The Games Machine

116 Pages·2008·37.28 MB·English

by  Newsfield Ltd

El 5 0
A NEWSFIELD PUBLICATION
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• COMPUTLAi LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT I
TX:021 AUGUST 1989
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The Most Exciting
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How to digitise from video,
camcorders, slides, you name
it — an exciting first from the
newly created TGM Labs —
we try 'em, you benefit!
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THE TOP ALL-FORMAT
REVIEWS. PLUS
ESSENTIAL
WORDPROCESSING.
PRINTERS, PBM.
ADVENTURE GAMES
AND VDU HEALTH -
ALL IN THIS MONTH'S
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IR E Q U I L " Ft
CENTERING THE BYTES
The traditional summer software slump is well and truly
TGM NEWS AND PREVIEWS with us this month. Even the 16-bit sector, more than lively
of late, has slowed to a trickle, but nonetheless, in this
Stuff that happened — stuff that will, plus the definitive
expanded TGM, you'll find more features than ever before.
Batman preview: Ocean's game, Burton's film
For a start, we've moved Back Bytes to the middle of the
ROBIN CANDY'S PLAYING TIPS
magazine, so main features can take advantage of some
Everything AND the last part of Zak McKracken colour — in this case a TGM Lab report on Amiga digitising
and video applications. Games are important, but with the
CENTRE BYTES
access of greater (and cheaper) memories on 16-bit
It moves! And gets bigger! State-of-the-art with Amiga machines and highly improved software at reasonable
digitising. In-depth report on 16-bit wordprocessors
prices, users are seeing wider horizons for their computers
plus printers at a budget. Famous horror novelist
and leisure time than zapping errant alien hordes. We also
Ramsey Campbell on coping with wordprocessing. The
New York Expo, plus all the usual Bytes Bits. take a look at wordprocessing and printers, the first stage
toward using DTP applications (a future TGM Lab exercise
PLAY BY MAIL RETURNS
to watch Out for).
John Woods (the 2nd) explains the rules Obviously enough, with it in the centre we can't call it
'Back Bytes' — Centre Bytes it is then, and if that smacks
THE ADVENTURE COLUMN
of Cenobites, you'd better be prepared for some real tech-
An expanded Paul Rigby checks out the exciting range nical hell-raising in this and future issues,..
of 'exportware and the latest big adventures, strategy But on the games front, all the hardware action recently
games and computer RPGs
has been in the States, centred on the Computer
REVIEW CATALOGUE
Electronics Show in Chicago. We have two reports: one
All-format games hit the definitive Machine hotspot general; one on the developing hand-held machine war,
and the relevance it has for us here in Britain in what is still
I F E A k really a pre-Nintendo era - will they ever make the move?
VW I INI
-14
HAND HELD AND LCD
An exclusive report from Chicago on the new revolu-
r ution in hand-held games consoles. plus Sam Tramiel's AN INDIANA JONES
future vision for Atari and the role of LCD games OUTFIT
20
CES REPORT
US Gold havea fedora hat,
F Matrshal M Rosenthal catshes up with the Batman and bullwhip, Indy-style leather
other assorted super-heroes at Chicago's big computer jacket and sweatshirt (no
showcase gun!), the game and poster,
2E4THE DANGERS OF VDUs plus copies of the game and
the Last Crusade book — just
Use a computer? Listen to Mel Croucher, It's a fright for you!
when it comes to the diseases you can catch See page 68
6S9
FANTASY GAMES
John Woods (the 1st) gets into Games Workshop's A k M c i o sa 41
RuneOuest and slays perps in the Judge Dredd RPG
70
AN IDIOT'S GUIDE TO... E1,000
Check out page 72
Programmers have planet-sized egos, says Ruth Pracy because we've got
in this first of an irregular series which takes the lid off
another £1,000 prize
the computer world in a light-hearted way
for you this month on
76
POCKET VISION the TGM Hotline!
just incredible! Yours
Mel Croucher's run down on the range of mini TVs and
pocket video players you can find in Tottenham Crt Rd for a phonecall...
