::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: Volume 4, Issue 1 JAGUAR EXPLORER ONLINE December 31, 2000 ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: ::
:: JAGUAR ............. News, Reviews, & Solutions ............. JAGUAR ::
:: EXPLORER ........... For the Online Jaguar .......... EXPLORER ::
:: ONLINE ................ Community ............... ONLINE ::
:: ::
:: Published and Copyright (c) 2000 by White Space Publishers ::
:: All Rights Reserved ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: Publisher Emeritus Plus .................... Michael Lindsay ::
:: Publisher Emeritus .............................. Travis Guy ::
:: Editor/Publisher ............................ Clay Halliwell ::
:: Lynx Editor .................................... Carl Forhan ::
:: JEO Mailing List Maintainer .................. Joachim Vance ::
:: CompuServe Uploader ......................... Richard Turner ::
:: America Online Uploader ....................... Lonnie Smith ::
:: FidoNet Uploader ................................ Troy Cheek ::
:: ::
:: Contributors: ::
:: (voluntary and otherwise) ::
:: """"""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: Scott Le Grand, Jeff Minter, Lee Krueger ::
:: ::
:: Telecommunicated to you via: ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: AOL: VIDEO GAMES FORUM Hints, Tips and Tricks II Library ::
:: CompuServe: ATARIGAMING and VIDGAME Forums ::
:: FidoNet: ATARI_ST and VID_GAME Echoes ::
:: ::
:: World Wide Web: http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/ ::
:: ::
:: E-Mail Request address: JEO-request@maximized.com ::
:: ::
:: To subscribe to JEO, send e-mail to the request address, ::
:: with the following line (no subject): ::
:: ::
:: subscribe JEO ::
:: ::
:: Your request will be automatically processed and your e-mail ::
:: address will be subscribed to the list. To unsubscribe from ::
:: the JEO list, send the following: ::
:: ::
:: unsubscribe JEO ::
:: ::
:: to the same request address, making sure you send it from ::
:: the same address you subscribed from. ::
:: ::
:: Subscription problems requiring human assistance can be sent ::
:: to JEO-help@maximized.com. Thanks to Maximized Software for ::
:: hosting the JEO list. ::
:: ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Table of Contents
* From the Editor ............................ Atari through the Millennia.
* Jaguar Tackboard .................. Newsletters, Message Boards, Mailing
Lists, FAQs, Codes, Development
List, Mail Order Directory.
* CyberChatter .......................................... Overheard Online.
* BattleSphere News ..................................... The Final Update.
* Llatest from Llamaland ........................................ Yak yaks.
* JagFest 2000: The Aftermath ...................... Let's Mess with Texas!
* CGE 2000: A Classic Games Enthusiast's View ............ Classic Nirvana.
* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.
--==--==--==--==--
|| From the Editor
|| By: Clay Halliwell
\__// clay.h@att.net
------------------------------------------------------------------
Here lies before you a testament to the wicked power of procrastination. 2000
had the distinction of being a year in which there was a remarkable spike in
activity in the Jaguar world and in my own life. While BattleSphere and Brett
Hull were going on eBay, I was winding up my Air Force career and
transitioning back to the real world. Songbird released game after game,
JagFest 2K came and went, and I was moving and getting started at a new job.
JEO just kept getting put off and put off and all the while more and more news
kept piling up (Hasbro sold Atari to Infogrames?!), making the task of a new
issue even more daunting. Getting hooked on System Shock 2 (www.sshock2.com)
didn't help either.
So here we are, at the dawn of the new millennium (for real this time), and
I've done the only thing I can... gather up all the "shovelware" JEO content
and do a massive catch-up issue. New articles, cheat codes, reviews, and
interviews will have to wait for next year. My deepest apologies to all the
Jag fans out there whom I've kept waiting so very, very long. At least you've
all had nice new games to play!
Before I launch into a hurried listing of the interesting Atarian events this
year, a question: Does anyone actually still rely on the mailing list,
FidoNet, CIS, or AOL for their issues of JEO?
A moment of silence for two grave losses to our cultural electronic memory.
First, the dearly departed GEnie. Apparently when 2000 rolled around they just
shut things down, taking with them the birthplace of IAJD (Independent Atari
Jaguar Developers), and many a meg of spirited Jaguar discussion. Second, the
horribly-mutated deja.com (formerly the much cooler dejanews.com) took the
bulk of their Usenet archive offline early this year. Currently the archives
only go back to May 15, 1999, meaning that all those old Jag discussions are
now inaccessible, save for what little has been preserved in JEO's
CyberChatter section.
In the Really Old News department, the United States Post Office selected an
image of some kids playing Defender on an Atari 2600 to represent videogames
in the 80's. Here's a link:
http://www.usps.com/images/stamps/2000/vidgames.htm
On June 18 of this year, longtime Atari-stuff dealer HardySoft shut down.
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, Charlie!
Hans Reutter of the CyberRoach site has a very nice interview with Atari
tester Faran Thomason up:
http://www.cyberroach.com/cyromag/nine/default.htm
Gorf 2000 for the Jag is, sadly, dead. I received this email from Gorf 2K
lead programmer Steve Scavone:
"Look for G2K on PC or Dreamcast. Jag is dead, impossible to
program and just plain futile to bother with anymore. The
machine was too little too late even though it was the first
NG machine out. Atari blew it and I am not going to waste
any more time trying to get a reasonably fast 3D engine to
work. Too many bugs in hardware to work around and the Jag
could never pull of what the PC and Dreamcast can do for Gorf
2000. Sorry for the disappointment but that is how it stands
at this point. If 4Play licenses its BattleSphere engine to
us then we may reconsider but I refuse to battle the beast
known as the Atari Jaguar anymore. Gorf classic will be the
only title to make it to the Jaguar and that will not be any
time soon."
Did you know the BCD CatBox wasn't the *original* CatBox? Back in the 80's
Atari made an arcade game test fixture called... the CAT BOX! The "CAT" was
an acronym for Computer Aided Troubleshooter. This info is thanks to a
recent eBay auction of said item. I've included one of the pictures in this
issue's archive. You can see the rest of the images here:
http://www.flippers.com/auctionimages/
On March 6th of this year, BattleSphere #1 became the most expensive Jaguar
cartridge ever, going for $1,575 dollars on eBay.
Also in March, The Atari Times editor/publisher Greg George got married.
And in true fanatic Atarian fashion, there was an Atari Fuji cake on hand
for devouring. I've included a pic in this issue's archive, and the full
set is available here:
http://home.att.net/~greggeorge/wedding/cake.html
In August, the Dallas Morning News printed an article on collecting classic
game and computer systems, titled, "Megabytes of Memories". The Atari
Jaguar was prominently featured in this article, and clearly declared to be
64-bit! Jag fan Jack Woolfe scanned parts of this article and posted them
to his web page:
http://home.att.net/~omega.woolf/videogames/jaguar/dmn.htm
Want to show the world you're a true Atari fan? Head on over to
http://www.atari.net and get yourself an @atari.net email address! And be
sure to click on a banner ad or two while you're there.
From out of the blue, 2600 fan (and genius engineer) Benjamin J. Heckendorn
wowed the world with his VCSp, a truly portable 2600. And now he's working
on a second version, dubbed the Vagabond, which aims to be scarcely larger
than a GameBoy Color! These devices are amazing pieces of work, both
functionally and aesthetically. Check out his page here:
http://www.classicgaming.com/vcsp/
Thanks to Curt Vendel for pointing out that the Atari building on the
Microsoft TerraServer site linked to from the JEO site is actually a bit
off. This is the correct link:
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.asp?S=10&T=1&X=2934&Y=20702&Z=10&W=
0
Curt had this to say:
"The building on the right-hand side of Borregas at the
bottom is 1196, across the street is 1195 and to the left of
1195 is 1172, above 1195 and 1173 is 1265 (Warner days Atari
HQ) and the building above 1196 is nothing, non-Atari, the
next building up which you can't see was Engineering at
1272, one of the coolest buildings as far as history is
concerned. Over to the upper-right side of the image was one
of Apple's first buildings. Atari employees at 1272 used to
go to the receptionist desk at the old Apple building, pick
up the Apple stickers, and put them into the urinals in the
bathrooms so that employees could "pee on Apple computer'."
Speaking of Curt, the Atari Historical Society has managed to track down a
Jaguar II prototype, and has lots of nice pictures online at:
http://www.atari-history.com/videogames/jaguar/jag2.html
Ever wanted to use a Jaguar controller on your PC? You might want to try
the DirectPad Pro, a hardware/software combo that lets you interface a huge
variety of console controllers to your PC, including the Jag pad.
http://www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/
Anybody know what the heck is up with this site?
http://www.atarians.com
Back when Elian Gonzalez was big news, someone came up with this amusing
AvP parody:
http://www.spentbrass.com/art/evp.html
Finally, much, much thanks to Michael Shaver for sending me a proper ZIP of
AEO 2.2. This issue had been trapped in some weird old compression format.
--==--==--==--==--
|| Jaguar Tackboard
|| Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
\__// Compiled from online and official sources
-----------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar Message Boards
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Anyone with web browsing capability can join in on the discussions on
several web-based Jaguar message boards out there on the net. Note that,
due to the rapid message turnover and instant-update nature of these
boards, they have a tendency to burn through topics in a matter of days
instead of weeks (or hours instead of days).
Just point your browser to:
Jaguar Interactive II (hosted by Atari Gaming Headquarters)
http://www.atarihq.com/interactive/
Atari Times Boardroom (hosted by The Atari Times)
http://venus.beseen.com/boardroom/c/17653/Date
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar Chat
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Anyone with web browsing capability who wants to chat in real-time with
their fellow Jaguar enthusiasts, but has no access to IRC, should take
advantage of this Jag chat page:
JFPN's Jaguar Chat
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/5916/chat.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Atari News Mailing List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subscribe to the Atari News eGroups list. Be sure to visit
http://www.egroups.com/group/atari and get on this list to stay up-to-
date on all the latest Atari-related announcements.
The list covers news items relevant to Atari fans, from unearthed 2600
prototypes to new Jaguar games to Infogrames updates of timeless classics
for modern systems.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar FAQ
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Robert Jung (rjung@netcom.com) maintains the Jaguar FAQ (Frequently Asked
Questions) file, a continually updated list of Jaguar specs and facts. The
Jaguar FAQ is posted to rec.games.video.atari on Usenet around the first of
every month, and can also be found at http://www.digiserve.com/eescape/atari/
Atari.shtml.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar Cheats and Codes
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Clay "No Handle" Halliwell (clay.h@att.net) maintains the Atari Jaguar Game
Cheats and Codes FAQ. It's available by e-mail request or from Atari Gaming
Headquarters (http://www.atarihq.com/jaglynx/jag/jagcheat.txt).
Lonnie "The Mage" Smith (themage1@aol.com) maintains the Concise Compendium of
Frequently Asked Codes, Moves, and Cheats (FACMAC). It's available via FTP
from ftp://users.aol.com/TheMage1/jaguar, or from http://users.aol.com/
TheMage1/jaguar/jagcodes.txt
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// JEO Development List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The following list of game titles has been confirmed to the best of JEO's
ability as of publication. Entries in the "S"tatus column reflect any
"u"pdates, "n"ew titles, or "?"uestionable listings since the last JEO
list. Entries in the "M"edia column reflect whether the title is "C"D-ROM
or "J"aguar Server/BJL (blank entries indicate cartridge software). "NEW"
indicates titles released since the last issue of JEO.
ETA dates are dates that have been provided by the developer or publisher.
//// Titles in Development or Limbo
S M Title ETA Developer Publisher
" " """"" """ """"""""" """""""""
n Arkanna ? Storm Works
u C Age of Darkness ? OMC Games
u C Assassin, The ? OMC Games
J Bong+ 1999 ? Just Claws Software
? Deathwatch ? Data Design
J Jagmania (PacMania clone) ? Matthias Domin
J Jagmarble (Marble Madness clone) ? Matthias Domin
J JagTris (Tetris clone) ? Bastian Schick
J *NEXT* ? Force Design
J Painter ? Sinister
? C Soulstar ? Core Design Ltd.
