ZX Format #07: Insights from Slash on ENLiGHT and Market Trends

Slash.  
music by MIDISOFT  

ZF> What is your impression of ENLiGHT?  

Slash> I would seriously advise to look for sponsors properly next time. Let them really make the entrance paid. And if you can't find them yourself (like "Baltika," for example, since everyone drinks that), then invite KANO - he will come and find you a million sponsors. He knows how to persuade. As for what happened this time - it was just disgraceful. When some teenagers, I can't find another word, start writing their addresses or "pц рулез" on the bathroom walls, and the next day they start burning T-shirts. It's no wonder the second day was ruined. And it's also natural that when the crowd, disappointed by the closed gates, went to the park and just started drinking - that too is understandable. And when the police arrived, I was just surprised that no one had broken arms/ribs. If they wanted that kind of fun - they should have taken a cue from our hidden party. For some reason, everything went completely cultured for us. And what struck me the most was some guy with r. (censored), who constantly interrupted Kano's conversation with Zonov, saying "I'm a fan of Zonov" and so on. He took a pneumatic gun and pointed it at Kano's head. People like that need to be dealt with. What kind of security was that? When I see someone smoking, drinking, swallowing pills in the hall, and the security is clinging to Isay, who is just drinking beer to wet his throat after a long conversation. It's just strange. At least the police should be invited.  

ZF> So, does that mean we have the wrong people?  

S> It's all because of the freebies. Does anyone think - why shouldn't I go to a cool party E'97? Drink some beer, listen to music. But if a person pays money, gets a normal ticket, sees security - it would be a different matter. Abroad, there's no such thing - for a person to get drunk and start causing trouble. But a Russian loves it until it runs out. It's a shame for those who came from afar, and because of some thugs they got such a disappointment. The most disappointing thing is that this time the Czechs came. We know where we are and where to go. But what about people from abroad?  

ZF> It's all about the organization, but what can you say about the "content"?  

S> If last year on Spectrum everything was revolutionary - there were eurodemos, trackmos, then this year - not so much. The technology isn't the same. For example, Seamans made effects of 8*8 dots, but the monitors turned out to be clear and up close it didn't look good at all. It seems like people are more thrilled by the jokes (Hiroshima 45/Chernobyl 86/Windows 95) than by the effects. Personally, I believe that "Eyeache" should have been in first place. The Digital guys are only riding on their artist. I think a demo should be high-tech.  

ZF> And how did you like the music?  

S> The music in the compo should be fast, pleasant, and melodic. This time, almost all the tunes were similar. Moreover - pure plagiarism. No flight of imagination. Everyone is ready to steal from RUSH, but when it comes to their own stuff - no.  

ZF> So it ends up being just acid.  

S> Well, purely acid. At the last ENLiGHT, I pushed some pop music that you could just listen to. Maybe in the demos it's still okay, if it's relevant. Separately - it's bad. The video shown - from HRG - is complete garbage, can't be compared to Ray Dream at all. The T-shirts they sold - also didn't impress. Gray, flat, boring.  

ZF> What did you submit this time?  

S> Music on pц, don't think anything bad. Just realizing that again they haven't separated 4-channel and multi-channel music, I decided it was pointless to write MOD. Well really, 4-channel music doesn't look good compared to multi-channel. I didn't manage to do anything on Spectrum - had issues with the army - was being transferred home. But next year I will definitely write something. And I will try to ensure that something comes from IMP too, maybe we can negotiate with KSA to write something. So that people can listen to good music. Right now I just heard outright falseness in the music. There needs to be a selection process.  

ZF> What's going on with "prestige" now?  

S> Now everything has quieted down, before KANO struggled, organized, gathered, and got the team together. And now he is more focused on Amiga, since Spectrum is giving too little return. There's no arguing about that - if two years ago I was using 200 disks, I could make a living from dealing, now it's not the same.  

ZF> How's the computer atmosphere in Ryazan?  

S> Since I've been promoting Amiga for quite a while, the market situation has shifted in its favor. It's nice that when someone comes to me, they know exactly what they want, and they don't have the desire to buy a color calculator and do something in Windows. No one can convince me that there's anything better for the soul than Amiga.  

ZF> So is there already a good Amiga market?  

S> Yes. I'm starting to feel it. There is a demand for both hardware and literature. People seem to have woken up. A Spectrum user, if they were a Spectrum user, will remain one forever, like me for example. I always have my Spectrum and I will never throw it away, even if everything completely dies - I will still keep it. Just like my Amiga will always stay with me. Although right now it's not very big - CD-32, but I would like a 40. They really make money on pц, but not more than that.  

ZF> Recently, various editors have started coming out in droves. Say your weighty word about this abundance.  

S> The most convenient is Protracker. Completely original, and nothing has been ripped off from others. And all the others - like KSAtr, for example - are just rehashed sound trackers. The Digital one - I look at it and just spit - it's ASM. No one wants to make their own. Instead of collecting applications, writing what's needed, and getting money through your companies in St. Petersburg.  

ZF> You're not from St. Petersburg, why do you talk about our companies and not, for example, about the Moscow ones?  

S> Your market will never dry up, because you have your own solid hardware manufacturers. Although it's hard to understand some of them. I looked at Sprinter - what is that, why was it made? Who will work on it? To push such a thing, you need to have a team that would convert games weekly, for which you won't get hit on the head by copyright. What's the point of their computer? They're great for coming up with it, but they will hardly make money from it.  

ZF> Any plans for the near future?  

S> I have many plans. I'm going to write music for FORMAT. I believe that in a serious publication, the musical accompaniment should be of high quality and diverse. The music should match at least the length of the article. You often repeat the same tunes a dozen times.  

With some delay, we congratulate SLASH on his recent birthday.  

Interview taken by A. Aksyonov.

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.