and order form. The Lynx games should have a new price
structure as well. The price structure in the Telegames ad (if you've
seen it) seems reasonable. The games aren't priced too high, yet it is
priced high enough to make profit for Atari. The higher priced games will
make profit for Atari which allows the company to bring out more games.
The Lynx promotional material inside of the Jaguar will help increase sales
of the Lynx. And Atari is directly hitting their target market.
The second way to do it is an agreement with one or two large retailers
to carry the Lynx in 1995. Toys "R" Us and Electronics Boutique or
Babbages would be a good choice. Atari Corp. should then advertise the
fact that the Lynx and its games are available exclusively in these stores.
The ads should be in gaming magazines and in newspapers. This will give
those five-hundred thousand to a million Lynx owners a place to buy the
new Lynx games when Atari releases them.
These two things will help start making the Lynx a competitive handheld
once again. And most importantly--a profitable product.
Yes, I agree with Barry. The Lynx games need to come. But I don't see
it happening until Atari starts taking some others steps first.
And we need to encourge them to take these steps.
Jaguar Support Area
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Len Stys
Jaguar News
-----------
Len Stys
NEWS FROM RON BELTRAMO AT COMPUSERVE ATARI CONFERENCE
This is turning out to be an exciting Holiday Season. As
many of you know, we have started to ship Dragon: The Bruce
Lee Story and Doom. We are shipping these titles as quickly
as they come in to us, so make sure you stay in touch with
your retailer if you are looking for these titles. On the
heels of these titles are Checkered Flag, Club Drive, Iron
Soldier, Val D'Isere Skiing, Bubsy, Zool 2 and Kasumi
Ninja. Look for a fast flurry of these titles within the
next few weeks. I am particularly excited about the
diversity of these titles as well as quality. I think this
Christmas, there is something for everyone on the Jaguar.
This special conference is in the honor of the hard work
put forth by the AvP team with their successful release of
their new hit. I know people would like some updated
marketing scoop, so maybe I can address that topic quickly
before turning the entire focus to them.
First off, we are wrapping up some studio production work
for three new television commercials: one featuring Kasumi
Ninja, one for Doom and one for Iron Soldier. The Doom spot
will be finished this week and be on air next week for a
three week blitz leading up to the Christmas holidays. Iron
Soldier and Kasumi Ninja will be completed next week and on
air going into the new year. All three are shaping up to
be great ads for three of the next great Jaguar titles.
Those of you who live near Venture Stores (a chain very
similar to Target with stores mostly in the midwest) have
seen their promotion of the Jaguar in recent circulars. The
Jaguar and the Lynx have also been featured in recent
Incredible Universe advertisements. We have also succeeded
in selling an impressive number of Lynx systems on the Home
Shopping Club. Toys R Us has expanded the distribution of
Jaguar to 300 stores accross the country. Jaguar is now
being launched into Japan and every Toys R Us Store in
Japan will be carrying the Jaguar this Holiday Season.
Bill Rehbock, v.p. of software business development, has
recently revealed that Primal Rage will be coming to the
Jaguar although the timing for release has not yet been
announced.
The long awaited Tempest 2000 Soundtrack on compact disc is
expected in our warehouse within the next 10 days. I think
this item makes a perfect Christmas gift at only $12.99
plus shipping. Contact Don Thomas, director of customer
service to order. He tells me he has reduced the shipping
and handling to just $3.50 on this item for onliners.
The Alien Vs. Predator cinema-quality poster has been such
a hit, we have brought in more. As a matter of fact,
EVERYONE that attends this conference tonight live can
receive a postage paid free AvP poster. The SysOp will keep
track of who attends. You must send your U.S. or Canadian
mailing address privately to JAGUAR$ or ATARI to get your
poster. If you are reading this text after the conference
has concluded, you can still obtain a free poster, however,
Atari's minimum $4.95 shipping and handling fee applies.
