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"S": The widespread distribution of music coprocessors for "ZX-SPECTRUM" in our country has led to many gaming programs available on the market now featuring their own musical accompaniment. Those gaming programs that did not originally include music for AY-3-8910 have been successfully modified (and continue to be modified) by our hackers. As a result, "new" 128 games are born, which are much more enjoyable to play than their original versions, provided, of course, that the "reconstructors" are masters of their craft and have done an "excellent" job.
Interest in "musical affairs" is constantly growing. Among programmers working on "ZX-SPECTRUM," there is a high demand for talented musicians capable of composing original, pleasant music, as well as arrangers who have mastered some music editor (most often "SOUND TRACKER"). The best results are achieved by those who combine both talents. And what could be better than a good game with wonderful music?
But it is no secret that the capabilities of "ZX-SPECTRUM" + AY do not end there. Some are already working on connecting Speccy to music consoles. This opens new prospects for those who write music. Today, the section "FROM THE WORLD PER BIT" presents a letter from our reader on a musical topic.
P.V. PUTENIKHIN: I would like to reach out through "Spectrofon" to anyone who has and can share information.
I have started working on a music editor: something similar to "WHAM!", but with an output, if not to MIDI, then to a similar console with polyphony, percussion, and other features that will be available. A disk and printer, a standalone keyboard (keys), full correspondence of the screen recording to the sheet music, the ability to edit, etc.
What comes of this - we will see, but right now I am looking for the following information:
1. COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF AY-3-8910, including the purpose of the NACT, ADDR, BAR, DW modes. What kind of memory is connected to AY, is it not the memory of forms?
2. LITERATURE ON MIDI.
3. SCHEMATICS FOR YAMAHA 31 and above or, at least, the type of the main chip. AJ-430 has CIL-51 (if this inscription on the case is its type).
4. IS THE MUSIC accompanying the ASM description in the second issue of "Spectrofon" written in this (ASM) system? If not, I would like to hear the coolest ASM demonstration.
5. I invite those interested in this topic to exchange experiences (whatever is available!).
"S": Well, undoubtedly, our reader's initiative is very interesting and useful. We join his requests and invite everyone who has information on this topic to write to the editorial address of our magazine. We will gladly publish all materials.
As for the music that plays in the "SYSTEM" section in the second issue of the magazine, we can say that this music was written in the music editor - "SOUND TRACKER". We are currently preparing a description of this editor and will likely present it to our readers in the upcoming issues.
In general, it should be noted that in all issues of our magazine, music created in the "SOUND TRACKER" editor plays. This editor, in our opinion, is one of the most user-friendly music editors we have encountered. Of course, it has its drawbacks, and in some respects, it falls short of the "ASM" editor by Andrey Sendetsky, but composing music in "SOUND TRACKER" is still easier.
At the request of our reader, we accompany this section with music written in the "ASM" editor.
"S": After our story about the game "ELITE-3" (THD), we received several letters from "pilots" who, like us, encountered the "mysterious" looping of this program during the first mission. In the sixth issue of our magazine, we seemingly summed up, but letters on this topic continue to arrive.
GAVRILOV V.YU. (Cheboksary): I would like to share my experience completing the first mission.
1. I reach the station and pick up refugees.
2. Using the infinite galactic drive, I fly to the neighboring galaxy.
3. For the rescued refugees, I receive 100 diamonds and... 35 tons of cargo capacity.
4. I search the local map for a planet with a level of at least 9.
5. I buy a rescue capsule.
6. I take off from the station, press the "Q" key, and regain my previous cargo capacity (255 tons).
Thus, cargo capacity can be restored. But after 1-2 flights, I find myself at a supernova again. As a result, I have completed the first mission 12 times already!
After the eleventh time, I had 17 congratulations "RIGHT ON COMMANDER," i.e., 17*256=4352 points. And suddenly I became "ELITE," although to achieve this, 6656 points are needed (ZX-REVUE 1,2/92 p. 39).
