By Deano, Silly Software

How long have you been an Atari user? How has the scene changed in your eyes during this time? I've been an Atari User since 1990. The scene has changed quite a lot since then. Quite a few PDL's have closed down including MT Software and Tumblevale PD. Also the demise of all the ST mags such as Format, Review, and User. Quite a lot of my old contacts have vanished and gone over to the PC. In my opinion people have lost interest in paying for ST software over the years which is why all my programs are PD now. Years ago LAPD sold 38 copies of one of my games in three months. In short it seems it is next to impossible to make any money from the ST scene now as people prefer ST stuff for free. I think there is very little interest in new games coming out for the ST now because no matter how good it is, people would prefer to buy a game for the Playstation or the Nintendo 64, something the ST can't compare with. As for serious use, I think a lot of ST owners own a PC and would rather use that rather than a ST. What Atari systems do you use? Describe your current Atari setup(s)... Atari Ste Tos 1.6, 4 meg ram, 75 meg hard drive, 15 inch colour monitor, mouse, joystick. I am planning to pick up a Falcon soon. What is your Atari's main use? Programming in STOS, although I do dabble in art work and using protracker to create music. I also like playing games. Do you feel the sense of community in the Atari world is far greater to that in the PC/Mac/Amiga worlds? The Amiga scene is quite friendly but the Atari Community is by far the friendlyist of the lot. One thing about the Atari Scene that has never changed is that we all stick together. Do you prefer the current Atari market, or that of say, 5 years ago? Do you feel that since the larger developers left the Atari scene, we've been given a much higher level quality of products/service by the remaining supporting companies? To be honest I much prefer the Atari market as it used to be as there was more choice and the service was still very good. As for now I must admit I don't really use any Atari services today, but I do believe the companies who are left now try to offer a better service, and I have noticed that a lot of PD is better than it used to be. How did the infamous ST Format review of Mobsters City affect your Atari projects? Did you feel like giving up or did the more positive remarks from other magazine's such as ST Review make up for it? I don't think that particular review caused us much damage because Format's reviewer at the time was practically slagging off everything he reviewed, which seemed he was doing it just for the fun of it. The review actually put us (Silly Software) on the map because we scared the crap out of the editor for the reviewers comments and got him to apologise in a later issue. My letter of compaint and threat of court action got the reviewer sacked and Mobsters City was re-reviewed with a decent score in a later issue. We would never give up without a fight and always try to repair any damage caused to us. To be honest who would believe one reviewer giving our game 3% stating facts like we stole the graphics, when shortly after, ST Review gave the game top marks. The ST Review review certainly helped to make up and getting ST Format to make an apology must have made Silly Software and Mobsters City a big talking point. We got letters from people patting us on the back for getting one over ST Format. Are you tempted to move away from the Atari platform? If not, what is keeping you with us? I have never been tempted to move away from the Atari Platform. I have always had a soft spot for the machine, and as long as there is life in the scene I will continue to be in it.