? Space War 2000 ? Atari
Total Carnage ? Handmade Software
n Virtual VCS ? Temp. Sanity Designs
//// Current Software Releases
M Title Rated Developer Publisher
" """"" """"" """"""""" """""""""
AirCars 5 MidNite ICD
Alien vs. Predator 9 Rebellion Atari
Atari Karts 6 Miracle Design Atari
Attack of the Mutant Penguins 6 Sunrise Games Ltd. Atari
C Baldies 6 Creative Edge Atari
C Battlemorph 10 Attention to Detail Atari
BattleSphere NEW 4Play ScatoLOGIC
C Blue Lightning 6 Attention to Detail Atari
C BrainDead 13 5 ReadySoft ReadySoft
Breakout 2000 7 MP Games Telegames
Brutal Sports Football 6 Millennium/Teque Telegames
Bubsy 5 Imagitec Design Atari
Cannon Fodder 8 Virgin Interactive C-West
Checkered Flag 4 Rebellion Atari
Club Drive 5 Atari Atari
Crescent Galaxy 3 Atari Atari
Cybermorph 7 Attention to Detail Atari
Defender 2000 8 Llamasoft Atari
Doom 8 id Software Atari
Double Dragon V 4 Williams Enter. Williams
C Dragon's Lair 5 ReadySoft ReadySoft
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 6 Virgin Interactive Atari
Evolution: Dino Dudes 6 Imagitec Design Atari
Fever Pitch Soccer 6 U.S. Gold Atari
Fight For Life 6 Atari Atari
Flashback 7 Tiertex Ltd. U.S. Gold
Flip Out! 6 Gorilla Systems Atari
C Highlander I 8 Lore Design Ltd. Atari
Hover Strike 5 Atari Atari
C Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands 7 Atari Atari
Hyper Force NEW Visual Impact Songbird
Iron Soldier 9 Eclipse Atari
C Iron Soldier 2 CD 10 Eclipse Telegames
Iron Soldier 2 10 Eclipse Telegames
I-War 4 Imagitec Design Atari
Kasumi Ninja 5 Hand Made Software Atari
Missile Command 3D 8 Virtuality Atari
C Myst 9 Atari Atari
C Myst Demo 5 Atari Atari
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition 9 High Voltage Atari
Pinball Fantasies 6 Spider Soft C-West
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure 8 Imagitec Design Atari
Power Drive Rally 7 Rage Software TWI
C Primal Rage 7 Probe TWI
Protector NEW Bethesda/Songbird Songbird
Raiden 6 Imagitec Design Atari
Rayman 10 UBI Soft UBI Soft
Ruiner 6 High Voltage Atari
Sensible Soccer 6 Williams Brothers Telegames
Skyhammer NEW Rebellion Songbird
Soccer Kid NEW Krisalis Songbird
C Space Ace 3 ReadySoft ReadySoft
Super Burnout 7 Shen Atari
Supercross 3D 5 Tiertex Ltd. Atari
Syndicate 7 Bullfrog Ocean
System Test Cartridge 6 Atari Atari
Tempest 2000 10 Llamasoft Atari
Theme Park 6 Bullfrog Ocean
Towers II 7 JV Enterprises Telegames
Troy Aikman NFL Football 6 Telegames Williams
Ultra Vortek 8 Beyond Games Atari
Val d'Isere Skiing & Snowboarding 7 Virtual Studio Atari
C Vid Grid 6 High Voltage Atari
C Virtual Light Machine 9 Llamasoft Atari
White Men Can't Jump 6 High Voltage Atari
Wolfenstein 3D 7 id Software Atari
C World Tour Racing 6 Teque London Ltd. Telegames
Worms 9 Team 17 Telegames
Zero 5 7 Caspian Software Telegames
Zool 2 7 Gremlin Graphics Atari
Zoop 6 Viacom Atari
Total Carts 56
Total CDs 15 (counting VLM)
Total Combined 71
Pts Stars JEO Ratings
""" """"" """""""""""
10 ***** THE ULTIMATE - Flawless, beautiful, deviously addictive.
9 ****+ EXCELLENT - Something to throw in the face of N64-heads.
8 **** SMEGGIN' GREAT - Something to kick on the shoes of N64-heads.
7 ***+ DARN GOOD - Plays as good as it looks.
6 *** DECENT - Plays better than it looks (or vice versa).
5 **+ TIME KILLER - If there's nothing else to do, you play this.
4 ** INEPT - The programmer's first Jag game?
3 *+ INCOMPETENT - The programmer's first game ever?
2 * UNPUBLISHABLE - Heaven help us!
1 + INCONCEIVABLE BAD - ...but someone conceived it. Too bad.
0 - EXECRABLE - This is an April Fool's joke, right?
//// Current Hardware/Firmware Releases
Item Manufacturer
""""" """"""""""""
Jaguar 64 Atari
Jaguar 64 CD-ROM Drive Atari
3-button PowerPad Atari
6-button ProController Atari
Team Tap Atari
Jag-Link Atari
Memory Track Atari
Jaguar System Test Cartridge Atari
Composite Cable Atari
S-Video Cable Atari
Stereo Audio Interface (proto) Atari
VoiceModem (proto) Atari/Phylon
Controller Extension Cable Best Electronics
CatBox ICD/Black Cat Design
Boomerang controller Matt (Poland)
Lap Cat/Lap Cat Pro joystick Ben Aein
Jaguar Extreme Joystick Dark Knight Games (modded Gravis Blackhawk)
Jaguar Server devkit Roine Stenberg (Istari Software)
Behind Jaggy Lines devkit Bastian Schick
Jaguar Unmodified Game Server ScatoLOGIC
Rapid Fire Controller Songbird
Rotary Controller JediJeff(?)
Jaguar JAMMA Joystick GOAT(?)
//// The Short Term Schedule
No projected releases.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// JEO Mail Order Directory
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The following list of vendors carrying Jaguar software/hardware has been
confirmed to the best of JEO's ability. Please e-mail JEO for additions/
corrections.
//// B&C ComputerVisions
Mail 1725 De La Cruz Blvd #7
Santa Clara, CA 95050-3011
Voice 408-986-9960 (Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm)
Fax 408-986-9968
Email myatari2@juno.com
Web http://www.myatari.com
//// Best Electronics
Mail 2021 The Alameda, Suite 290
San Jose, CA 95126-1127
Voice 408-243-6950
Email bestelec@concentric.net
Web http://www.best-electronics-ca.com
//// Dentec Distribution
Mail 465 Milner Ave #3
Scarborough, Ontario M1B 2K4 Canada
Voice 416-292-2996
Fax 416-292-4075
416-292-248
Email sales@dentec.com
Web http://www.dentec.com/warehousesale
//// GameMasters
Mail 14393 E. 14th Street, Suite 208
San Leandro, CA 94577
Voice 510-483-4263
Email mchaddon@game-masters.com
Web http://www.game-masters.com
//// GOAT Store - NEW
Email thegoat@goatstore.com
support@goatstore.com
Web http://www.goatstore.com
//// Multimedia 1.0
Mail 18 Saint Mark's Place
New York City, NY 10003
Voice 212-539-1039
Fax 212-539-1645
Email sales@multimedia1.com
Web http://www.multimedia1.com
//// O'Shea, Ltd.
Mail 330 West 47th Street #203
Kansas City, MO 64112
Voice 816-531-1177
Fax 816-531-6569
Email billh@oshealtd.com
Web http://www.oshealtd.com
//// Songbird Productions - NEW
Mail 1736 Chippewa Drive NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Email songbird@atari.net
Web http://songbird.atari.net
//// Telegames
Mail P.O. Box 901
Lancaster, Texas 75146
Voice 972-228-0690
Orders 972-224-7200
Fax 972-228-0693
Email sales@telegames.com
Web http://www.telegames.com
//// United Game Source
Mail 232 East Eau Gallie Blvd
Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
Orders 800-564-1458
Fax 407-777-3940
Email unitedgame@aol.com
Web http://www.unitedgame.com
//// Video 61 & Atari Sales - NEW
Mail 22735 Congo St NE
Stacy, MN 55079
Voice 651-462-2500
Email video61@webtv.net
Web http://www.angelfire.com/mn/video61/
//// Video Game Liquidators
Mail 4058 Tujunga Ave, #B
Studio City, CA 91604
Orders 818-505-1666 (9am-5pm PST)
888-944-4263 (toll free)
Fax 818-505-1686
Email vglq@vglq.com
Web http://www.vglq.com
//// Video Game Source
Mail Salzbruecker Str. 36
21335 Lueneburg - Germany
Orders +(49) 4131-406278
Fax +(49) 4131-406278
Email sales@atarihq.de
Web http://www.atarihq.de
//// Zentanyx Multimedia - NEW
Mail 2910 Illinois Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Email Data@Zentanyx.com
Web http://www.zentanyx.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Announcements and Press Releases
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Index
10 Jan 00 - Songbird Acquires Unreleased Lynx Properties
18 Jan 00 - Othello is Coming for the Lynx
23 Feb 00 - Songbird Now Accepts Online Payments with PayPal
29 Feb 00 - ScatoLOGIC Releases the Long-Awaited BattleSphere
18 Mar 00 - Requests for BattleSphere Are Now Being Taken
13 Apr 00 - Songbird Announces Future Atari Lineup
21 May 00 - Minor Skyhammer Delay
09 Jun 00 - Songbird Announces CGE2K Lineup
17 Jul 00 - Songbird CGE2K Update
31 Jul 00 - Songbird CGE2K Report
10 Aug 00 - Songbird is Moving
14 Aug 00 - Songbird Update
16 Aug 00 - JUGS is Here
18 Aug 00 - Jaguar JAMMA Joystick LX Released
09 Sep 00 - New Games from Songbird
17 Sep 00 - You Can Now Order JUGS with Your Credit Card
28 Sep 00 - New Lynx and Jaguar Items
15 Nov 00 - New Book on History of Video Games
21 Nov 00 - Christmas Goodies from Songbird
02 Dec 00 - JagFest 2K1 News
06 Dec 00 - Infogrames Buys Atari
Championship Rally for the Atari Lynx
//// SONGBIRD ACQUIRES UNRELEASED LYNX PROPERTIES FROM BEYOND GAMES
January 10, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- Continuing the trend of supporting orphaned Atari
platforms, Songbird Productions recently acquired full rights and source
code to three unreleased Lynx properties from former Lynx and Jaguar
developer Beyond Games. The three properties are: Cybervirus, Ultra Vortex,
and Mechtiles.
Cybervirus is an incredible first-person perspective, mission-based action
game based on the Lynx BattleWheels engine set in an apocalyptic future
where rogue computers and virus-infected robotic warriors threaten the very
survival of humanity. Ultra Vortex, the original Lynx version of what
became Ultra Vortek on the Atari Jaguar, is an awesome two-player fighting
game. Mechtiles is a multiplayer game of giant robot combat, also based on
the award-winning BattleWheels engine.
Carl Forhan, owner of Songbird Productions, said, "Beyond Games has been
enthusiastic about getting these properties transferred so that Songbird
may pick up where they left off. I'm excited to have the opportunity to
finish up these games and publish them for the benefit of Lynx fans
everywhere."
At press time, Songbird anticipated that Cybervirus would be the first game
completed and published later in 2000. The other games will be evaluated
for their relative completeness before being put on schedule. All the
acquired games are the sole property of Songbird Productions.
To keep up to date with the latest news at Songbird Productions, be sure to
visit the company web site at http://songbird.uni.cc, or send an email to
forhan@millcomm.com.
Copyright 2000 Songbird Productions. All rights reserved. This article may
be reprinted in its entirety.
//// OTHELLO IS COMING FOR THE LYNX
January 18, 2000
Long-time Lynx hobbyist Harry Dodgson is releasing Othello for the Atari
Lynx in February 2000 through Video 61. This excellent port of the classic
board game includes multiple play modes (single player, head-to-head, and
more), attractive graphics, and crisp audio.
You may contact Video 61 by visiting their web page, located at:
http://www.atarisales.com
Ask about Othello for the Lynx, and tell them you heard about it from
Songbird Productions!
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
//// SONGBIRD NOW ACCEPTS ONLINE PAYMENTS WITH PAYPAL
February 23, 2000
Songbird Productions now accepts online payments with PayPal. Simply visit
the link below, sign up for a FREE PayPal account, and PayPal will even
deposit $10 into your new account (no strings attached).
https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=forhan%40yahoo.com
Show your support for Songbird, and create a new PayPal account today.
Also, don't forget, if you have the $10 Songbird coupons, you need to place
an order by 3/1/00 to use them. Check out the Songbird catalog at
http://songbird.atari.net.
Finally, Hyper Force balance payments and new orders are now being taken.
Please send in your balance or new order ASAP. Email forhan@millcomm.com
with any questions about the new Jaguar games.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// SCATOLOGIC RELEASES THE LONG AWAITED BATTLESPHERE(tm) FOR JAGUAR
AND DONATES ALL PROFITS TO DIABETES RESEARCH
February 29, 2000
For immediate release:
CAPITOLA, CA -- Scatologic Inc. is pleased to announce that the long awaited
BattleSphere(tm) for the Atari Jaguar platform will soon ship, and that all
profits from the game will be donated to diabetes research.
BattleSphere(tm) is the awesome full 3D networked action shooter for the Atari
Jaguar. The game was developed by renowned Jaguar, NUON, PSX2 and PC developer
4Play, which recently merged with Scatologic Inc. to form the newest industry
powerhouse development team.
The highly anticipated BattleSphere(tm) combines the fast-action gameplay of a
first person shooter with the nonlinear aspects of a strategic campaign
simulator. Also included on the same cartridge are several additional play
variations which range from a pure classic arcade action game to a multi-
player networked deathmatch mode, where up to 32 players can dogfight for
control of the Universe. The game garnered acclaim from players when it was
demonstrated at the World Of Atari show in 1998, and it has received glowing
praise from industry leading publications like Next Generation Magazine and
Diehard GameFan magazine.
