2 BIT EXTRAS
2 Bit Systems are to extend their range of musical
hardware add-ons for the Atari with a new MIDI interface and a
hardware Drumkit. The latter is entitled Percussion Master and will
be available for 48k or 64k machines. The comprehensive array of
built in drum sounds can be supplemented by your own samples from
the company's Replay system. The entire range of products will also
be available shortly for the ST.
TWO FROM S.E.C.S.
Software company S.E.C.S. have released the first
two titles in their planned range of Atari software. The first is a
true multi-tasking Forth language entitled Go-Forth which comes on
disk complete with a 70 page manual at £24.99. The user of Go-Forth
can write programs for commercial use without need for a run time
license and indeed S.E.C.S. encourage users to write commercial
software with this package. They will even assist in putting the
right software onto the market.
The other release is Font Constructor, written
with the aid of GoForth, which enables programmers to design and
edit character sets to include animation. Font Constructor is also
on disk at the low price of £6.99.
ITS NOT ALL ST!
At the CES show in Chicago last June several
companies set out to prove that publicity and interest in the ST has
not diminished the interest in the 8-bit machines and, as predicted
in our recent editorial, several companies who came into the market
with ST products are now planning 8-bit releases. Among these is
Haba Arrays who have a financial planning package entitled Get Rich.
Artworx have re-released their Bridge program and have a new release
entitled Peggammon. Softsync have another financial program called
Personal Accountant and several companies have new educational
programs, some of which may only be suitable for the American
market. Among these are Spinnaker, and Britannica Learning. Several
companies showed hardware add-ons and there are developments in the
area of-enhancing the 8-bit machines with a mouse from one company
and GEM-like windows from another. There were many other 8-bit
products on show. Who said 8-bit was dead?
NEW ADVENTURES
Atari Adventurers are in for a treat this year as
Robico Software convert their best-selling BBC adventures to the
Atari XL/XE machines. These text adventures will not be just
straight conversions but will be enhanced to take advantage of the
Atari's capabilities. The first release will be RICK HANSON, part of
a trilogy, which will have ten more locations added to make a total
of 230, a few extra problems and `a vast amount of text'. The parser
can handle full sentences and multiple statements of the nature
'Fill the bottle with water, get the blue book, the book with the
red cover and the yellow book and examine all the books apart from
the red one'. Wow!
The Atari version is being converted by Nick
Gregory using a customised version of The Slave, an adventure
writing utility available separately, and Robico are confident that
the program will be first class.
Other titles to follow are Project Thesius, Island
of Xaan and the 'mega-adventure' Enthar Seven. All titles will be
available only on disk retailing at £14.95. Enthar Seven will be
£17.95.
MORE BUDGET TITLES
Blue Ribbon have reduced the prices of their
existing titles to £1.99 and have introduced five new Atari titles
- Nightmare Maze, Screwball, Darts, Diamond Mine and Castle Assault.
These new titles on cassette cost just £1.99 and all five games are
available on one game disk at £9.95.
ARIOLASOFT
Recently released from Ariolasoft is Lapis
Philosophorum, a graphic adventure featuring 83 screens, 'superb'
graphics and multi-tasking. You must go in search of the
Philosopher's stone to save your dying King. On disk only at
£14.95.
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