:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: Volume 5, Issue 1 JAGUAR EXPLORER ONLINE November 31, 2001 :: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: :: :: JAGUAR ............. News, Reviews, & Solutions ............. JAGUAR :: :: EXPLORER ........... For the Online Jaguar .......... EXPLORER :: :: ONLINE ................ Community ............... ONLINE :: :: :: :: Published and Copyright (c) 2001 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) :: :: """"""""""""""""""""""""" :: :: Fard Muhammad, Carl Forhan, Jeff Minter, :: :: Dan Loosen, Micah Rowe, Clint Thompson, Kevin Mosley, :: :: Randy Femrite, Ted Rusniak, and Lars Hannig :: :: :: :: 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. * JEO Millennia Survey ......................................... Sound Off! * Jaguar Tackboard .................. Newsletters, Message Boards, Mailing Lists, FAQs, Codes, Development List, Mail Order Directory. * CyberChatter .......................................... Overheard Online. * Get Your Particle Laser ............................... Words to Game By. * Llatest from Llamaland ........................................ Yak yaks. * JagFest 2001: The Aftermath ........ The Fest that made Milwaukee Famous. * Euro-JagFest 2001: Die Nachmahd ................... JagFest takes Europe. * Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block. --==--==--==--==-- || From the Editor || By: Clay Halliwell \__// clay.h@att.net ------------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the first JEO of the new millenium (yes, it started in 2001, don't argue). As I write this, I'm preparing to plan my roadtrip up to Milwaukee to partake in JagFest 2001: Beyond Tempest. And just because it's been a whole year since the last JEO, don't think I've been idle, or forgotten about my trusty Jag. I've been working on a little project, one which I'll hopefully have an early sample of as a door prize at the Fest. eBay craziness of the year: A prototype Lynx Alien vs Predator card went for $898. Eegah! Ben Heckendorn, creator of the VCSp mentioned last issue, has continued to slave away at making the best portable 2600 ever. Check out his latest creations. Atari 2600 VCS Portables Site: http://www.classicgaming.com/vcsp/ This last year, Greg George's The Atari Times site has transformed itself from a sedate archive for past Atari Times issues into one of the most frequently updated Atari sites on the web, offering reviews and articles for all Atari consoles. There's some good info on the Atari computer line as well, but the focus is clearly on console gaming. The Atari Times: http://www.geocities.com/greggeorge/ Atari, under their new Infogrames ownership, made a big splash (ahem) at E3 with their Atari Bottled Water booth (and booth babe). Full review here... GamesFirst!: http://www.gamesfirst.com/articles/shawn/atari/atari.htm Photos here: http://thetechzone.com/display.asp?i=42&p=7 http://www.3drealms.com/caught/e301_3.html Good news regarding the lost DejaNews archive reported last issue. All of Deja.com's assets have been acquired by Google.com. They've put the full archive (back to 1981!) back online, fully searchable. Now go re-read some of those old posts from when Tempest 2000 first came out! Google Groups: http://groups.google.com Back when the Atari 7800 was designed, there was a planned peripheral called the High Score Cartridge that would retain the high scores in all your games. The High Score Cartridge was never released, but nine of the initial 7800 releases still included code to support it. Now, thanks to Curt Vendel (www.atari-history.com), the High Score Cartridge finally exists. High Score Cart: http://www.atari-history.com/videogames/7800/hsc/hsc.html A bit of weirdness via Kevin Manne... a Japanese Jaguar! Check out these pictures: http://www.sokoban.org/okiyasu/nuon/hard/PICF0065.JPG http://www.sokoban.org/okiyasu/nuon/hard/PICF0066.JPG http://www.sokoban.org/okiyasu/nuon/hard/PICF0067.JPG http://www.sokoban.org/okiyasu/nuon/hard/PICF0068.JPG Apparently it's actually a 500-in-1 NES clone. And this year's second-weirdest non-Jag sighting: http://www.websprinter.com/The_CyberMorph.htm Oh yeah, and the Jaguar encryption backdoor was found. Now on to the survey! --==--==--==--==-- || JEO Millennia Survey || By: Clay Halliwell \__// clay.h@att.net ------------------------------------------------------------------ As JEO enters the twenty-first century, I put to you, the readers, these questions three: 1. What, in no particular order, are your three favorite Jaguar games? 2. Is anyone out there still getting JEO exclusively from CompuServe, AOL, FidoNet, or the JEO mailing list? 3. I'm considering ditching the 80-column plaintext format and going with a prettier HTML layout. Yea or Nea? Email your responses to clay.h@att.net. Thanks! --==--==--==--==-- || 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 BOREDroom 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: Atari Times Chat Room http://mercury.beseen.com/chat/rooms/l/18756/Login.html JFPN's Jaguar Chat http://www.classicgaming.com/jfpn/chat.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Atari News Mailing List =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subscribe to the AtariNews/Songbird Yahoo Groups list. To get on this list and stay up-to-date on all the latest Atari-related announcements, visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atari Songbird Productions has created this moderated list dedicated to the support of Atari platforms and properties, from the 2600, to the Lynx, the Jaguar, and all the way up to modern renovations of timeless classics. Songbird will also post specials and catalog updates periodically to this list as well. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// 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/FAQ_-_Jaguar. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// 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 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"UGS/Jaguar 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 " " """"" """ """"""""" """"""""" Arkanna ? Storm Works C Age of Darkness ? OMC Games 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 n Protector: Special Edition 2002 Songbird Songbird ? C Soulstar ? Core Design Ltd. Total Carnage ? Handmade Software 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 10 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 6 Visual Impact Songbird Iron Soldier 9 Eclipse Atari C Iron Soldier 2 CD 10 Eclipse Telegames Iron Soldier 2 9 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 7 Imagitec Design Atari Power Drive Rally 7 Rage Software TWI C Primal Rage 7 Probe TWI Protector 7 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 9 Rebellion Songbird Soccer Kid 7 Krisalis Songbird C Space Ace 3 ReadySoft ReadySoft Space War 2000 NEW Atari B&C Super Burnout 7 Shen Atari Supercross 3D 5 Tiertex Ltd. Atari Syndicate 7 Bullfrog Ocean System Test Cartridge 5 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 57 Total CDs 15 (counting VLM) Grand Total 72 Pts Stars JEO Ratings """ """"" """"""""""" 10 ***** THE ULTIMATE - Flawless, beautiful, 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 Releases and Prototypes 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 Jaguar Demo Kiosk Atari Composite Cable Atari S-Video Cable Atari Stereo Audio Interface (proto) Atari VoiceModem (proto) Atari/Phylon VR Headset (proto) Atari/Virtuality 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 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// 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 //// 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 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 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 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 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Announcements and Press Releases =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Index 01 Jan 01 - JagFest 2001 Tickets Now on Sale 08 Jan 01 - Lynx Distant Lands Preview 05 Feb 01 - Jaguar and Lynx encryption released by CGE 26 Feb 01 - JagFest 2001: Beyond Tempest Sponsors Announced 27 Apr 01 - JagFest Updates Galore 30 May 01 - Songbird End of School Special 08 Jun 01 - Protos-a-Plenty at JagFest 2001! 11 Jun 01 - JagFest 2001 Update 27 Jun 01 - Make Plans for JagFest 2001! 29 Jun 01 - Atari Zone Fanzine Format Change 30 Jun 01 - Classic Gaming News From Icwhen.Com 25 Jul 01 - Songbird Gears Up for Expo, Announces JagFree CD 01 Aug 01 - JagFest 2002 Planning Has Begun 04 Aug 01 - JagFest 2001 Profits Donated to Boy Scouts 27 Sep 01 - Atari News Update 04 Oct 01 - Limited-Edition Cybervirus At CinciClassic 25 Oct 01 - "Early Bird" Atari Sale at Songbird! 09 Nov 01 - Goat Store Announces "Santa's Special" 20 Nov 01 - Limited Edition CyberVirus Limited Leftovers //// JAGFEST 2001 TICKETS NOW ON SALE January 1, 2001 The GOAT Store, an online store specializing in the support of classic video games, has begun selling tickets for JagFest 2K1 being held in Milwaukee, WI on June 30, 2001. "We have already had a great response to the event when we announced the date," stated Gary Heil of the GOAT Store, "And now we are gearing up on what will certainly be one of the most exciting Jaguar events ever!" The event promises Atari fans that they will be able to enjoy the Atari Jaguar, as well as celebrate a glorious past through many classic systems through tournaments, displays, one-of-a-kind offers and many other special events soon to be announced. We are working very hard right now to expand JagFest even more then it already is, said Dan Loosen of the GOAT Store. We already have many surprises on the horizon that will be announced in the near future. A ticket to JagFest will entitle the ticketholder to admission to the event, an official JagFest 2K1 Program and the ability to sign up for tournaments. Admission for the event is only $8.00 for those who pre-registers before June 1, 2001 and $10.00 for tickets after that point. Information about ordering tickets can be found at 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. //// LYNX DISTANT LANDS PREVIEW January 8, 2001 Due to popular request, I have uploaded a preview of the upcoming overhead fantasy RPG for the Atari Lynx on the Songbird homepage. I know ever since the announcement of the "Guardians: Storms Over Doria" game many years ago, Atari fans have been anxious for this genre to make an appearance on the Lynx. Chris Vick is the lead programmer, and the demos he's turned in so far have been spectacular. Watch this space and the Songbird pages for progress reports on this game! -- Carl Forhan Songbird Productions http://songbird.atari.net //// JAGUAR AND LYNX ENCRYPTION RELEASED BY CGE February 5, 2001 In case you haven't heard this INCREDIBLE news, the major Atari fans running CGE have managed to locate and release the official Lynx encryption tools, along with a 'universal ROM header' for the Jaguar. Stop by their site to read all about it! http://www.cgexpo.com Carl Forhan Songbird Productions http://songbird.atari.net //// JAGFEST 2001: BEYOND TEMPEST SPONSORS ANNOUNCED February 26, 2000 The GOAT Store (http://www.goatstore.com/), an online store specializing in the support of classic video games today announced the blockbuster line up of sponsors for this year's JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest event. The fifth annual event is being held June 30, 2001, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "We are extremely pleased with the organizations that have decided to support this year's JagFest," stated Gary Heil of the GOAT Store. "These organizations represent a large portion of the vast support that the Jaguar system and its fans still receive. We are proud to be able to have them working with us." Many of the organizations involved with the sponsorship of JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest are also going to be sponsoring the events most intense competitions. According to the GOAT Store, tournament plans have not been finalized at this point, but prize contributions are already totaling over $600 dollars worth of merchandise. The following list of organizations (listed alphabetically) will be sponsoring this year's event: Atari Video Club The Atari Video Club (AVC) has been a major supporter of every JagFest to date. Atari Video Club writes the annual Atari JagFest Fanzine and is currently working on the "Beyond Tempest" edition. The organizations founder, Dan Iacovelli, will be attending this year's event to promote the Fanzine. The organization will also be running its own competition at the event. The Atari Video Club's website may be found at http://avconline.atari.org Good Deal Games Good Deal Games is the host of a Web site featuring video game music, cartoons, audio interviews, trivia, classic video game advertisements and more. Good Deal Games has also recently released two Sega CD games: "Bug Blasters: The Exterminators" and "Star Strike". The company is headed up by a group of individuals so devoted to gaming that every cent of profit that Good Deal Games has earned is used to make the company grow. Good Deal Games' website may be found at http://www.gooddealgames.com Llamasoft Jeff Minter single-handedly masterminded the games "Tempest 2000," "Defender 2000" and the recently released "Tempest 3000". He single-handedly made the Jaguar into a force by creating "Tempest 2000," following it up with another game that gave a nod to the video games of old, "Defender 2000." While "Defender 2000" wasn't as well received as "Tempest 2000", they are both considered some of the best games for the Jaguar. "Tempest 3000" was recently released by Llamasoft for NUON Enhanced DVD players. The Llamasoft website may be found at http://www.magicnet.net/~yak/ Protom Multimedia Protom Multimedia are the creators of new and exciting online and offline multimedia programs. Currently, the company is directing their focus toward business oriented programs. The company is run by gaming enthusiasts with an avid interest in the Atari Jaguar, and they felt it would be an honor to help JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest grow. Protom Multimedia's Web site may be found at http://www.protom-multimedia.com ScatoLOGIC ScatoLOGIC is the company behind the release of "BattleSphere" for the Jaguar. Since BattleSphere's release, it has become the most sought after Jaguar game. Hidden inside BattleSphere is the key to the Jaguar Unmodified Game Server (JUGS). The Jaguar Unmodified Game Server is a way to play exciting new Jaguar games on your Jaguar without having to convert your existing system. The ScatoLOGIC website may be found at http://www.scatologic.com Songbird Productions Songbird Productions, the most prolific Atari Jaguar developer in recent years, will be on hand at JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest. Carl Forhan established Songbird Productions a few years ago as an outlet to publish the Lynx games he wrote. Who could have known that soon thereafter Songbird Productions would have published four impressive Jaguar titles as well as countless quality Lynx games? The Songbird Productions website may be found at http://songbird.atari.net Telegames The first company that refused to give up on the Jaguar released six titles for the system after Atari had pulled the plug. Those games, "Zero 5," "Breakout 2000," "Iron Soldier 2," "World Tour Racing," "Towers 2" and "Worms" are known among Jaguar fans as many of the best titles for the system. Telegames also released "Brutal Sports Football," which has become a cult classic on the Jaguar, and "International Sensible Soccer," as well as countless games for other classic video game systems. The Telegames website may be found at http://www.telegames.com For general information regarding JagFest 2K1, ticket information and contact information please 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 additional information. //// JAGFEST UPDATES GALORE April 27, 2001 This is Dan from the GOAT Store (http://www.goatstore.com/) I've been really out of it between two jobs and trying to set up all the details for JagFest 2K1, but here is a quick rundown of what has been announced. If you would like any more details about JagFest 2K1, just visit the GOAT Store! Protector SE to feature picture of JagFest 2K1 Attendees -------------------------------------------------------- Songbird Productions, in conjunction with the GOAT Store unveiled plans to offer a special limited edition run of the Atari Jaguar game Protector to the attendees of JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest. The new version will contain the original intense space shooter, but will feature a group photograph of everyone that attends JagFest 2K1 in the credits section of the game as well as gameplay tweaks and other special features. JagFest To Give Over $700 Dollars In Prizes ------------------------------------------- The GOAT Store today announced that sponsors for Atari Jaguar Festival 2K1: Beyond Tempest have donated over $700 dollars worth of merchandise to be given away at the event. The donated merchandise will be given out as tournament and door prizes. The largest prize donations were received from Llamasoft and Telegames. Be on the lookout for more announcements about JagFest in the next few weeks! Also, if you are interested in helping distribute flyers in the southeastern Wisconsin or northern Illinois areas, please contact me at loosen@goatstore.com Hope to see you at the 'Fest! //// SONGBIRD END OF SCHOOL SPECIAL May 30, 2001 Mention "June Bug" with your order placed or postmarked by June 7, 2001, and you qualify for one of the following discounts: $ 5 off your order of $15.00-$49.95 $10 off your order of $50.00-99.95 $15 off your order of $100.00 or more Shipping is not included in your order total when determining your applicable discount. Cannot be combined with other specials. Limited to in- stock items only. No rainchecks. Songbird may end this promotion without prior notice. CHAMP RALLY AND SFX BACK IN STOCK At long last, the incredibly popular new Atari Lynx release Championship Rally is back in stock at Songbird! Not only that, but Songbird has an exciting announcement to make: Champ Rally supports up to 4 players, not only 2 as listed in the manual. This means you and three friends can all link up and race head-to-head with Champ Rally! Also, the first-ever Songbird Lynx cartridge, SFX, is back in stock in limited quantities. Get this extremely rare cart today! SCREWDRIVERS GALORE One of Songbird's newest items and hottest sellers is the Nintendo/Sega Security Screwdriver Set. This set includes many hard-to-find security bits, including a couple that will open NES/SNES/Sega game systems and cartridges. It retails for $29.95. Check out http://songbird.atari.net for pictures and complete details. COLLECTABLE CARTS? Starting immediately, all Songbird-produced Lynx cartridges will be in the new flat black style featured with Champ Rally. That means the older green carts are going the way of the dodo. A few existing carts on hand are the older style, but once they're gone, they're gone. PROTECTOR SE A newly updated version of the hit Jaguar game Protector is coming soon from Songbird. Check out all the details and new features on http://songbird.atari.net . LYNX/PC SERIAL CABLE OUT OF STOCK This handbuilt item will be out of stock until Songbird can find a new supplier. It will probably take