BattleSphere(tm) was completed several years ago, but the release has been
pending for some time due to the fact that the Jaguar ceased to be a
mainstream platform, and the software, tooling, and procedures required to
produce cartridges were lost and had to be recreated.
//// REQUESTS FOR BATTLESPHERE(tm) ARE NOW BEING TAKEN BY SCATOLOGIC INC.
WITH NO PRICE INCREASE.
March 15, 2000
For immediate release:
CAPITOLA, CA -- ScatoLOGIC Inc. has begun taking requests for the eagerly
awaited BattleSphere(tm), the infamous game which recently rekindled interest
in older videogame systems.
In spite of the high costs of producing cartridges in small quantities,
ScatoLOGIC has announced that the price of the game will be the same $69.99
that mass produced games for the Jaguar originally listed for, and all profits
from sales are to be donated to diabetes research. "By taking our time and
carefully working out the details of purchasing materials and manufacturing
with companies who aren't out to gouge the classic gaming community, we were
able to keep our costs down to a level which is the same as these cartridges
were at when they were made in large-scale runs." said Stephanie Wukovitz,
ScatoLOGIC CTO. "We feel that our new price point is the maximum reasonable
price which people would be willing to pay for a 32-Megabit cartridge game. Of
course, even at this price there will be a very nice profit left over for
diabetes research." added Douglas Engel, ScatoLOGIC COO. Scott Le Grand,
ScatoLOGIC CEO also added "We've had such great support from the gaming
community that we put extra effort into meeting this price goal."
Requests for the first batch of BattleSphere cartridges are now being taken on
the ScatoLOGIC/BattleSphere website. Go to http://www.scatologic.com or
http://www.battlesphere.com to place a request.
BattleSphere(tm) is the awesome full 3D networked action shooter for the
Jaguar. The game was developed by renowned Jaguar, NUON, PSX2 and PC developer
4Play, which recently merged with ScatoLOGIC Inc. to form the newest industry
powerhouse development team.
Copyright 2000 ScatoLOGIC Inc. All rights reserved. This article may be
reprinted in its entirety. BattleSphere(tm) is copyright and trademark
4Play/ScatoLOGIC. All rights reserved.
//// SONGBIRD ANNOUNCES FUTURE ATARI LINEUP
April 14, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- Songbird's fourth new Jaguar title in six months isn't
even out the door yet as word of more Atari Lynx and Jaguar projects has
surfaced. Carl Forhan, owner of Songbird Productions, remarked, "The
response of fans thus far to new Lynx titles and particularly in recent the
months to the new Jaguar titles has been substantial. I'm thrilled to have
been a part in bringing out some great games that might have otherwise been
lost forever, and equally exciting is the opportunity to discuss some
future projects for the Atari world."
Heading up the list is Cybervirus (TM) for the Atari Lynx. This incredible
3D mission-based action game will be a hit with every Lynx fan, since it's
based on the same game engine that gave Lynx fans BattleWheels. Next on the
list is Championship Racing (TM), a cool super-smooth overhead racing game
featuring multiple tracks, tight control, and multiplayer options! Finally,
Planar Wars 3D (working title) -- a game that puts you in the cockpit of
the last surviving defense starship -- and Ultravore (TM) -- an explosive
ComLynxable fighting game -- will give Lynx fans even more to look forward
to down the road.
At press time, Songbird hopes to have at least one new Lynx game completed
in time for CGE2K but further details were unavailable.
Lest Jaguar fans lose hope, several future Jaguar projects are also under
consideration. One potential bright spot appeared recently as Songbird
acquired complete rights and source to the Virtual VCS, which emulates the
classic Atari VCS (or 2600) games on the Jaguar platform. Additionally,
Songbird has prototyped and will be producing a Rapid Fire Controller for
the Jaguar. This controller has been a hit with early testers, and greatly
enhances the gameplay in button-mashing games like Raiden and Zero 5.
New pages have been added for several upcoming releases on the Songbird web
pages. Be sure to check out:
http://songbird.atari.net
for the latest information! And be sure to stop by the Songbird booth in
CGE2K (http://www.cgexpo.com).
Copyright 2000 Songbird Productions. All rights reserved. This article may
be reprinted in its entirety.
//// MINOR SKYHAMMER DELAY
May 21, 2000
I'm sorry to report that due to unexpected manufacturing and real-life
complications, the release of Skyhammer will be delayed approximately one
week. Because of the late change of plans, no pre-orders can be shipped
early as I have tried to do in the past. I will attempt to ship as many
"Nov 1st, 1999" pre-orders as soon as the carts arrive, with most of the
international and remaining orders shipping within two weeks after that.
Also, Songbird is phasing out credit card processing via Multimedia 1.0, as
it was a temporary arrangement to help me handle a large volume of orders.
It would greatly reduce my expenses and also simply order tracking if
customers who wish to use credit cards could pay online via PayPal. It's
always free and very reliable. Check it out at:
https://secure.paypal.com/auction/pal=forhan%40yahoo.com
If you're already a PayPal member, simply send your payment to
songbird(at)atari(dot)net. International customers will need to send a
check or money order drawn on a USA bank (it should read "Bank of New York"
or "Bank of Delaware" or something similar on the front), or an
International Postal Money Order. Money Orders drawn on foreign banks can
_not_ be accepted and will be returned uncashed.
Thanks in advance for your understanding, and for the tremendous support
displayed by Atari fans over the last year. I've been very happy (though
often exhausted!) to be a part of releasing these "lost" games for the
Jaguar, and look forward to finding more products, both old and new, for
release on the Jaguar platform in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// SONGBIRD ANNOUNCES CGE2K LINEUP
June 9, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- Songbird Productions recently unveiled its plans for new
products to be available at Classic Gaming Expo 2000, which will be held in
Las Vegas at the Jackie Gaughan Plaza Hotel during July 29-30.
Topping off the list is the long-awaited release of Crystal Mines II:
Buried Treasure. This Win-95/98/00 software allows consumers to build,
swap, and download new levels on their existing Crystal Mines II Lynx game
cartridge. Over 50 brand new levels are included, as well as the original
150+ CM2 levels. Plus, it includes all the tools and documentation needed
to help anyone get started designing their own levels. MSRP for CM2:BT is
$29.95 for the CD, and $49.95 for the CD and Lynx-to-PC cable.
In an unexpected move, Songbird also announced the availability of a "CGE2K
special edition" version of Remnant, the highly-anticipated 3D space combat
game for the Lynx. "This is a game no Lynx fan should be without,"
commented Carl Forhan, owner of Songbird and the developer of Remnant. "It
puts the Lynx into high gear -- from the explosions to the 3D scaling to
the audio, Remnant sets a new standard for 'next generation' Lynx games."
This special edition of Remnant is a complete game, and features more than
a dozen sectors to clear in the Arcade play mode. A future version of
Remnant is anticipated to include a Strategic play mode as well, where the
player must repel enemy squadrons and protect friendly outposts. MSRP for
Remnant is $39.95.
Not to leave Jaguar fans out, Songbird also has plans to offer for sale a
new Rapid Fire Controller for the Atari Jaguar. Carl explained the benefits
of the new controller: "Titles such as Zero 5 and Raiden are great games on
the Jaguar, but can suffer from slow fire rates which force the player to
mash buttons repeatedly. The RFC is simply a modified 18-button controller
with a special circuit that allows the player to enable or disable multiple
fire rates on the A and B buttons." The RFC has been tested by several
individuals and received very favorable feedback so far. MSRP for the RFC
is $39.95. Only limited quantities will be available for sale at CGE2K.
Songbird Productions is the premier developer and publisher for the Atari
Lynx and Jaguar. To keep up to date with the latest news at Songbird
Productions, be sure to visit the company web site at:
http://songbird.atari.net.
This message may be reprinted in its entirety.
//// SONGBIRD CGE2K UPDATE
July 13, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- In a further demonstration of Songbird's support of CGE2K,
owner Carl Forhan is pleased to announce some game competitions and special
pricing for CGE2K attendees.
Songbird plans to hold high score competitions for the following games:
Jaguar Protector and Lynx Remnant. Winners will receive selected Songbird
prizes and discount coupons. Only a limited number of entries will be
allowed, on a first-come basis.
Employees and relatives of Songbird and CGE Services are not eligible to
enter the contests. See the Songbird table for the complete rules and entry
forms.
And of course, all the new Songbird Jaguar and Lynx games will be available
for play and purchase, along with a ton of other Atari merchandise. Jaguar
Skyhammer was just recently released to a horde of grateful Atari fans, and
other games such as Protector have also been surprise hits with customers.
Some Songbird items will be offered at special discounted rates, only
available to CGE2K attendees. "I know many Atari fans make a big sacrifice
to attend a show like CGE2K," acknowledged Carl. "I want to give something
back to the fans, by giving attendees-only a chance to buy Songbird
merchandise at great prices."
Finally, CGE2K attendees will also get the first glimpse at future Songbird
titles, such as Championship Racing and Cybervirus, as well as some long-
awaited cheats for games like Ponx, Lexis, Protector, and Hyper Force.
Songbird Productions is the premier developer and publisher for the Atari
Lynx and Jaguar. To keep up to date with the latest news at Songbird
Productions, be sure to visit the company web site at:
http://songbird.atari.net.
This message may be reprinted in its entirety.
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// SONGBIRD CGE2K REPORT
July 31, 2000
Wow, just got back to MN early this morning after a fun but exhausting
expo. Not sure what attendance was like this year vs. last year, but I do
know that Sunday attendance was a big improvement over last year. And I
stayed VERY busy at the Songbird booth the entire time! It was rare that I
had more than 5 minutes go by without someone wanting to try a Jag or Lynx
game, see some unreleased stuff, etc. People got to play Lynx Cybervirus,
Eye of the Beholder, and Relief Pitcher, while on the Jag side we did have
Phase Zero and a prototype 'shareware' cart for demo.
Songbird customers got to pick up the new Songbird Jaguar games at great
prices, and I went through almost all the assorted Jaguar stock I brought
with me. Lynx sales were a little slower than I hoped, but the new games
were still well received and I even found some new customers for Ponx and
Lexis! Not to mention equipping a few former INTV and 5200 developers with
low-cost Lynx developer kits which was great fun... =^)
I didn't get much time to stop by other booths, but it is always great to
chat with Hasbro, Telegames, B&C, CGE staff, and the rest.
Thanks to everyone who made this another incredible event! I hope to see
even more people attend next year. Considering the exclusive game releases,
great deals on new and old merchandise, the chance to meet former and
current game developers, the swap meet, and the one-of-a-kind museum, I
think there are plenty of reasons to make CGE a 'must-go' event for
classic/Atari gamers.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// SONGBIRD IS MOVING
August 10, 2000
Songbird Productions is moving to a new location effective immediately. The
new address is:
Songbird Productions
1736 Chippewa Drive NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Please update your records appropriately. Any orders already in transit to
the old address should be forwarded correctly by the US Post Office, but as
always feel free to inquire via email with any questions on a current
order.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// SONGBIRD UPDATE
August 14, 2000
Due to the recent move, the Songbird Productions mail order business will
be closed for most of August while we relocate our merchandise. Any orders
received will be temporarily held until then.
Also, Songbird has almost exhausted its supply of new Jaguar products.
Soccer Kid is out of stock, Hyper Force has only one copy left, and
Protector and Skyhammer have a few copies each. When Skyhammer is gone, it
is gone and will likely never be reproduced again. The other games will
have a second run made in the next 2-3 months.
Likewise, supplies of Ponx, SFX, and Lexis are running low, and there are
no plans to reproduce these games once they have sold out.
Once Songbird re-opens, we will offer a bunch of new products for sale,
including Jaguar Rapid Fire Controllers, Lynx Remnant, and Lynx Crystal
Mines II: Buried Treasure. All are limited edition items that may not be
offered beyond their initial run.
Thanks for your continued support, and for your patience during this
transition.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// JUGS IS HERE
August 16, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Underground Software Loader comes to Jaguar Platform
The fabled JUGS (Jaguar Unmodified Game Server) proves to be more than just
a rumor
August 14 , 2000 -- In a moved that shocked the Underground Jaguar
Development Community to it's very core, the JUGS Team officially announced
the availability of it's JUGS system today. The JUGS System has been
rumored to exist for many months, but until now it was largely dismissed as
an elaborate hoax. With the addition of this system to the available
Underground Jaguar Development Tools, the ability to load and run
Underground Jaguar Software is now within reach of the masses.
The loss of the key to the Jaguar internal encryption routines has
prohibited many people from being able to load and run software created
since the Jaguar console was declared an open system. Until recently the
only way to use this new software was to own an Official Jaguar Development
System / FLASH Cartridge, or to modify a Jaguar console to circumvent the
operating system encryption routines.
