Revival #01 14 июня 1997

Новости

News - At the threshold Inlayta. In anticipation of the "Black Crow" and "Dragon Country". Sprinter: Super Spectrum or another mistake? The content of the magazine "Spectrofon-22 The collapse of Inforkoma "?

                           NEWS



   Life Spectrum recent flows calmly and methodically. Someone 
produces a regular DeMouy or game, but nothing comprehensive, 
interesting is not happening. It seems that all were waiting 
Inlayta, which will be held according to tradition, the last 
week of August. Very, very many are ready to come to him, 
moreover, we can expect visitors from abroad, unless, of 
course, Organizers time will tell them at least the exact date 
Enlight'a. In the yard in June, and almost nothing is clear at 
100%. 


   At the August "party", I hope, will come more people than 
last year. I recall that while more than half of those present 
were sinkleristy. In addition to visitors from Eastern Europe 
and CIS, will arrive in Peter participants from all over 
Russia. Expected Samara demo (which, respectively, will present 
Stars of Keladan and Speed ​​Co.), Progress must come from 
Moscow, from which we are all waiting for the new masterpiece. 
In Chisinau inlaytovskuyu demo prepared Sirius Soft, but at the 
last data from the youngest to Peter Still no go. From 
Krasnoyarsk plans to arrive Famous Faces Factory (see Zx-News 
33). Pribaltiyskaya group ZER0 prepares Inlayt Excess Megademo. 
Well and in Peter, I hope, will not forget to take part with 
his Rambo megablokbasterom DAPA Fantasy (DAF 2);)



   Wanted to come Lemming, once again to carry off in Moscow
first place in the chart:) well, and the visit of such 
authorities as Rush, can not speak. I hope that was coming back 
Code Busters, Although chances to enter the three leaders have 
very little, I would say almost none. Unlikely to perform at 
Music Spectrum components KSA. While you can expect anything 
and anyone. Nobody is able to in that year imagined X-Trade in 
the first place of the podium! It is therefore useless to make 
any forecasts. But, as I it seems we shall be among the victory 
over Rush'em. 


   At E'97 can finally compare the best examples of western dem 
with its own, domestic. While it would be good not Overseas 
deme, winning her I would not have foretold: we have a well 
developed sense of patriotism: on E'96, mostly voted for "Us", 
the same will be and at this time. And to vote abroad Deme ... 
In short, there is nothing to worry about, but here is to 
compare the West to work with our - very tempting! 


   And yet: as long as organizers Inlayta "sleep", why would 
those who going to come to the party, do not write me a line on 
this? And much of this to become known throughout the country, 
take care of me. Yes, do not forget even specify what your work 
you are planning to exhibit, and who from your group will come 
to Peter directly - in a word, as detailed as possible.




   Another highlight of the year promises to be a "black 
raven". The game, which was planned for the spring, at best, I 
think, released in August. And no wonder: because now we are 
working on the most difficult part of any program - an 
artificial intelligence. And the problem is how to make people 
think a computer, but the fact how to get it to do it quickly. 
There already is a struggle for each cycle: in fact because, if 
I can curb the machine depends Future Spectrum real-time 
strategy. 


   For those who have not seen a demo version of "Black Crow", 
I would say that the game is clearly superior to the demo Dune 
2 from spectrophone 20 and 21. Thank schedule draws himself, 
while the idea is borrowed from PCshnogo Warcraft'a. Game 
considerably decorate excellent cartoons, occupying almost the 
entire disc. According to the author, the game will hold two 
discs, with the price of toys, some distributors may be any 
high level for 50 thousand (eg, Inforkoma dear:) as a tentative 
sale price ... just do not fall into a swoon, 30000! Of course, 
with such scenario, protection of the crow would not last long, 
as not everyone is able to pay for a game of such a sum - that 
is enriched by pirates! : ( 


   By the fall promises to end the "Land of the Dragons" Virt 
Group, but "Star Heritage 2", we seem, and not wait. : (Work

above it have long been frozen, and continue it does not make 
sense - can did not pay off. Nevertheless, this is what told in 
the Fido about this Yuri Matveyev (Matthias / STEP):



