An interview with Ralph Lovesy

                                By David Seaman

     Ralph Lovesy founded IMPACT software, creators of TEAM...


     We all know that Impact are the team responsible for TEAM (the pun was
     completely intended,  by  the  way),  and  one  of  the  wonderful new
     software developers for the 'e.   So  what  kind  of response has TEAM
     had?  What will they be doing  in  the  future?   How do they do that?
     (Sorry!)  These  are  some  of  the  questions  that  will  shortly be
     answered.  Prepare to be amazed...  (well, almost.  Probably.)

     1)  "Who's in charge down   there   (up   there?)  at Impact,  and how
     many people are involved with the coding, graphics etc?"

     "I (Ralph Lovesy) am  the  managing  director  of Impact Software, and
     also the programmer behind  the  STe  and Falcon versions of TEAM. The
     graphics were done by  Docelyne   Dave-Vuenne   and  the music by Greg
     Lovesy, my brother."

     2)  "How long have you been coding for the ST?"

     "For 3-4 years   now,   but   only   the   last   1   and   a  half in
     assembler (quite a rapid progression to commercial programming!)"

     3)  "Is  there   still   quite   a   large   market   for   ST  and in
     particular STe games out there?"

     "There is a large POTENTIAL market   for   the  STe (much more so than
     for the STFM),  but   the   scene   has   declined  partly because the
     larger companies considered  games  development  to  be  unviable.  If
     smaller companies such as ourselves are supported, however, by the STe
     and Falcon owners, we will continue producing software."

     4)  "What kind  of  response  have  you  had  so  far  from your first
     release, TEAM?"

     "Although  it   is   hard   to    reach   any   conclusion   at   this
     relatively early stage, initial signs are quite promising."

     5)  "How long did it take you to write TEAM?"

     "TEAM has been in development for 9-10 months"

     6)  "What is your next  planned  release called, and what's it about?"

     "We have an  STe-only  cartoon  platform   game  on the drawing board,
     but we will need a  good  response  from  TEAM to go ahead with this."

     7)  "Will you be releasing any STe   source  code as PD, so that other
     coders out there  can  make full use of the 'E'?"

     "We may at some future stage if we receive enough requests."

     8)  "How do you see the  future  of  the  STe?  Do you think there are
     enough enthusiasts and companies like yours to keep it going?"

     "The only real way to rejuvenate  the  STe  would  be for C-Lab to re-
     release it at a competitive price  -  in  the meantime let's hope they
     can succeed with the Falcon Mk II. As far as current STe owners go, if
     they want to buy games, the games publishers will develop for the STe.
     If not - they won't!"

     9)  "Have you any advice for anyone  who  is thinking of setting up as
     an STe games publisher?"

     "Make  sure   you   receive   coverage   in   the   press   (including
     diskmags) and try to cut costs until  you get a chance to evaluate the
     market.  But, at the end of the day, ST publishers only exist if there
     is a demand for their games..."

     So there you go then.   Just   one    final   thing, which is, keep up
     the good work ICTARI!