HOW TO START A GAME?
Each of us has faced the problem of starting a game at some point. Many have probably watched with bitterness as the computer, keenly responding to aimless key presses, churned out a mass of graphical and textual information, leaving the user out of the loop of the exciting events of an interesting and intelligent game. This, of course, does not apply to those "shooters" where everything is clear right after loading. In this section, we will consider the debut problems of difficult but interesting games.
A few words about the reasons that, in our opinion, cause difficulties at the start of a game. The first and most important reason is that the Russian user does not have a branded game description on hand. Certainly, recently there have been many game descriptions on the software market, which sometimes detail, and sometimes briefly explain how to start a game, but these descriptions are not always accurate. They can be conditionally divided into two groups. The first group includes most descriptions released by the companies "SOLON" and "VA PRINT" in the multi-volume collections "500 games". Essentially, these are not descriptions, but reviews of games, which are certainly useful for the user, but only as a game review. It is difficult, and sometimes simply impossible, for an uninitiated user to learn and understand the nuances of the program from a review.
The second group can be attributed to detailed expert analyses of games published in the magazine "ZX-REVUE", published by the company "INFOCOM", as well as in the collections "BEST GAMES", whose publishers, by the way, sometimes use pirate methods in their work. But that is a topic for another conversation.
In expert analyses, the user is provided with enough information to figure out and complete the game independently, but sometimes this information turns out to be too much for those who wish to feel like pioneers and explorers. Now a little about the second reason causing debut problems. This is the language barrier. Here, one can only throw up their hands and advise studying the English language. As for those who, for some reason, cannot do this, we recommend reading the electronic magazine for synclists "SPECTROPHONE".
In the "DEBUT" section, we will try to answer questions such as: "what do I need to press?", "how to start?", "how to control?". In this section, you will not find detailed descriptions, but you will receive the necessary information to immerse yourself in the computer world of an interesting game.
READ THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE IN JANUARY 1994!
Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #00
- Вступление
Introduction of a new monthly electronic magazine 'Spectrofon' for ZX Spectrum enthusiasts, focusing on gaming. Sections include game analysis, beginner's guides, software reviews, and a user forum. The magazine will be available on a 5-inch TR-DOS diskette.
- Экспертиза
Detailed guidance for the game NARCOPOLICE from Dinamic, 1990, focusing on strategy for weapon selection, group management, and navigating challenges in a drug cartel setting. Players are tasked to lead a police operation on an island, eliminating a cocaine processing lab. Includes cheat codes for those interested in bypassing regular gameplay.
- Дебют
Challenges in starting complex games due to lack of descriptions and language barriers. Importance of informative guides for Russian players. Introduction to the 'Debut' section for essential game start tips.
- Обзор
Analysis of dwindling software from the West for ZX Spectrum and a focus on local game releases and ratings.
- С миру по биту
Dedicated section for readers' letters. Encouragement to send observations and game comments. Aims to establish a direct communication line.
- Система
Discussion on the importance of application programs in computer magazines and support for Russian developers. Introduction of a Programmer Support Center for promoting software. Encouragement for developers to submit descriptions of their programs for publication.