   ... The other day pupils (Andrew Schoolchildren spetskorr 
spectrophone - SN) played a rough version of the ZN-2 ... The 
reaction was interesting ... People forgot about all sorts of 
Daggerfoly and Diablo, which he torments recently and threw me 
a bunch of questions, and then we have another two hours 
discussing the subject. Anyway top ZN-2 seemed to him so 
unexpected that he would not let me for a long time:) And this 
despite the fact that he played in that piece, which was 
written a year ago even with Sergei Shishlyannikova (fevralmart 
1996) ... And I experienced the same feelings that I had had 
after the release of the first part. It is a pity that the 
second part of the incredible now, perhaps, no one append ...:( 


   Even more desperate situation with the Special Forces. 
Fanatic Stas, who was involved in its codes, "meet" left on the 
PC, and understand foreign coding is unlikely anyone would - it 
is easier to write all over again. These are the sad thoughts.




   But not all that bad. In St. Petersburg, for example, are 
working diligently to creation of the new Spectrum-compatible 
computer. His name is already given: Sprinter, a firm hand in 
such an ungrateful thing - Peters. Characteristics of a new 
computer is impressive: 



                    Hardware capabilities.


1. Processor Z84C15 - 14MHz/3.5MHz

2. Main memory - up to 4Mb. The scheme of memory allocation 
predysmat    regarded compatibility for organizing pages on the 
ZX-Spectrum 48 

   to Scorpion ZS 256 and Peters 256. Additionally, a new

   memory allocation scheme, which has four paging port

   lyubyyu people connecting from the 256 pages of memory in 
any of the four 

   16K processor units.

3. High-speed video RAM - 192Kb.

4. Video mode:

 - Standard ZX Spectrum 256x192 pixels dvymya flowers

   A familiarity;

 - Text advanced mode 80 characters on 25 lines with quality
   PTO IBM CGA text specifying color for each character;

 - Graphical G256-8 - 320x256 with 256 colors on the job

   each pixel is chosen from a palette of 16 million colors;

 - Graphical G16-1916 - 640x256 (512 mode INTERLIVE) with

   task 16 colors for each pixel selected from the palette

   16 million colors;

 - Programmiryemy screen size (change the number of pixels

   vertically and horizontally from the standard 256x192 up to 
640x256); 

   opportunity to split the screen into regions with different 
regimes    atoms and various palettes.


   Modes can be mixed!

 - Multiple screen pages: 2 mode G256-8 to 22

   Conventional spektrymovskih screens.

5. Flexible allocation of ports to override con
   figyratsiyu ports pytem reprogramming ROM and does not change
   neniem computer's circuitry. At the present moment can be 
recorded in 

   Rom four different konfigyratsy (for example, PENTAGON, SCOR
   PION, etc.) and call them by the user.

6. Ability to connect a 5.25 "drive mode 720Kb,

   and 3.5 "drive mode 720KB/1.44Mb.

7. Klaviatyra IBM-AT.

8. Built-in IDE-controller, which allows the presence of

   drivers to connect hard drives and CD-ROM.

9. Two built-in serial ports, you can connect

   serial mouse, modem or drygie ystroystva.

10.Dva built-in parallel port for connecting type Centronix
   radiation printers.

11.Sistemnaya tire in the standard ISA-8 (3 slot), provide an 
opportunity 

   vnytrennego modem connection, Sound Card or other ystroystv.



                     Software capabilities.


1. When my computer zapyskaetsya program written in

   Sprinter-ROM 97 and enables:

 - Work in all graphics and text modes;

 - Organize from 1 to 16 RAM-drives of any size in

   ranging from 16Kb up to 3,5 Mb;

 - Ypravlyat scheme of distribution ports;

 - Dealer service tools to use memory allocation up to 4Mb;

 - Work with the floppy and hard disks in the format MS-DOS, 
the representation    Substituting the MS-DOS files as 
virtyalnye TR-DOS, which leaves owls    patibility with TR-DOS 
and removes the restriction to 1Mb ROM drive; 

 - Work with klaviatyroy IBM-AT, mouse, printer.

2. The transition to the regime of ZX Spectrum ROMs Sprinter-97 
is replaced by 

   pages of RAM are written in standard programs

   BASIC and TR-DOS, which allows polychit maksimalnyyu 
compatibility    dence with the old software.