The most recent edition of the retailer's Jaguar demo tape
is reaching stores now. Some of you have ordered one for
yourselves and are receiving them. I hope you will feel
free to loan that tape out to friends. <hint> This 40+
minute tape was produced by Greg LaBrec, director of
creative services. It features 30 Jaguar game sequences
plus copies of Atari's Jaguar commercials INCLUDING the
popular AvP spot; all professionally edited, reproduced
and labeled. (Greg has been known to sign a few before they
are shipped upon request <g>)
HAND MADE SOFTWARE NEWS
We've just finished (few weeks ago) Kasumi Ninja for the Jaguar on
cartridge, although it's not expected to be released in the UK before
Christmas. We're currently working on Kasumi Ninja II and Jack
Nicklaus Golf for Jaguar CD. Both are scheduled for release next
Christmas.
We're also working on a couple of secret, in-house projects. Mainly
conversions of titles we're currently developing for other systems
such as Sega's 32X. No release dates scheduled for these titles.
The Sega titles will be graphically improved but game play will be the
same. One of them *should* be out by next Christmas as it's a Sega
Megadrive port so the code is already in 68000.
Additional Jaguar News
----------------------
Compiled by Fred Horvat
ALIEN VS. PREDATOR TOPS BABBAGES' CHARTS!
Alien vs Predator for the Jaguar is number 8 on Babbages top 10 video
game list for the month of November. What is not known is the actual number
of games sold. But considering that the game came out October 21st and
Babbages charges $69.95 for the game it isn't too bad.
V-REAL'S ARENA FOOTBALL OFFER
I am gettting this information from my Arenaball program from one of this
summer's Cleveland Thunderbolts game. The advertisement does not list any
expiration dates so I assume this offer to still be good.
Real Arena Football League teams and players
Up to 12 players in league play
Build your own expansion team
Modem play
The special offer with a $10.00 advance order will get you the following:
o Guaranteed delivery of limited edition game
o Free official AFL Mini-Football
o $25.00 off Jaguar game system
o Plus $5.00 savings on the AFL game cartridge
The ad states that the suggested price is $59.95 and with the $10.00
advanced order your total price for the game is $44.95.
You can contact V-Real at:
V-Real Interactive
2121 Broadway
Suite 200
Redwood City, CA 94063
800-715-7070
415-367-4091
2600 GAMES ON JAGUAR?
Atari 2600 games on the Jaguar? It is possible. People laughed at me in
the summer of 93 when I mentioned this but Atari is seriously considering
this. How difficult would this be? Not very difficult at all. This can be
done with software that emulates the 2600's 6502 chip set. At the summer CES
Russ Perry Jr. talked to Dave Staugus about the possibility of this. They
talked about putting Atari's entire 2600 library on CD-ROM. I'd personally
prefer to have them on a cartridge. Most 2600 games are 4K on the average so
200+ games on a single cart plus emulation would still leave plenty of empty
space. If you really would like to see this, contact Atari at the following
address :
Attn : Dave Staugas
Atari Corp.
1196 Borregas Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302
Tell him what games and on what format (cartridge or CD-ROM).
Jaguar Game Summaries
---------------------
DRAGON: The Bruce Lee Story - COMBAT SIMULATION
THE LEGEND FIGHTS ON . . .
The spirit of martial arts Master Bruce Lee lives on in
DRAGON: a dangerously life-like combat simulation based on
his biographical film. Apply discipline and a devastating
array of age-old fighting techniques to subdue opponents
more cunning than the real Bruce Lee ever faced. Unite
your spiritual and physical strength to confront The
Phantom, the mythical samurai which has plagued your
thoughts and dreams, in a jeet kune do duel to the death!
[1 or 2 players] $59.99 (Atari/J9036) [TEEN]
KASUMI NINJA - ARCADE FIGHTING (DIGITIZED)
ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE . . .
Stop the Evil Ninja Lord Gyaku from opening the Dragon
Cloud temple's portal to Hell and unleashing his demon
minions upon Kasumi island and the world. Battle it out in
this bloody brawler in 1 Player Story mode or Two Player
versus mode as one of the 8 all-time greatest warrior-
fighters. Gain fighting skill and master special moves
from bout to bout as you journey through the Underground
Labyrinth to the Dragon Cloud temple where you'll face
your ultimate opponent: the Evil Ninja Lord Gyaku himself!
