ZX Format #07: Overview of Software Novelties for ZX Spectrum

          New Software.

music by COOPER  
(C) Welcome  
_______________________________  

LOS ANGELES DRUGS BUST  

Company : Players  
Year   : 1990  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : AY, FX  
Cheat  : infinite weapons and lives.  
Version: Welcome  

Los Angeles, present day. Gangs of criminals and drug dealers have taken over the city from the streets to the skyscrapers. The only way to clean the city of them is to kill 'em all! For this, you are given a machine gun, just don't hit the grandmothers peacefully crossing the street - the grandmother will fly to meet the angels in the best of worlds, and you will lose some energy and may follow the old lady. The game is in the style of OPERATION HANOI, but differs in the ability to shoot at tall skyscrapers. The graphics are monochrome but quite detailed. The game has 3 levels, and at the end of each, you will have to take down a boss dressed in a bulletproof vest.  
             _____  

        JUNGLE WARFARE  

Company : Code Masters, Optimus  
Year   : 1990  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : beeper  
Cheat  : infinite weapons and lives.  
Version: Welcome  

The continuation of the game SUPER TANK SIMULATOR. Genre - similar to the previous game - the action takes place in the jungle. The graphics are of average quality, but colorful.  
             _____  

           DRAGONIA  

Company : Astros Software  
Year   : 1987  
Memory : 128K  
Sound  : AY + FX  
Cheat  : none  
Version: Magic soft '& Beermans group  

A pretty good colorful platformer in a fairy tale land. It's very easy to get lost. You need to collect and use a large number of items and abilities. As for how to get through it - you'll figure it out yourself.  
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        3D STARFIGHTER  

Company : Code Masters, Oliver Twins  
Year   : 1990  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : beeper  
Cheat  : eternal status  
Version: Welcome  

A colorful space combat simulator. First, choose one of several galaxies to travel to. Next comes a long battle against various enemy ships, during which you can use SHIELD - protection against hits. After completing the battle, you will have a hyperspace jump to another galaxy. The graphics are average, with a cockpit view. Numerous indicators show the status of your ship.  
             _____  

   ROCK STAR ATE MY HAMSTER  

Company : Code Masters  
Year   : 1990  
Memory : 128K  
Sound  : AY + FX  
Cheat  : a lot of money  
Version: Welcome  

The full version of the only show manager for Speccy. A huge number of rock/pop/country/rap... stars. Full official AY support. In the game, you will organize concerts for rock bands, manage their leisure, buy all the necessary accessories, produce CDs, and organize a group from different stars, etc. For those who know a little English, the game will provide a lot of enjoyment.  
             _____  

        STAR CONTROL  

Company : Accolade  
Year   : 1990  
Memory : 128K  
Sound  : FX  
Cheat  : none  
Version: Digital Reality  

An analog of the same game on IBM PC. It combines elements of strategy and a classic shooter. You can choose the game mode (arcade and/or strategy), the number of players (1 or 2), choose 1 of eight possible spaceships, and save the current game state to disk. In short, the game should appeal to both strategy lovers and shooting fans.  
             _____  

 MALTESE JOE'S POOL CHALLENGE  

Company : Aardyyark software  
Year   : 1989  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : beeper  
Cheat  : none  
Version: Magic soft '& Beermans group  

The coolest of all 3D billiards. You can walk around the table, crouch, and of course, hit the balls or the table. The rules are like in regular billiards. The graphics are textured, typical for all 3D games.  
             _____  

         DYNAMITE DUX  

Company : Sega, Core design  
Year   : 1989, 1990  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : FX  
Cheat  : credits  
Version: Welcome  

A children's action game with carefully drawn monochrome graphics. A little duckling, having collected explosives, stones, and various bullets, goes to save his girlfriend from the hands of a terrible werewolf. In each level, he encounters one to two bosses, and at the end - you can guess. The game has a total of 6 levels, and almost all can be completed in two ways. At the beginning and end of the game, you'll see a short cartoon.  
             _____  

