Editorial

SCENE+ #2 (2/96)

Hello folks. Although delayed contrary to my initial forecast, it is still out earlier than issue #1: I once again present the first and probably only German-language disk magazine.

Over the past three weeks, I was rather diligent with programming again, which is why this issue includes several interesting programs of my own. I spent three whole weeks on PYRAMID PATIENCE alone, coding and polishing it ten hours a day, but now it works flawlessly (at least, I think so!). ADVANCED PATIENCE was my very first program after switching over from the Amiga; it is shareware and a bit too difficult, which is why, in addition to standard improvements in graphics and code, I also tweaked the gameplay. There is now a cheat option, and the password that was previously built-in has been removed. The mouse driver still has a bug where it switches to the second screen in 128K or USR 0 mode, but that is the compiler's fault. I'll have to come up with a workaround for future releases.

I also spent quite a few hours testing an animation system for cutscenes in "Legacy of the Zer Empire". I simply digitized a few sequences from Star Trek: TNG and Deep Space Nine and transferred them from the Amiga to the Spectrum (I am still looking for a good raytracer for Legacy). These images were then packed using a modified Screen Compressor+ and tied together with a BASIC animation player. Some of the results run even on 48K; two of the larger ones can only be viewed on 128K, giving you a chance to see how memory banks can be utilized both in 128K mode and under USR 0. By the way, you are warmly invited to submit and showcase your own creations here as well.

As for Legacy of the Zer, I already have the first graphics for the action-adventure part finished, but it is still very far from running bug-free. I might make the disk version slightly larger, and split the tape version (if I write one at all) into several parts corresponding to the episodes of the disk release. Work isn't progressing particularly fast because I simply have too much on my plate with SCENE+. With some help from readers, I could naturally free up more time (Please! I'd like to at least catch Star Trek: DS9 or Babylon 5 on TV!), so send me programs, articles, and screens that I can use here!

As in every issue, we have galleries again — not just to fill up disk space, but to provide you with graphics for DTP or your own programs (don't forget to credit the author!). Naturally, you are welcome to send your own in; goes without saying for articles and artwork as well. The only assistance so far came from Thomas Eberle, who kindly provided some articles from SUC Info, unfortunately in Wordmaster format, so I had some trouble converting them to Tasword. In exchange, I put two of the latest demos by FBI onto the disk, which he coded during his visit to the Czech Republic, just a few days after I also visited Jaxon Hollis and Omega there. Time was too short to code anything on the spot, unfortunately!

Tape Label Master is another recent creation. It allows you to design cassette inlays with up to 10 titles per side. It operates in near-WYSIWYG fashion (What You See Is What You Get), so I quickly had to dig out a 64-character text routine from my collection. It relies on PLOT, making it very flexible. An uncompiled version with all code files (character set and screen backup routines) is included in the Extras section in case your printer does not support standard Epson LQ control codes.

That covers the most notable programs featured in this issue.

Cat's Eye has a few game ideas in store, so if you are looking to code and need inspiration, here they are:

• Deep Space Nine: Air traffic control through the wormhole.
• Babylon 5: Maintaining station security.
• IMF: Mission: Impossible — action/adventure,
  and several more. If there is interest, I will make an Ideas Corner a permanent fixture in the News section.

I will also be staying in regular contact with Prism PD now, but that does not mean I am taking sides in the feud between Alchemist and Prism. Quite the contrary: even though I know who is sowing discord between the two, I intend to keep my mouth shut and remain neutral. Ultimately, my primary goal is fostering cooperation among all clubs and PD libraries across the entire Speccy scene. I have already established ties with Fountain PD and Impact PD, both allied with Alchemist (as is SPC), whereas SUC sides with Prism PD — and I find myself sitting squarely in no man's land! The ASC remains neutral and tries neither to offend anyone nor take a side. At the meeting in Filderstadt, I had an earful from the Dutch regarding this dispute, so my advice to anyone who values their reputation is not to take sides: if luck runs out, you get smeared in letters, articles, and so on. I just hope this remark doesn't get me into hot water.

In the future, I plan to get in touch with more fanzines, such as OUTLET, CRASHED, or SPECTRUM UK, to arrange exchange subscriptions. This should bring a wealth of fresh information your way, though it won't work without your involvement. In March, I am starting work again as a PC salesman, which will occasionally involve evening training courses. Consequently, future disks might not always be packed to the brim. Nonetheless — or perhaps because of it — quality should improve (hopefully, though I can't make promises). An advertising campaign will be launched to make all Spectrum users across Austria aware of the club. I have several ideas in mind that certainly won't come cheap: ad placements at major transit hubs, in classifieds papers, and I won't overlook libraries or universities either.

I probably have little chance of recruiting members in England, but I will still place ads in their fanzines, perhaps even an animated promo for disk magazines.
If more than 20 users respond in Vienna, we could hold a Speccon club meeting soon. I will keep you all posted.

That's all for this month. Best regards and have fun!

L.C.D.