[1 or 2 players] $69.99 (Atari/J9012) [MATURE]
CHECKERED FLAG - VIRTUAL SPEEDWAY
THIS AIN'T NO DRIVE TO GRANDMA'S!
Get ready to burn rubber! Race for the Checkered Flag
behind the wheel of a turbo-powered speedway racer in
real-time, 3D-rendered action. Choose from 10 high-
performance tracks and see the speedway from 6 distinct
views. Alter features and attributes on your racer to
improve your times or even change the weather conditions.
Action so realistic you'll swear you feel the wind in your
hair as your tires screech around the curves. Keep your
sweaty palms on the controller!
[1 player] $69.99 (Atari/J9007)
ZOOL 2 - SIDESCROLLING ADVENTURE
IT'S KROOL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!
Zool and his daring and lovely sidekick Zooz face a
challenge that would wilt the knees of even the toughest
Ninja. The Nth Dimension is under attack from the evil
forces of Krool. Our heroes must restore the Nth Dimension
to equilibrium and exile Mental Block and his mind-numbing
cronies before imagination is wiped out of existence. Zoon
the two-headed intergalactic wonder-canine will help, but
you'll need skills from the Nth Dimension to save
imagination!
[1 player] $49.99 (Atari/J9042)
Tempest 2000(tm) The Soundtrack shipping soon!
----------------------------------------------
Ever since the release of Tempest 2000 (the extraordinary
64-bit Jaguar update to one of the most phenomenal video
games of all time), gamers have been pleading for an audio
disc of the outstanding music soundtrack. At the summer
Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Atari announced that
such a compact disc was planned and I am pleased to report
that I have seen one of the first ones off the "press"
arrive in our offices today. The disc features 12
selections as follows:
1. Thermal Resolution 3:59
2. Mind's Eye 4:52
3. T2K 5:23
4. Ease Yourself 7:52
5. Tracking Depth 5:04
6. Constructive Demolition 4:05
7. Future Tense 5:54
8. Digital Terror 5:07
9. Hyper Prism 4:26
10. Glide Control 5:12
11. Ultra Yak 4:00
12. 2000 Dub 7:31
The CD is produced by AtariMusic; a division of Atari
Corporation. The executive producer is Mr. John Skruch.
The director of audio is Mr. James Grunke.
I have asked Mr. Grunke to let me know as soon as the CD
was to be made available. They have been duplicated and
they are in the process of being properly packaged.
Although he is not quite sure whether it will be 10 or 14
business days due to Holiday schedules, he assures me
Atari will take delivery of them very "soon" now. Soon
enough, that he is permitting me to begin accepting
preorders which I can ship when they arrive.
So once again... here's the online deal!....
The cost is $12.99 plus $3.50 shipping and handling to
reserve your copy to be assuredly shipped before Christmas.
(The shipping and handling is reduced from Atari's normal
$4.95 for a limited time.) That's a total of $16.49 ($17.56
in California) ($18.49 in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and
money orders accepted (Checks and money orders should be
made payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY NAME! <g>. I
can ship to any location in North America including U.S.
and Canada. Please allow 14 to 21 business days for
delivery. (Please note this is a preorder. Payments will
be processed immediately so your order is ready to ship as
soon as they arrive.) To reserve yours, send your order to:
Thomas' Terrific Tempest 2K Tunes Deal
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209/239-1552
or fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
I've mentioned to James that a few people enjoyed having
Mr. Greg LaBrec autograph their video tapes. James said
he'd be happy to sign a couple compact disc sleeves if I
hit him up when he's not too busy. <g> (by specific request
only, allow a few extra days) By the way, music and Jaguar
retailers who are interested in carrying Tempest 2000: The
Soundtrack can send me a fax or EMail and I will be sure to
get that passed on to our sales department immediately.
We hope when you get the CD, you'll urge your local radio
stations to play your favorite selection. We will be making
the CD available to the hottest applicable North American
Stations, but if we miss your favorite station, just ask
them to fax a request to receive a copy at 408/745-2088.
Who knows, maybe you can help put your favorite song on a
Billboard chart! <g>
Don't forget the software preview video tapes. If you
haven't asked for your copy yet, it features over 30
professional video captures PLUS Atari's recent television
commercials. The price is $8.95 plus $4.95 S&H or a total
of $13.90 ($14.64 in California) ($15.90 in Canada).