[Note - Songbird Productions has also published new software available in
cartridge format since the Jaguar was declared an open system.]
The JUGS System was revealed via the Official JUGS Website at
www.buyjugs.com to consist of a special cable to connect to your PC
Compatible, a proprietary PC based loading utility program, and
sophisticated server firmware piggybacked within the BattleSphere(tm)
Jaguar Game Cartridge. Using a special code embedded within
BattleSphere(tm), software can be loaded into the RAM memory in any Jaguar
console and then executed. JUGS bypasses the Jaguar's internal encryption
routines by running software after the BattleSphere(tm) game has passed
encryption tests on power-up. The fact that the server code is executed
from an existing cartridge enables the product to be the only one of its
kind which does not require any soldering or cutting of the Jaguar
circuitry.
For more information, visit www.buyjugs.com, or www.battlesphere.com,
or contact: sales@buyjugs.com
//// JAGUAR JAMMA JOYSTICK LX RELEASED
August 18, 2000
The GOAT Store's official modification to the popular Jaguar JAMMA Joystick
is officially ready for sale through the GOAT Stores website
(www.goatstore.com). The Jaguar JAMMA Joystick LX is the second version of
the original Jaguar JAMMA Joystick that sports a larger base, as well as a
modified button configuration.
Unfortunately, the GOAT Stores website does not currently have any pictures
of the Jaguar JAMMA Joystick LX, but they are hoping to get some by the end
of the month. The Jaguar JAMMA Joystick LX's price has been set at $74.90
and comes in a variety of colors. Please direct any questions to The GOAT
(thegoat@goatstore.com).
//// NEW GAMES FROM SONGBIRD
September 9, 2000
Songbird is back, and ready to blow you away with incredible new games and
hardware for the Atari Lynx and Jaguar!
Looking for some cool space combat action on your Lynx? Try Remnant for the
Lynx, brought to you by Songbird! This awesome 3D game features 20
spectacular waves of alien invaders and meteors for you to eliminate. Only
70 copies of this special CGE2K edition were made, and no more will be
produced, so get yours while they last!
The long-awaited Crystal Mines 2: Buried Treasure for your Win95/98/00 PC
is here! This fantastic add-on allows you to design and download NEW LEVELS
to your CM2 cartridge on a real Atari Lynx. Plus, over 50 brand new levels
are included on the CD, along with all the original levels so you can check
out that one puzzle that's frustrated you for years. [CM2 cartridge and
Lynx/PC serial cable not included.]
For Jag fans, the Rapid Fire Controller is exactly what you need to blow
away those high-energy shooter games like Raiden and Zero 5. It features
independent A and B rapid fire support, plus a speed selector for 5, 10,
15, or 20 pulses per second. Don't pass this one up!
New merchandise has also been added, such as the JagLink and Ruiner Pinball
for the Jaguar and Hockey and Robotron for the Lynx.
*** SPECIAL *** Lexis only $29.95 with ANY order! Just mention "Lexis
Blowout" and place your order by October 1st, 2000.
Quantities are limited on all Songbird merchandise, so please confirm your
order via email to songbird@atari.net before ordering. Check out the web
site below for information and prices on all Songbird merchandise.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// YOU CAN NOW ORDER JUGS WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD
September 17, 2000
BUYJUGS.COM is now accepting credit card payments.
The Smash-Hit Underground Software Loader JUGS is now available for
purchase with your credit card via PayPal! No more messy money-orders or
currency exchange woes.
Pay with credit card and get games like NATIVE, ASTEROIDS, and PAINTER
running in less time!!!
What is JUGS? You ask... Simply run on over to http://www.buyjugs.com and
see what JUGS is all about!!!
How can I pay with my credit card??? Just browse over to:
http://www.buyjugs.com/HowCanIGetJUGS.htm and see!
Need a second opinion??? Check out the JUGS review at:
http://addie.voicegateway.com/reviewjag/jugs.html
JUGS: Breathing NEW life into your Jaguar!!!!
//// NEW LYNX AND JAGUAR ITEMS
September 28, 2000
CHAMPIONSHIP RALLY COMING SOON FOR THE LYNX
If you're hungry for a multiplayer overhead racer for the Lynx, with tons
of tracks and player options, check out Championship Rally coming this
Christmas from Songbird! The web site was recently updated with the latest
screen shots, and the game is currently in final beta test.
EXPERIENCE RAPID FIRE ON THE JAGUAR
Songbird has a limited supply of Rapid Fire Controllers for the Jaguar
available for $39.95 each. These awesome modified controllers breathe new
life into games like Raiden and Zero 5!
YOU MUST PROTECT THE REMNANT
Take on the role of the last fighter pilot fending off waves of alien
invaders in this instant classic for the Lynx! Incredible 3D scaling and
big explosions make this game a must-have for Lynx fans. Available now,
$39.95.
DIGGING FOR GOLD
Crystal Mines II will never be the same! Get CM2: Buried Treasure today,
and start designing and downloading new levels to your Lynx. Features over
50 brand new levels, plus all the original levels viewable in the included
editor. (Lynx/PC serial cable also required, not included). Available now,
$29.95.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS...
Songbird is always pursuing more Lynx and Jaguar titles. Expect more
releases well into 2001, and as always, stay tuned to
http://songbird.atari.net for all the latest on Songbird Productions and
the Jaguar and Lynx!
And be sure to pick up the October issues of GameFan and Next Generation,
for great coverage of new Jaguar products and CGE2K, respectively.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// NEW BOOK ON HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES
November 14, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(cover and author images upon request)
NEW BOOK REVEALS INSIDERS LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES
NOVEMBER 14-MSNBC and Access Magazine video game columnist Steven L.
Kent announced today the release of "The First Quarter: A 25-year History
of Video Games", his long-awaited book featuring stories about the birth,
near death, and metamorphosis of the video game industry.
Kent, who is has written about video games for such divers publications
as American Heritage and The Japan Times, invested over seven years to
interview industry executives and game designers for this 476-page book.
"The way I have constructed this book, it is almost half quotes and
half narrative," says Kent. "Anybody can write a history of video games,
and it may be accurate or it may be full of holes. My goal was to let
readers learn this history through the eyes of the people who lived it."
Kent conducted over 500 interviews with such people as Steven "Slug"
Russell, designer of the first interactive computer game; Ralph Baer,
designer of the Magnavox Odyssey; Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and
Chuck E. Cheese; Al Alcorn, Atari's first engineer and builder of Pong; Ed
Logg, creator of Asteroids, Centipede, and Gauntlet; Tom Kalinske, former
chairman of Sega of America; and Trip Hawkins, founder of Electronic Arts
and 3DO.
Granted unprecedented access throughout the industry, Kent logged more
than 20 hours of interviews with Howard Lincoln and Minoru Arakawa,
chairman and president of Nintendo of America. Ray Kassar, the chairman of
Atari during its 1982 collapse, granted Kent his first interview since
leaving Atari in 1983, and Namco chairman Masaya Nakamura met with Kent
twice.
Having worked as a mediating voice with Senator Joseph Lieberman on his
annual Video Game Report Card, Kent was able to conduct candid interviews
with both Lieberman and Senator Sam Brownback about their hearings on video
game violence.
The result of all of these interviews is a high-speed, sprawling study
of how video games emerged from unimportant novelty entertainment status to
become one of the driving forces shaping the information age. With so many
first-hand perspectives, "The First Quarter" sometimes becomes a forum for
multiple designers and executives giving conflicting memories of how events
occurred. Nolan Bushnell, Al Alcorn, Steve Wozniac, and Masaya Nakamura,
for instance, all had different stories about the history of Breakout, and
all four versions are included in the book.
"The First Quarter" also includes in-depth studies of the five most
influential court cases in the history of video games, complete with
excerpts from court documents and interviews with lawyers.
"Toward the end of the project, my biggest problem was trying to decide
what stories to leave out. I had great stories about games like Aladdin,
Crash Bandicoot, and Yoshi's Island; but I needed to draw the line. The
book was getting too big. Two days after I handed the book in for layout,
Nintendo announced that its new console would be named Gamecube, not
Dolphin, and drawing that line became a really painful task."
Kent's book, which will be available exclusively through Amazon.com and
Select gaming outlets, retails for $21.95.
For more information, contact Steven Kent at stevenkent@aol.com.
The address for links to the Amazon.com page featuring the book is:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0970475500/qid=977875158
//// CHRISTMAS GOODIES FROM SONGBIRD
November 21, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- Songbird Productions is pleased to announce some Christmas
goodies for Atari Lynx and Jaguar fans.
Topping off the list is Championship Rally for the Atari Lynx. This
incredible overhead racer features 7 unique tracks, powerups and pitfalls,
tons of options, and highly detailed graphics accompanied by rumbling
audio. Try your hand at solo gaming with Tournament, Single Race, and Time
Trial, or use your ComLynx cable and second copy of Championship Rally on
another Lynx to race head-to-head against a buddy in Versus. Plus, look for
cheat codes, shortcuts, and more! This game is a must-have for any Lynx
fan.
Championship Rally is scheduled for a December 2000 release, and is
currently in production. Look for the official release announcement,
including ordering information, in the next few weeks.
Jaguar fans won't be left in the cold, either. Several Rapid Fire
Controllers are still in stock, but hurry, there aren't many left and at
press time it was unknown if more of these devices will be built in the
future.
Plus, pick up the Songbird C2K (Christmas 2000) Kit, available today! This
kit includes:
* Full-color glossy Skyhammer overlay
* Full-color glossy Worms overlay
* B&W glossy Songbird ad / price list from CGE2K -- great collector's item!
Pricing on the Songbird C2K Kit is as follows:
* $5 for USA customers
* $6 for International customers
* $3 (WOW!) for any customer when you order any other item(s) from the
Songbird catalog
No additional shipping fee applies for the Songbird C2K kit when purchased
separately. Normal shipping charges apply for any other items ordered.
Songbird Productions is the premier developer and publisher for the Atari
Lynx and Jaguar. To keep up to date with the latest news at Songbird
Productions, be sure to visit the company web site at
http://songbird.atari.net.
This message may be reprinted in its entirety.
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
http://songbird.atari.net
//// JAGFEST 2K1 NEWS
December 2, 2000 - Go Beyond Tempest at JagFest 2K1
The GOAT Store, an online store specializing in the support of classic
video games, has agreed to host JagFest 2K1 in Milwaukee, WI on June 30,
2001. The fifth annual event that centers around the Atari Jaguar system,
but will be expanding as it has in the past to include all classic video
game systems and even classic computers.
"The event is going to be subtitled, 'Beyond Tempest'," said Dan Loosen of
the GOAT Store, "because with all of the great products that have come out
for the Jaguar in the past year, it is definitely true that we have moved
beyond the storm of doubt and disbelief and can now look at a very bright
future for the Jaguar and all of Atari."
This years event will include an exhibit of every Jaguar game ever made,
rare Atari games, systems, prototypes and many more surprises! There will
also be a vast array of tournaments, with the GOAT Store supplying prizes
to the winners.
Admission for this years event will be $8.00 for pre-registers and $10.00
for tickets at the door. Tickets will go on sale January 1, 2001.
"JagFest is a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in Atari to
explore many rare and one-of-a-kind items and meet some new friends while
doing it!" said Gary Heil. "I think that Milwaukee is a great location, and
we will build on the success of past JagFests to make Beyond Tempest into
the best JagFest yet."
Please make sure to visit the Official JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest Web site
at the GOAT Store (http://www.goatstore.com). Dan Loosen can be reached at
loosen@goatstore.com and Gary Heil can be reached at heil@goatstore.com for
more information.
//// INFOGRAMES BUYS ATARI
December 6, 2000
Excerpts from press releases floating on the net:
Infogrames Entertainment to Acquire Hasbro Interactive and Games.com
LYON, France & PAWTUCKET, R.I. (BUSINESS WIRE)
Dec. 6, 2000:
Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext 5257) and Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS)
jointly announced today that they have entered into a strategic agreement,
creating one of the foremost powerhouses in the mass market digital
interactive entertainment world. The agreement is comprised of three main
elements, including the Infogrames acquisition of Hasbro Interactive; a
long-term licensing agreement giving Infogrames exclusive rights to develop
and publish digital interactive games based on current and future Hasbro
properties on all existing and future digital interactive formats; and the
acquisition of Games.com.
Infogrames will purchase 100% of the common stock of Hasbro Interactive and
Games.com for $100 million - comprised of $95 million in Infogrames
Entertainment SA securities (approximately 4.5 million common shares) and
$5 million in cash. In addition, Hasbro will receive an annual guarantee
from Infogrames based on sales generated from the licensing agreement. The
agreements are subject to the approval of the shareholders of Infogrames,
regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The companies
expect the deal to close early in the first calendar quarter of 2001.
The acquisition gives Infogrames a catalog of titles based on well-known
properties, including:
--The legendary ATARI name and properties, such as CENTIPEDE, MISSILE
COMMAND, and the historic PONG, which pioneered the video game revolution.