        BLOOD BROTHERS  

Company : Gremlin graphcs  
Year   : 1988  
Memory : 128K  
Sound  : AY + FX  
Cheat  : energy, thrust, weapon, laser, fuel.  
Version: Welcome  

The full version of the wonderful space adventures. Two blood brothers explore an alien planet. Their goal is to collect scattered minerals in the mazes. The game has 3 levels with several zones. To reach any zone, you need to fly there on a boat. One of the brothers can do this, while the other explores the underground maze and shoots at various monsters. It should be noted that the game accurately simulates the movement of players in zero gravity. Moreover, the musical arrangement is simply classic, and it's no wonder - the game took 3 years to make!  
             _____  

        GALACTIC GAMES  

Company : unknown  
Year   : 1988  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : FX  
Cheat  : select any level  
Version: Welcome  

On some planet, representatives of different civilizations held competitions among themselves:  

100M slither: two caterpillars (or something resembling them) must crawl the hundred meters, and each can throw its body forward, which gives some acceleration.  

Space hockey: space hockey with rather twisted rules.  

Psychic judo: psychic judo - I still didn't understand what to do here and how to strain.  

Head throwing: imagine - you run, gain the necessary speed... and throw your head as far as possible.  

Metamorph marathon: some creature must reach the finish line by any means. For this, it changes shape.  

The game itself was supposed to be funny, but the graphics ruined everything.  
             _____  

        MOTOR MASSACRE  

Company : Gremlin graphcs  
Year   : 1988  
Memory : 128K  
Sound  : AY + FX  
Cheat  : energy, weapon, fuel, mutants protection.  
Version: Welcome  

A peculiar race. You find yourself in a city filled with mutants. Your task is to get out of it as quickly as possible, shooting as many mutants as you can. The graphics in the game are average, and the controls are very inconvenient, although you can get used to it. Nevertheless, the game is very well voiced.  
             _____  

   INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING  

Company : Players for Your Sinclair  
Year   : 1991  
Memory : 48/128K  
Sound  : FX  
Cheat  : none  
Version: Welcome  

A very dynamic sports fighting game. The action takes place in a large indoor stadium. If the opponent does not get up within 10 seconds after falling, which the referee energetically counts, you win; otherwise, the match continues. You can play with two players and against the computer.