I also still have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining
although we are shipping another wave of them to retailers.
There is one for each shipping and handling fee of $4.95
($6.95 in Canada).
Other news... if you have not heard. As of 11/22/94,
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story has started to ship and Doom
will be in stores within the next week. The games are
beginning to roll in. We may not all agree about which
ones we like the best, but we will all agree there will
begin to be a LOT of great ones to choose from. I have also
confirmed that the wheels are now in motion to put Primal
Rage out on the Jaguar. Don't ask me how much or when. I do
not know yet. Happy Thanksgiving!
By the way, you can help a LOT by passing this offer
electronically to another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make
a hard copy and give to friends. Thanks! If you are reading
this news belated, go ahead and place your order! We will
let you know if we cannot fulfill it for any reason.
VHS Game Tape Offer
-------------------
Atari has a brand new VHS preview tape and it's better than
ever! Over 30 Jaguar titles have been captured on video
tape and just in time for the Holidays. This tape has been
meticulously produced under the direction of Mr. Greg
LaBrec using state-of-the-art direct-to-tape equipment and
techniques. The action sequences selected were provided
by the game producers or the guidance of the third party
developers. Okay, okay... forget the hype... it's a darn
cool tape and it has a cool plastic box and label too.
This new edition updates the previously released software
preview videos with exciting captures to show off last
minute changes to games that are now in production. There
are incredible sequences featuring action games such as
Iron Soldier and high-resolution fantasy games such as
Rayman by ubi Soft.
Although this tape has been developed primarily for the use
of Jaguar retailers, I have twisted marketings arm and
they (actually he) has finally allowed me to sell copies to
our faithful online Jaguar fans. I told him how everyone
wants to see what has been taking so long. I mentioned that
gamers want a good preview of things they are being asked
to spend $50 to $70 on. I assured him people want an update
of what has been going on in the past few months since CES.
Now he's convinced and I have to sell more than three tapes
fast or he'll never believe me again. <g>
Want more info? Here's the video menu...
Approx.
Tape
Pos. SEGMENT AVAIL. IN STORES
===========================================================
:20 TEACHER SPOT
:49 Doom EARLY DECEMBER
2:34 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story LATE NOVEMBER
4:00 Checkered Flag EARLY DECEMBER
5:45 Iron Soldier MID DECEMBER
7:42 Zool 2 LATE DECEMBER
8:57 Kasumi Ninja LATE DECEMBER
10:25 Club Drive LATE NOVEMBER
11:56 ALIEN VS. PREDATOR SPOT
12:27 Alien Vs. Predator AVAILABLE NOW
15:34 Ultra Vortex (Beyond Games) DECEMBER
17:06 Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding EARLY DECEMBER
18:49 Bubsy LATE DECEMBER
20:05 Double Dragon V (Williams) DECEMBER
21:30 Flashback (US Gold) DECEMBER
22:49 Brutal Sports Football (Telegames) DECEMBER
23:50 Sensible Soccer (Telegames)
25:03 TEMPEST 2000 SPOT
25:34 Tempest 2000 AVAILABLE NOW
26:58 Wolfenstein 3d AVAILABLE NOW
28:06 Cybermorph AVAILABLE NOW
29:20 Raiden AVAILABLE NOW
30:32 Evolution: Dino Dudes AVAILABLE NOW
31:35 Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy AVAILABLE NOW
32:50 Syndicate (Ocean) DECEMBER
33:47 Theme Park (Ocean) DECEMBER
34:35 Air Cars (Midnight) DECEMBER
35:39 Troy Aikman NFL Football (Williams) DECEMBER
36:34 Cannon Fodder (Virgin) DECEMBER
37:43 Dragon's Lair (Readysoft)
38:31 Hover Strike
39:20 Fight For Life
40:00 Burn Out
40:43 Rayman (ubi Soft) DECEMBER
41:52 VLM (Virtual Light Machine) DECEMBER
Okay, okay... here's the deal. The cost is $8.95 plus $4.95
shipping and handling. That's a total of $13.90 ($14.64 in
California) ($15.90 in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and money
orders accepted (Checks and money orders should be made
payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY NAME! <g>. I can
ship to any location in North America including U.S. and
Canada. To order, send your order to:
Atari Corporation, P.O. Box 61657, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:
CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552
or fax your request to:
Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088
Personally, I'm going to have my tape signed by Greg
LaBrec. If you want him to sign your copy, let me know and
I'll see if I can catch him in a good mood for you! <g>
I also have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining. There is
one for each shipping and handling fee of $4.95 ($6.95 in
Canada). These are cinema-size posters and I've already
heard back from gamers who have had theirs laminated,
mounted and framed.