//// CHAMPIONSHIP RALLY FOR THE ATARI LYNX
LYNX FANS, IT'S RALLY TIME!
December 6, 2000
For immediate release:
ROCHESTER, MN -- Songbird is pleased to announce December 15, 2000, as the
official limited-release date for Championship Rally on the Atari Lynx.
Championship Rally is an incredible overhead racer featuring 7 unique
tracks, powerups and pitfalls, and highly detailed graphics accompanied by
rumbling audio. Try your hand at solo gaming with Tournament, Single Race,
and Time Trial, or use your ComLynx cable and second copy of Championship
Rally on another Lynx to race head-to-head against a buddy in Versus. Plus,
look for cheat codes, shortcuts, and more! This is the biggest, most
ambitious, options-loaded Lynx game ever released by Songbird, and is a
must-have for any Atari fan.
Orders are being accepted immediately for this exciting new game. Songbird
will make every attempt to fill early orders by Christmas, but based on
availability and the timeliness of orders, it is possible some orders will
only be filled in January 2001. MSRP for Championship Rally is $42.95.
Songbird Productions is the premier developer and publisher for the Atari
Lynx and Jaguar. To keep up to date with the latest news at Songbird
Productions, be sure to visit the company web site at
http://songbird.atari.net.
This message may be reprinted in its entirety.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// New Cheats and Codes
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lots of new cheats and codes discovered this year, but no time to include
them in this issue. Tune in next year!
--==--==--==--==--
|| CyberChatter
|| Random topics about the Jaguar
\__// Compiled from online public discussion areas
-----------------------------------------------------------------
//// Index of Topics
BattleSphere
Jag Encryption
Hyper Force
Protector
Phase Zero
Black Ice\White Noise
VR Headsets Discovered
Jag II Prototype Discovered
Alien vs Predator Prototype
Jag Chatter on Slashdot
Kev's Kiosk
Miscellaneous
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// BattleSphere
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere Soundtrack
Author: Stephanie (dynamic21.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: November 25, 1999 at 20:03:46
Forum: rec.games.video.atari
There is the possibility. There are actually two separate possibilities, one
being a CD containing the audio directly from the game -- i.e. sounding
exactly the same. I have all of these in WAV format and could put them in MP3
format, upload them to my mp3.com site (shameless plug: www.mp3.com/sebab) and
make them available for people to buy on CD *tonight* if people wanted
(actually probably tomorrow, as mp3.com has to approve the files first)
This is not the soundtrack people are mostly talking about, though. I've
messed around with remixing kinds of stuff, but I haven't had enough time free
at any point to make a serious effort out of the project. Typically what
happens is that I sit down to work on it and something else happens, like my
computer crashes (that was pretty frequent this summer and fall) or I'm
overwhelmed with work for a bit, or another project takes precedence.
Musically, there are two film producers interested in offering me projects
this spring (don't get excited yet though). If either one becomes a more solid
possibility, I'd start scoring in late February or so, which means that after
I turn in my project for a songwriting class I'm taking in say 2 weeks, I
won't have any other specific music deadlines for at least 2 months. Of
course, if we decide the remix CD's profits go to JDF just like the game's
profits, any paying projects that I get will take precedence.
By the way, if I fade out the MOD file audio and upload them to mp3.com, is
there anyone who would buy the resulting CD, or would I be wasting my time?
(any profits from THIS CD will go to JDF... I would probably charge $6 for the
CD, the minimum mp3.com allows, half of which amount they will send to me and
I will send to JDF)
It also seemed weird to release the soundtrack before the game.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Re: Happy Thanksgiving Wishes
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-192-7.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: November 25, 1999 at 19:23:49
Forum: rec.games.video.atari
>That's a good question - will you make another Jag game, or
>just retire from Jag development secure in the knowledge that
>you have just put out the best ever game for the Jag?
If encryption becomes easier, I can foresee making some 2MB games just for
fun, or perhaps finishing some existing game or taking an unreleasable
licensed title and changing the art so it can come out. But I DO NOT have
anything lined up. It would take someone approaching me with a project like
that, I don't have the contacts to find these things on my own.
Of course, if we actually lose money on BattleSphere (i.e. people who said
they were going to buy it don't buy it and we have hundreds of leftover carts)
then I would probably feel different.
Thunderbird
4Play
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Woo! Battle Sphere track featured at mp3.com
Author: stef of the clef (dynamic41.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: November 30, 1999 at 16:02:05
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
The MP3s are up! Either go to my site at:
www.mp3.com/sebab
Or else follow the link at the bottom... maybe we'll get some publicity out of
it :) Doug says he'll have graphics to me tonight for the CD, and hopefully
mp3.com will approve them quickly. (again, remember this is a CD of the sounds
right from the game, not a remix CD... which is still in the works but gets
worked on sporadically)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: The Original BS - Now Available on MP3.com!!!
Author: Clay (woody.dyess.af.mil)
Date: December 07, 1999 at 06:58:05
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>>As the subject says, you can now purchase 'The Original BS'
>>by Sebab on www.mp3.com (see link below).
>Thanks for notifying everyone! This posting is how I found
>out that mp3.com finally approved the CD! :)
Steph,
I noticed the cover artwork prominently stresses the music's MOD origins. Does
this mean the CD includes MOD files instead of MP3s?
Also, I thought the actual BS music was composed using a proprietary, MOD-like
format. What gives?
(already ordered my copy...)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere?
Author: unused@my-deja.com
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 22:37:19 GMT
Forum: rec.games.video.atari
>Can someone let me know what happened with this title?
We finished it, Steph made a CD, now we're doing all sorts of behind the
scenes work trying to get carts made and the encryption thwarted.
>Are we going to get zoned? I've been really looking forward to it.
Well I suppose if Y2K causes a massive nuclear strike which wipes out all of
civilization except for several ragtag tribes of humanity which eke out a
hunter-gatherer lifestyle for several generations until the arrival of a
mysterious stranger brings the promise and threat of the return of technology,
then yes, you will get "zoned".
Otherwise, no, it just takes a horrendous amount of tap dancing to get this
thing made.
>Thanks.
You're welcome and don't forget to listen to the old man in the cave!
Scott Le Grand
Lead Coder
BattleSphere
ObPlug: BattleSphere, linux, e-commerce: what a combo!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere Encryption
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-193-126.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: December 30, 1999 at 13:48:24
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>No jaguar breakdowns??? No software locks????
>Thats some robust code and some sturdy hardware.
Actually, I didn't want to admit it, but I ruined a couple of days work when I
moved the setup out of the way for Thanksgiving and I restarted the system
with the data from the previous weekend. I didn't catch it until it didn't
make sense to restart.
With chip prices the way they are, I'm certainly not in any hurry to get the
solution. :-(
Thunderbird
4Play
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: battlesphere.com?
Author: BattleSphere Bob (dynamic58.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: February 17, 2000 at 10:28:08
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>I never got the CD, but I did try battlesphere.com a
>couple of times to see if was registered... when I saw
>the "under construction" page, I just went on to other
>sites thinking that somebody else beat 4Play to it...
Actually, someone else DID beat 4Play to it in 1996. Fortunately, since they
appear to have been a bunch of lamers that saw one of our BattleSphere pitches
and then decided to do the game without us, they didn't get very far. The
company folded in 1998. The domain freed up last September and I grabbed it.
It will be the place from which to order your BattleSphere carts. But I didn't
plan to activate it until we could place those orders.
Scott
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: battlesphere.com?
Author: stefoclef (sebab@best.com)
Date: February 16, 2000 at 22:46:03
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
When battlesphere.com came up for grabs, the company which had started out
designing a BattleSphere-looking clone (coincidentally named "Battle Sphere"
but changed to "Sphere Warriors" when we mailed them indicating we'd caught
them red-handed) did not re-register it, I think mostly because they'd gone
under.
Scott grabbed it but has not as yet attached any webspace to it. I'd love to
see some webspace attached since then I could upload some junk there.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: 4Play Acquired By Scatologic
Author: BattleSphere Bob (dynamic1.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: February 20, 2000 at 12:51:09
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Somewhere in the Known Universe - 4Play, developer of the upcoming Jaguar game
Battle Sphere, is pleased to announce its recent acquisition by Scatologic, a
Delaware corporation. Scatologic CEO Scott Le Grand happily looked into a
mirror and told 4Play CEO Scott Le Grand that this merger promised improved
service and reliability to existing 4Play customers. Mr. Le Grand was then
wheeled off to Groom Lake AFB for his daily shots.
Meanwhile, COO Douglas Engel found enough time in his busy schedule to
duplicate himself in a transporter accident and take over the COO roles of
Scatologic. No word is available at this time as to whether the new Scatologic
COO is the "evil" or "good" Doug. Please stay tuned for further details.
Finally, 4Play CTO Stephanie Wukovitz quit her job for a new higher-paying
position at Scatologic. "Those losers at 4Play couldn't ship a game if you set
their butts on fire" she was reported to say as she cleaned out her desk. The
4Play logo and name will remain on all 4Play products. However, they will now
be published by the Scatologic corporation. Check out the DNS entry for
scatologic.com for future news until the new web site is complete.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Atari Forever
Author: Leo (tc02-100.imcnet.net)
Date: March 13, 2000 at 13:42:10
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Hi all,
In case you were wondering...
The limited edition signature appears in this manner.
When you start the game and don't do anything, it goes into attract mode. When
that happens, a screen with burning fire appears, centered is the message:
Battlesphere Limited Edition
personally created for:
Atari Forever
or something to that effect. looks cool, and its a signature I can share with
all of you :)
(After winning, the thought occurred to me I should choose something shareable
so we all can enjoy it)
Leo
Time to BS
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BS impressions
Author: Leo (tc02-073.imcnet.net)
Date: March 18, 2000 at 03:58:48
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Hi,
I played BS some and wanted to rave a little.
First, some differences from standard Jag games:
No volume control on pause screen for music, SFX, etc. You can turn music
on/off and engine noise on/off in setup. I find that the volume mix is
perfect, and I have no desire to change anything anyways.
I love Steph's music, and engine noise don't bother me. Also, Star+Pound
brings you back one screen, i.e. from game to ship select, in stead of
restarting from the beginning. Also nice.
I tried, most recently, single player free for all, fighters only, against 1
computer opponent, set at the easiest (I believe), 10 kills. I tried the
O'catanut arrow first. Not too hard, but I could only maintain three kills
above the computer. (sometimes, I would kill him, but didn't swerve around the
explosion and got minced myself.)
I then tried S'mgheed annihilator as it has awesome Lasers, but little else.
Linked the two lasers. I think I was against a cobra slith, but not too sure.
Cool lasers, killed with one volley. However, with not great shielding, I died
quickly. So I adapted and learned to shoot and bank away real quick, fly
around slowly to regain shields, and try again.
I actually made it to 10 kills and got on the high score list. (I actually got
killed when I made kill number ten but the victory took precedence, whew.) I
love the manner in which you get to choose 6 letters for the high score
tables. It is a circle of letters,!,*,-,.,backspace, and end. The selector is
one of them glass globes. The magnification effect is cool to watch. Good work
4Play and that little detail. (In general, the selector are glass balls. Nice
job guys.)
I then tried Se'babs Mark I, as it had high speed and acceleration, and almost
the highest turn ratio among the fighters. My luck, I was pitted against the
oppresor's acrosome (I laughed when I first saw that name. Having a Bio degree
in Molecular Genetics, I took development and learned all about the acrosome
:) for the rest of you, it's a actin filled vessicle at the tip of the sperm)
That little bugger moves (higher turn ratio then Mark I for example). I
couldn't keep it in my sights. It killed me plenty of times. So I tried flying
the acrosome a bit, nice. (Also, I payed attention to the terminated screen
when I died. I could see the acrosome fly about my wreckage... cool)
Finally I tried ejected pilot with jetpack. WOW, you need to be a master. The
view is the same as any ship except no radar. Ever tried to hunt down an enemy
ship without radar? Anyone who plays with this on Minter is a true BS legend.
(Hmmm Doug, Scott, and Steph? Anyone at Scatologic master ejected pilot on
Minter?)
I truely like the game and want to play more to continue to work out how each
ship handles and flies. I am happy I figured out the S'mgheed annihilator, but
the more agile ships are seductive.
That Acrosome is one tough bugger. Next time I hit it with a stasis bolt, I
need to remember to stop dead immediately to make it easier to pepper him with
torpedoes. That was the only high note on that battle, I froze him with a
stasis bolt (kind a cute the way he hangs there with tail wiggling.) But I
didn't think to stop and had trouble shooting him on the fast flybys...)
I would like to try pilot/gunner configuration with a friend. I would love to
network, even just two jags. The colors are awesome, framerate smooth, and the
lens flare is a nice touch. (here's an idea if Nuon BS occurs (as many
suspects). Lens flare for the ship's engine/rocket glow as well as the star,
if nuon has the power to handle it (which it probably does).) or would that be
too distracting?...
