*****   
      
   A-EON  Technology  Ltd  www.a-eon.com/ is pleased announce a new initiative   
   for Amiga software developers.   
      
   In  the  past  year  they launched the AMIStore app store www.amistore.net/   
   which  has  been  enthusiastically  supported  by both Amiga developers and   
   users.   
      
   AMIStore performance update:   
      
   * 44 software titles   
   * Customer base ~700   
   * Over 2200 paid transactions   
      
   They  have  created  a dedicated SVN resource for all developers working on   
   our applications.  They also implemented a Mantis bug tracker together with   
   a  developer  mailing  list and Wiki to aid software development.  They are   
   now   looking   for  experienced  Amiga  developers  to  work  on  existing   
   applications and create new content for both the 68k and PowerPC platforms.   
   So,  if  you  are  an  existing  or former Amiga developer and want to help   
   create  new  software  applications for the 68k or PowerPC platform, please   
   visit the website for more information :   
      
   www.amigadeveloper.com   
      
   =====================================   
      
   *************************************   
      REVIEW: SLIME AND SLIME DELUXE   
                For the C64   
   *************************************   
      
   Code:                Mr. NOP   
   Original Idea:       Jim Summers   
   Music:               Richard Bayliss   
   Sound Effect Engine: N. Higgins   
      
   HISTORY   
      
   The  year  was  1982,  the arcades were filled with teenagers transfixed on   
   video  games  and  pinball  machines.   In  the  classrooms, teenagers were   
   learning how to program BASIC on the Commodore PET.   
      
   One  day  in  1982  three  games  appeared for the PET:  Astro-Rescue, Star   
   Spores,  and Slime.  There was something different about these games.  They   
   were  written  in  machine  language  with great attention to detail.  Star   
   Spores and Slime contained animated intro screens and featured a high-score   
   table  with  the  top 10 scores.  Slime was a concept not seen before in an   
   already  flooded  video  game  market.  Growing slime and cells that chased   
   after  you  made  this game a challenging one.  The player explosion effect   
   meticulously  keeping  track  of each diamond so as not to pass through the   
   game's border.   
      
   PROGRAMMING A CONVERSION   
      
   The games c64 remake was coded from scratch by Mr NOP observing how the PET   
   version played.  There were two of Jim's original routines that were ported   
   into  the  C64  version:   the cells that chase after you and the explosion   
   effect.   
      
   GAMEPLAY   
      
   Use Joystick in Port 2 to move ship and the Q and W keys to rotate.   
      
   Keyboard:  Use I,M,J,L to move and SPACE to fire.  Q and W keys to rotate.   
      
   Run-Stop will pause the game.   
      
   Slime  will  be  dropped  randomly from above by various creatures dropping   
   down  the  screen.  Use your ship to destroy this slime before it grows out   
   of  hand.   The  outer  membrane consists of two layers.  Slime growth will   
   create  internal  spores  that will chase after you.  These spores will not   
   destroy  you  but  will  reduce  your  score if they make contact with you.   
   Random aliens will move horizontally, changing the slime membranes.  Higher   
   levels  will  bring  out the chaser who will destroy you upon contact.  You   
   will die if you're cornered on all sides - this includes the game border.   
      
   SLIME DELUXE   
      
   This  is  an  improved  version  of the original Jim Summer's Commodore PET   
   game,  and the original Mr NOP remake on the c64.  Improvements made to the   
   original Slime C64 game release that include:   
      
   * Easier to play levels   
      
   * Custom music and graphics by Richard Bayliss   
      
   * Smart Bomb   
      
   * Extra Live at 10,000 points   
      
   * 8-way joystick control (over the original 4-way)   
      
   * Bug fixes   
      
   * Slower play mode with full frame animation (fast speed is double frame)   
      
   * Source code for parts of Slime Deluxe and full source code for the original   
     Slime game   
      
   Having never seen the original PET version the first thing I did was to try   
   YouTube and found this game play   
      
   www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvhIVm9q6fs   
      
   The  gameplay  and  detail in this game really shows through, and while the   
   Commodore 64 version was quite a faithful remake, it did remove some of the   
   title  animations and game fades that the Pet version seemed to do so well.   
   However,  I  was  later sent the deluxe edition that feels more like a Jeff   
   Minter psychedelic remake.  It's the same game just moving forward in time,   
   although  it  still  feels  like  that  time  line is somewhere in the 80s.   
   Nothing  of  this  detracts from the game and the gameplay itself (which is   
   fast-paced) seems to have a nod towards various other games of the era, and   
   yes, other newer games ripped off this style.   
      