Who could explain this? I received another "RIGHT ON COMMANDER" congratulation already being "ELITE," after I destroyed several pirate ships. Why - it's unclear.
I have a "PENTAGON 128K" machine. There are only a few programs that do not work for me. All programs supplied in the "appendix" to the magazine "SPECTROFON" work fine on my machine...
"S": Here is such a letter. Perhaps someone has already figured out the issue raised by our reader? We have no opportunity to execute the looping missions of the game "ELITE-3" (THD). The only advice we can give you is to load some "norton," insert the diskette with "ELITE-3" (THD) into the drive, and thoroughly erase all files of this game. If, of course, you are not a die-hard fan of THD products. This way, at least you won’t waste your precious time. And it’s better to play any other version of this game.
In response to our request in the sixth issue to share something about the game F-19 STEALTH FIGHTER, several readers replied and reported that the cassette with the game in branded packaging, with instructions from "MICROPROSE," is sold in Moscow at the "SKIT-M" store. Unfortunately, by the time we visited this store, there were no copies of the branded F-19 S.F. left. The seller told us that the appearance of branded English cassettes with games was, in general, accidental and when to expect the next batch of goods is unknown. What a pity... However, someone must have brought these cassettes from England?
This means there is a chance that some of our tourists are fans of Speccy and will someday delight everyone with new games that are still being written in the West for "ZX-SPECTRUM."
Moreover, recently rumors have been circulating in Moscow about the release for Speccy of "CIVILIZATION" and even... "DOOM"(?!). Although regarding "DOOM" - that seems to be something from the realm of fantasy. But who knows what might happen?
We have received several letters with questions about the game "ELITE-2" (SHADOW SOFT). Many are asking how to find "mineral life," buy "Cobra-MK4," etc.
Since "ELITE-2" and "ELITE-3" differ minimally from each other, we will give you some hints based on the game "ELITE-3." Here is what the author writes in the loader for "ELITE-3."
(C) Vladimir Kladov.
ABOUT NEW MISSIONS
Old missions are now issued after each "RIGHT ON COMMANDER" message. No special messages are given during the game regarding missions 4-6, as well as the standard mission "CLOACKING DEVICE." Moreover, these missions are not imperative, mandatory to execute, but rather additional opportunities that need to be unlocked and skillfully used to your advantage. But if you are one of those who likes watching detective stories, knowing the ending in advance, then read on.
Mission 4. MINERAL LIFE.
You need to find a star system on the main diagonal of the galaxy.
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The main diagonal connects the upper left and lower right corners of the galaxy map.
In such a planetary system, you need to fly from the sun until it shrinks to the size of a small star, and there catch minerals.
As soon as you see "MINERAL LIFE" in the cargo list instead of ordinary minerals, consider yourself rich: a ton of such cargo is worth 1000 CR. Furthermore, each ton of ordinary minerals caught or purchased is colonized by your guests and also becomes precious.
However, living crystals are picky and fussy: as soon as their weight drops below three tons, they turn into regular stones. For this reason, no one will buy less than three tons from you at once.
There is also an upper limit - 63 tons (for greedy owners of "COBRA-MK4").
If you want to preserve and breed MINERAL LIFE, turning your ship into a kind of space farm, remember the following: to live, they need to eat. They feed on your jewels during hyper jumps, making a characteristic crunching sound and consuming one gram of GEM STONES for every ton of their living weight. If you forget to feed them three times in a row, then - goodbye, collective farm!
If for some reason your pets die, residual crystalloids will settle in the cargo holds of your "COBRA," which will decompose any living mineral that comes on board, and you will not be able to breed MINERAL LIFE again until the holds are filled after rescuing REFUGEES (mission 1).
Mission 5. ALIEN COMPUTER.
You need to fight with Targons until a container, resembling an ordinary cargo container, falls out from a downed Targon (of the old design). It appears in space quite far from the place of your victim's demise and is equipped with an engine, which complicates its capture.
Moreover, if there are other Targons nearby, they will try to reach it before you, and you understand how fast they are.