By the way, you can help a LOT even if you don't want to
order the tape or request a poster by passing this offer
electronically to another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make
a hard copy and give to friends. Thanks!
Jaguar Contest
--------------
*************** AVP ON-LINE TRIVIA CONTEST ****************
WIN A JAGUAR or AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ALIEN Vs. PREDATOR!
Atari is proud to introduce another online attraction...
It's our first ever "AvP Trivia Contest"! Here's how it
works... Below are five questions regarding Atari's hit
64-bit Jaguar release of Alien Vs. Predator. Each question
may be answered by A, B, C or D. Entrants must submit their
answers along with their mailing address and daytime phone
number. Entries should be sent directly or through the
Internet to one of the following addresses:
75300.1267@compuserve.com
or
jaguar$@genie.geis.com
Entries will be accepted anytime from November 29, 1994
until midnight of December 9, 1994. This contest is open
to all onliners who have a North American shipping address
(50 U.S. states and Canada) who have complied with the
terms of this contest. BBS users can submit their entries
by sending a private message to the SysOp of CATscan BBS
by dialing 209/239-1552. Sysops are encouraged to
distribute the details of this contest. The winner will be
randomly selected from all the correct entries. Due to the
anticipated volume, individual replies to entries CANNOT be
made. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Employees
of CompuServe, GEnie or Atari are ineligible.
To make things REALLY easy. You WILL find the answers
within the text of the November 29th AvP conference on
CompuServe or the November 30th AvP conference on GEnie.
Here are the questions:
1) Alien Vs. Predator by Atari for the 64-bit Jaguar
interactive multimedia system features the ability for
the player to become any one of three characters. What
are those characters?
A. Ripley, an Alien and a Navy Seal
B. An Alien, a Predator and a Marine
C. A ship's navigator, a cook and a doctor
D. None of the above
2) Which film studios produced the Alien and Predator
films?
A. Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox
B. Disney Studios and Twentieth Century Fox
C. Twentieth Century Fox and Twentieth Century Fox
D. Universal Studios and Twentieth Century Fox
3) Alien Vs. Predator is a virtual world challenge which
is described in the manual to be:
A. a tactical simulator depicting the events following
the fall of Camp Golgotha Colonial Marine Training
Base.
B. a reenactment of events created by a supercomputer
based on the ultimate terrestrial war Alien vs.
Predator.
C. a dream sequence of space mining personnel aboard
their own contaminated ship.
D. a hypnotic recall of the nightmarish events
experienced by marines on a recent war mission where
germ warfare was used against them.
4) An effective tool to be used while playing Alien Vs.
Predator is the H.U.D. which offers status displays.
What does H.U.D. stand for?
A. Heads-Up Display
B. Helmet Ultra-Diatometer
C. Heated U-light Diagnostics
D. Hampered Utility Detector
5. One of the many obstacles to avoid is referred to as a
Facehugger. A Facehugger is which of the following?
A. A creature that attaches itself to the face of its
host.
B. A helmet instrument used by the Predator that injects
a poison into anyone else who may attempt to use it.
C. A "gripping" gas that stretches the skin of the face
until it tears.
D. None of the above.
***********************************************************
DOOM Internet Reviews
---------------------
From: rbeer@deathstar.cris.com (Rich Beerman)
>Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Pretty humorous: Went to Waldensoft at the Fashion Square Mall in
Saginaw, MI. to *possibly* buy a 3DO unit, and to my tremendous
surprise, while I was standing at the counter asking the salesman
questions about the Goldstar 3DO unit, I saw Jaguar DOOM! ..