79 Are you going to be
OUR MAN IN JAPAN
the lucky one this
Up-to-date specs on consoles and software from the month? You could
land that gave us cutesy characters, Shogull and Shusi be... I ISM " 11-1
TGM TX 021:8-89 5
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS WHEN RICK DANGEROUS, SUPER HERO AND PART TIME STAMP COLLECTOR IS IN DIRE PERIL. ARMED
ONLY WITH HIS TRUSTY SIX SHOOTER, A STICK AND SOME DYNAMITE, RICK CRASH LANDS SOMEWHERE IN SOUTH AMERICA. NOW
LONG NE CAN SURVIVE IS UP TO YOU.
RICK DANGEROUS IS AVAILABLE FOR SPECTRUM AND AMSTRAD, CASSETTE AND DISK PRICE EBBS, E14.95; COMMODORE 64,
CASSETTE AND DISK PRICE E9.95, E12.95,1 ATARI ST, COMMODORE AMIGA AND IBM PRICE 124.95.
IGE °
FIREBIRD. I HAMPTON ROAD N -
GLOS. TEL. [phone]. M t , T
S
E;
I
:IURY,
NEWS I t PREVIEWS
MIN
A- PARADOX
Arcade
A
L
1
action
/
-
1
ARCANA would like all TGM the Future I I : Paradox. for UK
1
readers to understand that Electric Dreams produced the
M-ars Cops will not be avail- original film, but still don't
a1ble this month. But, it's not know whether they'll do the
their fault! sequels (both Back to the
1 Everybody wants to do it but
Unfortunately, the program- Future II and 111 are being
nobody ever does it. What are
mAer has done a bunk and filmed at the same time). All
we talking about. software
wLalked out on the Bristol- the other major film releases
houses and arcade games, of
based company, just t wo have already been picked up.
V course. Somewhere amongst
weeks before the games Indeed, the Activision/Electric
i every software company's
release. Don't worry, though. Dreams partnership h a ve
future plans is a section enti-
Mrars Cops is now planned for great p o t e n t ia l w i t h
tled arcade development.
amn early September release. Ghostbusters II and Alien 111, Very nice if you can get it.
And if you're really desperate for which they produced the
i And it finally seems that
you can travel abroad and buy original games. Die Hard, Foxed: Michael J's back again, after Ultimate turned into
itl at the end of August. Now licensed b y Activision last but on computer...? With two
Rare to produce the Razz
e sequels no-one's yet vying for board for arcade machines.
the licence, not even Electric
I Dreams who produced the first everybody else is following
N game suit.
American giants Micro-
I
Machine recently attended a Prose, recently announced
I special preview showing of their intentions to form a sub-
I Indiana Jones and the Last sidiary company. ca lle d
E Crusade (the computer games MicroProse Games (MPG),
are coming from US Gold and dedicated t o producmg
E Lucasfilm) a n d a pnvate arcade products.
D showing of the new Bond film, MPG plan to design and
- Licence to Kill (out now from produce their own hardware
Domark). a t studio 007 in as the equipment presently
i
Pinewood Studios. Thanks go available is just not up to the
r to both companies. However, power of the games they are
1 Ocean, who have probably the trying to develop. MPG hope
most eagerly awaited licence to release their first game in
1
of the year, probably won't autumn of this year. It will
A .touch late: you may just remember this prview picture from Issue have a Batman preview at all. most likely be a combat night
Two of IGM — Arcana's Mars Cops was reckoned to be 'nearly ready'
3 It seems as if Warner Bros simulator, creating 60,000
thIere's a paradox. Christmas is still not out. It don't want any pre-viewing of polygons p e r second. A n
Talking of paradoxes, it is seems as if the Mediagenic the film. So it looks as if you'll arcade flight simulator, devel-
F
still uncertain who will pick household are waiting for the see a lot of tired out journal- oped from the research used
upI the licence to the new video release — aren't we all. ists in the queues when it in F-19 Stealth Fighter, is also
MVichael J Fox film, Back to Talking of films, The Games opens on August 11. planned.