If you miss this trophy, it does not mean that the opportunity to catch it is lost forever: you can continue the hunt, and those who seek will always find!
Once you obtain the ALIEN COMPUTER, you can use the missile targeting system to launch the ALIEN ITEMS onboard (press "D" and, without releasing, "F").
After destroying the target with a laser or ramming, your ALIEN ITEMS will return.
You just need to turn correctly to avoid colliding with it (you will hardly be harmed, but the boomerang will not fare well).
ALIEN ITEMS are effective only against Targons and as a means of destroying orbital stations; other ships can easily shoot them down with lasers.
Mission 6. Buying "COBRA-MK4".
This takes place in planetary systems on the main diagonal of the galaxy - the same ones as in mission 4.
Now you need to fly towards the sun.
If you manage to cross the dangerous zone where continuous battles are taking place, you will reach two "Coriolis" type stations located near the star, where you need to land. Most likely, you will have to do this manually, so practice in advance. And if you haven't forgotten to bring 256000 CR with you, MK-4 is yours.
However, you can remain a conservative and continue flying in the slightly upgraded tin can of type MK-3, but keep in mind that in this case, the rank of Colonel will be as far from you as your own ears: without "COBRA MK-4," landing troops on an occupied planet is practically impossible.
Mission 7. INVASION.
At some point in the game, when you have reached the ELITE class and start to get a bit bored, a large-scale invasion of Targon armada begins in galaxy 1. You will receive a message about this on the combat screen:
MAYDAY: GALACTIC 1 INVADED!
You can take your time - you will have plenty of it. Upon arrival in galaxy 1, you will find that some planetary systems are in a state of active combat (RESISTING), while others may already be occupied (OCCUPIED) by the cursed insects. (See the information on planets, the center of the invasion is located in the western part of the galaxy, near the planet TIBEDIED).
Making trips near the front line becomes a dangerous affair: you will often be intercepted in interstellar space by groups of Targons (sometimes in groups of six, often many of them are invisible). Visiting occupied planets is practically suicidal. Try it and see.
The overall scenario of the war looks as follows. First, Targons advance rapidly, and with each movement of their armada forward, you receive the message: "MAYDAY...".
Gradually, the galaxy receives more and more reinforcements, ordinary traders like you join its ranks as voluntary defenders (although there are also a sufficient number of marauders and traitors), and the blitzkrieg planned for centuries suffers a fiasco. Indeed, before the turning point in the war, the Targons may manage to occupy a large part of the first galaxy, but their plans are still doomed. As soon as the turning point in the war occurs, SOS messages cease to arrive, and liberation begins increasingly rapidly.
You may choose not to participate and continue with your business. The war will start and end successfully without your help.
But you have the opportunity to join the Federation forces and try to make a military career, and in case of very successful mission execution, even expedite the victory of "ours."
You can join the galactic volunteer forces on any warring planet (RESISTING). Just answer YES to the question they ask you there.
You are immediately assigned the rank of lieutenant and given the following mission:
1. Evacuation of refugees from warring (RESISTING) planets.
It's almost the same as in standard mission 1, but this mission is not a one-time deal.
You must make shuttle runs from warring planets to those that have not yet been affected by the war, and evacuate refugees until the command decides it’s time to promote you. After another successful run, when you arrive for another batch of live cargo, you will be informed of your promotion to captain, and your new mission is:
2. Delivery of weapons (FIREARMS) and food (FOOD) to warring planets. Like all volunteers, you are still fighting at your own expense: you will need to buy the specified goods on non-warring planets and transport and sell them at stations located in active combat zones. However, if you act smartly, you can also derive some profit from these operations.
The next rank is major, and the new mission is much more difficult (and interesting) than the previous two:
3. Landing troops on an occupied station by Targons.
You need to take troops from a fighting station (key 2 - purchase, as for picking up REFUGEES in missions 1 and 7+1). From this moment, you have a small ship of type SIDEWINDER on board, specially modified for troop delivery. All equipment has been removed except for the self-guidance system, the same as with missiles.
