Introduction: LCD

Introduction: LCD

As promised, the mastermind behind SCENE+, ASC, and numerous programs introduces himself—namely me, LCD.

Hello, the abbreviation LCD stands for the initials of my name: Leszek Chmielewski Daniel. Actually, I should also add "von Korvin", but my title of nobility really has little to do with me and more to do with my ancestors, so I usually just leave it out.

Many of you also know me under the pseudo Tiger's Claw, under which I used to write in CF back in the day, as well as code games and demos. My adventure with the Spectrum began in the summer of 1986, more than ten years ago. Back then, my mind was made up: a home computer had to enter the house! Before that, I didn't know what to do with my life: school, girls, alcohol, books, TV, cinema—I even wrote books, or rather short stories—but nothing really fulfilled my life, the girls being an exception.

So, a proper color computer with lots and lots of games had to be acquired immediately. For this purpose, I raided my savings account and started thinking about what kind of machine it should be. Since the ZX 81 seemed too "cheap" to me, there were only two alternatives: the well-advertised C64 or a ZX Spectrum 48 (without the Plus).

I had already decided on the C64, but then a friend of my father's came over with his Spectrum and lent it to me with a few games for a couple of days. What that triggered in me, I still wonder, because from then on I was thrilled by the machine, and when I had to return it, I immediately bought my own unit.

Naturally, all my savings were gone, because on top of that I also needed a TV, a cassette recorder, and blank tapes (wonder what for?). Jetpac, Manic Miner, Beach Head, Cauldron—I played everything I could get my fingers on and even joined a computer club.

As the next step, I took my first programming attempts, after I had played JetPac to death and even the final boss in Beach Head was no longer a challenge. I started simple: drew an Enterprise using block graphics, then those Happy Computer type-in listings came into play, where I introduced my first modifications, and so after a while, I had become quite a proficient coder. Not only because of that was I finally able to defeat the dragon in the game "Journey's End". Well, programming is fun, but I didn't despise games either.

My first two games came shortly after: Triff mal and Akakor were both programs I am ashamed of today, although the line graphics in Akakor were quite elaborate.

I quickly realized that for more sophisticated games I would need a lot more time, and despite the fact that I was attending Hauptschule, I started my biggest project: Luzifers Träne, an adventure game with enormous graphical effort, sampled sound, and a lot of content, but after a short time I realized that the Spectrum didn't have enough memory for it and that I didn't have the skills to finish it.

Then I started writing utility programs: Hellprint, a hardcopy program for the Seikosha GP 500AS that could also print posters, and a Disklabelmaker for the SGP500AS, which in terms of quality is still quite good, but then...

I bought an Amiga 500, which made me withdraw almost completely from the Speccy. Well, the games were good, even if not entirely bug-free, but after a few years I realized that the Speccy was simply more fun. After a while, I had completely mothballed the Amiga and let it gather dust.

Getting back into it was no problem thanks to the SU and YS subscriptions I still received. Thanks to a friend who traveled to England, I even got a Crash subscription. These three subs brought me joy until the magazines ceased publication (complete nonsense when you compare the current circulation numbers of some other computer mags).

From a user who quit the Speccy, I bought another Speccy 128 and a Disciple with a 180K disk drive. Soon after, I upgraded the system to 3.5" and copied many games to disk; the magazines had versions on their cover tapes that were particularly easy to copy.

After they closed down, I looked around the magazine market and discovered Computer-Flohmarkt, which I contributed to from then on and to which I owe several good contacts, as well as probably my best move: joining the SPC. This encouraged me to code, and soon I had written my first demo. The positive feedback on "Mad Cat" eventually prompted me to make "Demo-Lition", my best demo so far, and last but not least, I also started coding games. It culminated in "Indian Patience", which received the best reviews.

I started SCENE as a paper mag in September '95, but it didn't last long; the workload became too much for me, which is why SCENE+ eventually came out as a diskmag. The idea was to encourage users to program so that the scene wouldn't die out.

That was the abridged story of my rise in the scene. A lot of time has passed since then, and I have upgraded my Speccy to the point where working comfort almost matches that of a PC, although I must say that I abysmally HATE Windows!

Now for some info about me:

Softography

(Demos) Pac Man Vector (SAM - Fred 33), Space War (SAM - Fred 34), Mad Cat, Demo-Lition, Second World, Star Trek TNG Slide, Not for Children.

(Games) Triff mal, Akakor, Reflect (Sam), Heavier Than Metall (Sam), Reverse Side (Sam), Fishvaders (Sam), Advanced Patience, Ultra Reflect, Godzilla, Pyramid Patience, Indian Patience.

(Books) Untergang der Erde (1985), Verlorenen Welten (1986), Shadow Nemesis (1989-1990), Lords of Zer (1992-1994), Vortex (1997).

So far I haven't published any of these books, except Shadow Nemesis in a slightly abridged version, and soon Vortex as well.

I don't even count utility programs anymore, as their number is enormous and mostly for personal use, such as helpers for cracking original games. One of my most famous programs was the rather simple INOF, as well as its plus version.

Preferences

Favorite music: Actually, I like almost everything, from classical (Bach), through the seventies (ABBA, Boney M.) to techno and almost the entire pop spectrum (3-O Matic, E-Rotic), but most of all electronic synth (J.M.Jarre).

Movies: I liked horror when I was little, but now only if it's particularly well-made (Nightmare on Elm Street), and naturally anything related to science fiction. I also really like fantasy and anime, but German television is particularly sparse in those areas, so I have to rely on videos.

Books: Before I got the computer, I enjoyed reading books, but hardly at all afterwards; I was more creative myself. By the way, my favorite book is "PROXIMA" by Trepko, written in the 60s. I've read it at least 30 times!

Sports: Ha! My weak spot, I don't like sports at all. Occasional table tennis against my brother, billiards against Jaxon Hollis, and golf on the computer can hardly be called sports. I don't like soccer either, if anyone wants to know for sure.

Politics: Only recently did I start taking an interest in politics. My motto since then: never trust a politician, regardless of party. Although I am a driver, I lean towards the Greens.

Favorite games: I play Indian Patience over and over whenever I find the time, Boulder Dash I-II is also quite nice, and on the Amiga I waste my time with Civilization. I hold an aversion to poorly converted 8-bit games for 16/32/64-bit computers. On the Speccy, there are no bad games at all. Below average at most, but never bad.

People I admire most: Pete Cooke (wonder why?), as well as everyone else who is against wars. Wars should only take place on computers, not in reality.

Well, that's about it. If anyone wants more info, feel free to write to the following address:

L.C.D., Pragerstr. 92/11/12, A-1210 Wien, Österreich.