I More blood money
I oh our side of the Atlantic,
PI a rSec packs pixel punch Psygnosis are aLso planning
to get into the arcade act —
l
and the consoles and hand-
A held markets.
t After their recent agree-
And after Mars Cops, another PC (September/October), 4768) or 16.777,216 (model ment w i t h Firs t Star,
1
of those stones that almost Amiga (November) and pos- 8768 honest!), maximum Psygnosis are now able to
g1ot away., sibly f o r t h e A p p l e colours o n s c r e e n develop for all the formats
1As pr omised in TGM007, Macintosh. We'll be having a 4096/196,608: and memory you can find First Star games
aIll those years ago, Elmtech full review next month. Sorry, (video RAM) of 768K on both on — including coin-ops. That
Computing have designed a but like over a year ago, models. means Psygnosts may soon
_
revolutionary graphics board there are no pictures yet. It's supported by lots of also be seen on the Sega,
foIr the Atan ST (to released Until then here's a bit of the utility software including an Nintendo and even the new
inL the end of August), to specification to whet your art, CAD/CAM, DTP, ray trac- Game Boy_
make it into the super com- appetite. ing and animation packages. With more than 30 special-
puter Atari promised i t The Pa rSe c Gra p h ic There will also be some ists, the Liverpool-based com-
would be. Interface comes i n t w o 'recreation software'. Elm- pany hope to storm the con-
But Elmtech aren't limiting forms: the 4768 (E460) and tech also have plans for a sole market in 1990. which
themselves to the gr. The the 8768 (E920). Genlock device and a digitis- they believe 'will really come
ParSec Graphic Interface will Resolution o f 1024x768; ing module. into its own'
also be available for the IBM colour palette 4096 (model Can't wait._
TGM TX 021:8-89 7
Barbar's bock
Fun School 2 not
left wing enough
Top-selling Fun School 2 from Davidson. 'One official in
Database has run into a bit of Greater Manchester consid- AKIAA A _A
ered it old-fashioned. But
political pressure. The record-
breaking school package — what can you expect from an
the first piece of educational authonty where children at Ail 9 4 “
software to enter the Gallup one school are required to
chart — has apparently been play bongo drums during
given the cold shoulder by maths?' •
left-wing educationalists who But why's it so popular?
refuse to use the program as What do the users think of it?
'The children love it,' says the
part of their teaching courses.
So infuriated was Tameside primary school teacher. 'They
teacher SheUy Gibson that are not only learning but hav-
she decided to put pen to ing fun at the same time...
paper and ask Minister of The national curriculum
Education, Kenneth Baker, to states that more use should
'hit back against the bias of be made o f Information 144
,
left-wing educationalists' Technology and that's exactly
Shelly, from Poplar Street what Fun School 2 does
Primary School. Audenshaw, remarkably well.' A n d o f
wrote in mid-June to ask Mr Kenneth Baker? Well, the
Baker to include Fun School 2, ball's in his court now, says
released in January of this Shelly.
Fun School 2 is available on
year, in the national teaching
curriculum. As yet no reply BEIC/Electron, Amstrad. Spec-
has been received from the trum and C64 at E9.95 cass,
DoE_ E12.95 disk, and on the Atari
But what are the objections ST, Amiga and IBM PC priced
to Fun School 2? E19.95.
'What they don't like about
— apart from it being based
on the 3Fts — is that it
involves an element of com-
petition, says co-author Peter
Shelly Gibson sends lieneth
Baker a copy of Fun School 2, but
moles in the government haven't
reacted yet...
Central
HAMing
computer
show
it up
The first first ever computer show
to be held in Shrewsbury.