Instead of launching the first missile, it will disconnect, and the landing ship will head to the target you specified: this target must be a station near any occupied planet. The problem is getting to the station: in the planetary system occupied by Targons, when approaching the planet, you will be greeted by an armada of Targon interceptors, similar to the police armada in galaxies 2-8, which similarly welcome "SUPER-FUGITIVE" pilots. And also: to prevent your troops from being destroyed by Targons, release them as close to the station as possible. And you need not worry about a collision: as soon as the ship penetrates the station and you receive the message RIGHT ON COMMANDER, you can activate the DOCKING COMPUTER.
The next rank is lieutenant-colonel, and the next mission:
4. Find and destroy the Targon command base, which they use a stolen "Coriolis" type station.
They have towed it to an unknown sector of the galaxy (the command knows only that it is somewhere near TIBEDIED), and you need to use all available means of interstellar travel to find it. (Clarification for the slow-witted: this is where there are no stars or planets).
However, even if you cannot complete this mission, at the end of the war, you will still receive the rank of colonel (as the rank of lieutenant-colonel in retirement does not fit the full width of the screen).
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ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
We can divide our mail into two groups. The first group consists of letters with requests like: fewer games - more information on programming and "hardware."
The second group addresses us with opposite requests: more new games, let’s include in the "appendix" those games you write about in the "REVIEW" section. In short, the age-old struggle between "physicists" and "lyricists." And we find ourselves caught between two fires and are currently unable to cover everything our readers request.
On one hand, we cannot turn into a "boot" and become ordinary suppliers of game and system programs. On the other hand, we do not have the capacity to delight you with new system and "hardware" gadgets every month, because our staff is quite limited. To some extent, the limitation of the theme of our magazine at this stage is due to the small flow of reader letters. In general, it has always been this way: the more active the readers, the more interesting and complete the magazine. So let’s make our magazine together.
Ideally, we would like to tell and supply for your judgment not imported programs, but our domestic ones. But the authors of new developments remain silent for now. We have written that we are ready to buy programs from authors for inclusion in our magazine. So far - silence. Maybe we should change the address? It turns out that some readers write to "SPECTROFON," but indicate "INFORMKOM" on the envelope and vice versa. As a result, your works do not reach us.
In short, to avoid misunderstandings, we are "moving" and announce to everyone that we now have a new address:
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125130 MOSCOW P.O. Box 51
"SPECTROFON"
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We hope that your activity will increase and we will have good feedback. And to all authors, critics, and correspondents, we offer collaboration. All serious works that are included in the magazine will be paid for.
As for the publication of certain materials, such as POKES, "hardware," system programs - no problem. Write, and we will print your works. Then, probably, questions such as "why don’t you print POKES?", "why is there no section 'programmer's tricks'?" etc., will disappear.
Regarding POKES: We are not against it. If people find the publications in "ZX-REVUE" insufficient, we will print these very POKES. If, of course, you send something new, unpublished so far in "FORUM" or elsewhere. But we do not intend to engage in endless reprints of the same well-known POKES.
Regarding adventures: Some believe that we pay too much attention to this genre. Maybe. But what do you suggest we examine games like EXOLON?
A very interesting game, especially when you sequentially type ZORBA in the key selection. What can be said about a shooter? Beautiful graphics, incredible music sound, stunning video effects? Perhaps, but what is there to describe? The way to pass the first screen or the tactics of shooting balls?
Spectrum is famous for other games. And this is indisputable. By the way, now game producers for IBM are looking back to the past and dragging ideas from games for Speccy onto their megabyte platform. Take, for example, the program "LORDS OF MIDNIGHT." Now this same game has been written for IBM. It features wonderful graphics, music, etc.
But essentially, the game has not changed; the spirit of the game has been preserved, and Speccy in this regard is absolutely no worse.
And also: of course, we did not intend to write only about adventure games. We announced some time ago that we would review difficult, interesting, and intelligent games in our magazine. And these can be games of any genre: MANAGEMENT, WAR GAMES, etc.
