Oberon #04: About Everything: Issues in ZX Spectrum Software Market

            Problems of the Software Market             
                   or                    
              "Who is to blame?"              
           --------------------           
  For over a year now, the question has been constantly raised in all computer press, echo conferences dedicated to our Spectrum, and simply in conversations among various makers, coders, hackers, users, software sellers: "Where, actually, is the new software?". And not everyone understands what is happening. Either game makers have gone extinct, or software sellers are holding back for better times, or some other misfortune has struck. It can be confidently said that in 1997, nothing was released except for newspapers and magazines. And the latter did not particularly pamper us with frequent appearances. Spectrofon closed down, releasing its last issues with a six-month gap. Op-Line died. ZX-Format did not come out for more than six months, and when it finally appeared, it "pleased" everyone with an article under the following headline:                 
               Software Problems                
                   or                    
         WHEN WILL THE SPECTRUM GO UNDER          
          under the code name           
           "LAUGHTER CKBO3b TEARS"            
                                          
  The editorial office of ZX-Format magazine presented the essence of this issue quite soberly. And... simply shifted all the blame onto the poor user:                        
  "The only reason for the low income of authors is the user's unwillingness to pay for author's products..."                                          
  That's how it is. Cut off... Unambiguously... In simpler terms, authors do not want to do anything for "thank you", and users, by buying pirated software, have prolonged this process.      
  I don't know how things are in the northern capital of our Motherland (I don't want to judge solely by the words of certain magazine publishers), but for some reason, I wanted (or rather, I tried) to look at this problem through the eyes of an ordinary nondescript user, specifically a _Samara_ one.            
  The first legally distributed (as I thought at the time) programs appeared on the shelves of Samara's radio stores around the end of 1993 - beginning of 1994. A little earlier than Moscow's Spectrofon. But what distinguished them from Spf, which came to the city cracked, was the design of the disk. By the way, this was the operating system iS-DOS. (I wonder what iSKRA-Soft and "Slot" know about this?) Throughout the existence of the Spectrum in Samara, these were the only legally distributed author programs. At least, I can't recall anything else... (I don't count the last two years, as I stopped being interested in user problems.) That's how things were in the stores. And, compared to today, everything was quite tolerable.  
  However, until recently, things in the market left much to be desired. When users came to the market, they simply could not find any author software. They couldn't find it at all. At that time, practically no one was writing anything in Samara. And those who did were not distributing their software, except for Mr. Penzyin, who "gained fame" from the pages of one Moscow publication. Samara has always been a city of hackers. I don't know if that's good or bad. Therefore, there was no one to support in the city.                                   
  That's it. Oh, yes... There was one last option: "supporting emerging authors financially" through "a small Moscow firm." But there were few willing to finance the life of some uncle. Two or three people in the city, no more.                
  Thus, any Samara user resembled more of a madman, running around the city in search of software. What kind of desire to pay for author's products can there be when you can't find what you're looking for even with pirates... That's how it always turned out: the author doesn't create because he gets practically nothing, and the user is ready to pay but can't find what and whom to pay for. Apparently, they won't figure it out until the very end of the Spectrum.                             
  In general, not very good thoughts start to come to mind and disturb me. Today, when users are simply gathering in crowds to leave the Spectrum, nothing can hold them back. There is nothing worthwhile... There is, of course, hope for the main game maker of the country and his project. I want to believe that at least this will inspire some authors to continue their started projects and slow down the outflow of users from the platform. But for how long???         
                                          
                               Alex Noman,
                                 01.11.97.
-════════════════════════════════════════MUSIC ВУ : VISUAL/MS/XTM