Shropshire, takes place on From Imageworks comes
September 1-2, with more DDT. a zany game set on
than 30 exhibitors from all the planet Shoggle-
over the Midlands and Wales. waggle. Here the most
'There are only a handful of profitable profession is
stands left,' says David Pletts, that o f D y n a mi c
boss of The Computer Room, Debugger fi e disposing
sponsors of this new event. 'In of the variety of nasty
the past people in this area bugs t h a t i n f e s t
have h a d t o travel t o Shogglewaggle).
Birmingham, Manchester and armed with a cork-finno
London. This is very inconve- champagne bottle, a vac
C h o l p t h r i l l s nient, particularly for those uum cleaner, a DDT guil
who live in Wales. Now, for and battery you mus;
the first time, they're getting a tackle ten worlds infest
The recent Atari ST Show held at Alexandra House (June computer show on their own ed with a variety ot
23-25th) was a virtual treasure trove of bargains. Recently- doorstep.' pests, The Amiga versioi:
The Shrewsbury Computer is one of the first, if nr.•
released games were going for budget prices, while you
could pick up a 520STFM for as little as E200. The soon-to- Show will feature games, seri- THE first game to exl
be-withdrawn Multiface ST was also heavily discounted ous software, and home and fie, animate and sc.
(new copyright laws come into force next month). New business computers. The SCS the Hold And Modth
will also be showing computer mode, with over t i
products launched included a new range of utilities from
Hi-Soft, K-Spread 3 a spreadsheet from Kuma and The hardware and software for the colours on screen! Vi
Creator, a cartoon generator, from Signa Publishing. Atari handicapped, with demonstra- out for DDT later ul
tions. year when it will
were conspicuous in their absence perhaps biding their
time until the launch of the rumoured STE. Undoubted star SCS admission in the Music available on Amiga. Atal
of the show was Elmtech's soon-to-be-released ParSec Hall, Shrewsbury, i s free. ST, C64 and PC. (Amig
graphics system (see ParSec packs pixel punch). For more Contact David Pletts on (0743) ,Screen)
details on new ST products see Toolbox (page 50). 231172 for more information.
8 TGM TX021 :8-89
Previews
Compilation corner 1
F r e r e
Summer's here. The sun's pilations lately are Elite. They
beating down, a nd w ho recently announced their
wants to play a computer intentions to stop producing 4
game? No many people it 8-bit games, to concentratie
seems, for summer is notori- on compilations, 16-bit prod-
ously the worst time of the ucts and — like everyone else
year for software sales. — consoles.
However. Hewson h a v e The! r latest anthologies are
1
turned the concept on its entitle d The Story So Far.
head with the release of their Volum e 1 (16-bit): Beyyoond the
Ice Palace, Buggy
Boy. Dori Warriors
and Battleships.
Volume 2 (8-bit): q u
Space Harrier, Live
and L e t D i e ,
Over'ander, Beyond
the Ice Palace and
Hoppin Mad.
e s
Volurne 3 (16-bit):
Space Harrier, Live
and L e t D i e , Infogrames jump on the comic convulsion bandwagon with
this stylish game by the progrEmuners of Passengers In The
Bombfack a n d
latest compilation Heatwave. Thundercats. Volume 4 (8- Wind, The Quest For The Time-Bird comic has won numerous
Their latest package i s bit): Ghostbusters, Aliens, awtards, and takes place on the planet Akbar where magi-
designed in postcard form. Wonder Boy, Eidelon, Back to cians, dragons and witches still exist. The computer game fea-
complete with stamp (of the Future a nd Quartet. tures a knight, a witch-princess and a 'stranger' attempting to
approval?). The compilation Volumes 1 and 2 are now recover the Conche Of Time from the evil monster Ramor,
also features the new Hewson available for £19.95 a nd Available on the Atari ST, PC and Amiga now
logo. t 14,99 respectively. Volumes
Heatwave available for 3 and 4 are expected in early Paradroid on the Amiga
C64, Spectrum and Amstrad September.