3. Currently under development for the new full OS
   On the computer.


   Bydet computer offered in several prodazhy konfigyratsiyah: 
Base includes materinskyyu platy with built-in peripheral 
controllers ystroystv, RAM 1Mb, korpys mini-tower, drive 5.25 
"or 3.5" klaviatyra IBM-AT. On request pokypatelya can 
yvelichit RAM up to 4Mb, just make the hard drive or drygyyu 
periphery. 



   Of course, the firm could and should be contacted if you
encounter any suggestions, comments, or just ideas. Here
her address:


                   In your notebook
 198320 St.-Peterbyrg, Lenina 77, office. 332, "Company" Peters 
"  tel. (812) 132-05-86, 327-35-31. FidoNet: 2:5030 / 435.12




   The computer could not have been interested in people. 
Received many positive feedback. Moreover, he liked to even the 
most (!) Hacker'u Cris'u! :)



   But while Peters basking in applause:) and are prepared to 
expose her child at E'97, received and negative feedback. Here, 
for example, believes Yury Matveev: 


   ... I do not share vostorgov.Poezd long gone, unless Peters 
did not receive any government orders and money for him. Even 
so - sponsors will put up a long time. For promotion to the 
machine, two _minimum_. For two years, PC will step so far that 
the current pisishnye graphics modes will seem ridiculous. A 
what about sprinter? Or will it be able to keep up with all 
increasing needs and requirements of the standards? At our base 
in our spread out on a cog society? 


   Okay. Discard the comparison with all sorts of "Big Blue" and
a sober look at this question. Have a car. Imagine that
she is ready, Serial production (as I understand it, none of 
this are not). But, as I said - any computer without a program 
- piece of iron, but any piece of iron with the program - the 
computer. "Our native old Speccy to a hair falls under the 
second part of this definition. And only through this lasts. 
How many would not be criticized for squalid organization 
Speccy screen for kleshing attributes for dwarf RAM, etc., 
etc., etc. - our "piece of iron" will remain a computer, as 
today, according to conservative estimates, under the Speccy 
wrote more than 10,000 programs and various applications such 
as gaming and system. It is this fact (of course, not only it) 
explains the existence of a long computer 1982 (!) Of release. 
15 years for any computer - an incredible life.



   But back to the Sprinter. Even if it will have 100%
Compatible with our old man - it will not save it from complete
collapse. And it is precisely because of the price. Because the 
same old Spectrum software can drive on normal Speccy - people 
do not go buy Sprinter. Large capacity (speed, graphics) of the 
computer itself may not be for the layman (and the Who else is 
designed Sprinter?) defining a moment of choice platform. For 
the layman a defining moment will be the availability software.



   So, you need software. Who will write it? Firm Peters? 
Alone? Hard to believe. Imagine for a moment that the firm can 
provide the output of a full program (not necessarily gaming) 
per month (say "complete" I mean some serious things, not a 
"tic-tac-toe" or "boa", let even the VGA-Shnogh). So, for the 
year they write at such a pace (very good, I must say, the 
rate) - a total of 12 programs. For the second year - 12 more. 
Total - 24 programs. Much? One could argue that, they say, but 
Peters to write under the Sprinter will be the "best people" 
country. Maybe. Only theoretically. By setting such high rate 
of release of the program, I "scored" in them and those coders 
from the side that will work for Sprinter. Well, okay, let's 
say, and remote places to write. But for the beginning of the 
"best people" need to provide iron. How many sprinters are 
ready to give Peters suffering coders? But the question is an 
edge - a little program - not enough buyers - the car is dead - 
the project and money for wind. Let's say around St. Petersburg 
and Moscow had accumulated a person, say, 20, ready to take in 
addition to Peters for developing software. They will need to 
allow 20 cars. And this is the moment when the forces on end, 
the need for profit organization of production, we need new 
attachments. Will be hard. Or offer to write on the PC, and 
then compile the code under the Sprinter? And if people do not 
have PC? The same Still Spectrum world ... In short, problems 
arise sea, and all did not immediately say. While these 
problems will be solved - the train goes even further. As 
sports commentators say "the time is now not in our favor" ... 


   But that's not all. As always happens in new machines, early
or later vskroyutsya such glitches, after which it is necessary 
to change the architecture of the machine part, which would 
entail not complete compatibility of already released software. 
Com problems, unable to grow, giving even the most courageous 
"the germs of enthusiasm" and on this all over.