Contents of the publication: Oberon #04

• From the Editorial
  This editorial discusses the legal 'charges' against the creators of Oberon #4 as a humorous narrative, highlights the challenges faced in publishing this issue, and announces a potential hiatus for the magazine.
• Scroll
  Analysis of the game 'Chaos' by Julian Gollop. Simplified gameplay mechanics and strategic elements. Description of creatures, spells, and tactics.
• Scroll - Unbeliever
  Description of a mathematical game for ZX Spectrum where players collect formula symbols while navigating gears.
• Scroll - M.M.A
  Discussion of 'Doc the Destroyer', a unique fighting and adventure game for ZX Spectrum. The article covers controls, character customization, and game mechanics. Compatibility issues on different ZX Spectrum models are also addressed.
• Overview - M.M.A
  The article provides a review of games for ZX Spectrum, including KOMANDO 2, WRESTLING SUPERSTARS, TAG TEAM WRESTLING, and CAPTAIN PLANET. It highlights the features, graphics, and gameplay of each game, noting both strengths and weaknesses. The review concludes with recommendations and comparisons to other platforms and games.
• Overview
  Overview of various ZX Spectrum games, highlighting their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and design elements. Includes critique on sound effects, graphics, and technical issues. Discusses games like 'Stryker in the Crypts of Trogan', 'Phileas Fogg's Balloon Battles', and 'Survival'.
• Overview - Alex Noman
  The article reviews games for the ZX Spectrum, including BOOVIE, MOTOR MASSACRE, SOCCER PINBALL, and HUXLEY PIG 1 & 2. Each game is detailed in terms of gameplay, graphics, and unique features. The discussion includes comparisons to other games and highlights specific technical aspects.
• Review
  A review of various games, including Little Computer People and Lost Caves, highlighting their features and versions. It also discusses 75Occ Grand Prix by Codemasters with its limitations. The article provides insights into game mechanics and versions.
• Review
  Detailed review of various assemblers like Alasm 3.8, TASM 4.12, and others, highlighting their features and shortcomings.
• About Everything
  Announcement of the creation of the SamZxNet network in Samara and the challenges of setting it up with HAYES modems. Explanation of the modems' power requirements and potential difficulties. Invitation for technical advice from experienced readers.
• About Everything
  Description of travel to ENLIGHT'97 and meeting various demoscene participants. Observations of event organization and issues. Insights into participant experiences and scene discussions.
• About Everything
  Report on the second day of ENLIGHT'97: events, challenges, and reflections. Describes voting results and organizational difficulties. Highlights future prospects for Spectrum demo parties.
• About Everything
  The article features reader feedback on Oberon #04, critiquing design and content choices and discussing issues with software protection and game enhancements.
• About Everything
  Discussion of the adventure game KAYLETH with gameplay tips and advice. Includes a game dictionary and suggestions from the author and their team. Calls for a local artist for future RPG development.
• About Everything
  Reflection on the closure of the 'ZX-REVIEW' magazine and the adaptation of its article for 'Oberon'. Discussion on the development of ultra-short boot loaders. Optimization techniques for writing one-sector boot loaders on ZX Spectrum.
• About Everything
  Exploration of amateur contributions to electronics, music, and computing history, highlighting figures like Faraday and Babbage. The evolution from handmade instruments to personal computers. Discussion on jazz, blues, and rock'n'roll's informal origins.
• About Everything
  The story of Lieutenant Edward Roberts' journey from radio kits to creating the first PC, the Altair 8800, overcoming skepticism and challenges.
• About Everything
  The article explores the rise and evolution of the computer industry, highlighting the transformation from passionate hobbyists to corporate dominance by giants like IBM and Microsoft.
• About Everything
  An exploration of Sir Clive Sinclair's project after selling the Sinclair brand, detailing the features of the Cambridge Computers Z88 laptop.
• About Everything
  Discussion of software market problems in 1997 for ZX Spectrum, highlighting lack of new software and user reluctance to pay.
• Announcement - M.M.A
  Announcement of 'Black Raven' game by V. Mednonogov, focusing on gameplay, technical challenges, and upcoming features.
• Announcement
  Discussion of the decline in ZX Spectrum development, reviews of new games and utilities, and announcements of future projects.
• Educational Program
  The article provides an overview of FidoNet, a non-commercial computer network often considered the predecessor of the Internet, detailing its origins, growth, and unique cultural aspects.
• Hardware
  Instructions for connecting the 'ALEGRO' modem to computers with normal port #FF, detailing hardware modifications required for proper signal handling.
• Hardware
  Connecting Hayes-compatible modems to ZX Spectrum, focusing on Scorpion and Pentagon models, detailing hardware modifications. Specific instructions for internal port blocking and signal alignment provided. Step-by-step process and technical intricacies explained.
• Hardware
  Discussion of the transition from 5.25' to 3.5' floppy disks for ZX Spectrum, including installation issues and solutions for compatibility with existing software.
• Let's Feast
  A satirical story about a Rabbit who lost his house to a cunning Fox and how a Rooster helped him reclaim it.
• Let's Gourmet
  A humorous tale about Malysh and Karlson's adventures with technology, drawing parallels between computers and everyday life, culminating in a comic mishap with an AMIGA computer.
• Advertising
  Article discusses free advertising policy of Oberon, catalog of programs and hardware for ZX Spectrum, and adventure game engagement.
• Advertisement - Kano
  Promotional campaign by Magic Soft and RPSG in Russia for Amiga multimedia computers, offering exhibitions, sales, and consultations. They highlight Amiga's advantages over other systems, describe various models, and provide price lists. Collaboration with 'Computers for Population' for distribution and services.