Contents of the publication: ZX Format #07

• From the Authors
  Update on SMUC, distribution issues, and plans for future ZX Format issues. Authors address outdated SMUC info and distribution problems of ZF-6. Upcoming content includes game descriptions and new projects.
• Аторы журнала
  Contact information and editorial team details for ZX-Format No.7. Provides mailing and electronic addresses, as well as contact phone numbers. Information on the availability of their website and specific contact instructions.
• Содержание номера
  The article provides an overview of notable software releases on the St. Petersburg market for autumn. It also includes detailed descriptions of games, programming tips, and hardware projects. Interviews, philosophical tales, and reader letters enrich the issue.
• Игрушки - Welcome
  An overview of software novelties for ZX Spectrum, including games like 'Los Angeles Drugs Bust' and 'Jungle Warfare'. Each game description provides insights into graphics, gameplay, and features. A variety of genres from action to strategy are covered, showcasing the diversity of software offerings.
• Игрушки - Алешкин А.В.
  The article describes the game 'TAI-PAN' as an arcade-economic game set in the 19th-century East, focusing on trading and survival amidst pirates and danger. It details the gameplay mechanics, such as trading goods, managing finances, and navigating seas with different ships. Despite its engaging plot and interface, the game didn't achieve much popularity in Russia.
• Игрушки - Soft
  A whimsical narrative in a fantastical world where colors converse with the Last, a character recounting tales of ancient humans, coders, and a mysterious past. The story explores themes of language, translation, and the creation of 'the Last' amidst fantastical beings like flying hippos and sea giraffes. It serves as a fictional narrative with humorous elements, blending science fiction with satire.
• Игрушки - Alex ASP
  A parody on Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' named 'Bored of the Rings' by Delta 4 is explored. The text references adaptations, humorous adventures of characters like Fordo and Bimbo, and differing versions from Delta 4 over the years. Anticipated prequels and correspondence excerpts with Delta 4's Fergus McNeill are mentioned.
• Игрушки - Гил-Гелад
  The article provides a detailed guide on navigating the 3D Construction Kit interface for ZX Spectrum. It explains menu options for file management, game setup, and in-game conditions. Additionally, it covers object creation, editing, and logic implementation within the program.
• Программистам - Дмитрий Рудовский
  The article concludes the description of BB commands and provides tips on their usage. It details the usage of the CLOCK command for time and alarm management on ZX Spectrum. Additionally, it explains the SORT command for array sorting and introduces new logical and mathematical functions.
• Программистам - Angel
  Introduction to assembly programming for beginners, covering basic concepts and commands. Detailed explanation of processor registers and flags, with examples. Offers practical advice on transitioning from Basic to assembly language.
• Программистам - GreenFort
  Discussion on fast calculations in assembler for tasks like vector graphics and astronomy. Describes procedures for binary division and multiplication, with examples for different byte sizes. Highlights the adaptability of these methods for increased precision.
• Программистам - TP, Stinger
  Detailed technical description of the Mod file format for music composition on ZX Spectrum, focusing on structure and data offsets for title, instruments, and patterns.
• Программистам - Research
  The article describes the capabilities and limitations of the Convert program, focusing on its use for converting images to the BMC format. It includes technical details about the program's functions, such as dithering methods, sprite and screen format output, and the removal of extraneous dots. Additionally, the article briefly discusses the source code of X-Color and its potential applications.
• Обзор
  The article discusses the ENLiGHT'97 demo-party held in St. Petersburg on August 24, 1997, featuring platforms like Spectrum, Amiga, and PC. The event attracted around 1100 delegates, leading to overcrowding and technical issues, which caused the cancellation of the second day. Despite these issues, the event was generally enjoyable, and there is hope for another event in 1998.
• Обзор
  Review of VideoFAIR exhibition in Manezh with highlights on video and audio equipment. Amiga-service and various companies showcased their technological advancements in video editing and broadcast systems. Notable innovations include 3D laser-scanned displays and professional audio solutions.
• Железо - Nemo
  Discussion of KAY technology export to decentralize Spectrum production. Highlights potential benefits and challenges of local manufacturing. Emphasizes quality assurance and support systems.
• Железо
  The article describes the development of a new Scorpion motherboard, focusing on enhancing graphics, speed, and compatibility with modern peripherals like IBM keyboards and mice. It introduces the GMX (Graphic Memory Extension) board, designed to upgrade existing Scorpion models to match the capabilities of the new motherboard. The GMX board offers significant improvements in memory, graphics, and processing speed, while maintaining compatibility with ZX Spectrum and Pentagon standards.
• Железо
  The article provides a detailed overview of two popular audio amplifiers for ZX Spectrum users in St. Petersburg. It highlights the advantages and specifications of the 2 X 2W low-voltage amplifier and the 2 X 22W car amplifier. The article also includes a price list and ordering instructions through the 'Nemo' company.
• Примьера
  The article describes the improvements and features of the Turbo Assembler version 1.1 for ZX Spectrum. It highlights the differences from version 1.0, such as bug fixes, screen size changes, and added features like line editor and syntax checking. It also details the memory allocation and provides a guide on using the editor and compiler functions.