I am starting to tell the difference in how the slower turn and faster turn
ships differ in turning speed. Hopefully, I can master handling of each one.
The ships look good. Decal mapped, gouraud shaded polygons look GREAT. at
least these ones do. Truthfully, they fly by too fast to truely appreciate ;)
OK, that wraps it up. I see it is less about BS and more about how dismal I
play it ;) Don't worry, I'll get it soon enough.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Re: BS impressions
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-19-55.cmbr.grid.net)
Date: March 18, 2000 at 07:59:19
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>I played BS some and wanted to rave a little.
>First, some differences from standard Jag games:
>No volume control on pause screen for music, SFX, etc.
Try pressing while paused. That's the way the official developer's
specifications say it should work...
>You can turn music on/off and engine noise on/off in setup.
>Amongst other things...
>I find that the volume mix is perfect, and I have no desire to change
>anything anyways.
Cool! Thanx.
>I love Steph's music, and engine noise don't bother me.
Sometimes I like to CRANK the music, just for the fun of it!
>Also, Star+Pound brings you back one screen, i.e. from game to ship
>select, instead of restarting from the beginning.
>Also nice.
That was something we added at the end of development, when Atari was out of
the loop. Their official developers spec. says that #* should reset the game.
However, we figured that this was dumb and reworked the idea.
>I tried the O'catanut arrow first. Not too hard, but I could only
>maintain three kills above the computer. (sometimes, I would kill him,
>but didn't swerve around the explosion and got minced myself.)
Why don't more other games work like this?
>I then tried S'mgheed annihilator as it has awesome Lasers, but little
>else. Linked the two lasers. I think I was against a cobra slith, but
>not too sure.
>Cool lasers, killed with one volley. However, with not great
>shielding, I died quickly. So I adapted and learned to shoot and bank
>away real quick, fly around slowly to regain shields, and try again.
Gee... and people said that ship was too slow and worthless? HAH!
>I actually made it to 10 kills and got on the high score list. (I
>actually got killed when I made kill number ten but the victory took
>precedence, whew.)
"Victory Terminated?" HAHAHA! I believe this was an oversight in the
programming that we didn't plan on but when it happened we decided that this
was the right thing to do!
>I love the manner in which you get to choose 6 letters for the high
>score tables. It is a circle of letters,!,*,-,.,backspace, and end.
>The selector is one of them glass globes. The magnification effect is
>cool to watch.
>Good work 4Play and that little detail. (In general, the selector are
>glass balls. Nice job guys.)
Don't you mean "Nice job, Doug"? (Those screens are all my work.)
>I then tried Se'babs MarkI, as it had high speed and acceleration, and
>almost the highest turn ratio among the fighters. My luck, I was
>pitted against the oppresor's acrosome (I laughed when I first saw
>that name. Having a Bio degree in Molecular Genetics, I took
>development and learned all about the acrosome :) for the rest of you,
>it's a actin filled vessicle at the tip of the sperm)
That's probably a lot funnier when you see what the ship looks like and how it
flies ;-)
>That little bigger moves (higher turn ratio than Mark I for example).
>I couldn't keep it in my sights. It killed me plenty of times. So I
>tried flying the acrosome a bit, nice.
The variety of ships and their different abilities makes for a really varied
gameplay. Replay value is really high, considering you have to develop
different strategies for each type of ship!
>(Also, I payed attention to the terminated screen when I died. I
>could see the acrosome fly about my wreckage... cool)
Sometimes you can see them fly through the debris and kill themselves by
hitting it! Wait until you play on a skill level when you can get taken out by
a missile volley... missiles continue to fly into the wreckage and blow up!
>Finally I tried ejected pilot with jetpack. WOW, you need to be
>a master. The view is the same as any ship except no radar. Ever
>tried to hunt down an enemy ship without radar? Anyone who plays
>with this on Minter is a true BS legend. (Hmmm Doug, Scott, and
>Steph? Anyone at Scatologic master ejected pilot on Minter?)
I don't think I ever even tried. I'm sure it's possible, but too time
consuming for me!
>I truely like the game and want to play more to continue to work
>out how each ship handles and flies. I am happy I figured out the
>Smg'heed Annihilator, but the more agile ships are seductive.
Glad you like them!
>That Acrosome is one tough bugger. Next time I hit it with a
>stasis bolt, I need to remember to stop dead immediately to make
>it easier to pepper him with torpedoes. That was the only high
>note on that battle, I froze him with a stasis bolt (kind a cute
>the way he hangs there with tail wiggling.) But I didn't think to
>stop and had trouble shooting him on the fast flybys...)
Ever been hit with a stasis bolt??? Heh heh heh
>I would like to try pilot/gunner configuration with a friend. I
>would love to network, even just two Jags.
Trust me, it's FUN!
>The colors are awesome, framerate smooth, and the lens flare is
>a nice touch. (here's an idea if Nuon BS occurs (as many suspects).
>Lens flare for the ship's engine/rocket glow as well as the star,
>if Nuon has the power to handle it (which it probably does).) or
>would that be too distracting?...
Believe me... the next one will have lens flares all over the place!
>The ships look good. Decal-mapped, gouraud shaded polygons look
>GREAT. at least these ones do. Truthfully, they flyby too fast to
>truely appreciate ;)
I know.... it's a shame too!
>OK, that wraps it up. I see it is less about BS and more about
>how dismal I play it ;) Don't worry, I'll get it soon enough.
It takes a certain knack, but you will improve.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I'm so pleased that you like it, and we appreciate everything you've done for
us!
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Rejected!
Author: Grumpy Bob (dynamic27.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: March 19, 2000 at 01:40:41
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>>Why did you make the run of cartridges BEFORE the pre-
>>orders arrived????
>Because we've gotten quite a bit of feedback indicating
>that because of a former 4Play member's handling of
>preorder money for a non-4Play item, they wouldn't
>preorder from us.
And on top of that, just imagine the threats to take us to court, register
complaints with the attorney general, and otherwise make our lives miserable
if we hit the tiniest snag between taking pre-order money and delivering the
goods. It was not an option, period. Enough BattleSpheres will be produced for
all that want it. If that's not good enough for you, then I suspect it is time
for you to move on in life.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: NOT DENIED!
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-175-187-nwrk.grid.net)
Date: March 19, 2000 at 06:16:49
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>And to be honest, the possibility of a second run does little
>to mitigate my frustration at this point. Give me a break...I
>have to feel *some* letdown after all this time, no?
Believe me, I know how you must feel. I think WE probably feel worse than you
do because it was our screwup that put you in this situation, and we have
ALWAYS put our customers feelings high on our list of priorities. We feel very
badly about this.
>>We're really sorry that you feel this way. I hope you take
>>into consideration that fact that were are not taking any
>>pleasure from having to turn people away temporarily.
>Of course, I can't imagine that you would. Certainly it must
>seem like, after all these years, you've got more fans and
>supporters than perhaps you had originally supposed. And now
>you'll have to disappoint some of them (but possibly temporarily,
>but possibly forever) by turning away their orders for a Battle-
>Sphere cart.
Exactly.
And be assured that we are trying very hard to make the second run happen. We
have a couple of obstacles to overcome (like running out of printed boxes,
etc.), and the chips we need are on "allocation" (meaning that the "important"
customers can get them).
>>There are no guarantees for anything in life, really. But give
>>us a little credit here... don't you think that we will be trying
>>really hard to make sure that you a copy as well?
>Sure, I imagine that you'll be trying hard. But, as you said,
>there are no guarantees.
We're just being on the safe side. We don't want to PROMISE anything that
we're not 100% sure we can deliver. We have been bitten before by the 1%
chance something could turn out wrong and we said otherwise. It's made us very
cautious in what we promise.
>Well, it's good to hear. The higher price will still, no doubt,
>be justified once we all have our copy of BattleSphere.
I'm pretty sure that we're only talking about a few dollars more. It's not a
huge amount I'm very sure.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Rejected!
Author: stef (sebab@best.com)
Date: March 18, 2000 at 23:25:11
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Frustrated,
Me too. Aside from the actual pain of the clerical work (I did everything by
hand... and by the way, whoever it is who spammed us with the profanities, uh
thanks) 'twas pretty awful seeing all the familiar names go by and knowing we
couldn't provide for all of them.
We had to put up the capital among the three of us -- that was actually
supposed to be the job of a particular team member when we were 4Play, but we
all know what happened there.
We really do want a second run, and Doug's made some progress inquiring about
it. I wanted to have more to say about that when I sent out the confirmations,
but I couldn't really delay much longer :(
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: battlesphere price
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-19-42.cmbr.grid.net)
Date: March 19, 2000 at 14:58:35
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>well you can get the goddamn shells for jaguar games at
>best electronics for like 4 or 5 bucks a piece with screws
>and the pcbs for 1.25 i think. i must say i think everyone
>is a bit pissed at the price change.
If YOU can arrange to get the components for that price and sell them to us at
your cost, then by all means PLEASE DO. Our dealings with BEST have been the
"Worst" we've encountered. They quoted us one price and then raised that price
3.00 when we went to order (thinking they had a corner on the market or
something) and THEN when I tried to negotiate back to what we had they came up
with some lunatic counter offer where they would get a TON of BattleSphere
carts for LESS THAN OUR MFG COST and they'd sell us the materials at the price
$1.00 higher than the original quote. (which was WAY higher than the prices
you list)...
(sigh)
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: battlesphere price
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-19-42.cmbr.grid.net)
Date: March 19, 2000 at 15:32:00
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Gives us a good look inside your daily problems, eh? I
>understand how you feel.....
You don't know the half of it. This has been hugely frustrating. I personally
did ALL of the purchasing and production that our abandoned member was
SUPPOSED to do. And NOBODY out there seems to give a crap that this is for
CHARITY. These guys see us coming and see big $$$$$ profits.
It's not like many more people are going to be asking them for cart pieces.
One day they are going to wind up taking palettes of these things to the dump
and WISH they has sold some at a reasonable cost.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Perspective, it's a funny thing.
Author: Big Al (a_pelzel@hotmail.com)
Date: March 19, 2000 at 11:45:00
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
So you're angry because you couldn't get a BS cart this time? Look at it from
Scatologic's perspective:
1. When they first started the game, they probably expected Atari to release
it. Lucky for them, Atari walks out on everyone and leaves fans totally strung
out to dry.
2. Tom Harker (the 4th person in 4Play), who I bet they expected to release BS
and handle all the distribution/logistics, etc. decides he'll do like the Steve
Miller song and "take the money and run". So not only do they have no
distributor, they now have to try and shed the reputation of a former partner-
thus, no pre-orders for BS.
3. So Doug, Scott, and Stef are left holding the bag. Now they're not
marketing/distribution types, they're just fans who made a game. They promised
it to us, so they have to go it on their own (not to mention, I bet they
_want_ to share their game w/us).
4. By the time they can release the game, the Jag has been abandoned for 4
years. Honestly, how many would you realistically expect to sell if you were
them? Yeah, so some people filled out their form on the internet- that really
holds about as much weight as, oh, a form you can fill out on the internet. (I
wonder how many people on the Jaguar petition, who _swore_ they'd support the
Jaguar, have ordered BS- or any of Carl's games, for that matter.)
5. Much to their horror/wonder, they are featured on /. and demand goes
through the roof.
6. Much to their horror/wonder, demand far outstrips supply. Really, it
doesn't surprise me, this is ScatoLogic's first release and noone exactly has
an MBA from Harvard. How do you select who gets it? That's not a question I'd
want to have to answer.
I think the most telling thing about the whole situation is how T-bird has
handled himself. I've accused him of being too quick to jump on the flame-
wagon, but he has done nothing of the sort. Rather, he's been nothing but
apologetic and tried to sympathize with the people who lost out.
ScatoLogic understands and sees it from your perspective, do you see it from
theirs?
(I should note that I'm not getting BattleSphere. Not that I don't want it,
but I flat-out can't afford it. My best hope for getting a copy is buying it
off eBay a couple years from now.)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: A small BattleSphere question
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-172-168-nwrk.grid.net)
Date: March 22, 2000 at 03:33:30
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Are you not still making profits when selling it to Go Atari?
Nobody from that particular dealer has contacted us regarding the purchase of
BattleSphere. However, I have trouble justifying the act of selling to a
dealer at some reduced "dealer price" so they can turn around and make money
off of something that would otherwise go to charity and none of which goes to
myself.
There are some dealers who have assisted us in the past, and have been helpful
in getting BattleSphere produced, and they will be the ones who would have a
chance of getting some carts at a special price. Other dealers have tried to
gouge us and will definitely not get any.
All of this is pure conjecture because we are too busy trying to organize a
2nd run to worry about these matters.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Battle Sphere shipping update
Author: stef (dynamic2.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: March 23, 2000 at 16:37:06
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
My arms are still a little unhappy, so after resting them a tiny bit longer
today I will start packing some of the 45 orders (not sure how many carts yet)
we received today. 5 orders went out today.