several months. SUMMER SCHEDULE Look for the Songbird booth at the following summer events: JagFest 2001 - June 30 Classic Gaming Expo 2001 - August 11-12 See you there! Carl Forhan Songbird Productions http://songbird.atari.net //// PROTOS-A-PLENTY AT JAGFEST 2001! June 8, 2001 Check out this AMAZING list of rare/proto games and collections that will be shown at JagFest2K1 on June 30th in Milwaukee, WI. Make plans to attend JagFest today! Atari Jaguar Festival 2K1: Beyond Tempest http://www.goatstore.com Official List of Rare Items Appearing at this years Festival as of 6/7/01 ========================================================================== Atari Jaguar -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaguar Test Cartridge Jaguar CD Test CD Jaguar Voice Modem Blue/Grey Controller Jaguar VR System Atari Launches Jaguar CD Alien Vs. Predator (pre-release demo) Arena Football Brett Hull Hockey Cart Brett Hull Hockey CD Phase Zero Protector SE Slam Racer Thea Realm Fighters Total Carnage Virtual VCS Zero 5 (pre-release demo) Hard Shell Rental Case Atari Lynx -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amiga Howard Board Dev.kit Alien Vs. Predator Cybervirus Crystal Mines II: BT (pre-release) Eye of the Beholder Lode Runner Loopz Marlboro Go! Road Riot 4WD Ultravore Atari 7800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Almost every released game! Atari 5200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beamrider Atari 2600 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ram It River Raid II (hundreds of other titles!) Atari XE Computer -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beamrider Superman III (proto) Super Nintendo Entertainment System -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neon Store Sign Griffey's Winning Run (Store demo) Killer Instinct (In-Store demo) NCAA Basketball (Store demo) Hard Shell Rental Case Nintendo Entertainment System -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMMA Joystick (GOAT Store proto) Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.) Tengen Tetris Sega Saturn -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Castlevania X (import) Radiant Silvergun (import) 3DO -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Eden Carl Forhan Songbird Productions http://songbird.atari.net //// JAGFEST 2001 UPDATE June 11, 2001 Hey Everyone, Another JagFest 2K1 update everyone might be interested in... 06/11/01 - JagFest 2K1 To Host Huge Display Of Classic Gaming History The GOAT Store today announced that JagFest 2K1 would feature a special section titled the "Museum of Home Video Gaming and Classic Computers." The Museum, which is an amazing display showcasing some of the rare and unusual video game developments of the past is being put together by Martin Goldberg, a freelancer for the extremely popular Web site ClassicGaming.Com. "It is going to be an incredible addition to the Festival." Dan Loosen of the GOAT Store said. "JagFest will truly cover every aspect of classic gaming. The current plan is for the museum is to put items on display for visitors to see, learn about and play. Each display will contain a small description and history of the items in the display. Not all items on display will be playable. "No matter what," he continued, "it is going to be both fun and informative for every JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest attendee." An entire list of the items that will be displayed in the museum may be found at the GOAT Store (http://www.goatstore.com/) We have also updated the list of Rarities that will be at the event. If you plan on attending and have anything ultra-rare or unreleased, please drop me an email so I may add your items to the list! See you at the 'Fest! dan http://www.goatstore.com/ //// MAKE PLANS FOR JAGFEST 2001! June 27, 2001 Make plans to attend JagFest 2001 on June 30th in Milwaukee, WI, today! Songbird is going to bring a TON of new/rare games for sale as well as quite a few reasonably-priced used games. Plus, the protos that will at this show will be AMAZING to say the least. Thea Realm Fighters, Brett Hull Hockey, Arena Football, and many rare/unreleased games for other systems like the NES, Lynx, and so on. Are you ready for the BattleSphere network? Are you ready for the mutant horde that is Protector SE? Can you take on three of your buddies and emerge victorious in Lynx Championship Rally? What special, unannounced surprise(s) will be at the Songbird table this weekend? Attend JagFest 2001, and find out! Carl Forhan Songbird Productions //// ATARI ZONE FANZINE FORMAT CHANGE June 29, 2001 On June 29th, 2001 Atari Video Club/Jaguar Community United (AVC/JCU) has announced that starting with Vol.12 #1 of The Atari Zone Fanzine (which will be available in June 2002), the fanzines will be available in PDF format and it will also be available on-line at the club's website. This will also end the e-zine since the fanzine will be taking its place. (Vol.4 n.6 will be the final e-zine). For those who still want the regular print version, don't worry. Daniel Iacovelli, AVC/JCU chairperson & editor of The Atari Zone Fanzine, has stated that he will still continue the normal subscription basis for those who want the print version sent to their home. He also stated that PDF versions would be available on-line bi- monthly just like the print version. Also he did state that the Fest issue will only be available by request and will be in black and white (this might change though). Daniel M. Iacovelli AVC/JCU chairperson editor of the Atari Zone fanzine AVC Online: http://avconline.atari.org //// CLASSIC GAMING NEWS FROM ICWHEN.COM June 30, 2001 Of special note in the classic gaming community from www.ICWhen.com: -- Classic Gaming Expo is creeping up fast. Make sure you check it out and attend in Vegas if you can. A lot of classic gaming personalities attend this show. It's a wonderful opportunity to view early prototypes, ask the insiders insider questions and get great buys on collectibles as well as new releases. Visit www.cgexpo.com for more information. -- The illustrious Jerry Jessop has put a very rare Atari 2700 prototype up for auction on eBay. Here's a chance to own an authentic classic gaming artifact. For information about this piece or to actually bid on this item, visit: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1249640557. There's just under 4 days left to bid. You may have found this auction already if you have ICWhen's eBay Navigator bookmarked in your browser. The URL is: http://www.icwhen.com/ebay_nav.html. -- Infogrames is imminently poised to release Atari "Anniversary Edition" for the Dreamcast and the PC. The product is great, but..., well read my comments here: http://www.icwhen.com/news/2001-06- 30%20Atari%20Anniversary%20Edition.html -- If you own a Nokia 8260 cell phone, you may or may not know that you can send custom ringtones and group graphics to it virtually free. I've assembled classic gaming related tones and graphics as well as a way to easily transmit them to your phone. (If you want, I'll even make a custom graphic of your company logo, school name, etc.) Visit http://www.icwhen.com/nokia8260/index.html for more information. -- VM Labs has just unveiled an e-store on their site. Go there now and order Space Invaders XL for the new NUON enhanced interactive DVD players on the market. Best Buy has two models in stock now; the Toshiba SD-2300 and the Samsung N-501. Both are very cool. Visit the official NUON web site for more information at www.nuon.tv. To all those stateside, have a great 4th! Best Wishes, -- Donald A. Thomas, Jr. curator@icwhen.com http://www.icwhen.com ICQ: 14183819 - YAHOO!: DATJ FAX: (815) 366-2336 //// SONGBIRD GEARS UP FOR EXPO, ANNOUNCES JAGFREE CD July 25, 2001 For immediate release: ROCHESTER, MN -- Long-time Atari Jaguar and Lynx supporter Songbird Productions recently unveiled plans to make a splash at the next Classic Gaming Expo to be held in Las Vegas, NV, on August 11th and 12th. "I want this year to be the most fun ever for Lynx and Jaguar fans," commented Carl Forhan, owner of Songbird. "That's why Songbird has expanded to a double booth at the show. We need to make more room for lots of new product as well as something really cool: a mini-museum for rare/prototype Lynx and Jaguar items. You can expect to see some developer hardware, unreleased games, and more at the Songbird booth this year." Featured games at the show will include Championship Rally(tm), the exciting new four-player overhead racer for the Lynx, and Protector(tm) SE, the highly-anticipated sequel to the fan-favorite Protector which was released for the Jaguar in late 1999. Protector SE contains new graphics, music, level designs, and gameplay enhancements, plus one particularly intriguing new feature: JagFree CD(tm) bypass support. Carl commented, "JagFree CD bypass support means that Protector SE will be able to play brand new, unencrypted Jaguar CD games released in the future. By moving to the CD medium, an aspiring publisher can release games on a smaller budget and at a user-friendly price point." Carl also described plans to eventually release the JagFree CD code into the public domain, to encourage other developers to include the same support in any future game or stand-alone cartridge. Protector SE is slated for a late fall 2001 release. 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. For more information on CGE, please visit http://www.cgexpo.com. Championship Rally and JagFree CD are trademarks of Songbird Productions. Protector is a trademark of Bethesda Softworks. All rights reserved. This message may be reprinted in its entirety. //// JAGFEST 2002 PLANNING HAS BEGUN August 1, 2001 First, I have learned that JagFest 2k2 is being planned for St. Louis, MO. Second, I have also learned that this fest will be a 2-day event. Tentative dates are July 12-13, 2002. For more information go to the following sites: http://www.omcgames.com/ http://www.ataritimes.com/ http://www.geocities.com/atarivideoclub/Fest2001/fest2k1.html James Garvin of OMC games is also taking down names of possible attendees for JagFest 2k2. If you think you can make it for a St. Louis fest, e-mail James at OMC@omcgames.com, subject "JagFest 2002" (also don't forget to attend the JagFest 2002 planning chats every Thursday night at Atari Times chat at 8pm EST). BTW, while visiting AVC's JagFest site be sure to enter AVC's Beat the Champ competition (details can be found at AVC's fest site) Dan Iacovelli //// JAGFEST 2001 PROFITS DONATED TO BOY SCOUTS August 4, 2001 The GOAT Store, LLC today announced that all of the proceeds from the Atari Jaguar Festival have been donated to the Milwaukee County Council Boy Scouts of America. "The Boy Scouts were nice enough to allow us to use their facilities," Gary Heil of the GOAT Store said. "Because of their support, we were able to hold an extremely successful event. I am privileged to present to the Boy Scouts this donation on behalf of the entire Jaguar Community." Atari Jaguar Festival 2K1: Beyond Tempest was held in the Milwaukee County Boy Scout Service Center's PieperPower Center on June 30, 2001. The event set a record in attendance. "I was glad that everything worked out for everyone involved," stated David Loosen, who accepted the check on behalf of the Boy Scouts. "I would like to thank everyone that was involved for this generous donation." The GOAT Store, LLC declined to state exactly how large the donation was. For more information, visit the GOAT Store, LLC Web site at http://www.goatstore.com/ Gary Heil can be reached at heil@goatstore.com. //// ATARI NEWS UPDATE September 27, 2001 THE FUJI LIVES ON... Infogrames is keeping the Atari name and classic Fuji symbol alive... look for more products to display this cherished brand in the future. http://www.infogrames.com JI2 PROBLEMS ON ATARIHQ The Atari fan-favorite message board, Jaguar Interactive 2, has been out of commission for almost a week. The editors are trying desperately to get things running again. If you are an expert on CGI scripts and/or bulletin boards and would like to help, please send an email to editor@atarihq.com. In the meantime, please do not bombard them with questions on the status of JI2. Just check back every now and then on the web to see if the board is operational. While JI2 is out, how about posting at one of these message boards instead: http://www.ataricentral.com http://www.ataritimes.com PROGRESS REPORT ON NEW PRODUCTS Songbird is diligently coding away on two new products: Protector SE for the Jaguar, and CyberVirus for the Lynx. Hopefully one of these will be available in time for Christmas, but it naturally is very slow-paced working on these games in one's spare time. Stay tuned to the Songbird web page for updates on these games, and watch for new screen shots and playtester previews coming soon! http://songbird.atari.net //// LIMITED-EDITION CYBERVIRUS AT CINCI-CLASSIC October 4, 2001 For immediate release: ROCHESTER, MN -- Songbird Productions recently announced its support for the upcoming CinciClassic gaming event with the news that a limited edition version of CyberVirus would be available at the show. Only 20 units of this limited edition game will be made. The game will include eight missions, at least two of which will not appear in the future general release of CyberVirus. Both the cartridge label and opening screens will indicate this is the special CinciClassic version. "I've been making good progress on the CyberVirus source code just in the last month or so," noted Carl Forhan, founder of Songbird. "Then I found out that CinciClassic was on for this year, and the timing seemed perfect to support the show and get a fully playable sneak preview of the game out there to Lynx fans. Craig Maloney, co-organizer for the event, commented, "We were very excited to showcase a pre-release version of Protector for the Atari Jaguar in 1999, and this year we are thrilled that Songbird is offering a CinciClassic special edition of CyberVirus for the Atari Lynx." CinciClassic will be held in Cincinnati, OH, on November 9-11. For all the details on the event, please visit http://www.cinciclassic.com. 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. CyberVirus is a trademark of Songbird Productions. All rights reserved. This message may be reprinted in its entirety. //// "EARLY BIRD" ATARI SALE AT SONGBIRD! October 25, 2001 Start your Christmas shopping early, and complete your collections for your cherished Atari systems! Just mention "EARLY BIRD" with your order to receive these fantastic discounts. Special pricing good for orders sent via PayPal or postmarked on or before November 7, 2001, and only while items in stock. Please send an email to songbird@atari.net prior to placing an order to ensure availability. * * * JAGUAR SPECIALS * * * Hyper Force Protector Soccer Kid Buy 1 of the above for $70, 2 for $130, or all 3 for $180. You save almost $45 when you buy all three! Baldies CD Cannon Fodder Fight For Life Myst CD Pitfall Ruiner Pinball Supercross 3D Val d'Isere Skiing & Snowboarding White Men Can't Jump (with Team Tap) Zoop Buy 1 of the above for $18, 2 for $16 each, or 3+ for only $14 each. WOW!! Jaguar A/V Cables Jaguar Controller Buy either of the above items for only $10 each with your order of $50 or more. * * * LYNX SPECIALS * * * Lexis Ponx Remnant Buy 1 of the above for $37, 2 for $70, or all 3 for $100. You save almost $20 when you buy all three! Buy any Lynx game regularly priced at $9.95 for only $5! * * * MISCELLANEOUS SPECIALS * * * Pair of N64 controller extension cables only $6! Shrinkwrapped VHS Omega Code movie only $9! Nintendo / Sega Security Screwdriver Set only $20! Check out the Songbird web page at http://songbird.atari.net for a complete list of all merchandise in stock, including the incredibly popular Championship Rally for the Lynx and Skyhammer for the Jaguar! Lynx SFX also back in stock for a limited time only. Songbird reserves the right to terminate this offer at any time without prior notice. Carl Forhan Songbird Productions http://songbird.atari.net //// GOAT STORE ANNOUNCES "SANTA'S SPECIAL" November 9, 2001 GOAT Store, LLC Announces "Santa's Special" The GOAT Store, LLC (www.goatstore.com) today announced that they are running a holiday sale, called "Santa's Special" that will run through December 8, 2001. "Santa's Special" will feature price reductions for many of the GOAT Store, LLC's most popular products. Included in this special is a price drop on the GOAT Store, LLC's popular JAMMA Joystick line-up. "While we have stopped producing Jaguar JAMMA Joysticks," stated Dan Loosen, "We will be permanently dropping the prices of the Jaguar JAMMA Joystick LX by $5.00 after the holiday season. Of course, if you want one for the holiday season you can get an additional $5.00 off!" The GOAT Store, LLC is also willing to gift wrap items and confirm delivery before December 25th for a small fee during this special. Information on using these special services is available on the GOAT Store, LLC's Order Form. To view everything included in this sale, visit the GOAT Store, LLC's Web site at www.goatstore.com and click on "Santa's Special." If you haven't stopped by recently, also check out the GOAT Store, LLC and Marty "Retro Rogue" Goldman's competition to name an exciting new midwestern classic gaming event in Milwaukee, WI. If your idea is used as the event's name, you'll win a prize package worth over $70.00 dollars! For more information, Dan Loosen can be reached at loosen@goatstore.com and Gary Heil can be reached at heil@goatstore.com. //// LIMITED EDITION CYBERVIRUS LIMITED LEFTOVERS November 20, 2001 The CinciClassic show has come and gone, and it turns out Songbird has a few copies of the Limited Edition CyberVirus for the Atari Lynx left over. Rather than auction them all off one at a time, I've decided to make them available directly to a few quick-responding Lynx fans. Remember that only 25 of these were made, and over half are gone. So what I will do is offer them first come, first serve until they run out. Price is $49.95 plus $5 USA shipping, or $8 international. So email me ASAP at songbird@atari.net, or forhan@yahoo.com. Thanks! Carl Forhan Songbird Productions --==--==--==--==-- || CyberChatter || Random topics about the Jaguar \__// Compiled from online public discussion areas ----------------------------------------------------------------- //// Index of Topics Whither JI2 Encryption Protector SE Jaguar CDs SpaceWar 2000 BattleSphere Speedster II VM Labs Prototypes Miscellaneous Codes =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Whither JI2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Forum Comments Author: Keita (AGH) (editor@atarihq.com) Date: October 18, 2001 at 22:38:19 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Thanks for everyone's comments regarding JI2. Let me start off by mentioning what I like about JI2 and why I was a big fan of it long before we began hosting this message board. 1) It's the granddaddy of them all. It began in 1994 on Sven's Redsun server (home of the most popular Jaguar page at the time) and was far and away the most popular hang-out off the bat -- far more traffic than even rec.games.video.atari. Everyone loved Sven; he was a great fellow and only created it for the benefit of all Jaggies. 