   Loading  the remake or the "Deluxe Edition" features some enhanced graphics   
   and  music  by  Richard  Baylis  along with a bashing soundtrack, that I am   
   still  wondering  if  it  fits  the  game!   Gameplay  features a scrolling   
   background  with  some  sound  effects (but no music) where the players and   
   enemies seem to float on top.  It's a great effect, although it been used a   
   number  of  times before.  In-game characters are small, but any bigger and   
   the game just wouldn't work.   
      
   I  can  see the historical interest in the game, as even now it still feels   
   fresh, and I would love to play the original on the PET version just to see   
   how  the gameplay compares with Mr NOP's, although looking at the videos it   
   does  seem  to  be  very  closely  emulated.   The ship's explosion is very   
   impressive,  as  can be said about the game's speed and level curve, as you   
   feel you need just one more go to beat your last high score.   
      
   SCORES   
      
   Gameplay: 7/10   
   Sounds: 6/10   
     title music and spot fx   
   Graphics: 6/10   
   Overall: 7/10   
     solid   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   I  would  love to see the original wash between levels that the PET version   
   had;  I  am  still unsure that the deluxe version adds anything (other than   
   graphics).   The  game  seems  so  solid, but the PETSCII version would and   
   indeed does work just as well.   
      
   =====================================   
      
   *************************************   
            REVIEW: RHYTHM KING   
       Digitally sampled sound drum   
            machine for the C64   
   *************************************   
      
   SPECIFICATION:   
      
   * 8 Digitally recorded drum sounds in each kit   
      
   * 2 Kits supplied additional kits available   
      
   * Songs and patterns can be saved and reloaded   
      
   * Keyboard or joystick operation   
      
   * Polyphonic   
      
   * Simple to use no musical knowledge required   
      
   * Up to 64 patterns and 16 songs in memory   
      
   * Real time or step time recording   
      
   * Powerful pattern editor   
      
   * RHYTHM KING software is easy to learn and easy to use This could be   
     your first step to #1   
      
   IS THIS THE CLASH OF THE CYMBALS?   
      
   What we have here is a cartridge for sound output and piece of software for   
   any  commodore  64  or  128  (40-column  mode  supported, more later).  The   
   package allows playback of digitally recorded percussion sound (drum sounds   
   to you and me).   
      
   I PLAYED MY DRUM FOR HIM PA RUM PUM PUM!   
      
   The  software  was  created by S.N Clarke and A.J Tarott and distributed by   
   the  "Supersoft " software company.  My version's stamped as being "Version   
   1",  which  I  do  find  interesting,  so  tell  me - do people really make   
   software  that  works the first time or first version?  Well, it would seem   
   they  did in 1986!  How many applications do you have now that work and are   
   at Version 1.   
      
   HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK!   
      
   This  software  is  as  near  to perfection (in my opinion) as is possible.   
   Rhythm  king  is  uncomplicated, very easy to use, and seems very logically   
   laid  out.  Rhythm King has to be one of my favourite pieces of software of   
   all time for these reasons!  It shows with the care and attention to detail   
   that has been put into the programme.  Maybe I am lucky but Rhythm King has   
   never  crashed,  locked  up,  or  misbehaved  while  in  use.  The supplied   
   programme cartridge allows adjustment of the sound output or sound trimming   
   as  the  manual  says  to  a  hi-fi  or  mixing desk.  I am not sure if the   
   cartridge  is  some sort of digital filter; one thing I can say for sure is   
   that  the  quality  the  cartridge  produces  is  superb (we must o   
      
   --- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-i386)   
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- dragon.vk3heg.net -:--- (3:633/280)