Needless to say, I walked out w/ the Doom cart, and not the 3DO
unit ...
The game is GREAT -- I've played a lot of Doom on the PC, and there
are definite differences (for those who have played a lot of the PC
version, you will notice them immediately).
The game's *FAST*. I don't know the FPS rate, but it's obviously
much faster than AVP. Jag DOOM is at LEAST as fast as a 486/66, if not
a Pentium (seriously). The resolution isn't too bad either, which was
something I was worried about. It's noticably lower than the PC version
but it does not look bad at all.
There is very little slowdown in the play. I've noticed a few small
pauses, especially in level 3, but are short and not distracting.
There are some cosmetic enhancements from the PC version. For example,
there is no "light banding".. Jag Doom "fades" similar to AVP. The
sounds are somewhat similar. There is no music in Jag Doom, and the
levels are different in many ways. It seems iD software took out a
little bit of detail (again, this will be noticable for all you PC
Doomers out there), but in doing so, they've added some other cool
sections of the level.
My only complaint is that I have not found a way to save a game yet.
It looks like this functionality is not in the cartridge; this is
unfortunate, because it's really hard to start off on a hard level with
a simple pistol.
My recommendation: BUY IT. It's *GOOD*. I was very sceptical several
months ago, but it's exceeded my expectations. I can't think of enough
positive adjectives .. again, BUY IT!
A note to id: I was critical of your efforts several months ago, and
I apologize; I was wrong. You guys did one HELL of a job! THANKS!
- Rich
rbeer@cris.com
From: <U50723@uicvm.uic.edu>
>Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Thought I'd give some quick impressions of JagDOOM. I just got it
this afternoon at EB for $69.99. (I'm in Chicago, BTW)
The one thing that really struck me was the effect the larger color
palette had on the game. Without altering the dark and forbidding
atmosphere, the extra shades and colors really make a difference.
Everything looks a lot sharper. I know a lot has been mentioned about
whether the resolution would hold up, but I can't see a difference
between the resolution here or on the PC version, and I'm talking the
high detail mode here.
I've played through the first 4 levels. The controls are very responsive.
I think the game moves very fast. I've played PC Doom on a 386/25
(bleh!) and a 486dx2/50. I'd say the speed was comparable to the
dx2. It did seem like there were a lot fewer objects in general on
the levels I played; the exception being barrels. There did
seem to be a lot more barrels than I remember on the PC version. I'll
have to go back and check.
As everyone knows, there's no music during play. Fine with me, I
found the music during PCDoom did nothing for me. Didn't like it, didn't
hate it. The sound effects are all nice and crisp sounding.
I can't comment on the network feature since I know no one else with
a jag. Not having the modem feature really hurts the replay value of the
game. I have a feeling I'm going to play it, beat it, and then sell it.
With the modem feature it would have been a keeper.
Overall, JagDoom measures up very well with PCDoom. It's really
well done.
Later,
Jim Devereux
u50723@uicvm.uic.edu
PS. regarding 32x Doom: I got about a 10 min. look at this while waiting
in line at EB ( Why I entered a mall the day after Thanksgiving
I have no idea :) ). Jag and 32x versions looked to be running at
the same speed; the difference, if any , wasn't noticeable. However, the
colors on 32x don't compare. Everything seemed to run together on the
32x. The border was about an inch on the sides and 1.5-2 inches on
the bottom (the status bar is a lot bigger than on the PC or jag).
From: Kent.Frechette@launchpad.unc.edu (kent frechette)
>Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Well, here is my quasi-DOOM review. First off, anyone unfamiliar with me
should know that I've been a Jaguar devotee since last November. I was one
of the first to get one, and I'm one of the guys currently pissing and
moaning about what a lousy year Atari has posted...T2000 and AVP aside.
Enough of the BS:
JagDoom receives:
Graphics : 6 (out of 10) Blech! This is 64-bit technology?
Sound : 10 Excellent sound!
Control : 10 Lightyears ahead of any keyboard
Gameplay : 10 Sure, it looks grainy, but it's still Doom.
Replayability: 10 Lots of neato things to find (if you can see 'em)
Difficulty : 10 Rang