2) No ego by the board owner (Sven). He was more than happy to add links for any and all Jaguar sites at the very top of the message board. This goes against almost every ego-driven webmaster who only uses the message board to direct traffic to their main site. 3) Home of the most devout Jaguar fans. Wes, Kevin, Fard, Doug, Scott, Stef, Mark Rathwell, Les, Stingray, Robert Jung, Hyperturtle, Chad, Steve "Customer Service" Scavone, Curtis Hepworth, Thomas Rodman (god bless his soul), Greg Roth, cudaman, Jagman, J. Smith... the list is long. What makes a message board successful are the people who participate in it. Given that a great many people from back in the Redsun days still visit JI2 is testament to not only the loyalty to Atari and the Jaguar, but the timelessness of the board format. 4) The design, layout and simplicity of it all. Like it or hate it, it's fast, the design mimics the "look and feel" of the Jaguar, and it was never broke so there wasn't a need to fix the board. It's debatable whether a typical thread format or the current JI2 format is better.. but you know what? It's not like JI2 gets thousands of posts like alt.binaries.* groups.... so for the number of posts it gets, I think it's more than effective. Ken Baum took over in early 1996 when Christian moved onto greener pastures. He dutifully maintained it, and again, everyone liked him. When the magicalfox server that was hosting JI at the time was going away, he approached me about the possibility of AtariHQ hosting JI2. Les and I considered it an honor to house a board that we frequented and enjoyed. A somewhat related note: ======================== While I understand why people try and promote their own websites and try to bring people over to their own message boards, I can't help but wonder if some of those people care more about their own site's traffic rather than the well being of the Jaguar community as a whole. I'm not here trying to preserve JI2 as the preeminent Jaguar message board -- far from it. But it seems to me that quite a bit of people have recently begun hawking their own forum. Let's face it... the Jag community is not big enough for multiple forums. You probably noticed that when we began hosting JI2 in early 1997, that we named it JI2, because we wanted to pay a tribute to the original people behind the board. We also kept the links layout at the top. Anyone with a Jag site who wants their page linked, a simple e-mail to us has them up there within a few days. Just as JI2 was to go live on our server, Les and I played around with various other bulletin board software as well as CGI scripts, but in the end we wanted to preserve the look and feel of the original -- provide people with a nostalgic feel while also making it a place that everyone can call "home" So while I understand that nobody can (or should) prevent sites from wanting to dominate all aspects of classic gamedom, I think we have an excellent thing going. There are enough niches out there still left to be filled -- perhaps people should concentrate on those areas instead of trying to piece together a UBB site and attempting to drag us longtime Jaggies away from JI2. Sorry for getting a bit worked up, but I started feeling nostalgic as I began writing this message.... it's sure got quite a history, doesn't it? :) Anyhow, this site is here simply to let all of us Jag fans get together and share our thoughts and experiences, so obviously we care about what people have to say. Anytime there's a consensus on an issue, Les and I do what we can to accommodate everyone's wishes. After all, that's what all JI hosters have done in the past, and will continue to do in the future. Cheers, - Keita =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Encryption =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Jaguar & Lynx Encryption found! Author: Classic Gaming Expo (info@cgexpo.com) Date: January 27, 2001 at 02:25:34 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Yes, you read that correctly! Classic Gaming Expo is thrilled to be able to remove these important hurdles from Jaguar and Lynx game development and production. Stop by the cgexpo web-site and help yourself: http://www.cgexpo.com Don't forget to register for the show while you're there! Best Wishes, John, Sean, Joe, & Tom =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Encryption discovery story Author: Glenn Bruner (glenn_b18@yahoo.com) Date: January 27, 2001 at 17:21:59 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Well, not much of a story to tell. Before I joined the Air Force in 1984...oh wait a minute, not my life story! I'm from Silicon Valley and still have a friend from high school who I have keep an eye out for stuff in surplus shops. He found an obscure 88meg SyQuest cartridge for me recently. It took me a little while to find a SyQuest drive to read it on. I only had a 44meg drive. I managed to find one on eBay for $14 (200Meg drive). Well, I used an old Centris 660AV Macintosh running MagicMac to read the disk. Talk about a round about way to read a ST disk. But my 1040STFM doesn't do SCSI and this was a method I used to read some SyQuest disks that were pulled out of Atari's dumpsters when they closed down in '96. After careful picking through of the files on the disk I found a file called TYPEAB.XXX. Didn't think much of it. Open it up with a hex editor. I noticed something very familiar about the file. I've looked at enough Jaguar cart images with a hex editor trying to hack the ROM encryption code several years ago. Since I have an Alpine board now, I fired it up and did the test that I described in the README file. I was amazed at the results I got. I didn't mention this in the README because I didn't expect people to really care how it was found. Boy have I been wrong!! The interesting thing about the file name mentioned above is TYPE AB. Universal blood donor type! Pretty sneaky cover name for a file. Told John Hardie about it and that's when he mentioned that Lynx Encryption was also found. He asked me if we could announce this on the CG Expo page. I agreed since it would get more exposure that way. That's it. Just glad I was able to give a fine contribution to the Jaguar community. Glenn Bruner glenn_b18@yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: NOT THE ENCRYPTION KEY!!! EVERYONE READ AND UNDERSTAND! Author: Thunderbird Date: January 28, 2001 at 06:56:44 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >So this is the real deal, the original encryption key!!!!! No, this is NOT the "key". We don't know for sure WHAT it is, but Glenn and I agree that it's most likely something like this: What it is would be more like a file that someone encrypted using the real key which passed the validation test on bootup. This file is very small, and just so happens that if you tack an unencrypted ROM image onto the end of it that the validation code never looks at that code because it thinks the file is much smaller. So, the validation passes, and the validation code tells the system that the cart is good, and the Jag starts running the cart at the normal address (the place where you put the ROM image). Once again, this is NOT the "key". Think of it more like a "back door". Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: NOT THE ENCRYPTION KEY!!! EVERYONE READ AND UNDERSTAND! Author: Glenn Bruner (glenn_b18@yahoo.com) Date: January 29, 2001 at 16:18:19: Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >>>So does this mean that encrypting a Jag CD game is still nearly >>>impossible? >>Yup. The method for "encrypting" JagCDs is different from the cart >>method. >Why couldn't this 8K "Jagcrypt code" be used to bypass validation for >the CDs as well? Cartridge verification and CD verification are two different monsters. Even though CD uses the same encryption algorithms, it uses randomly selected blocks of the CD (that could range anywhere between 128k to 1Meg in size) to perform the verification on. Typically, the last track of the CD is used to store the encrypted hash of the CD (understand its a 32bit size hash codes in a table). Atari required developers to have their CD tracks section off using some sort of 4 byte repeatable message that's 64 bytes long (i.e. DEADDEADDEAD....). This identifies to the verification code a block of information to perform a hash check on. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the way I understand it. Glenn Bruner glenn_b18@yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Jaguar CD Author: Carl (forhan@yahoo.com) Date: March 06, 2001 at 10:01:57 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >I read somewhere that the information required to make Jaguar >CD's (Encryption Keys) was lost, and thus no-one can make CD's >to run on ALL Jag's any more. >Was this encryption key something that Atari Sent developers >AFTER they went gold. Somehow based on the CRC of the DISC or >something?? >It's just if the Developers had the software to create their OWN >encryption keys, then the software house "Eclipse" will probably >still have this software (in the attic or something). >Although incredibly busy they are very amicable blokes, and if >they have it would share it. Marc/Eclipse never had access to the CD encryption key -- Marc has told me this directly in the past. However, Songbird is planning on releasing a CD Bypass cartridge later this year, which will allow current and aspiring Jaguar developers the option of publishing new games on CD media. Some "Underground" developers have already verified they can make new CDs in this fashion that work on consumer Jaguars. Carl Forhan Songbird Productions =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Jaguar CD Author: Carl (forhan@yahoo.com) Date: March 06, 2001 at 12:45:28 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Am I correct in thinking that one key from one DISC is useless on >another disc? That somehow the encryption key is related to the >content of the DISC? Correct. >It would be good if you could incorporate the code into ANOTHER >cart, like the next run of BattleSphere or something. I would be >more prepared to pay XXX dollars for a game, than a cart that does >nothing EXCEPT let me play CD's that MAY or MAYNOT come along. That's certainly something to consider, but rest assured the plan is to wait until one or more CD games are available before offering the CD Bypass cart for sale. >Strange that the technique for making these Keys has been lost. >What was the last ever Jag CD to be mastered? IS2? That wasn't too >many years ago was it (1997?) IS2 and WTR would have been last, but I'm not sure when they were encrypted relative to when they were published. For example, I don't recall any mention of Telegames inside either product, which indicates they licensed the games in their already-encrypted form. Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Jaguar CD Author: Carl (forhan@yahoo.com) Date: March 06, 2001 at 11:57:59 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >You should put some kind of planning announcement on your web >page. We need some more Jag CDs. This sounds great. I will definitely post more about the CD Bypass project as everything firms up. Right now, it's still in the early design phase and there is no scheduled release date. I just wanted to give Jaguar fans something else to look forward to, and to let aspiring hobby developers know there will be a "cheap dev kit" solution down the road. :-) Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Protector SE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: BJL support in Prot SE! Author: Carl Date: November 27, 2001 at 07:39:37 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II It's official, both 8-bit and 4-bit support for BJL have been implemented in Prot SE! This cart is rapidly becoming a one-stop shopping device for hobby gamers and developers. :) More progress soon, and I promise I'll upload some screens of the new graphics as well! Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BJL support in Prot SE! Author: Carl Date: November 27, 2001 at 08:42:13 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >So...I'm a bit confused about BJL...Is it different from JUGS >in loading up games? Can PhaseZero be loaded with the BJL support >for example? BJL and JUGS are each unique protocols for uploading games to Jaguar RAM. They accomplish essentially the same thing, but obviously to utilize JUGS at this time you need BattleSphere, and to utilize BJL you need a Jaguar unit with a hacked boot ROM. Phase Zero is incompatible with JUGS, BJL or JagFree CD, because Phase Zero must run from the cartridge memory range. That means the only way to play Phase Zero is to make your own EPROM cart or burn it on a flash ROM cart. >Sounds great! Now just include all the titles promised but never >given for the Jag and we'll all be happy! ;) Sure, no problem. :) Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BJL support in Prot SE! Another question! Author Carl Date: November 27, 2001 at 10:45:34 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Erm...which 'few formatting steps'? I hope you aren't trying to >create a new file format :) No. I'm reusing the only supported format on the Jag CD. >Can you stream >2MB files off the CD? That would be worth >something, then you'd have no problems with RAM space. That will be up to the developer. The Jag only has 2MB RAM, but there is no reason why a new game couldn't be made with multi-load features. >And mine has funds reserved for it ;-) Great! Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BJL support in Prot SE! Another question! Author: Carl Date: November 27, 2001 at 09:22:01 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >ok I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this, but here's >to hoping; Will the Jag have to be hooked up to a PC with the BJL >support, like JUGS, or will we be able to plop in a cd-r with the >rom files on it and load the BJL/JUGS compatible games without a >cable or close proximity to a PC (Wat I feel to be the fatal flaw >with JUGS/BJL)? I want load and go games on my solitary Jag, if I >have to use a PC, IMHO, I might as well play PC games...not that >this would stop me from getting the game, especially with the >Jagfree cd, but otherwise the BJL is just a mere curiosity to me >just like JUGS turned out to be. Cool to have in there, but too >much trouble for the average video game session... That's an excellent question, and I agree with your sentiment. Ironically, I do have a Jag hooked up to my PC, but that's because I'm a developer: I'm changing code and I need to see immediate results on the target system. But you're correct, the casual or even diehard Jaguar fan probably doesn't have a lot of desire to keep his Jag attached to a nearby PC, have to boot up both and spend a few minutes just to get a game loaded, etc. A download protocol like BJL is thus better suited to the hobby developer, who is looking for a low-cost means of developing on a real Jag. It can also be used simply to test/play RAM-only games (JagTris, Painter, etc.), but as you indicate, a number of people would find it bothersome at best to play Jag games this way. That's where JagFree CD comes in. JagFree CD will allow both developers and players to create or buy CDRs of games previously only available as BJL/JUGS downloads. Most (perhaps all?) BJL/JUGS games can be loaded from CDR using JagFree CD with _zero_ code changes: just run the game binary through a few formatting steps, burn your CDR, and you're ready to play! No PC hookup required. And hopefully, opening up the CDR option for games will inspire other hobby developers to enhance existing BJL/JUGS game demos, or even develop new games altogether. CDRs are a cheap and readily-available media for new Jag games. Look for Prot SE in early 2002! Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Prot SE update Author Carl Date: December 06, 2001 at 05:13:40 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II As promised, I've uploaded some screens from the new game as well as updated the progress chart. Significant milestones have just been achieved in the last 3-4 days on JagFree CD, BJL support, and the new larger serial EEPROM for saving data (2048 bytes vs. the normal 128 bytes found in most Jag carts -- this will allow up to 15 CD-based games to occupy their own 128-byte slot for game saves). All three have been critical hurdles to overcome before the game could have all the new features enabled. Once I finish testing the new version of JagFree CD code, I will start polishing off the new level layouts a few at a time. You should see some of the new graphics I'm NOT showing you. This game rocks!!! :) BTW, I would love to have one or two more playtesters. You need to own an Alpine or flash cart for testing. I do also have two flash carts available for purchase at this time, please email me for details. Thanks, Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: More Prot SE progress! Author: Carl Date: December 12, 2001 at 08:01:06 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Updated the Prot SE progress report online once again... I'm FINALLY taking a crack at the level layouts, and by the New Year I plan on having all 40 levels revamped for your gaming pleasure. BJL is completely implemented and a quick test has demonstrated success. JagFree CD is coming together nicely, I think I may at long last have the solution I need to ensure all future CDs (whether unencrypted "lost" games or newly developed hobby games) will boot properly. I've also got the 2048 byte serial EEPROM installed on my Alpine dev board, and reading/writing it is proceeding smoothly. So hopefully new CD software can take advantage of this storage space as needed. Long live the Jaguar! Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: protector Author: Carl (forhan@yahoo.com) Date: June 18, 2001 at 08:45:59 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >the first songbird release is your typical defender clone, quite >faithful to the original, of course spiced up with rendered images >and layered backgrounds. graphicwise this game surprised me; yes >its quite sparse but well done in its own right, the rendering is >sharp, the game is fast and the explosions and some other effects >like the hyperjump look nice (note: why we havent seen any trans- >parent explosions on jag yet?) the biggest plus on the game is its >flawless playbility, but on the other hand its pretty simple and >fairly short: i beat it on the first day in easy and medium, on the >second day in hard. i was quite confused because the box says 40+ >waves, actually the game ends after 21 levels/waves. maybe im con- >fused by the waves/level terms but anyway.... >finally a solid 7/10 rating Thanks for the comments on Protector. You can consider yourself an above- average player, since you beat the entire game in two days. I still get emails from many Jag fans who can't get past more than 5 or 6 levels on any setting! As far as number of waves are concerned, there are 41: 10 Easy 15 Medium 25 Hard 1 Insane Each wave is unique -- wave 5 on Easy is NOT the same as wave 5 on Hard, for example. Some bosses and graphics only appear in one or two of the three difficulty levels. Hope this clears up the number of waves question. Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Jaguar CDs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: JagCube update... Author: Glenn Date: December 19, 2001 at 05:40:21 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >When you say 'burn' it's kinda generic...what CD formats (other >than JagCD) is ProtSE going to support? Only the existing Jag CD format. Once you develop the tracks needed for the CD, burning them onto CD is not that difficult. It's a matter of following Atari's recommendations in CD track layout (described in the developers manual) and using the MAKETRK.EXE program to convert RAW binary files into track files with the header and tailer added to the file. I use the DOS based CDRECORD.EXE program to write the Jag CD format tracks with. I use a Sony CDU-920S, 2x speed SCSI CDR, for my Jaguar CD burner. Here's the command line I use with the program to write the first session (a single audio track): cdrecord dev=2,6,0 speed=2 -pad -multi -audio blank.wav Then I have all my tracks for the second session ordered by name and burn the second session (boot track first): cdrecord dev=2,6,0 speed=2 -pad -audio Track*.raw With the Sony burner I use, I have to add a single word (two zero bytes) to the beginning of my tracks to have proper alignment. For some weird reason (and some CD burners are like this; some aren't) if I don't do this, then my data isn't word or longword aligned and nothing works. > Unless you're going to support ISO9660 (nicest option but most >time-consuming to implement) Yes this is, because it would require a completely new CDBIOS to be written to support such a format. > you'll have to have a CD that would be able to boot if it was >encrypted... i.e. a true JagCD game. This is not quite the same as >burning your .abs file onto a CD and having it run...could you >clarify this please? The cartridge will take care of getting around the encryption. It's basically going to install the CDBIOS, read the TOC (table of contents), and load the first track from the second session to the memory location indicated in the boot track. It's then up to your code from there to take care of the rest. Just like Atari required of developers writing CD games. Except in this instance, encryption is bypassed. You will probably still want to do the partition markers that Atari suggest to separate your data on tracks (16 longwords of a repeating longword; i.e. 'ATRI', 'DEAD', 'CODE', 'DATA', 'T001', etc). This way you can load a track and then perform searches in the track buffer to find the data you need. I hope I clarified things for you. The Jaguar CD format is confusing to deal with at first. But if you sit down and extract some CD tracks from working CD's and analyze the data, you can begin to understand. Unfortunately, to do this on a PC is hard. The data on a Jag CD is in Motorola byte ordered format (high byte then low byte) and PC audio extraction using WAV file is in Intel byte ordered format. If you can extract into AIF format, then everything will come out correctly. Make sure when you extract you do it at 44.1kHz, 16bit, stereo. Anything different, and the data is corrupted! Regards, Glenn =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: how did they do the jag CDs on PC? Author: Thunderbird Date: November 09, 2001 at 17:52:52 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >I am technically curious, is it possible now to read & burn >Jaguar compatible CDs on the PC. I see Songbird is releasing a >CD protection bypass which says to me someone is reading and >writing Jaguar CDs --not on a Jaguar. The Jaguar CD has no problem reading data written by a CD writer on a PC. That's how games were prototyped. The CD is a "first generation" of the game data. JagCD's use AUDIO tracks to hold their data and AUDIO tracks are much more difficult for a drive to read accurately. A missing bit here or there never makes a difference to the sound quality, as it is filtered by the audio playback and amplifiers. And there is limited error correction in the CD reading process. If you use a CD reader to copy a JagCD, then you get an audio copy of the CD and any errors that were read in the audio copy process are faithfully reproduced on the "second Generation" duplicate. The audio data now contains all the read errors from the copy process. The duplicated CD might run somewhat when you play it on a JagCD, depending on the quality of your drive, the burner, the disk itself, and the condition of the original. Some people have had success copying games, but a lot of people get copies that lock up or fail to work properly. So, if you burn new material onto a CD, the JagCD will be able to read it just fine. So, get out that Jag Dev System and write some code. Burn your CD and (when encryption is bypassed) play it! Remember... First-generation copies don't have all the errors of a second- generation copy! Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: how did they do the jag CDs on PC? Author: Glenn Bruner (glenn_b18@yahoo.com) Date: November 09, 2001 at 20:17:09 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II To continue with what T-bird said (which what he says is very true and to the point). To further explain about the Jag CD Format. It is based on an audio standard called red book and orange book. Red book is the standard for audio CD format and orange book is the standard for multi-session. Your standard audio CD is done in a single session format. It can contain up to 99 tracks in that single session with a maximum of 74 minutes on a standard CD. Each sector contains 2352 bytes of data and doesn't use an elaborate error correction scheme that is found on CDROM (hence the problem with getting an exact copy). Atari picked the audio format for the Jaguar to gain more room on each CD. It helps when trying to play the "numbers game" that happens in video game system advertising. Atari laid out the format to where the first session will contain a minimum of one track (audio only). This track could be as small as 4 seconds of blank audio. And it could contain some more audio tracks. But for the most part they always used a single track. The second session is where the game data, boot code, game code, in game music, etc is laid out. The first track of the second session is the boot code that is loaded by the CD BIOS. This code is typically intended to load the game and handle any other functions. More game code, graphics, music, etc can be placed after this boot track. Now the last track of the last session is the track that was made by Atari. This is an encrypted hash code table that is used by the CD BIOS to confirm that this is a authentic Atari Jaguar CD. From what I remember when I talked with people about this, the CD BIOS picks three random tracks to do this verification on. An error in reading a tracks contents to do this verification can throw the process off. I heard stories of the hell Atari went through to create CD masters that passed their quality control tests. I don't know how sensitive this CD verification system is and how much bit error it can tolerate, if any. Now, I've probably told you more that you cared to know but I just like to make sure you have the whole picture. Now to burn a CD for the Jaguar. You first create WAV or AIFF audio of the various tracks that will be burned (depending if you are using a PC or MAC for the job). You then write the first session, close it, and leave the CD open. The next session you write the remaining tracks (laying them out in the proper order - boot track first). Close the session. Doesn't matter if you close the CD or not. I hope between T-bird and me, we've made it clear. Below is a link to a page that has some of the tools used by Atari to make CD tracks and a brief breakdown of the Table Of Contents (TOC) that is found on every CD. Glenn Bruner glenn_b18@yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// SpaceWar 2000 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: SPACEWAR 2000 prototype Author: Curt (curt@atari-history.com) Date: August 13, 2001 at 19:48:47 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >My guess is that B&C found an early version of the game(which >was supposedly finished when Atari killed it off) on one of the >many hard drives they bought from atari and decided to dump it >onto a couple of flash ROMs to make some money. I could be wrong, >but from where I'm sitting, that seems like the most plausible answer. >-Mark Mark wins the prize. It was on some HD's from Atari, Bruce and I looked at it last year a bit, Bruce sent a copy of the HD to Glenn Bruner and myself back around April, mine had a problem with it, so Glenn went through the drive, found the early version of Space War 2K and using the backdoor file, made a usable image of it. Its early, but playable nonetheless. So Bruce has decided to recoup some of his costs from all of the equipment he bought from Atari back in 1996 when they were cleaning out things (he paid out over $75K for palettes of equipment, much of it was non-functional) so I don't blame him for trying to make a few dollars from programs that were found on the HD's from systems out of Atari. Obviously he wont make $75, but even if he makes $7,500 or even $750 in sales, he deserves it. Early game or not, it's yet another game to add to the Jaguar collection. Its tough for Bruce to do all the things he does, running the business with Cathy, doing repair work, answering questions and then trying to go through stuff to see what does and doesn't work and then to find stuff on old systems and see if its usable and to make such things as the carts like Space War 2000, he's stretched very thin, yet tries to make everyone happy. Give him a little time and breathing room to drive back from LV, settle in and make more of the carts if that is what he is planning to do. The game is definitely no comparison to BattleSphere, but in its current state its still cool to play around with and enjoy. Curt =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: finish the work on spacewar 2000? Author: Thunderbird Date: September 19, 2001 at 06:51:14 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II That's funny.... In discussions I had with the programmers at Atari, they told me that they were developing the title In-House. In fact, the artists and testers ALSO told me this was an in-house title. The 3-eyed guy is actually Lance Lewis (recall his name from the testers section of other titles). He told me specifically that the game was an in-house title. I suspect that some German coders may have been enlisted to do some music or perhaps some intro screens, but the main coders were Atari. I was told that the almost USELESS radar scheme was forced upon the coders by L. Tramiel. I don't believe ANY coder (German or not) would admit to putting something like this in a game! Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: SW2K Authors (Yes, internally developed) Author: Keita (editor@atatrihq.com) Date: September 19, 2001 at 19:20:54 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >>in the ironsoldier are much atarinames too. But the game is 100% >>done by eclipse/germany >The difference here is that nobody at Atari ever said they were >writing IS and IS2. People AT Atari specifically claimed to be >writing SW2K. It has always been referred to as an In-House title. >Until two days ago, nobody ever claimed any different. I find it >hard to believe this is true, as it would have been said a long >time ago. >Thunderbird Doug is right. Space War 2000 was being developed internally by a guy by the name of Rob Zdybel. Classic gaming fans might know the name, as he was responsible for Missile Command on the Atari 400/800, RealSports Football for the 2600, and Warbirds on the Lynx (among many other accomplishments.) Lance Lewis was a tester at Atari at the time, and worked a bit with Zdybel on the SW2K project. Word is that the game was going nowhere, that the powers that be thought it wasn't good enough, and quietly canned the game. Possibly after comparing it to BattleSphere at CES? FYI - SW2K was originally called Star Raiders 2000, but the game was so unlike Star Raiders that Atari wisely changed the name so as not to do the famous name an injustice. - Keita Atari Gaming Headquarters =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: sw2k Author: rune (runedig@cox-internet.com) Date: September 27, 2001 at 19:19:10 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II If you press zero after the Space War 2000 logo spins off, then you can control and tweak the background with the keypad. rune =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// BattleSphere =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: finish the work on spacewar 2000? Author: Thunderbird Date: September 19, 2001 at 16:55:03 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >BattleSphere is flawed...there is a known bug in the game that you >had to repair by making the worlds first patch for a cartridge game. >So yes, BattleSphere is a flawed product. Even you cannot deny this >as a fact. Out of the box it is flawed. Actually, it turns out that the "flaw" is in the Jaguar itself... there's a timing bug that shows up with the EPROM carts. We considered fixing it with a workaround and releasing a new version, but decided that the scalpers would have a field day if they knew that there would be no more of the first version made. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: finish the work on spacewar 2000? Author: Thunderbird Date: September 19, 2001 at 18:02:40 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Ok so if the timing bug is in the EPROM carts(I.E. Cartridge >game) Then how is it the Jaguars (console) fault that your game >has a flaw? Because there's no flaw in the EPROM itself. It works as designed. The Jaguar hardware has a bug in it that only shows up when used with the EPROM. Without going into a dissertation on the differences in timing and parallel busses and load resistance and parasitic capacitances we can't really do that. This bug shows up when multiple processors access the same memory location... sometimes one of the processors will read garbage. It's well documented, and there are guidelines how to avoid the bug, but it can still happen and there's nothing you can do about it. We spent months tracking down these bugs. These bugs explain the random crashes in several Jag games. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BattleSphere code mystery Author: Thunderbird Date: January 08, 2001 at 18:20:26 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >The hang in Gauntlet BS seems to occur before the end of level 91, >prior to or as level 92 is loaded. The patch does not work because >it unfortunately requires that one get to level 92 in order to bypass >it. An optimal patch would allow one to bypass level 91 at least. I >finally got JUGS running a little while ago and it appears that this >is the case. JUGS uber allies, BTW. Okay... okay.... this is MY FAULT. I was running the patch program on my alpine and manually edited the level to get to 92 because that's the level you reach when the game crashes. I didn't know at the time that the game crashed in level 91 BEFORE the level was incremented. I wrote and tested the patch by manually setting for 92 and running the patch and then looking at the level to see it went to 93 and then playing 93 to see it worked. I guess the patch will need updating to skip over 91 and go to 92 instead. Not a big deal. When nobody but Fard pointed out the problem I thought that he was having a problem unique to his cart because nobody else said a thing about it to me. If people want the fix, I can get it together and put it on the site. Anyone game for 93??? >Also, Fard was the first to make the logical prediction that the >NORAD code = JUGS enable key. Makes sense to me. If there is another >mind blowing egg in this game, however, I will probably eat my hand >in awe. The JUGS Enable key is NOT one of the listed codes. I believe the game does NOT even give that one out, and there are no clues to it on the box or anything. At most, the screenshot code is given out at some point. But there are probably 4 or 5 _BIG_ codes that have been undiscovered. I do not know what you have to do to get them. Scott probably doesn't recall either. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: BattleSphere cart malfunctioning! Author: ETHunter (ETHunter@webtv.net) Date: January 09, 2001 at 14:09:49 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Doug, Scott, I need your help with this one. I turned on the game to do some Gauntlet play with the fighters. Picked the ship I was going to use and advanced to the wave. Here's what happens next: The shield and energy which start out at maximum, rapidly deplete to nothing then shoot back up top to maximum. When this happens, the "S" and the "E" only partially appear and I have no laser. To the left the shot count indicator is flickering signs such as 9->, , or 5->. Always changing the left digit. And despite my shield being 100%, one shot and I'm terminated. I've tried multiple ships, fighters, bombers, super ships, it's all the same. I cleaned the Jag pins, removed and plugged the cart back into the Jag several times, nothing changes. The only thing I can think of now is to reset the memory but I'm praying that is not necessary for obvious reasons. Do you have any idea what has happened? Is my cart screwed up for good? Worried, Micah =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BattleSphere cart malfunctioning! (reason discovered) Author: Thunderbird Date: January 09, 2001 at 16:41:18 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Thanks for the suggestions, Doug. I turned off all the codes and >all the Gauntlet waves worked fine with any ship. I then activated >each code one at a time to see if a particular code was causing the >mess-up. What I found was the "No Hurt I" code was messing up the >earlier waves in Gauntlet. That makes sense. That play mode alters your firepower and shields to make it more difficult as you progress. The "No Hurt I" code manually tries to force them to maximum so you are invincible. The code adapts as you progress to higher levels as the difficulty increases. It doesn't really expect to go backwards in difficulty. Probably something that playtesting would catch with a few dozen full-time testers on hand with nothing to do but test hidden codes... Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Dodgy BattleSphere Cart Case...! Author: Thunderbird Date: January 12, 2001 at 17:01:56 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Cheers! think I'll try the screw fix (very carefully!). So is the >missing screws and tabs *ALL* that is different about my CART, >doesn't contain early 'pre-release ROM' or anything does it...??? >- what version date should the game have as standard on it's title >screen...? Congratulations! You just found one of 2 BattleSphere carts purpose built without screws. These carts were intended as demo models which the circuit board could be removed to demonstrate the top quality soldering workmanship of our production line. If you look on the box the cart came in, there should be a small orange sticker which says "NO SCR." on it. If you have this, then you have the second rarest Jaguar cart in the world. (The first one being the autographed personalized version"). Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: BAM. (2 New BS codes) Author: justmike (mwgilliard@atari.net) Date: January 20, 2001 at 00:58:15 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Enjoy, gentlemen. I assume that you've found these also Fard, but if not the last name has two i's. ;) NAME: Kill 'em All HOW: 343665262343 WHAT: Ship is stocked with 99 missiles, bolts, etc. NAME: Custom Delivery HOW: 925479687463 WHAT: Enables a new option on the Main Menu, Ship Adjustment, which allows one to edit ship attributes. ALSO: Finally got up close to that "Flying Starbase" feature-it is a blinking 4Play Starbase with a pilot inside. You probably still have to see it to know what I mean, but still. ALSO: I have a strong feeling that BattleSphere continues well beyond level 100...;) Finally, thanks much Doug for the patch. It is 3am Chicago time and I am losing primary causal drives, will post more on the codes tomorrow. mike =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BAM. (2 New BS codes) Author: ETHunter (ETHunter@webtv.net) Date: January 20, 2001 at 08:11:37 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Some of the ships don't like having their properties set to maximum. >It makes them uncontrollable. Just a word of caution. >Thunderbird That would explain some of it, but from what I've experienced, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I'll try to say what I've been doing and the problems I've encountered. I've only tried making some changes on the Rapier. Perhaps it is different on other ships. I didn't max out everything but did do it for speed and laser. I'll go back to Main Menu, go to Gauntlet, which eventually takes me to ship select. The Rapier always has the "turn rate" shut off, when I previously had it set at about 50%. I can go back and turn it back up again but it'll shut down again when I go back and select it. Other problems found were: Inability to decrease the properties. Occasional wave lock-ups. Speed, shields and laser set high, yet ship performs using standard abilities. I want to try turning all the other codes off with just the custom code on to see if it makes a difference. Or perhaps you have to turn the code off once you're done making changes. I'm trying everything and it seems something else goes wrong when I attempt to do something differently. I'll try what you said and not put anything on maximum. That may cure everything. Micah =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: BS Code Spoilers Author: Thunderbird Date: January 20, 2001 at 09:26:31 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Here's the FAQ on the Customizer: The ship adjuster was designed because we were originally going to have a system where players could dock with starbases and "buy" upgrades based on their kills which translated into credits. The system was too imbalanced and we couldn't find a way to make it fair for everyone, so we took it out. We had the code written, so it became a "code". It's really there just as a fun thing to look at and play around with. The settings are way imbalanced and don't work very well, because we decided it wasn't going to be part of the game. I wanted it included as a code because it was a bunch of work designing the screens and stuff. Think of it as a curiosity. A "Felix" board or a "Cortina" board. Cool, but not very useful. That's all folks. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BAM. (2 New BS codes) Author: justmike (mwgilliard@atari.net) Date: January 20, 2001 at 09:24:16 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Inability to decrease the properties. >occasional wave lock-ups. >speed, shields and laser set high, yet ship performs using >standard abilities. I'll confirm the above. The main difficulty seems to be that the Turn Rate is zeroed after saving the adjustments. When I saved the ship after setting the Turn Rate to zero manually, it zeroed both it and the Acceleration. Dunno. Regardless, its wicked to be able to travel almost as fast as your lasers. Norad Code completion: Hot / Cold? thanks, mike =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: BattleSphere: Independence Day sound FX? Author: Thunderbird Date: October 26, 2001 at 16:52:26 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >What were the results? Nothing immediately comes to mind >as the sound of an M-80 detonating in a soup can... The sounds were recorded and heavily massaged with Sound-Forge. It is actually a small cannon (1/2" bore) with about 5 grams of black powder being detonated. That thing is as loud as any of those huge fireworks. It's 100% legal too! I shot it off into various cans and put items in front of it like wood, soda cans, etc. Recorded the sounds with the Atari Falcon 030 and it worked great. There are other weird sounds layered on top, like slowed down sounds of an aluminum rowboat being hit with a rock, and other things like that. I forget exactly what all the layers were. I just played until it sounded good. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Earliest Mention of BS Author: John Date: December 18, 2001 at 11:38:20 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II This is from 1991. A company called W Industries was planning a game called BattleSphere-- "Battlesphere is a much better effort, and begins to exploit VR properly. A space shoot-'em-up, it features head-up display targeting, allowing your guns to track your gaze. It quickly becomes second nature to sweep your head around to track the enemy craft, or to shoot down ships trying to get on your tail. With practice, you are soon flying through swarms of enemy craft, shooting in all directions. The other controls, however are rather complex, so reading the info sheet before inserting your coin is recommended. It's certainly an experience worth trying, but VR, even at the current level of available technology, has much more than this to offer." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Earliest Mention of BS Author: BSB Date: December 18, 2001 at 11:45:13 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >This is from 1991. A company called W Industries was >planning a game called Battlesphere. And they never ever shipped it. Then a company called Viridis, located about a mile from my apartment, must have either heard about BattleSphere on the net or met us at a game suit pitch, and tried to launch a PC edition of the game. The problem was they did this without telling us. The game was hastily renamed Sphere Warriors after Tom gave them a call. I still have the web artwork from the game's page. I'm hoping it will show up on web.archive.org some day. Viridis died before finishing it. Why these idiots didn't just contact us to do it will always remain a mystery I think. The only true annoyance here was that Viridis owned the BattleSphere domain until mid-1999. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Back to playing BattleSphere! Author: Thunderbird Date: December 30, 2001 at 22:39:30 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >After an extended break.. from playing any video games really I >have found the time to sit down and enjoy a few rounds of Tempest >2000 and BattleSphere for the first time in ages! Man I forgot >just how fun BS is. My favorite mode is Alone Against the Empire. >I love the strategic map. I just only wish this mode was incorporated >in multi-player. Any reason for this? Well, a big Free for all with >16 players is still a blast. Too bad I don't have any friends that >are heavily into gaming and space shooters. Hey THANKS! That's my favorite play mode as well. It's the combination of strategy and action that makes it "feel" like Star Raiders. Trivia: AAtE Mode was the mode that ALMOST didn't make it into the game. When Atari was dropping dead we did not have this mode written yet. It was the last mode we had to do, and the hardest because of the need for the map and hyperwarp code. Plus the remote AI for other sectors, etc. We ALMOST "punted" and just wrapped it up with the modes we had done but we decided to finish the thing the way we promised. It's personally my favorite mode, and had there been more support from Atari (and the Jag lived) there would probably have been a multiplayer mode of AAtE where you could cooperatively battle incoming forces. I recall also planning a head-to-head mode of AAtE where you two players essentially played Star Raiders against each other. The objective being to use some of your forces to defend and some to attack and you win by killing the other players' bases off while having at least one of your own left. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Executive Producers at Atari Author: Thunderbird Date: December 31, 2001 at 09:50:16 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Hey T-Bird...did you ever run into an Executive Producer at Atari >by the name of Larry Pacey? How about Phil Gelber? Nope. Our software was self-produced, so we had no dealings with anyone at Atari in that area. Heck, we had enough trouble getting technical help from the people who were supposed to be helping us. I was the one who discovered the UART bugs, and reported them to Atari in Jan 1994. Years later after begging for an answer and never getting one I was fortunate enough to get some documentation another developer was getting rid of (they were bailing out of the Jag because Atari was collapsing). In their documentation was a memo describing the causes of the UART bug. Of course this was never provided to me. Knowing the causes of the bug allowed me to develop a software workaround. >Just curious cause I have the displeasure of having to work with >those spindly nimrods......its no wonder Atari went under with people >like them working there. Just curious about what exactly they are doing and why have they caused such resentment in you? Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Speedster II =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Speedster II Author: Scott Walters (swalters@flash.net) Date: September 02, 2001 at 10:59:55 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II T-Bird is selling a prototype jag game on eBay. The game was written by the same person/company who wrote Breakout 2000. You can read about it on their website. http://www.l4software.com/ On the main page, click the 'Projects' button on the left and scroll down to the Speedster II screenshot. From the l4software web page: "Speedster II is our first 'Kiddy-ride' for Carousel International. If you're a parent of a small child, you know all about kiddy-rides; Every time you go shopping you have to drag your kids past these things. They're in front of almost all the department stores in North America. This one is a small race car that moves back and forth. What we did was add some video scenery and a little game logic to make it more interesting. It's not rocket science, but the 3 to 7 year old crowd seem to love it." Scott =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Speedster II Author: JustClaws (ji2@justclaws.co.uk) Date: September 02, 2001 at 13:03:05 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II > T-Bird is selling a prototype jag game on eBay. I fear this is potential trouble!!! This is a commercial product used in COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION machines in use at Wal-Mart and other stores. How Mario Perdue will react we'll see!!! >The game was written by the same person/ company who wrote Breakout >2000. You can read about it on their website. > Mario Perdue changed his company name from the MP-Games of Breakout 2000 to L4Software a while after B2K was released, we're going back years. >Every time you go shopping you have to drag your kids past these >things. They're in front of almost all the department stores in >North America. Yes, read "IS OUR FIRST", this thing exists, and I have email conversations with Mario about it. This may be a prototype of the game, but the game itself is a commercial product, and uses special hardware. Mario wrote that the ride contains a full (retail) Jaguar and does all the control including things like monitoring the coin box, and started and stopped the motors of the ride, and if you had the optional ticket module dispensed tickets. It was all controlled via the Jaguar joypad ports. In the game you can steer, but you do not affect the up-down motion of the little vehicle which is standard once the motors of the unit start. There is another game of the same type, called "SkyCopter II", and the Carousel who created the little cars and helicopters actually encrypted their own cartridges, Mario produced customized versions of the game for K-Mart with K-Mart on the advertising signs, kind of cool thing really! JustClaws. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Speedster II Author: Mario Perdue (mperdue@L4software.com) Date: September 02, 2001 at 17:14:13 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >This is a commercial product used in COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION machines >in use at Wal-Mart and other stores. How Mario Perdue will react we'll >see!!! I was going to respond to this, but it seems you beat me to the punch. Thanks for sharing the history of this game/ride with your readers. I may have to expand the projects page at L4 Software to include a little more information on the two Kiddie-Ride titles that I did. I guess I never expected anyone to notice them. Mario =-=-=-=-=-=-= //// VM Labs =-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Is VM labs going to be able to recover? Author: BSB Date: December 23, 2001 at 11:02:22 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Is this the end of Nuon? Nuon games? That depends IMO. It looks like they're about to default on all their debts and sell themselves off to a buyer so the name seems likely to survive. OTOH some possible ex-employees implied that over a million dollars of that debt was in unpaid wages. If this claim is true, they're dead in the Valley IMO: they'll have 50 emissaries running around here relating that tale. They have a massive spin control job ahead of them. Who knows how it will turn out? I personally think they should have thrown in the towel before missing so many payrolls, but to each their own. I'm amazed that none of the ex-employees took action to recover their money. According to California Law, this is a misdemeanor, with a possible 30 day jail sentence per violation, and/or substantial fines. I suspect if they skip on their debt, then the former penalty becomes much more likely but IANAL. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Is VM labs going to be able to recover? Author: Monkey Date: December 23, 2001 at 18:50:32 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >some possible ex-employees implied that over a million dollars of >that debt was in unpaid wages. Ick...missing payroll is a pretty good sign that the money spigot has been closed off at the meter--i.e. the revolver is so far out that there is no way the bank is going to cover the INF. >If this claim is true, they're dead in the Valley IMO: they'll >have 50 emissaries running around here relating that tale. Work is work, no? I've known some willing to work for 50% pay (until a 'later' date) and other such silliness... >They have a massive spin control job ahead of them. Who knows how >it will turn out? I personally think they should have thrown in >the towel before missing so many payrolls, but to each their own. Some have the opinion that it doesn't matter if you go down owning $1 million or $100 million--if you're going down, go down big and at least say you 'gave it a shot.' I agree, that your take is much more reasonable, and unless there really is a light at the end of that tunnel, and you know it isn't a train, you end it quick. >I'm amazed that none of the ex-employees took action to recover >their money. See above... >According to California Law, this is a misdemeanor, with a possible >30 day jail sentence per violation, and/or substantial fines. I've seen worse--much worse--like felonies drug across a number of jurisdictions (AZ, CO, GA, KY, MN, TX, and let's not forget US). Does the law have serious teeth? >I suspect if they skip on their debt, then the former penalty >becomes much more likely but IANAL. Line up...only the employees will likely find themselves as 4th or 5th or even worse position creditors. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Is VM labs going to be able to recover? Author: BSB Date: December 23, 2001 at 22:58:50 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >Ick...missing payroll is a pretty good sign that the money >spigot has been closed off at the meter They apparently ran the whole show on 30 million dollars over 6 years. This says two things about the place: one, they ran a tight ship, and two, whoever was in charge of procuring funding did an abysmal job. Money was getting thrown at practically anything if you connected with the right people. There's no point in doing business in Silicon Valley unless you do because the cost of doing so is outrageous. >Work is work, no? I've known some willing to work for 50% >pay (until a 'later' date) and other such silliness... There is an informal blacklist here. There are certain people that will never ever get into a position within any organization which includes people from one of their failed dot-coms. What comes around goes around. Ever see someplace profitable hire one of these losers into an immediate position of power? OTOH you're quite right, some people will swallow any whale tale you spin at them as long as they think they'll strike it rich some day. I used to be one of those people. I learned. Now I'm coin-operated. >Some have the opinion that it doesn't matter if you go down >owning $1 million or $100 million--if you're going down, go >down big and at least say you 'gave it a shot.' I call places like VM "Techno Cults". By the end, they're more Jim Jones than Bill Gates. F'ed Company relates one sad tale after another of people getting strung along by leaders who were either lying SOBs or as deluded as their employees. Either way, it's not a happy ending. >See above... Ayep, one supposed ex-employee claimed they were forced to work without pay or face getting fired. No one rational would accept such conditions, but who's rational? >I've seen worse--much worse--like felonies drug across a >number of jurisdictions (AZ, CO, GA, KY, MN, TX, and let's >not forget US). Does the law have serious teeth? Well heck, we've had multiple pedophile CEOs and CTOS in Silicon Valley, this is nothing in comparison. >Line up...only the employees will likely find themselves as >4th or 5th or even worse position creditors. Yep, they're probably screwed by their own inaction now that bankruptcy is proceeding. Hopefully, they learned an expensive but valuable lesson from this. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Prototypes =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Different prototype version of Zero 5 discovered Author: ETHunter (ETHunter@webtv.net) Date: February 15, 2001 at 15:38:24 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II So here I am, sitting at home, off from work today and I'm a little bored so I decide to play with my Jaguar collection and pop in a flash cart of Zero 5 just to make sure it contains what I've always believed it contains: the completed version of the released product. What I found is very interesting. First, there is some difference in levels. Mission 3, Gunship attack, is completely different, also quite a bit shorter. Second, much of the in game text is not available. But it does have some good humor to take it's place, such as...In the difficulty selection screen when you select Novice, the text says: Novice for beginners... and stupid people ------------------------ blah blah blah blah Or when selecting controls, the text reads: This is a stupid text panel full of patronizing instructions that tell you what to do if you were too lazy to read the manual... blah blah blah Mission 3 intro text says nothing but "Trench test". Also there is some difference in the order of the mission where mission 11 was mission 7 in the released version. And there is new waves called Deepspace Rescue and Alien Front Line. I just can't believe all this time I had this variation of the game and didn't know it! Hmmmm. I wonder what else I've got that I don't know yet. :-) Micah =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Lost unreleased Jag game.... Author: Alex Holland (alexh@cus.org.uk) Date: March 06, 2001 at 09:58:54 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II I am seriously kicking myself here... but we (myself and JimB of SainT, the Atari ST emulator) got what was left of the Jaguar dev stuff from Argonaut. I dunno if anyone knows, but they were developing a Jaguar version of "Creature Shock". We kept an Alpine board, developers CD thing, and a couple of development JAG's, plus all the tools. BUT we could never find the ALPINE board that went with the CD thingy. There were several copies of Creature Shock (on CDR) with all the stuff... but I believe, cos the CD thing didn't work we left them in the warehouse. Shortly afterwards, Argonaut threw out ALL unclaimed Jaguar stuff including the PC's with the source code, and all the gold disc's. I think this is a "definitely LOST" title! Later Alex =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Varuna's Forces CD...for public? Author: urs (urs_koenig@bluewin.ch) Date: August 05, 2001 at 22:26:45 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Some more info about the VF-CD: After winning it on eBay the package arrived 28.7.1999 which makes a 16 days journey from the US to Switzerland. After all I paid $166.50 for this CD. It's the original CD from ATARI/AMP! In fact it's the same cd as listed/shown at AGH. It arrived in perfect condition and it "works" on my Jaguar64-CD! But as I'm using an European PAL Jaguar with a PAL-TV I do not see the FMV in full-screen. In addition the sound/voices are scrambled. (seems to be a PAL only problem). All I knew before of this game was: - Title: Varuna's Forces - Producer: ACCENT MEDIA PRODUCTIONS - Genre: Action-Adventure - Media: CD - Scheduled Release-Date: 11/95 In facts it seems to be a demo-CD as used at fairs like the E3. But it's not the latest what Atari showed about this game. This CD is dated 25-Jan- 95. The Winter-CES was held on 6. to 9. January 1995. There Atari showed more or less this status of the game. At the E3 held on 11. to 13. May 1995 Atari showed a more progressed version which can be viewed at the AEO E3 Video. I noticed the differences!!! I wonder where this summer-E3 CD of VF is? Some more info about the CD itself: - It's not a playable demo, it's "only" a set of 6 FMV running on the Jag- CD. - As it runs on every standard Jag-CD it is a fully encrypted CD. - My PC does not recognize this CD at all! - My HIFI CD-Player tells me that there's is one track only with the length of 12 seconds. This track holds 12 seconds audio of Tempest 2000 "Mind's Eye". - Looking at the CD itself with my eyes I see 3 tracks, no. 1 and 2 being just a thin line, track 3 is 5 millimeter wide. I believe track 3 holds the data. Between each track there's about 3 millimeter distance. It's the only Jaguar prototype I own. I will have summer holidays end of August 2001 and would then like to make a full length MPEG-1 of it, before deciding to give it away or not. As it's a CD in the Jaguar format, I and many other people are (almost) "unable" to burn a working copy of it... BTW: The 1:08 minutes Real-Player "movie" on AGH are just the first and part of the second FMV being on that CD... Urs =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Aircars prototype! Author: Carl (forhan@yahoo.com) Date: November 06, 2001 at 10:58:40 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Hey, guys, I just acquired my first bona fide Aircars prototype!! This cartridge was obtained from a reliable source who indicated that MidNite produced a handful of Aircars carts, mainly for the press, in 1995 when they were trying to get the game published. It does not include a box, manual, or overlay. It's a very heavy cart, so I'm pretty sure it's got 4 big 32-pin DIP EPROMs inside, but I don't want to open it so as to avoid wrecking the label. The label is what really identifies this as a proto -- it is the same general layout, but the coloring is brighter, the small text is harder to read, *and* there is a ESRB K-A rating in the corner! The game itself appears to be the same game as the "published" version of Aircars, but a byte compare of the two binaries would be needed to verify this. Cool stuff! Carl =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Miscellaneous =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Developmental JAG Author: Thunderbird Date: January 21, 2001 at 20:08:00 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >or does the ALPINE do important, useful, and or necessary >functions for the working of the dev. Jag. Where are the >holes in my thinking? And would this give people the >luxury of more memory? Alpine boards RULE in that they: a) Load really, really fast. b) Provide a real-time interface to the hardware inside the Jag (in addition to being a game binary storage unit) c) Use a whole ton of existing tools to use these features. Memory fills, memory examines, 60000, GPU, and DSP single-stepping, breakpoints, register set/examine, Object List examine, etc. All invaluable tools for working on the horribly non-standard Jaguar. As bad as the tools were, they were pretty complete at the end... just came too late. Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: Devkit for sale on eBay & MPEG ramblings Author: Glenn Bruner (glenn_b18@yahoo.com) Date: November 13, 2001 at 10:12:03 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >>Wasn't this card used as an MPEG for the Jag CD to play VCD's? i >>have a picture somewhere in a mag with the picture of that telling >>about it being an mpeg card upgrade. any info? >No, that's an Alpine, the fancy RAM cart used by developers to make >games on. The MPEG cart may well have look the same if a development >version was shown; basically the same hardware is used all the time, >but you could develop a game on it, or use ROMs off the Internet to >simulate a cartridge, or anything like that. It's just a way of >making an erasable cart for developers to use so they don't have to >keep burning EPROMs of their development builds, or just to test an >idea. It also provides useful features like breakpoints and so on >for development. > >Could someone make it clear whether the auction is for a 2MB Alpine >(shown in Lars's picture) or a 4MB one? The 4MB one has half the >number of chips in the centre (each chip 4x the capacity of the ones >used in the 2MB Alpine, slightly counter-intuitive); Glenn has a >picture if anyone wants to look. Obviously a 4MB one is more desirable >for developers. To confirm this, it is a 2MB board. The original run of the Alpine were 2MB. Uses sixteen, 128k x 8 static RAM chips. Atari designed the board to handle different types and sizes of static RAM chips. They later provided higher capacity boards with 4MB on them. They use only eight chips, 512k x 8. It is possible to upgrade the boards to 4MB. I documented the upgrade on my web site of the upgrade I did to mine. The link is below. It's not a cheap upgrade to do. I had to pay $18 per chip and purchase a minimum of 10 chips to do this upgrade. The static RAM chips involved are not widely used. I've only found two other items to get these chips from, a AT&T Paradyne modem card and a hard drive. And be careful to not use pseudo static RAM chips, they don't work!! Made that mistake. I've got information related to the MPEG cart. I haven't been wanting to say much until I had the opportunity to research it more. One of the things I haven't been able to determine exactly is what format Atari was going to have the CD's in? I would think they would have made them capable of reading the VCD format. But was that a standard in 1994 / 1995? I've glanced through the notes that Curt Vendel has on Atari-History.com from Richard Miller on the MPEG cart. But his notes are like trying to read a doctors prescription. And they are just that, notes. Not a detailed description of the whole system, just electronic design notes. What I will say I have is some source code, schematic diagram, and Gate Array Logic (GAL) source code for the GAL22V10 chip used on the cartridge. Just need to get a cartridge board to try and make one. I also have a MPEG board that I found that contains the chip that Atari was designing the cartridge around (MPEG board for the old Diamond Stealth video card). Glenn =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Re: AIRCARS that BAD? Author: Thunderbird Date: June 01, 2001 at 16:24:58 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II >lame voiceovers (even worse than Skylar) Funny thing is that the developers PAID some professional voice talent to do the voiceovers! And they re-did them several times until they got it "just right". True Story! Thunderbird ScatoLOGIC =-=-=-=-=-= //// Codes =-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Get your Phase Zero out...(Level Codes) Author: Clint Thompson (evisionextreme@aol.com) Date: July 08, 2001 at 13:34:18 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Not sure if anyone else knew this (apparently not, else everyone else would have right?) - and it's not in the Jag cheats, yet anyway. I just did discover how to do it last night while messing with the game for several hours. Anyhow, Phase Zero hangs on level 5 and no one can get past it right? Here it is: Simply press any number on the numeric pad, hold and press Pause (red screen will light up) then let go of the numeric number 1st , wait a sec , then let go of Pause and you're at that level. Fairly simple code, level 7 is pretty cool though! So is level 9. I'm not sure if this will let you go on and beat the other missions(as I played level 7 for like ever but you get lost easy), but at least you get to check them out, they are kinda cool! Also, I'm guessing either a: There is a time limit, and when it is not reached the game freezes (for level 5) or b: The correct order is not being taken to NAV's or c: neither of the above and it's just a flash out horrid bug Anyways, enjoy the code! =) Clint Thompson =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subject: Zero 5 unlock code for mission 9 Author: -MG- Date: on September 28, 2001 at 03:13:11 Forum: Jaguar Interactive II Well, nearly :) In the process of clearing out tons of junk so I can move house, I just found a scrap of paper with the Zero 5 mission codes. The code for level 9 is missing a digit which is probably why I never released that one in the first place. It's listed here as 57972. I'll leave it to someone else to figure out the missing digit and where it goes... have fun :) --==--==--==--==-- || Get Your Particle Laser || By: Fard Muhammad \__// the_ua@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of 2001... Get your particle laser. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, the particle laser would be it. The long-term benefits of the particle laser have been proven by Tempest 2000 players, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering Atari experience. I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your games. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your games until they've been outdated. But trust me, in 2 years, you'll look back at screenshots and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility for high scores lay before you and how fabulous those graphics really looked. They were not as pixelated as you imagine. Don't worry about the boss stage. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to destroy a Smg'Heed Devastator by getting the most amount of "tings". The real troubles in your game are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at the middle of an apparently easy level on some idle wave. Play one game every day that startles you. Sing the Tempest 2000 Soundtrack. Don't be reckless with other people's joypads. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Flossie. Don't waste your time on jealousy of people's scores. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself... especially if it's a one-player game. Remember compliments you receive on JI. Forget the flames from trolls. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Stretch after 2 hours of gaming. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your game after beating the last level. The most interesting people I know didn't know at Level 122 what they wanted to do with their game. Some of the most interesting 400-level people I know still don't. Get plenty of powerups. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone... ask Rayman. Maybe you'll stick with your system, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll make your own games for the system, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll buy an XBox tomorrow, maybe you'll make a movie for the Jaguar's 5th anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices for games are half chance. So are everybody else's. Enjoy your French Horn. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own. Dance to Iron Soldier 2 music, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room... or your high school prom. Read the game manual, even if you don't follow them. Do not read video game magazines. They will only make the Jaguar look ugly. Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on- especially if they have a copy of BattleSphere. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older your games get, the more you need the people who knew how to fix them when they were young. Live in Sunnyvale once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in San Francisco once, but leave before it makes you blocky. Travel to the beach for the finish line. Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise if the games become collectable. Politicians will blame video games for violence. You, too, will get good at the game. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were a novice, prices were reasonable (except for that $50 copy of Checkered Flag), politicians were lenient to video games and gamers respected their developers. Respect your developers. Don't expect anyone else to support you with cheat codes. Maybe you found a website. Maybe you'll have a ROM to mess around with. But you never know when either one might run out. Be careful whose "rare games" you buy, but be patient with those who supply them. Old games are a form of nostalgia. Dispensing them is a way of fishing the game from the attic, wiping it off, painting over the ugly spots that was chewed by a dog, and recycling it for more than it's worth. But trust me on the particle laser. --==--==--==--==-- || Llatest from Llamaland || By: Jeff "Yak" Minter \__// net.yak@yak.net ----------------------------------------------------------------- [All of the following postings are taken from Jeff Minter's web page, Yak's Zoo (http://www.magicnet.net/~yak/index.html). Check it out, and see what else Jeff has yakked up lately. As per usual (inasmuch as "usual" can be applied to JEO), all non-gaming content has been snipped. --Ed.] //// 3 January 2001 Happy Gnu Year, and Fleece to All Men! I got back a couple of days ago, and now I'm settling back into the mode; got a couple of tweaks to do to the extra 52 VLM effects I've made for the Euro release of VLM, and then start thinking about maybe making some kind of VLM editing tool. Tempest 3000 is now actually available and Out There in the US. If you want to see the first user reviews of the game, check these from Nuon-Dome, Tempest X000 and Iongames. I think they like it ;-). I must away - VLM is calling, and my hay man has just been :-). //// 3 May 2001 Strange Days I suppose there have been other things going on over the llast few months apart from FMD, but somehow they all seem lower-priority and don't really mean much compared to that... work-wise I have been working on the VLM Editor, a tool which allows one to more effectively build and tweak VLM effects for the Nuon VLM. The editor is probably 90 percent functional now - it does pretty much everything it should do, there are a couple of interface glitches and a bit of tweaking yet to do, but it is actually useful. I used it to create some custom VLM effects for a little outing to a club in Cardiff, where my mate Robin was doing some video projections and invited me along to get in the mix. I didn't have any audio direct into the VLM, so I made a bunch of effects that could be "performed" in real-time using a couple of Nuon controllers. This proved most effective, and when the bank of video projectors in the club covered one entire wall with VLM, it was indeed a wicked buzz ;-). I'm going to be deploying the VLM again on the 16th of May, at the DNA event - I should have even more effects this time out, because the editor is closer to being finished than it was when I did the Cardiff thang. Come along if you're in that part of the world at that time - who knows, maybe I'll let you waggle my joysticks ;-). Oh, and "Edge" magazine were quite enthusiastic about Tempest 3000. In the May issue they have an "Edge Awards" feature, and they awarded Winner, Second and Third Runners-Up in each of several categories, as well as mentioning other worthies not in the top three. And T3K garnered Seconds in the categories of "Graphical Achievement" and "Audio Achievement" (cheers to Ian and the rest who contributed to the soundtrack), and "honourable mentions" in the categories of "Technical Achievement" and "Game of the Year". I'm quite chuffed about that :-). Well, I shall smeg off now and cease to bore everyone with my worthless drivel. Ll8r... //// 9 July 2001 Camelid Acquisition Mode Initiated The llama obsession... Goat, it goes back a long way... I was somewhat notorious for being into camels when I was at school, from the age of about twelve onwards; and one day, reading a book about South America, I came across illustrations of the South American camelids, and something odd happened in my brain, I s'pose. I became besotted with the beasties. At the time I had absolutely no idea that it would lead to Llamasoft, Llamatron, Mama Llama, Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time, and all the other llama-oriented craziness that I have emitted over the last 20 years. Of course, back then I thought it would be cool to be close to llamas, but I had no idea how I would ever go about it. Llamas, if you saw them at all, were exotic beasts you only saw in zoos, and had a reputation for spitting (but wouldn't you spit if you were in a zoo?)