The priority for us is your author programs. Here we do not pay attention to the genre. Any domestic author program, as long as it is well-written and well-made, deserves attention. Send them!
We are also interested in improved and refined import programs. Read more about author developments and their distribution in the "REVIEW" section.
And now we hasten to inform our readers that we received a letter from Ufa from Baiderin Mikhail, in which the author writes about his new refinement of the program "LASER SQUAD."
BAIDERIN MIKHAIL: In the fourth issue of the magazine "SPECTROFON," I read that you are ready to purchase author software developments. I want to offer you the game "LASER SQUAD," in which the possibility of playing with a partner over the phone has been introduced (the game is only for 128 kilobytes). The program was refined by me together with my friend Vasil V...
"S": Excellent! We could only dream about a network version of the game "LASER SQUAD." And now from our correspondent's letter, we learn that a network version of this game has been created. Well, we will gladly acquire the rights to distribute this program and share it with all readers of our magazine.
We contacted the author by phone and agreed to purchase the distribution rights. As soon as the program arrives, we will definitely include it in the next issue of the magazine. The modem scheme necessary for phone communication will be published in the same issue. By the way, for playing with a partner, as the author writes, any other modem that uses the cassette interface of the computer can be applied. And if the computers are in the same room, they can simply be connected to each other via cassette ports. We suggested to Mikhail to refine the program so that it could also be played through a standard ZX modem. The author promised to think about how to solve this problem as well. We eagerly await the package with the game...
And in conclusion, another letter from the city of Balakovo, Saratov region:
MELNIK N.N.: I am writing to you for the first time and want to immediately praise your team for such an interesting initiative as "SPECTROFON." I think the magazine turned out splendidly. I have seen and read electronic magazines for PC IBM, but for SPECTRUM - never. "SPECTROFON" immediately appealed to me, and it became clear once again that the "old good" SPECTRUM is far from exhausted.
I completely agree with the thematic content of the magazine, but it would be desirable to increase the volume of all sections. I think they are somewhat short, but this is, of course, my opinion.
I agree with the emergence of the "FANTASY" section (computer novella). Indeed, as was already mentioned in "ZX-REVUE," reading it immediately makes you want to sit down at the keyboard.
Fortunately, the conditions allow - you do not need to search for the game anywhere and do not need to "shake" friends. I think you did very well to start attaching games to the magazine... I am very much looking forward to the appearance of the game "ELITE-3" (SHADOW SOFT) in your magazine. I really love this game and cannot help but wonder: "What does Kladov need?" It’s high time for him to think about distribution...
"S": And again we return to this game. Well, let’s try to dot the i's. The thing is that we (the editorial team of the magazine "SPECTROFON") could not reach an agreement with the author of this program regarding the distribution of the game. The price proposed by Kladov turned out to be beyond our budget.
No other proposals from him have been received. Apparently, the author is counting on his own distribution channels, and we can only wish him luck in mastering the market of the country. Although we are confident that the Russian (CIS) software market is so vast that publishing "ELITE-3" in our magazine in a copy-protected format would hardly hit the author's pocket. Moreover, a new "bomb" is being prepared - ELITE-4. But, as they say - "the owner is the master." And we are always ready for negotiations.
MELNIK N.N.: I approve of your cooperation with program authors. Thank you for the ASM editor. It is indeed a powerful program, and I managed to implement some musical fantasies on it. Frankly speaking - "WHAM" pales in comparison...
"G.A.C." is also a wonderful thing. As they say, it just lacks a little - a scenario. Yes, I heard something about the game "Star Heritage," how is it going?
"S": Well, we have finally received questions about our own game. We will say right away that we are currently finishing work on the demo version of this program. By the way, the delay in the release of the next issues of our magazine is precisely due to this. Working on two fronts is very challenging. However, according to our plans, we will present the demo version of "Star Heritage" to all readers in the ninth issue. If we don’t manage to do it - please don’t judge us too harshly. This is new and very complicated for us...