Still need to try and do a few hours of work (the kind that keeps up housed
and clothed and fed :P ) from home tonight, then if things feel ok, back to
doing some Battle Sphere site stuff incl the order checking script.
Cheers...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Battle Sphere shipping update
Author: stef (dynamic35.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: March 23, 2000 at 21:56:34
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Sean,
Appreciated! Some rest did me good -- I am up here working on the mailing
list, trying to get it into a format Excel will read (which I should have done
initially) -- this will make the script's job easier too.
Scott is downstairs packing carts and yelling at the cat to stay away (he
enjoys perching on the big boxes o'sphere in the kitchen but now that we're
unpacking them he seems distressed... er I mean the cat, not Scott)
Back to typing commas and hitting the delete key, which really isn't all that
taxing, thankfully.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: 30 BattleSpheres Shipped Today...
Author: BSB (143.186.161.53)
Date: March 24, 2000 at 17:55:19
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
75 payment envelopes received...
Ran out of packing supplies last night but since it was about 1:30 AM by that
time, things were winding down anyway...
More to go out tomorrow...
So where is that Kendler guy anyway???
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: JDF Contribution... wow, that was easy!
Author: stef of the clef (143.186.161.46)
Date: March 24, 2000 at 17:56:37
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
FYI,
I'd been busy and hadn't gotten around to sending the money from the mp3.com
Battle SPhere soundtrack to JDF. I sold 31 so far, BTW, meaning I earned $93 -
- I rounded it up to a contribution of $100. Anyhow, I hit the site (link
below) intending to get the correct address to send the check, and found, to
my delight, that they take credit cards. So I sent the contribution... here's
the results page text:
--------------------------------
Thank You
Thank You for your contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Through
your contribution you are helping us find a cure for diabetes and its
complications through the support of research.
You will shortly receive an acknowledgement via e-mail. If your contribution
was for $250 or more, you will also receive a written acknowledgement.
Your reference number is: 20000324203213.
If you need to contact us for any reason about this transaction, please send
an e-mail to info@jdfcure.org and include the above reference number.
Again, thank you for your contribution.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: 30 BattleSpheres Shipped Today...
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-171-226-nwrk.grid.net)
Date: March 24, 2000 at 18:05:34
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>So where is that Kendler guy anyway???
I think he's in the hospital with Crow Poisoning.
Kendler be gettin' his stomach pumped! Betcha he don't like that charcoal they
put in him!
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Kendler Sucks Cheese Orbs!!!!
Author: T. H. Undirberdt (pool-209-138-194-90.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: March 25, 2000 at 05:50:43
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>"Doesn't he owe you $100 or something? That's probably where
>he's been, trying to find a job to pay it off >:->"
>What? I thought he was an accomplished Jaguar programmer!
>He should make that $100 in a second! Riiiiight.....
Kendler is a loser. He always was a loser. He will always be a loser.
Losers don't like to be reminded that they are losers because it makes them
feel like losers compared to the losers that are ignorant of the fact they are
losers.
So, loser is not a browser of JI2 currently, since it make him realize that
he's the loser's loser.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere Friends and Family
Author: BSB (dynamic11.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: March 28, 2000 at 08:34:35
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
OK, I think we can thank the Slashdot Effect for the other BattleSphere
auction and I've already covered the first one. With that in mind, here's a
modest proposal. I'm expecting a good 1/4 to 1/3 of the BattleSphere carts of
the first run to go unclaimed. Doesn't mean that's how it will go, but that's
just a prediction based on the ever-decreasing number of envelopes in our mail
box each day.
So, here's a task for all of the people we know by name. Could you guys vouch
for anyone you know who didn't get a cart? There are a lot of unfamiliar names
on our list along with some familiar ones. We'd like to sell the remainder of
the first run to people who will at least play our game for a while before
offering it up on eBay.
And yes, consider this round to be a giant conspiracy since most of you guys
get to be in on it. You know where to reach me.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: I drank my urine today
Author: Stephen Anderson (mopar76@neo.rr.com)
Date: March 28, 2000 at 10:07:21
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Well, I got home from a particularly crappy day at school, only to find my two
BS boxes waiting on my kitchen table!!! I drank a cup of urine for each game,
and (after puking them back up) went off to play. I was fortunate to play the
game WAY back in Oct.96 at the Toad Atari Fest in Maryland (I met Tom Harker
there BTW - before the CatBox fiasco).
Anybody that says the Jag is only as powerful as an SNES has obviously never
seen this game in action. It could easily be a 2nd generation PSX title.
I don't really know where to begin. The music is excellent, the box, artwork,
and in game menus are top notch, and of course the game itself is truly
awesome. Oh, I also immediately recognized the sound of a starbase being
destroyed! Haven't heard that in quite some time.
Only problem is that I suck. I have always been good at driving games, but the
3D flight sims have never been a strong point for me. I'll be spending a LOT
of time in the training mode.
Stephen Anderson
Got his BS after nearly 5 years of waiting!!!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BS Superships
Author: Thunderbird (209.138.243.192)
Date: March 28, 2000 at 15:05:19
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Is it me, or are the superships in Battle Sphere nearly invincible?
That depends on what play mode you're in. Some of the modes enhance the
player's shields in the beginning levels and gradually reduce them to the
standard level. It makes the game fun for people just starting out.
Once you are a master, those levels are laughably easy (almost boring, in
fact). Luckily, there are tougher skill-levels.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: THE BOX (aka BattleSphere!)
Author: Brian R. (brianr@nb.net)
Date: March 28, 2000 at 17:48:47
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
I came by home today during lunch to check my mail on the chance that my copy
of BattleSphere had arrived. And guess what? It had!
Although I had to go back to the office, I immediately opened "the box." I was
amazed. The box, manual and cartridge all look top-notch professional. You
couldn't tell this came from "hobbyist developers." It looks just as good as
anything you'd buy at the mall. (And it plays the same way.) Excellent work!
(I haven't bought any of the Songbird games yet so this is my first experience
with such games. But I'm looking for Skyhammer next!)
I had to get through the rest of the work day until I was able to come home
for an hour to try it out. I played the pilot training level. The controls
were surprisingly easy to figure out. I got killed at the end of level five
after I flew through the last ship's fireball with too low shields. But I had
to go anyway.
I was worried the controls would be complicated. When I saw how slim the
manual was I was either happy there were no complicated instructions or
worried there wasn't enough documentation. But they are very, very simple to
learn.
But then I had to go back to work for an evening meeting. I just got home, and
now have to go through the formalities of eating, putting out the garbage and
visiting JI2 to type my praise and check on the discussion before getting back
in the cockpit.
In short, excellent game, great accomplishment, well worth it. Looking forward
to spending many hours with it. There's always a bit of hesitation when paying
full price for a game you can't try out before buying, but now I know any
concern was unjustified. Worth every penny.
A question - Is there a best ship to use while you're learning the game?
Up next - Skyhammer! (Come on Carl, give us the good word!)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere? WOW!!!
Author: ETHunter (ETHunter@webtv.net)
Date: March 30, 2000 at 16:05:39
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
I thought I saw all I needed to see of this game at JagFest '99. The game
rocked and couldn't possibly get better, right? WRONG!!! I just got done with
a 5 hour non-stop session with this game. Currently addicted to "Gauntlet"
mode. Got to wave 52 before my brain couldn't take it anymore. The game just
keeps on getting better and better each wave I complete. I never thought there
would be a game on the Jag more addicting than Tempest 2000 but BattleSphere
tops it. The largest thanks humanly possible to Doug, Scott and Stephanie for
getting this game too us all. All your talents continue to amaze me further
with every level I progress.
Micah
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere CRASHES on K series Jags with CD?
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-193-48.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: April 01, 2000 at 05:16:51
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Anyone else have this problem in single player mode? I'll
>reseat everything and try again to confirm. :-(
I doubt that the CD has anything to do with anything, software wise.
BattleSphere was WRITTEN on K-Series Jaguars, and I did extensive testing with
the CD installed. As a matter of fact, I ran the demo mode (which simulates
play very well) for 21 days in a K-series unit with my CD installed.
While it's not totally unthinkable that there are weird bugs in BattleSphere
causing crashes... nobody's perfect (especially the Jaguar hardware)... I
suspect that the crashes are due to a physical problem rather than a software
problem.
In any electronic circuit, every time you pass through a connector, you
introduce small amounts of capacitance and resistance and degrade the signals.
The JagCD has 2 connectors between the cart and the Jaguar. The Jag itself has
only 1 connector. Any sensitivity to noise in your Jaguar will be doubled by
the use of the JagCD.
BattleSphere is especially sensitive to noise on the cartridge port because
BattleSphere reads code overlays and some graphics and samples from the cart
directly -all the time-. Other games load into RAM once at the beginning of
each level and never go back to the cart until the next level needs loading.
Other games load from the cart all the time, but not as frequently as
BattleSphere.
Keep in mind that our jaguars are not brand-new anymore, and the contacts are
getting WORN on the cartridge ports. Remember... I am NOT saying the contacts
are DIRTY... I am telling you that the connectors are wearing out. The spring
tension of the metal fingers in the connectors is getting less and less,
making the cartridge port MORE sensitive to shock or vibration.
Also... I have noticed that some games for the Jaguar are made with a slightly
thicker printed circuit board, which has the effect of spreading the contacts
further apart and making them looser.
I would recommend that people experiencing problems take the following
precautions:
1) Avoid playing through the "stacked" connectors of the JagCD if you have
problems with it.
2) Keep your Jaguar on a FIRM STABLE surface, free from vibrations. (i.e.
don't put it on top of the entertainment center that houses the TV speakers
and subwoofer (BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Great source of vibration!)
3) Keep the Jag off the floor and especially off the carpet.
4) Use long controller cords which you won't yank or pull during the heat of
battle.
I hope this helps.
If it's not, then we must have missed something.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: AATE...
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-170-236-nwrk.grid.net)
Date: April 01, 2000 at 20:35:46
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>TBird, Scott, Stef,
>In AATE, I'm assuming that you can't merge two squadrons of
>friendly fighters into one sector - is this correct? Or is it
>a restriction regarding the number/type of ships trying to merge?
Merging is not an option.
It would have been nice, but would have made some other details difficult.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Some Cool BattleSphere Observances
Author: Mister E... (mmorais@genie.idt.net)
Date: April 02, 2000 at 11:44:28
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
For those of you who haven't really tried out the Free For All mode, here's
some cool things you're missing. I've got the game set to include 15 ships,
skill level of starfighter, all types of ships involved, 20 kills to victory
and a respawn time o5 25 seconds.
It's very cool to see two ships battling it out and then come up on the
attackers rear and blow him out of the sky (only to have the ship being
attacked turn on you and take you out! :) )
Or how about setting up that perfect shot - lining up the target nicely when
all of a sudden laser shots come flying from the right of the screen and take
out your target for you..@%&#*#@!
And better still, having a good run, taking out three or four ships and
continuing to survive only to realise that those 3-4 ships have since
respawned - all with a lock on you! Before you know it you've got 3-4 ships
chasing you down - VERY COOL!!! :)
Now, for Gauntlet (I haven't been playing this mode very much - yet) - I
cleared Level 19 only to be awarded 6120 points, 3 extra starbases and 1 more
starbase restored - don't ask me how I pulled that off though! I also find
that Gauntlet is heavily tweaked in your favour - enemy fire doesn't seem to
do quite as much damage as it does in the other modes.
Finally, does anyone have any favorite ships that they like to use yet? I'm
definitely preferring the Claw right now.
Mister E...(I've had the game crash on me twice so far - once in Free For All
and once in Gauntlet IIRC)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere opponents
Author: BSB (dynamic47.pm01.santa-cruz.best.com)
Date: April 05, 2000 at 09:52:57
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Are the ships you face randomly selected when you continue
>like that?
There is a component of randomness in many of the level elements. This was
done on purpose to prevent too much memorization as well as enhance
replayability.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: I've got a secret... (WARNING- BSCODE)
Author: the UA (rh001h26.east.iit.edu)
Date: April 05, 2000 at 18:08:11
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Check your BattleSphere box.
There is a number that has no real purpose on a game box.
Have fun...
shhhhh....
Fard
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: BattleSphere Second Coming
Author: Thunderbird (pool-207-205-163-132.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: April 06, 2000 at 16:28:44
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>>Anyway, good luck then and hope that it is possible for
>>the second run to become a reality. Thanks for the
>>insight as well. CYA
Actually, if anyone out there knows someone with some purchasing clout with
any of the big electronics chip distributors, please email me. The EPROMs we
need are almost impossible to find now, and they want to sell to the "big"
guys first. We're too "small potatoes" for them!
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: The Julia effect on the BS Cart
Author: Thunderbird (pool-207-205-161-32.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: April 07, 2000 at 18:31:48
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>The Julia effect in the background of the story of Battle-
>Sphere during the intro. Was this code the same code from
>the Virtual VCS code that Carl acquired?