• Примьера - STS
  Description of the Riff Tracker MOD-editor for General Sound, its features, and functionalities. Provides detailed instructions on using editing and sample management. Notes on the current version limitations and expected improvements.
• Примьера - Paul Atrides, Alex Noman
  Presentation of Oberon Creative Pack, consisting of ZX-WinWord and Sprite Cutter. ZX-WinWord is a text editor combining text and graphics with advanced features. Sprite Cutter allows sprite creation and manipulation in various formats.
• Примьера
  Presentation of the second demo version of the game Headball by ZX-Masters, discussing its features and improvements since the first demo. The game offers two-player mode, four levels, three types of projectiles, various options, and computer difficulty settings. Availability of Turbo mode and enhanced synchronization and animation make it unique among other Spectrum games.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with Digital Reality about ongoing projects like DOOM and Paradise Lost. Discussion of challenges and progress in game development. Preview of their submissions for the ENLiGHT event.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with members of the newly formed group EXTREME. They work on demos for Spectrum and Amiga platforms and discuss their team members and activities. The interview also touches upon the state of the Amiga scene in Moscow.
• Интервью - Борис Прытков
  Interview with Samara-based Spectrum enthusiasts discussing their achievements and challenges. Emphasis on community building and publication of Oberon magazine. Efforts to establish a Spectrum network and convert the game WALKER.
• Интервью - Борис Прытков
  The article is an interview with members of the group Flash inc. discussing their projects for ZX Spectrum and PC, including a music editor with an innovative interface and a new multicolor graphic editor.
• Интервью - Михаил Акимов
  Interview with Moscow-based group Progress discussing their current work on Spectrum demos, plans for future projects on Amiga, and opinions on the Russian demoscene.
• Интервью - Михаил Акимов
  Interview with Felix about changes in the tech landscape, the enduring appeal of Amiga despite PC dominance, and his work on 'Winnie the Pooh - 2' for Spectrum.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with Slash about the ENLiGHT event, including sponsorship issues, attendee behavior, and the quality of music and demos. Discussion of the current state of the Spectrum and Amiga markets. Commentary on music trackers and the future of hardware development.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with V. Mednonogov after ENLiGHT'97 discussing impressions of the event, future of Spectrum, and his current project 'Black Raven'. Mednonogov shares his views on new hardware and software development and the importance of copyright. He also discusses his plans for upcoming projects and the challenges faced in game development.
• Здесь был ты
  A satirical guide to gaining power and invisibility using magical rituals and Orbit gum.
• Здесь был ты - Saggitarius
  A contemplative novella about a man's existential journey after encountering a mysterious individual offering a device called the Stop Crane. Through flashbacks, the protagonist reflects on his life, uniqueness, and his desire to break free from societal constraints. Ultimately, he faces the moral dilemma of using the Stop Crane to transcend time and existence.
• Почта - Eagle Soft
  Critique of ZX-Spectrum software, highlighting the limitations of current programs and recommending the removal of outdated tools. Discussion on the limitations of assembly programs and the need for more efficient assemblers like M80. Evaluation of current music and graphic editors, with a focus on the redundancy of certain applications.
• Почта
  Discussion of reader inquiries on ZX Format distribution and content. Responses include details on acquiring issues and technical insights on the KAY-256 computer. The magazine also addresses criticism of its market outlook article.
• Почта
  This advertisement highlights XL Design Inc.'s software distribution campaign, offering games like 'Plutonia' and upcoming releases such as 'Mortal Kombat'. Mouse controllers are promoted with humorous selling points and pricing details. Studio LOGROS provides a wide range of software and peripherals, with options for local and remote purchases.
• Разное - Александр Сысоев
  The article discusses the creation of an RPG game by the OBERON GROUP, inspired by 'Eye of Beholder'. It describes the game's humorous plot set in a distant galaxy and the battle against invaders on a planet named Agima. The team invites musicians, artists, coders, and scriptwriters for collaboration.
• Разное - Viator
  The article describes the development of a new graphics editor called STATE OF THE ART for ZX Spectrum, aiming to improve upon existing editors like ART-STUDIO and ARTIST-2. The team AVALON, inspired by feedback from the SPECCY artist community, incorporates features from editors on Amiga and PC, while also addressing specific user requests. Key features include a user-friendly interface, enhanced magnify mode, advanced shape and window manipulation, and optimized performance.
• Разное
  Discussion on enhancing consumer quality of Spectrum computers without altering their technical specifications. Suggestions include improving existing support, developing platform ideology, and structural changes. The article also touches on the potential of electronic books and their commercial viability.
• Amiga Club - Максим Петров
  The article describes the author's admiration for the Amiga computer, emphasizing its aesthetic and technical merits compared to other platforms. It explores the author's programming experiences on Amiga, highlighting its efficiency and the impressive capabilities of its new hardware upgrades. The article concludes by reflecting on the unique community and passion of Amiga enthusiasts.