Star programmer Andrew Braybrook is returning to well-trod-
at the end of July priced More news from Elite is
den territory to produce the smash hit classic, Paradroid, on
E12.99 cass, E17.99 disk, con- that Commando and Paperboy
the Amiga. Apparently Braybrook is taking six months to pro-
tains: Nebulus, F i r e lord, are almost ready for their 16-
gram it, so it's not going to be just a straight port across.
Ranarama, Netherworld„ bit debut. Okay, Elite, enough Despite Graftgold leaving Hewson for Telecom Soft, it seems
Zynaps, Impossaball (Sp. of the old stuff, how about
that the Abingdon-based company have picked up the rights to
Ams) and Alleykat (C64). some great NEW games, like publish the sequel to their Christmas of 1985 hit. More news
Also coming out with com- in the good or days. when we get it...
More tennis!!
e
.gt •
•11411,
M 411.1•• 011. •••
WIMBLEDON will be lung fin-
ished before Passing Shot is
released, but this tennis
game licensed from a Sega
corn-op promises to be a win-
ner for Irnageworks (just take
a look at the arcade screen).
Passing Shot will offer an
impressive array of playing
options along with the oblige• lir
tory line judges, ball boys etc
TGM TX 021:8-89 9
-Nig; -4'•
The Man with Ike
Available in the Autumn for
ill major formats, we promise
not to let John McEnroe any-
Hal Is back!
where near it.
In a German
prison...
Kayden Garth is a prison
planet controlled by an orbit-
ing space station. But one (small glass containers for
day contact with the station plants). Your job is to rescue
is lost and chaos threatens to her and return to the real
world. Terrarium, p r o -
envelope the world. You con-
trol four characters in a this grammed by Splinter vision.
is available on the Amiga,
intriguing fantasy roleplaymg
Atari ST and PC on the
game from Germany-based
EAS. Out now on the Amiga Imageworks label in Autumn.
(pictured above, right), with (Amiga screen.)
an ST version to follow soon.
Flight fantastic
Get the Vette
The flight sun fanatics among
Created using the simulation you will be pleased to know
that F-16 Combat Pilot will
technology that brought you
Falcon, Spectrum Holobyte finally be available for the
are set to release Vette onto Amiga (pictured) from Digital
the Amiga, Atari ST and PC Integration now-ish. A TGM
later in the year. So jam a rac- Top Score on the ST. the
Amiga game should have
ing helmet on your head and
choose one o f the three improved sonics but other-
Corvettes on offer as you pre- wise be very surular. So those
of you who fancy pulling
pare to race through the com-
some fancy aerobatics o r
pletely accurate streets o f
San Francisco. (PC screen.) blasting seven bells out of a
variety of enemy targets with
the awesome weaponry at
Bowled over
your command can start
queuing now.
Shock horror. Dr Slimms (a
brilliant female scientist) has
The story so far..
been kidnapped! Call i n
Captain Frontier, a retired
secret s e rv ic e offi cer. You play the part of Eldred
the Brave, son of King Eldred
Apparently Dr Slirmns was
miniaturised and hidden in a the Good. Disaster strikes
mysterious world within one when the King is poisoned by
of the laboratory's terrariums a spiteful wizard called
l a c t i o n
Whip those bad guys ... as ony Indy carol. Relive the peatest
scenes trom the %realest Indy movie °I them all.
It's red hot, slam ham action in true Indiana tones style'.
• Capture the Cross of Coronadoelin.
• Overcome a savage rat attack.
.
• Fil3ht your way out of a giant ZepplTeMple•
• Survive the deadly tests of the Grai
.... and much, much more
C%Nit WO& PAST RAD
UM 0.99CE:1439D • &TOAST & CBM AMIGA, E143.99
SPECTR 41141711i. 03•99C • IBM PC & COMPKVISLES L24.99
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