Ours is BASED on that code, but had to be heavily reworked to run with my
music engine. The algorithm is the same, and the basic structure is the
same...
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: The Julia effect on the BS Cart
Author: BSB (143.186.161.53)
Date: April 07, 2000 at 18:48:24
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>So- the fractals are supposed to react to the music, or is
>it that the code would interfere with the music?
Actually, one of my seldom seen NUON demos both rendered Julia sets and
reacted to music at 60 fps. I think they showed it at WCES '99 and never
again. Don't ask me why, I just worked there.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Code 101 (WARNING- REAL BS CODE AND HINT)
Author: Codeman (rh001h2.east.iit.edu)
Date: April 10, 2000 at 22:28:55
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!
The following post has a BattleSphere Code in it- as well as instructions on
how to enter them.
DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU WISH TO FIND IT BY YOURSELF.
You have been warned.
Here goes... scroll down.
.
.
.
All right. Now that the coast is clear...
Look on the bottom right hand side of the back of the box (or on the back
flap- your preference....)
There should be a 12-digit number.
372663-536823 (1)
A similar number is on the BattleSphere Cart Label.
328635-372663 (2)
How are they similar?
Look at the sequences. The first six numbers of (1) and the last six numbers
of (2) are the same- also the last six numbers of (1) and the first six
numbers of (2) are reverses of each other.
If you follow the pattern, the next number in the sequence is 328635-366273
[sequence (2) with the reverse of the last six digits.]
How do I enter them?
Go to the Setup Menus. Now go to the Gameplay Options Screen. Press some
number keys. You'll hear some Atari 800 Star Rai... um... I mean...
BattleSphere Plasma Bolt sound effect. Enter the code. You should hear the
trademark Doug Engel "Awesome" sound effect- the code is on. Enter it again.
You should hear the BattleSphere Warp Sound Effect- the code is off. Enter it
one more time and leave the Gameplay Screen.
Now what?
Go to a game of Free-for-All.
Wreak havoc... if you eye your weapons correctly :)
What does this code mean?
Look to your touch-tone telephone dial.
After a couple of hours of decoding, I find that the code translates to "Eat
Me Leonard." Looks like the folks at Scatologic were angry at the Atari Corp.
when making this easter egg.
Are there any other codes?
Yup. I'm on the search right now.
Have fun- and let slip the dogs of war. :)
Fard
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Battle Sphere is Ah Ah Ah Ah Awesome!!
Author: Chad Tindle (pm520.bardstown.com)
Date: April 15, 2000 at 07:17:39
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
Man I couldn't wait to play this game the day I got it, hell I can't wait to
play it again today. It opens with an awesome looking 4Play logo unfolding
down the screen with transparency I believe. The opening music inspires awe as
it gives you that "this game is awesome feeling" and your about to do
something awesome.
The menus are really high quality and your cursor is this cool reflective
bubble actually three of them that bobs in and out around your selections.
Some cool effects as you switch between menus, they break into horizontal
parts and fall away. I got two copies so I got my other jag hooked up in my
brothers room and I hooked up an extremely long phone cord between us and I
believe we tried Gauntlet first.
When we both selected Gauntlet at the same time it was unable to find any
players so a quick check of the connections and a retry didn't work either. So
I looked at the cable that came with the Jag-Link and noticed it had 4 wires
inside and I took a look at the cord I was trying to use and it only had 2 so
I found another 4 wire cable and we were back into action.
It probably wasn't the wisest choice to go with network play modes first
because me and my brother couldn't work the radars and didn't know what all
the buttons did just yet. So the first couple of play modes were uneventful as
we couldn't figure out what was going on. So the next play mode we tried was
Free-for-All which is the best multiplayer play mode if you're just beginning
to play. We quickly figured out the controls and radar, which after you learn
is very effective.
You get several ships to choose from, a lot more than in single player mode
without any codes. All the ships are very cool designs and you can even be an
ejected pilot if you wish but you'll be throwing out your radar if you do so
but you will be very hard for other ships to hit because you're so small. All
the ships have a decal on them showing what race owns them. The selection
screen shows you several different stats about each ship and they're
transparent and you can even control the transparency and you can tilt the
ship around a bit to get a better look.
The cockpits are very nice looking and mostly they don't detract from your field
of view like Hoverstrike. You won't believe this is a Jaguar game once you're
flying around at 60fps!!! Like the FAQ says the stars aren't moving past you
but there are random pieces of space debris so you know you're moving forward
and unlike other games you can actually get right up on a chunk of debris so
it is actually in the game not just a fake overlay. When you turn you actually
bank from side to side so you get feeling of true flight.
It's nice to see every button be used on the Jagpad and that's not bad because
the really important ones are not on the keypad. There are also cool nebulas
and things you learn about in astronomy in the background and also a star that
is much closer than you that lens flares as it passes through the glass of the
cockpit. It is a very cool effect especially because the star has this cool
pulsating effect when you stare straight at it just like the real thing. All
of the HUDs are transparent but you can still see them, they don't just fade
away but their color distorts, a very cool effect.
All of the ships handle very differently and drain your lasers at varying
amounts and some are faster or stronger than others but each ship is unique.
There is a cool lock-on tracking system that your on-board computer does that
lets you aim at exactly the right spot of the ship you targeted taking in
account its velocity and turn rate. Your crosshair becomes more precise and
the beeping sound quickens as your aim is dead center. The lasers you shoot
are made of polygons and fire away from your ship very realistically. The
sound of the engine also corresponds to how fast you are moving and it sounds
very real just like something out of the movies. The music is all very well
done and changes quite frequently to the mood of safety and danger.
When you destroy an enemy ship it actually breaks apart and you can hit the
chunks doing some damage to your ship and the explosions are very well
animated and I really like the blueish tint to the smoke, just seems like what
an explosion would look like in space. When you're firing at a capitol ship
you blow off chunks of it and its explosion is even more dramatic as a shock
wave leaves its core, very cool. The AI is very impressive and relentless at
higher stages of Gauntlet and you can select the level of AI in Free-for-All
mode, one such choice is "Minter" which I have not yet dared to try. Another
cool thing is that each race has its own starbase design.
There is so much more about this game that I don't know yet and I'm going to
go play some more. Put simply this is an excellent game worth every penny if
not more. It is great to see such an awesome game made for a system that
really deserved it. I can only hope there will be more like it in the future.
I hope the second run comes very soon so all can enjoy it and I wish CatBoxes
were produced by a trustworthy company because I would buy more Jags and
copies of this game in a heartbeat to get as many friends in Free-for-All mode
as possible.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Where are the codes?
Author: ETHunter (ETHunter@webtv.net)
Date: May 12, 2000 at 16:34:48
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Been wondering why there haven't been any postings of Battle-
>Sphere codes yet. If there has been, I haven't seen it.
>Surely, there must have been more discovered by now than just
>the two I'm aware of - pilot eject and the one Fard listed.
>Is everyone keeping them a secret? I thought the idea was going
>to be for the codes to be posted with credit given to the person
>who first found them.
There was talk about credit being given to the first to find them but it never
materialized. To help out a few of you and give you pilots a fighting chance,
I'll post the code below that gives you another alien race and their ships.
"INTRUDER" ALIEN RACE CODE:
874633746537
This will give you much better ships to fight with and will aid in your
advancement.
Oh, and one more thing...your welcome! ;-)
Micah
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Rein BattleSphere Manual [CODE HERE]
Author: Tennis (billions and billions served)
Date: August 24, 2000 at 18:30:12
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
It's not a code; it's a key to seeing that the BattleSphere codes actually
spell something when placing it through the phone pad.
Look on the bottom right hand corner of the back cover of your BattleSphere
Manual. You'll see this number:
37465-9687-87463
What does that spell? The ol' PG-13 BS slogan:
"Drink your Urine."
Fard Muhammad- Webmaster of the BSEC.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Nuon Gripe
Author: BSB (52.216.6.64.reflexcom.com)
Date: November 02, 2000 at 00:15:13
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Well, it's still early and there are still only a few
>games confirmed as to what is being worked on. ScatoLOGIC
>said they were developing for NUON once didn't they?
There is zero zip nada null chance of a NUON edition of BattleSphere. Some
people from old Atari just can't let go of the past. But before y'all make a
stink, there are plenty of other people who can, so all you'd do is make their
lives miserable. Please don't do that. BattleSphere's future, if it ever has
one, lies elsewhere.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Re: Nuon Gripe
Author: Thunderbird (pool-63.53.78.214.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: November 02, 2000 at 03:39:03
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>I'm just curious... have you tried Sega? SegaNet seems like
>the perfect thing for multiplayer.
Let's put it this way: every place we ever try, and every contact we ever made
absolutely LOVED the game and wanted BADLY to produce it. However, these
people we seem to meet are not high up their company food-chains to actually
be able to get us produced or get any money for us. It never gets past the
"Wow! This is GREAT. Let me go tell my boss and we'll get you a contract."
stage.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Re: BattleSphere / Star Raiders conversion
Author: unused@my-deja.com (Scott Le Grand)
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 22:31:08 GMT
Forum: alt.atari-jaguar.discussion
>Will BattleSphere be ported over to the PC or Playstation?
>They beefed up Pong. Why not a killer Star Raiders game?
Well, since Hasbro doesn't own BattleSphere, that would leave Star Raiders
since no opportunity to "beef up" BattleSphere on anything but our own time
and till has ever been presented to us. Since we enjoy eating and paying the
mortgage (highly recommended), such an effort is not exactly lightning fast.
However, Hasbro has supposedly been developing an updated Star Raiders for
over a year. Since nothing has been heard of it since 1998, one might guess
that they are encountering "difficulties". Since they just had a massive
round of layoffs, one might hypothesize about what has become of this effort
but who knows for sure?
Scott Le Grand
Lead Coder
BattleSphere
ObPlug: BattleSphere was developed under Linux. Aren't we cool?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jag Encryption
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: JAG BAG - Jag emulation
Author: Thunderbird (pool-207-205-162-202.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: December 16, 1999 at 16:36:45
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>>If you could disassemble the boot ROM, would there be
>>anything stopping you from porting the section that
>>performs encryption validation to 80x86 code, then using
>>that version to brute-force the checksum for a ROM image
>>at speeds far in excess of 8 Jags?
>
>Better, I won't have to try every combination, it will
>encrypt it right the first time. Don't hold your breath though.
I won't, since you WILL have to try every combination. It will NOT encrypt it
right the first time unless you rewrite the code as an ENcoder (right now all
you have is a DEcoder).
Also, the code which everyone is going ga-ga over runs on different processors
at once and is very large. Manually converting to X86 is possible but you're
converting a TON of RISC code to X86 which is very difficult because of the
SIZE of the code which makes it time consuming for the programmer, AND the
dearth of registers in the X86 (Intel Sux) and the Big-endian/Little-endian
differences in processors. You'd have more luck writing a GPU emulator.
But doing all that is a big pain in the butt.
Thunderbird
4Play
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: JEO Vol 3 Issue 1 Dealing with BS encryption
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-0-142.nwrk.grid.net)
Date: March 27, 2000 at 15:33:25
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>I was just wondering why they had to setup the encryption
>process they did since according to the below statement
>they already had the key and software to do it. They were
>just waiting on Hasbro to make the Jag public domain. Just
>wondering and thought it was interesting.
Because we were going on the word of someone at Hasbro that they had
everything we needed, they just needed permission from the top brass.
As it turned out, it was all a lie. Probably constructed to piss us off.
Thunderbird
ScatoLOGIC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Hardware Encryption Bypass
Author: Thunderbird (pool-209-138-169-230-nwrk.grid.net)
Date: December 01, 1999 at 20:58:38
Forum: Jaguar Interactive II
>Hey t-bird, I asked you about the encryption,
I wasn't referencing your message. You have a legitimate question. I was
referring to someone on ICQ apparently trying to create friction against 4Play
to promote another encryption scheme already ruled out by 4Play almost 2 years
ago (for various reasons).
>It was not a shot. However, don't you think that it is
>strange that a good amount of the time is up and it still
>has not been cracked. I check here every day expecting to
>see a post so I still have my fingers crossed.
You have to understand that my scheme works like those old briefcase
combination locks... remember the ones with 3 wheels with the digits 0-9 on
them? If you start at 0-0-0 and try 0-0-1, 0-0-2, 0-0-3, 0-0-4, etc.
eventually you open the lock right?
Well, when you're trying 5-1-7, 5-1-8, 5-1-9, 5-2-0, etc. would you think it
was strange that the lock didn't open yet? What if the owner set the
combination to 9-9-9? It would take every try to open it, right? Well, that's
where we are.
>Talking about strange things, what do you think about this
>"my copy of protector did not work, because the room was
>cold". From my understanding this should not affect the
>Jag or game at all. It seems like the I-war glitch. Good
>thing 4-play is not going to use the bypass that might be
>some of the problem. What do you think?
Atari had a lot of problems with their bootup/initialization routines they
provided to developers. There were several updates provided and they
eventually got tired of developers being too lazy to use