   I think only one thing can save this venture: if developers
computer turned his gaze to the Spectrum on the Amiga and try to
make Amiga-compatible computer, but much cheaper than the 
original. Then meager chances of survival appear if account *

increased interest in mass to the Amiga as an alternative to 
the Spectrum and PC. But anyway, this would be very, very 
difficult ... Practical - unbelievable. 



   I disagree with just two things:

1) games on the Spectrum is no more a 6-7 thousand. I looked

   many directories, but each of them recruited from the Power 
3 you    syachi games, while the mention of the very, very 
much. Well 

   well, our, Russian authors have written a thousand more 
games, more 

   couple thousand was not included those same directories that 
I mentioned. 

   Think.


   System software on the strength of two thousand, roughly the 
same 

   (Or slightly more) demos. And of 9000. Although, of course, 
not    bad, but hasten to disappoint you - one-third of that 
number can be 

   safely discarded: it is useless and Nomad'y Decathlon'y,

   and horror stories such as Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner'a.

2) The chances of survival for the PC is, although bad. After 
all, as 

   happened with General Sound'om: This is almost unsupported

   soft musical board now is in great spro
   catfish, despite a decent price ($ 40 in the price of firm 
Scorpion). 

   Thanks to good advertising (which was at GS), can not sell

   less than a hundred machines.


   Although the company itself and is not going to write 
software for your kids    schA, but the basic tools, I think, 
would be written "by the authors of 

   people as it goes with the GS. And will all the scraps
   you - and boils work. After all, if well publicized (in the 
same ZX 

   Format'e) people will be attracted to the new car, also more

   and is compatible with the Spectrum). In short, worth a try. 
Worse 

   this does not become, that's for sure.



   All was not yet twenty-second spectrophone. It can be 
expected at the end June, where a number of 25-th.



   Who still does not know this number will represent the first 
time on two discs (due to increased material and not annex). In 
addition, it is likely that the twenty-second number will be 
the last one for the magazine. , ((But, nevertheless, will wait 
for its release. Inside you will find a new cool game genre 
Bloodwich RPG! I saw her at work and I can say that made it 
great: three-dimensional graphics, lots of monsters, weapons, 
items ... Magic of different levels, locked doors that open, 
natural keys, and a lot more then. By nature, I It seemed to 
her something like Lands of Lore on the PC: the same the view 
from the eyes, but with Spectrum characteristics. In short, do 
not I know how to exciting, but the graphics, it bypasses the 
Bard's Tale so that even makes no sense to compare them. And 
all this decorated with colorful full-screen images depicting 
some monsters. More unfortunately I can not say, because the 
description did not read it. , ( 


   Promising and supplement to the journal: it will 3D 
Construction Kit - a program with whose help were created games 
such as Driller, Castle Master, etc. And you will be able to 
create their own masterpieces in no way inferior to Western 
standards ... Here truly are no limits to creativity!



   The only thing I know for sure - this is my content ;-)
articles in the SPF-22. Total thereof no less than 6, that's 
about them and now it will go.



   The first, if I mistake not - a good article about the quest
called Spooked. Does anyone remember him? But the game was
released by Premier back in 1989! And it's nice to play it 
until now! Excellent graphics and nice interface - it is only 
the beginning. And you have to deal with a huge maze (324 
rooms!), Stuffed with enemies and traps of not less than gaming 
space Death Stalker'a! You can choose from several types of 
weapons + 6 interesting spells, the spectrum of which are very 
wide (from invulnerability to freeze all life for some time: a 
time you will not be disturbed, which can not be said about the 
normal gameplay. Poultry, dwells in a labyrinth, not too little 
(10 species), so bored will not, I'll guarantee you. And, of 
course, scattered all over the map many interesting things: 
teleportatory, magic boilers (where the same without They, 
after all spells must first boil!), various "items exchange, 
where you can easily swap a second-rate cast on the most 
powerful, etc. Of course, all that I have described here - is 
only a drop in the ocean, and to tell everything, I It took 
40Kb (that is how much is my article). For comparison: the size 
of one number on-line does not exceed 36Kb! 