MELNIK N.N.: About the operating system is-DOS. While writing this letter, is-DOS EDIT was used. There is no point in singing praises to this system - it is indeed good. But the prolonged game of cat and mouse with the user is, to put it mildly, irritating. "SPECTROFON" already touched on this topic in the sixth issue, and "ИНФОРКОМ" wrote about it in "ZX-ФОРУМ"... It is already obvious that IskraSoft has clearly chosen the wrong policy...
"S": We still do not know exactly who chose which policy. "СЛОТ" is the main supplier of is-DOS in Moscow, and when we talk about is-DOS, we usually mean "СЛОТ" as the main representative of the authors of this system. We do not know how things are in St. Petersburg and what the policy there is.
MELNIK N.N.: The strategy of throwing out the system with some utilities, even without a basic formatting program, is extremely unfortunate. Fearing hackers, the authors primarily strike a blow against the user. Of course, one can be guided by various ideas about "innovation and copyright," but we are talking about a system - the future foundation of new programs, the heart of these programs, after all. The system should be open to the user so that they can "feel" it from the inside and decide for themselves whether they need it or not. And the developer can get money later by releasing programs for this system. This will more than pay off immediately. At least, this is how it is done in the entire civilized world.
By the way, from myself. I figured out the structure of the is-DOS disk and wrote my own formatter. And I would immediately like to know if there is any crime in my actions? I just wrote one of the most NECESSARY programs for is-DOS - a system that is PUBLICLY AVAILABLE (or not?) for the user. I am just an ordinary user who decided to write a utility for the system I use. Or is this FORBIDDEN for me??? Should all users of the system really sit idly by and eagerly wait for the IskraSoft company to release another software product? Personally, I do not intend to "dance to the tune" of this company. I think many would agree with me. It would be interesting to know the opinions of other readers on this matter...
"S": About the formatter. Many have already written their own formatting programs for is-DOS disks. For experienced programmers, this is not a problem at all. Several similar formatters are actively sold at radio markets across the country without any knowledge of IskraSoft. Who benefits from this? "СЛОТ"? IskraSoft? It is unclear to us.
Isn't it easier for a solid, self-respecting company to offer a formatter for free with each "basic" floppy disk? This shows respect for the client and confidence in one's own abilities. And there is nothing criminal about someone writing for is-DOS. On the contrary, the authors should be pleased that the system is popular and that many Sinclair users in the country are working for it.
WRITE TO US AT THE ADDRESS:
125130 MOSCOW P.O. BOX 51
"SPECTROFON"
Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #07
- Экспертиза
In-depth analysis of the game "BATTLE COMMAND" (128K) for ZX Spectrum, focusing on its unique gameplay and mission objectives. The article discusses the advantages of playing on a 128K machine and offers strategies for weapon selection and mission success. Includes detailed mission descriptions and practical gameplay advice.
- Дебют - Matthias
Description of the debut for the game 'The Sentinel' by FIREBIRD, blending a novella, a sci-fi story, and game instructions.
- Экзамен
The article presents a challenge related to 'THE SENTINEL' game, asking readers for the eight-digit password of the sixtieth landscape. The successful participant will receive a fresh issue of the magazine. Readers are encouraged to send their answers to the provided address.
- Обзор
Call to programmers to submit their software for publication in Spectrofon. Offers guidelines on submission, publication, and payment details. Focus on original programs, modifications, translations, and disk versions.
- С миру по биту
Discussion of is-DOS system issues, user experiences, and developer policies.
- Тайник - Эльдар Агаев
Guide on hidden cheats in ZX Spectrum games, sharing immortality and level skipping codes.
- Горячий привет - Сергей Симонович
Humorous story explores the impact of virtual reality on society, contrasting real and virtual worlds through whimsical scenarios. Characters grapple with the concept and implications of virtual realism, leading to comedic misunderstandings. A fictional committee humorously debates the societal effects of virtual environments.
- Реклама
Advertisement section listing places to buy 'Spectrofon' magazine and collaboration invitations for developers and artists.