   But the most useful information for gamers is in the section 
cache. Here, finally, you'll learn how to activate the cheat in 
the second UFO 2! Not forgotten and Winnie the Pooh - in short, 
you will find many interesting things. Here, for example, have 
you heard about the company cheat In the first Dizzy? And there 
he is! Or, for example, a cunning technique as can be fun to 
get rich and at the same time make a lot of lives in Bubble 
Dizzy ... Pile pokov and password will add corporate cheat in 
Olly 'Lissa 1 (but you knew before, as you can get Ollie move 2 
times faster?) I will not tell everything at once, more 
surprises, good and different. =) 


   More of the same article, you learn a lot about the firm 
Hewson Consultants and its founder - Andrew Hewson. You'll read 
interviews with him (pretty old, but no less interesting). A 
finished article fully softografiey Hewson Consultants ... 


   No less interesting interview with the guys from Odin 
Computer Graphics (creators of games such as Robin of the Wood, 
Heartland, Nodes of Yesod). They will tell about the activities 
of the firm, which had once steep residence in Liverpool. And, 
of course, full softografiya Odin'a also present. 


   It is likely that you already know the outcome of the 
survey, which I conducted in Fido in the month of April. If 
not, then there spectrophone Another article for you. From 
there you will learn about the mood in the Spectrum world: some 
listen to music, they read, what to play. The results of the 
poll even more interesting that it took part lion's share of 
local celebrities (LAV, STEP, Felix, Hacker Cris / VBS, MAD MAX 
/ XL Design, Arno / Omega Group, Copper Feet and many others). 
Even readers great articles in Fido will find many interesting 
things: the volume of material increased considerably! 


   Well, last article is devoted to the firm CodeMasters. Her 
name speaks for itself, but it will tell what will be discussed 
here. Although what to tell something: everything! First a few 
words about the company's founder - Darling brothers, then 
excursion into the world Dizey - I talk about almost every game 
series, as well as give company history to them. That is not 
necessary to invent something new or read the novel - the 
authors themselves tell how everything was really:) And, of 
course, a couple of lines to each of the remaining games will 
not hurt, right? But this is not the most valuable. In end of 
the article I present a table that included all known I 
kodmasterovskie game! I have used many sources, but in the end 
I managed to scrape together information about 112 (!) games 
this firm. And in most cases given year, and very

more often and the rating of the toys in a variety of sources. 
As stated in a hurry to see!



   Well, sort of, and all I wanted to tell you about the 22nd
Spectrophone. In my opinion, this number will be the best ever 
spectrophone ... And when will the ZX Format 6 will be 
interesting to them compare. By the way, about the latter. The 
fifth issue was published on December 21, and the new has not 
heard. According to Max Romanov (RML / XLD), the number can be 
expected no earlier than the beginning of July ... Then He has 
really come out sometime in August: ~ (And there are already 
Inlayt on the nose ...



   About the contents of rooms, too, nothing is clear, but the 
glory Mednonogov reported that the application will include a 
demo, "Black Crow" ... That would be cool if the game will be 
released early demos! ;))) 



   Came about that from the scene came another major
writer and distributor - the company Inforkom. ; ~ (According 
to this hour data, the firm ceased operations in all areas

except program distribution by mail, at least 2
months. , (Here we have lost another major distributor and
single publisher Spectrum printed magazine. That
next - neizvetno. The only hope - that some kind of St. 
Petersburg's firm will take its place and establish trade by 
mail. : (( 


   In their misery IFC blame primarily myself: instead of
to invest in the development of Spectrum (the release of new 
books spread of computers and accessories, etc.), he started

publication of literature on the PC, Amiga and consoles. But in 
the ZX IFC made a few mistakes: distributed defective and 
unwanted software on high prices for Russia, has ceased to care 
about the content Revue (which each number becomes all the 
uglier and uglier), etc. It makes no sense to list all failures 
of this company - each of not a few - but fail in the company's 
activities, which are known sinkleristam across the country - 
it must be able to! 


   About Inforkoma plans for the future is known only that he 
"Revue going to continue to publish on the disks. Well this is 
just funny: in any case a new, electronic Revue can not be 
compared in popularity with those magazines, which he himself 
IFC and distribute! After all, a computer magazine - is not 
only the articles of readers, but also music, pictures, 
interface. Will master a Inforkom all this or magazine will be 
published in the form of text files with the viewer - time will 
tell. 



   That is all! The development of these and other events, read
the next issue of the newspaper.