... I was a kid, I lived in town, it was hardly practical to think about keeping llamas as pets in that environment, even if my parents could have afforded to get me any (which they very definitely could not). Nonetheless I nurtured my llama obsession. I went to University, got thrown out, went to polytechnic, got ill, almost snuffed it - many of you know that story... and I wrote a game. And one day, alone in the house while my parents were out, I sat tinkering with a little program I'd made on the Vic-20 that allowed you to make little objects by re-defining a chunk of character images in RAM, and I drew a little llama with it. And, on a whim, in the space underneath the llama, I wrote, in tiny characters, "LLAMASOFT!!". Yes, naff double exclamation marks and all. I know, I had no taste. But that was how it started. //// 29 July 2001 Pictures of Fluffy Lambs Work-wize, I've been working on a selection of utility routines that I believe I would like to use to make my next game (and probably a few others. I would like to produce a few games fairly quickly, which I should be able to do when this lib is finished). One of the routines is the Daddy of All Pixel-Shatter Explosion Routines, and I have been having fun testing that out, blowing up a large picture of Amber the goat in a variety of cool and interesting ways. Ever since I first stood in awe in front of a Defender machine for the first time and saw what His Holy Exaltedness Eugene Jarvis did with the explosions in that game, I have been aware of the need for things to blow up interestingly in videogames. My nice new explosion routine allows you to specify how things break apart - strictly geometrically, strictly randomly, or a combination of the two; you can choose the size and shape of the chunks that the object breaks into, and specify an overall vector along which they can be made to fly away; you can choose to have them go translucent as the explosion progresses, or sparkle as they fly away... it's a nice, versatile routine, and Robotron explosions are a subset of its capabilities; and if you consider what I might need to be using Robotron explosions for, then you might get some idea of what the first game I'd like to do with the new modules is ;-). //// 4 August 2001 Bloody hell, it's August already I've been continuing to work on my nice little set of core graphics routines. It's really rather fun - the next game I'm doing is basically 2D (but don't worry, it's still going to look very pretty indeed; the game style has been tried in 3D and I simply don't think it works as well like that, so I'm going to implement it in the style which I think best suits the gameplay) - but basically, what I'm able to do with Nuon is implement in assembler what my C code will see as my dream 2D hardware system - it'll handle sprites in exactly the way I want it to, implement scrolling tile surfaces exactly the way that Goat intended, and contain all kinds of neat extra stuff which certainly wasn't ever implemented on any real 2D hardware - and you know me, you just know that's going to involve lots of read- modify-write malarkey and particles. There are always particles. The thing is, once I get this nice little core up and running, and it's nearly finished now - I should be able to produce the game for which it is intended fairly quickly, because most of the game logic will be implemented in C (yes, you read that correctly - Yak willingly using C for more than trivial functions - but given that I will have the stuff that needs to be quick running in parallel, in assembler, why the hell not make the implementation easier on myself? That kind of stuff doesn't need to be in assembler any more, and it means that the game will get finished a hell of a lot quicker than if I was doing it all in assembler, believe me). I must admit, with my nice little virtual-2D machine nearing completion, there is a part of me which is thinking: now I could do some absolutely lovely updates of some Llamasoft classics on that... But again, I'm getting ahead of myself. No promises about anything like that until I have conferred with The Powers That Be. Wouldn't half be fun though ;-)... --==--==--==--==-- || JagFest 2001: The Aftermath || By: Dan Loosen, Carl Forhan, Micah Rowe, Clint Thompson, \__// Kevin Mosley, Randy Femrite, and Ted Rusniak. ----------------------------------------------------------------- There follows all the reports from JagFest 2001 that I was able to lay my hands on. For all these and more (including lots of pictures), browse to: http://jaguar.holyoak.com/jagfest/fest2k1.html. Thanks to Dan Loosen and Gary Heil at the GOAT Store for putting on a great JagFest! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Dan Loosen's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hello everyone, Not having been able to do much of anything while I have been putting away all of my Jaguar stuff has caused me to delay typing this, but I think it also gave me a little bit of time to review everything, so here goes my own views on JagFest 2K1: Beyond Tempest... The last few days have been a total rush for me. The whole end of the experience was rushing from one place to another. I finished the Official Program at 2:00 am at the local Kinko's on Thursday, and then OTH Gary and I stayed up until about 3:30 am the morning before the Fest opened, finishing setting up stuff and working on final details. Needless to say, I was extremely tired when I showed up for the event, and had no clue how the day would turn out. I was extremely worried that the PieperPower Center would not have enough stuff in it to look full, but I was proved wrong and table space became extremely hard to come by around 11:30! Thanks to everyone who brought stuff to demo and show! It was great to see everything. The nametags were a great addition! I thought that naming all of the non- pre-paid people after Cybermorph planets was a stroke of genius. Everyone seemed to find it funny that my mom wore the "Hellfire" nametag all day. (So did I!) While I didn't get to see much stuff, I got to do a little wandering when I was videotaping stuff -- The Classic Gaming Museum looked incredible and I wished that I could've just spent hours inside looking at everything and trying out some of the systems. Gary had a disk from an Apple IIe that he made in 6th grade, and he got to work it again. I wish that some of our games from that era would've survived, as it would've been neat to see them. Marty did an awesome job of answering people's questions and showing off all of his many, many goodies. I especially liked to see a Vectrex in action, as it was something I had never seen. I wish I had a chance to try it! I liked how the finished GOAT Store, LLC booth looked, mostly for the fact that I had taken my two ROBs and stuck them on top of a Super Nintendo sign to monitor the entire show. Something about the way their little eyes are makes me smile every time I caught one staring at me. I really liked running tournaments, because it was fun to watch others try to accomplish really hard tasks. Fard had brought his N501 NUON player and had it set up and going. He also provided a Dreamcast which seemed to be running Rush 2049 for most of the day -- a delightful game, might I add -- which sparked some great conversations. Max had his NUON, along with his Saturn, NES and of course, a Jaguar. A lot of people seemed to like trying out Radiant Silvergun, as it is a game that has grown over the past three years just like Battlesphere and now commands a price tag well in excess of $200.00 dollars. A lot of people were also seen trying out the other imports that he had on hand, Castlevania X and Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter. Terrance had brought an extremely cool looking system that was playing some very awesome looking games. I never got a chance to go and check it out, but from where I was it was a very interesting thing to have on hand that drew a lot of attention. In the back, there was a table that had most of the import Sega Master System games on it, along with an N64 with the rare Super Nintendo adapter to play SNES games too. I thought both pieces were extremely fun, and it seemed that a lot of the younger crowd really enjoyed playing a version of Sonic 2 that they had never seen before. Kevin Mosley had a great set up, with 2600 and Jaguar games galore, among other things. He was placed right alongside Micah, and their tables seemed to blend into one big mass of great gaming items. I was really happy to see how that all turned out! The AVC table with both Randy and Dan was done very well. Randy had a Jaguar Community United banner that was beautiful that hung from the back wall, and the table had on display tons of interesting things. It also had some of the issues of the AVC fanzine, and they were giving out promotional Jaguar material. A great addition! The Songbird table was another great draw. Carl had lots of different prototypes for people to try out and see. Everyone seemed especially excited about Protector SE. Personally, I have great hopes that Total Carnage will someday be released, as it seemed to be a great game. Slam Racer also seemed to have a lot of personality, even though I never got a chance to try it in action. Perhaps my surprise of the show... The Jaguar Rocks! CD from Clay was an awesome addition to the prizes! Everyone seemed to be completely impressed with the concept and the work that went into it. Amazingly to me, there was not just one but TWO working Jaguar VR systems at the Fest! At one point, I visited the table to try to get them on film and got to try one out. While the display was pretty jumpy, the overall effect was incredible. Make no doubt about it -- the systems Virtuality had running at E3 in 1995 were running on real Jaguar hardware, and it looked great. It is too bad this didn't see the light of day, as it may have really helped to save the Jaguar's life. My own personal highlight of the show was meeting the people that have officially set the record for traveling the longest distance to a JagFest - - our three Japanese fans! The guys were fun to talk to, and I got two of them to compete in the Super Mario Bros. tournament. The fanzine that they had created for the Jaguar was perhaps the most incredibly detailed fanzine I had ever seen. It included level maps (using screen freeze, cut and paste... a _lot_, one of the guys explained to me...), reviews on tons of the games along with opinions (I found it interesting that they didn't really enjoyed DOOM but really seemed to like Kasumi Ninja) and detailed guides to games (an ultra detailed Kasumi Ninja guide with every move was included.) Talking with them and seeing everything that they had to bring was one of the most fascinating things that I have ever done. Talking with them and meeting them was definitely my favorite moment from the show. The 10 player Battlesphere network was great... 10 Jaguars + 10 CatBoxes + 10 BattleSpheres + 1 Network = Do The Math! Go Beyond - June 30, 2001 - Network Born 9:46pm... wow. It was great to see many new people experience the Sphere for their first time ever in such a grand multiplayer fashion. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and a Jagfan named Aaron seemed to get the hang of it really quickly, winning the fifth game for the grand prize of a sealed copy of Iron Soldier II from Telegames. I was exceptionally glad that the food worked out how it did, and I really enjoyed seeing everyone sign each others programs. I was happy to see that something that I had put so much time into turned out to be one of the highlights like that. The shirts also turned out to be just awesome. A special thanks to Greg who contacted me less then two weeks ago and did the shirts at cost just so everyone could enjoy them! I also have to say that I loved watching and hearing comments about the Ram It tournament. I was worried about how that tournament would go, and it seemed that most attendees were saying that they didn't want to try out the game. Once everyone sat down, the game became a true surprise hit and I got a lot of great comments about it from people. So many that Gary and I have begun to look into the possibility of finishing the new version of the game up on either the Lynx or the Jaguar. As an overall event, I must say that it was incredible! Both Gary and I have talked and we are planning on having another classic gaming event of some type in Milwaukee again next year -- if it is going to be JagFest 2K2 or if it is going to be something entirely different is, of course, out of my hands and up to everyone to decide. Either way, it was an honor and a privilege to host this year's Fest, and I hope that Atari Jaguar Festival lives on for many, many years... Lastly -- a special thanks to everyone that attended. No matter what, an event like Jaguar Festival cannot be pulled off without the great support of fans like you. Without your support, the GOAT Store, Songbird Productions, AVC and great events like Jaguar Festival would slowly die out. It was truly you who made the event what it was, and I was glad to be a part of it! dan =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Carl Forhan's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I am thrilled that Songbird had a chance to attend JagFest2K1. My hat is off to Dan Loosen and company; he did a fantastic job of finding a great location, bringing in lots of interesting collections, and keeping the whole day running with all the tournaments planned. We had a record-breaking attendance of over 80 people. Nice job, Dan! The GOAT Store and Songbird were the only two vendors I was aware of at JagFest. And really, that was plenty for the Atari systems, although I could see in the future more vendor coverage for other classic/neo-classic systems. Telegames had allowed me to vend some of their merchandise as well, so Songbird had three tables chock full of cool stuff, from Aircars to Rapid Fire Controllers (which were a hit, BTW!) to Lynx Championship Rally. It was great to see all the cool collections... everyone hauled out their best and shiniest protos for display and play. Kevin Mosley is truly an Atari fan with that Lynx AvP cart! That's an absolute one-of-a-kind item you'll likely never see elsewhere. The Museum of Classic Gaming was incredible, I couldn't believe all the stuff in there. Thanks to Marty and company for making that possible! Terrance brought a Gorf demo for the Jag, but unfortunately no one had a laptop with the Jag dev kit installed. An early alpha of OMC's Dark Guardian was there -- very nice, James! Looking forward to another cool shooter on the Jaguar. The JagVR units were definitely a highlight of the show for me personally. I only tried it for five minutes, and it was jumpy due to all the handling that day, but to think that Atari had pioneered VR for a home system is incredible. The responsiveness of the unit and the speed of the game were quite impressive. Thanks to Ted and Clint for making this possible! The 10-player BattleSphere network was another highlight. They spent a LONG time trying to get it to work -- so long, that I was encouraging them just to live with only 8 or 9 Jags networked. But their perseverance paid off, and everyone cheered and clapped when it all got running. This is the kind of thing you will only see at JagFest. Thanks to Dan's family for providing all the food at a reasonable cost for the event, I surely appreciated it! I loved the tournaments. We fell behind schedule at times, and some people had to leave early which kept them from participating, but it was a lot of fun seeing Ponx and Champ Rally and Protector SE being put through the paces. A lot of people are still impressed at how much fun Ponx is (it's the best selling Songbird Lynx game, BTW), and Champ Rally is quickly becoming a Lynx favorite as well. I got lots of good feedback on Protector SE. Several people asked throughout the day if I had added new layers of scrolling to the game, and I hadn't! It was just the new graphics -- all modesty aside, they really turn the game into a graphical knockout, and everything stands out so much more. People also liked the gameplay adjustments; anyone who has complained the game gets too hard too fast will be pleasantly surprised with the easy pace of the first 10 levels or so. The CD Bypass announcement was the Songbird highlight for the show. I gathered everybody around and showed them a BHH CD, which, since it's unencrypted, won't boot up on a regular Jag CD unit. I then inserted a Protector SE cartridge, and after a couple of tries, the CD did boot up and start playing. I explained that once Prot SE is released, anyone who knows their Jag programming stuff should be able to burn and release new games on CDs. You can even turn an unmodified Jag/CD combo into a developer system. No custom chips or cables necessary, just Prot SE on cart! This is a cool and exciting development for the Jag community, and I sincerely hope any current or aspiring Jag developer out there will take advantage of this to self-publish their upcoming games or work with Songbird to do the same. Finally, I didn't play a single game at the fest. The only exception was a couple seconds here and there, to show off a Rapid Fire Controller or help someone learn Total Carnage. But you know what? I still had a blast. Why, you ask? Because of the fans. You guys, the Atari Jaguar and Lynx fans, make these shows worthwhile. It is so much fun to rub shoulders with such incredible, dedicated, and friendly fans. I love answering questions (when I know the answers :) ) to why such-and-such was never released, or do you know which company worked on this game, or are there cheats you haven't published yet, what is Songbird working on next, etc. It was great to see the familiar faces, and meet lots of new people as well. Meeting and talking with the fans is really what makes JagFest such an incredibly unique opportunity. I'm already looking forward to next year's fest. To everyone, organizers and fans alike, who made this year's JagFest possible, a sincerest thank you from Carl Forhan at Songbird Productions. Let's keep the Jaguar and Lynx alive for another five years. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Micah Rowe's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I Survived JagFest 2001 I chose that title for the subject because my trip to Milwaukee was quite eventful, and I'm not just talking about the fest itself. Maybe someday I'll think back on all that happened and laugh, but this is not that day... :-) The story goes something like this... As some of you were aware, I got a kidney stone "attack" just 2 days before I was to leave for JagFest. I really shouldn't have gone with the risks of things going bad not just hundreds of miles from home, but also carpooling with Carl Forhan from Rochester. But being the hardcore Atarian that I am, no stone was going to prevent me from attending the fest I had waited anxiously for so long. You would think that things could only get better when we made it to Milwaukee. Not exactly. When we got into Milwaukee at about 8:00pm, Carl and I first went out Motel to check in, check out what our rooms looked liked, etc. Carl wished the rooms were a little nicer, but I didn't care what they looked like, I was just happy to be there. Unfortunately my opinion of our place took a 180 degree turn within a short 24 hour period, but that story will come later. After checking out our motel, we went to the place JagFest was being held at. Carl brought a full van of systems and software and needed to get a head start at setting up the table Friday night. I think we got done setting up everything around 1:00 am Saturday and called it a night while Dan, Gary and Max hung around till 3:00am setting up all of their belongings. The fest itself was very well done. The amount of work The GOAT Store put into the event to make it successful was remarkable. The turnout was also very impressive, with more than 80 attendees for the day. Several tournaments were going on throughout the day, unreleased games like Brett Hull Hockey, Total Carnage, BHH CD, Phaze Zero were on display, prototypes such as the JagVR and AvP Lynx were playable and we even managed to get a 10 BattleSphere network going. The tournaments were agonizing to say the least. For instance, the rules for the Tempest 2000 competition was the starting point at level 61. Ouch! If that didn't hurt bad enough, I lost to Fard by a lousy 1,000 points! I choked when I knew I was closing in on his score and let my excitement get the best of me. The starting point was a little extreme as only 3 players actually completed level 61, while the other 10 were done in just seconds. Other tournament favorites such as Combat, Ponx, Ram It, and the big BattleSphere network were a ton-o-fun! But playing games is only a small part of what made this JagFest so cool. It was very cool meeting all the JI2 users, seeing again those I met at JagFest '99, and meeting several I had never seen before. It's always interesting putting a face to the name. Nice to see guys like Kevin Mosley, Ted Rusniak, Clay Halliwell, Clint Thompson, Fard Muhammad, Chad Tindle, Randy Femrite and his wife, Jason Data, Terrance Williams, Dan@AVC, Eric Armstrong, Max and the Goat crew, Dan and Gary. As you can tell, several JI2 guys were present and every single one of them were a pleasure to meet. During the fest, Carl showed off the soon to be released Protector SE _WITH_ the CD bypass built in. Using that cart, he loaded Brett Hull CD on a normal JagCD. With that device, the possibilities are plentiful for new software to be released far into the future and at a low cost not just for the developer, but also the buyer. As for Protector SE, the game, very impressive! The updated graphics have been done nicely...so nicely in fact that some wondered if there are additional layers of scrolling. Not the case, according to Carl, but it appears that way due to the more colorful background. All you guys should be saving your nickels for this one! The gameplay tweaking really makes this game playable for everyone, not just the defender junkies anymore! ;-) What probably caused the largest amount of excitement to this years Jaguar festival was the BS network. It took about a dozen tries to get all ten systems to hook up with one another. We continued to have problems with one console. The problem was fixed when we realized the phone cable we had connected to the CatBox was a different type. We all applauded when all ten systems finally entered the network. We played only Free-for-All, setting the kills on 10 and went at each others throats. I took the first 2 victories, with Fard coming in 2nd each time. Then Fard took the next 2 victories with myself coming in 2nd. It appeared when the tournament was to begin that it was going to be a dogfight between The UA and ETHunter. Unbelievably, a pilot that never played BS before won the tournament! Obviously, he lucked out by not constantly being targeted by the BS experts! Having ten players together, it's hard to keep track of everyone that may be quietly getting kills while staying out of harms way. Grrrrrr! With the initial problems of getting everything to work, the tournament wasn't over and the fest near closing till after 11:00pm. Exhausted, we all packed our stuff while visiting with others till after 1:00am. Fard missed his bus back to Chicago and had to wait until 3:30 for the next departure. With a long wait at the bus terminal, I told Fard he could come to my place and get a cab in a couple hours to take him to the bus. Fard accepted my offer, and this is where it gets weird. We got to the Motel and went to my door with my key in hand. Trouble was, my key couldn't get into the lock! I went to the office...CLOSED! But a caretaker of the facility saw Fard and myself standing outside and asked if he could be of any assistance. After say "you're screwed, dude!" when inspecting my lock, he attempted to pry the lock open when we heard someone yelling from inside my room! We told him to open up since that was not his room, but he countered saying it was indeed his room, the front desk giving him the keys. Now the guy said I have no chance to get my room back now, and all I can do is call the emergency number located on the door. So Fard, Carl and myself are standing outside, 2 in the morning, attempting to call the owner, but there was no answer. If going to the fest with a kidney stone and choking at all the tournaments wasn't enough, now I lost my room I had paid for! Carl offered his room so we all piled into Carl's room. With Carl laying on the bed and Fard and I sitting on the vinyl chairs, we chatted about all things Atari until his cab arrived at around 3am. Needless to say, when the office opened, they had to deal with a very angry ETHunter about my room being given away! Getting my money back (and then some) for that night, Carl and I made the journey back to Minnesota today. I will have to say, though, that experiences like this make great, great memories. This will always be remembered by me as a time when I got to meet new friends, and strengthen the friendships of those that I have considered to be buds of mine for the last few years. I am so happy I was able to attend. Here's to hoping the next JagFest will be just as great of an experience...but with a nice, competent motel next time. ;-) Micah Rowe =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Clint Thompson's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Arghhh, I'm tired ;) JagFest was great... yes, three words! :) My friend and I however have came to the conclusion that our trip was nothing other than Satan's work (other then being at the fest, he pretty much stayed out of our way, lol) We left pretty early, 10:30 I think so we could head back to indy... well around 2:00 am when we're actually back close to indy we hit this massive accident (someone's van had taking a tumble down the ditch at 75mph+) and we had to sit there for 4 hours (why I dunno, it was only 1 van) and that made it painfully worse for the fact that we were so tired... That and that every motel.hotel.inn and whatnot either A: No, we have no vacancy! (um, yeah right) B: Your not 21 are you? (so what?) C: $130 WTF? Riiight... or D: We have no vacancy... argh! (this is in WI btw, on Friday) Tony and myself spent about 4 hours going inn to inn, hotel to hotel trying to get a place, until finally, 50+ miles later, someone had an opening :) ahhh, expensive but it was a very nice room! Anyway, enough of the bad stuff.. Everything went pretty smooth once we got to JagFest... Very exciting indeed meeting everyone that posts (and doesn't quite post) to this board :) And I didn't do so well on any of the tourneys other then I actually won Ponx to play another then I crashed out, heh. Tony, Ted and I shared a table, with the 2 VR units and OMC Games Demo Dark Guardian (I know James was slaving away at this one till the last minute) :), which switched on and off between that and the Virtual VCS Ted brought with him. Luckily enough I had gotten most the stuff there on video (well, a few cool announcements including Carl's JagCD Bypass on Protector SE). Very exciting news for )EVERYONE!( Seeing the AvP on Lynx was pretty cool... interesting. Just finally a pleasure to meet everyone at the fest and talk/play Atari for hours on end! I'm sure I'm forgetting other great things but I'm still tired, lol. The little passes that we got were pretty awesome, that one goes out to Randy :) I'll have something posted up on AtariVision link on JI2 sometime soon. :) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Kevin Mosley's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hello everyone! Well, JagFest 2K1 far exceeded my expectations. A Great BIG thanks to Dan and all the others who did so much to make this year's fest a great success. In my opinion it definitely lived up to being the best yet. There were a lot of great things to see and some cool protos to play, (Brett Hull Hockey, Slam Racers, Total Carnage, Protector SE, and others), but I'd have to say that my favorite part of all was meeting all the really great people. It was really nice to put a face with the names I've seen around online. That was truly an honor. I'll never forget Micah... everything just seemed to have such an unlucky twist for him that it was almost comical. ; ) But, only because he took it so well. Of course, meeting the man who has given the Jag new life most recently, Carl Forhan, was a pleasure. Thanks to all the rest of you who attended... Eric Armstrong, Randy Femrite and his wife, Ted Rusniak, Fard Muhammad, Clay Halliwell, Clint Thompson, Chad Tindle, Jason Data, Terrance Williams, Dan@AVC, Max and the Goat crew, Dan and Gary... and everyone else who I can't think of right now. Everyone was so nice. Obviously, the Atari community could not be so great without such great people in the community. There were many items of interest. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a working Jaguar VR there. Unfortunately, by the time I played it, the tracking was terrible, making it very hard to control. I guess so many people handling it and putting their fingerprints all over it caused its performance to drop. There was a Library of systems from Pong and Odyssey, to Amiga, Mac, and toady's newest systems. That was a really cool trip down memory lane. I had never gotten to play a Vectrex before, or even seen one in operation. The Nuon was pretty cool, but I wasn't overly impressed with IS3, (there weren't many improvements from the Playstation version), and I still like Tempest 2K better than 3K.... (oops, did I say that? Just don't tell Jeff) : O Micah Rowe had Brett Hull Hockey and a really cool collection of Atari Jaguar and Lynx reviews, articles, and ads from different publications over the years (including the ads and reviews for the newest games released by Songbird). Speaking of Songbird, Carl Forhan kept stirring up excitement by announcing a different prototype for display every little bit. It was great to be a part of the 10 linked BattleSpheres. The Jaguar I was seated at failed to connect over, and over, and over, showing me a mocking, stuck out tongue a few more times than I cared to see. After checking all the connections, switching Jaguars, CatBoxes, and Battlesphere cartridges, it seemed I was the only variable remaining. Finally, it was discovered that the wrong kind of cable was used on mine, and I was relieved to know that my Jaguar didn't have a personality that I had ticked off. Lastly, I had a few things for display that I was very pleased to see a few people taking interest in, (mainly Phaze Zero and AvP for the Lynx). I had really hoped to contribute something to the fest this year and I feel like I accomplished a little of that regardless of how small. As for my trip, I spent a total of 53 and 1/2 hours without sleep. This made for many of you at the fest receiving some blank, "no one's home" stares from me throughout the day. This has been a vacation that has really worn me out. I started by driving from Dallas, TX to Chattanooga, TN, then Lexington, KY to visit my parents. From there, I went to Eastern KY to visit more family and back. Then it was time to make the 8 1/2 hour drive from KY to Milwaukee. By the time I arrived at JagFest I was out of it... totally hopped up on "yellow jacket" pills. A special thanks to Carl Forhan and Max for helping me unpack and pack. That was a major help. It wasn't until about 10:00 pm that I started feeling somewhat normal again. I apologize if I seemed like a zombie throughout parts of the day. ; ) Tuesday night, I drive back to TX where I'll immediately go to work when I arrive Wednesday evening. It's been a demanding vacation, but it was worth it. I would do it all over again. Until next time........ Take Care, Kevin Mosley =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Randy Femrite's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= We Just Got Home The only bad luck Nancy and I had during our JagFest trip was our plane(s) canceling our home flight out of Detroit do to bad weather in Dulles (Virginia), but even that didn't bother my "Buzz" from the Fest! I can't add much more than what the others have stated; it's all true! I'm telling you, I've seen Pics of the Jag VR and talked/heard about networked Battlesphere, but until I actually experienced it did I get the true feeling of what this Jaguar enthusiasm is all about. A big congratulations to Gary, Dan and his family. The setup was terrific, more than enough room, plus food and bathrooms close by. My wife enjoyed herself also even though she isn't a gamer. When I asked her what she liked about it she replied "the people". 'Nuff said! If you own a Jaguar and are reading this post you owe it to yourself to attend a JagFest, ESPECIALLY if it's anything like JagFest 2001 was. I started planning to attend next years Fest on the plane ride out of Milwaukee, and you should plan now too. And after what some of the guys went through to get there I don't think distance should be a reason not to attend. I have to agree the best part of the Fest was meeting all the gamers, especially all of you from JI2. I see the 10th Battlesphere link finally agreed (way to go Kevin:), did the JI2 pic get done after I left? Just who were those chaps from Japan? I asked them but they didn't speak a word of English, they did have some cool "Japan Jaguar" periodicals/magazines that I got a few pics of. more later when I get my brain back... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Ted Rusniak's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I must say it was great to finally put some faces with names on this board like Micah, Kevin Mosley, Clint, Dan@AVC, Dan L, Gary, Max, Chad (Beefman), Randy, Carl, Terrance, and a few others whose names I'm drawing a blank on right now. The Goat Store guys did a great job with everything and it was better than I thought it was going to be. Randy also made some real cool ID badges. As for the tourney's they were too cool even though I got my butt kicked in most of them I was able to win a few. The classic gaming corner they had was real neat and the tourney they had for the Colecovision Rammit was pretty cool too bad I lost....... Songbird was out in force with plenty of games to be bought and played. The protos like Total Carnage, Brett Hull Hockey CD, Thea Realm Fighters and Protector SE were all very playable and great games to bad most of them will not see the light of day. Protector SE was a surprise as I figured it would be the original one with not much new added but boy was I wrong this game is going to be a must buy, I actually was lucky enough to squeak out a victory in the Protector SE tourney...:) ET Hunter had a pretty neat table as well he had a huge binder with a lot of Jaguar articles etc which was awesome to go through, he also had BHH Cart which I was glued to for awhile. Dan (AVC) had a nice set-up as well he had the custom made overlay's and a lot of good reading on the Jaguar and Atari. On to the Goat Store guys-- they had a great selection of games for many systems as well as the AvP beta which was neat to see he also had a test cart board. I picked up a JagFest 2K1 shirt from them, too cool! A big thanks to these guy's for making this Fest possible and the prize selection was great, they had an array of things signed by Jeff Minter, which I won a signed T2K soundtrack. They also had the Flossie Edition of T3K that was in one word: weird!~ They had games from Telegames and other cool stuff. Clint had the VR working at his table and I put my VR on his table as well (Thanks Clint) and it was neat to play the VR w/ the tracking working and we figured out why mine was not tracking and I have solved the problem.(YEAH) In all I had a great time meeting everyone and talking about the Jaguar and various other systems. The end of the night Battlesphere network was awesome and like Micah said a newbie to BS won when it counted! lol good for him. Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to attend next year. --==--==--==--==-- || EuroJagFest 2001: Die Nachmahd || By: Lars Hannig, Peter, and Jan \__// ----------------------------------------------------------------- There follows all the reports from EuroJagFest 2001 that I was able to lay my hands on. For all these and more (including lots of pictures), browse to: http://www.e-jagfest.de/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Lars ("Starcat") Hannig's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I started the first day of EuroJagFest 2001 at 6.30 and started to bring my stuff into the car. Then I ate a mit breakfast and waited for Diederik who arrived at a bit later than 8.30 at our house, we all drove to the room. When we arrived it was still closed and it took some time until the owner of the room finally arrived to open the door. We carried our stuff inside, moved the tables and waited for the first visitors... One of the first visitors was Robert Demming who brought lots of Jag games including all CD Games (CD-Rs) and even a CD-R of Caves of Fear, the Jaguar Gamefilm prototype. We first tried it in my standard Jag CD-Drive with the help of CD-Bypass. It first ran fine, but later more and more "video junk" was displayed and the game crashed. I am quite sure that it is my drive that has to be cleaned again, though. Later we tried it on his Jag/JagCD and it worked fine. He also had done some very cool modifications to his Jag with more ROMs than I have ever seen in ANY Jag before. he had a 16 position rotary switch in the case of his Jag, for up to 16 ROMs, he didn't have 16 ROMs in it though. (I really wonder how he got that many ROMs into it anyway.) He had for example the French JagOS, BJL, regular rom, STUB ROM Oct 93 and STUB ROM Nov 94. There were also a 50Hz/60 Hz and a reset switch if I remember correctly. He was kind enough to make a copy of Caves of Fear for me. :-) Thanks a lot again. I started to load some demos that were given to me by some well known Jag developers like JustClaws and Force Design. The firs demo was "Bounce!" by "Team Franglais" which consists of Fred Natha and JustClaws. It was a fun pong clone with a "Celebrate EuroJagFest 2001" message ;-) Later in the evening I also showed a little demo of Force Design's Legion Force Jidai. All during the day I shot lots of vid clips which I might publish later, however I don't know yet if I will make a CD out of it or if I can find a free server with enough space. Later in the noon a lot more people arrived and the atmosphere got greater and greater. It was time for me to display the promised JDC Project. It is a space shooter called StarAlliance - Battle for Earth. It was only a one level playable demo, but some people seem to like it. Another very cool thing was a hobby Jaguar magazine/book done by Bj”rn Baranski. It contains lots of Jaguar history infos, pictures, game infos and stuff like that. Bj”rn Spruck showed one of his Lynx games, which reminds me a lot of that racing game of the movie Tron. (I don't remember the exact name) But one of the coolest things of the day were the talking with all the people and the great gaming competition organized by Thorsten Butschke aka Mad Butcher, the prices were given to us by Randy Femrite, thanks a lot :-). There was a Super Burnout competition on the Jag, you play against somebody else and in the end the best players play against each other. Then there was a very cool Checkered Flag competition on the Lynx. There was a six Lynx network and six people played against each other. First there was a "warm-up" round and then there was the real race. It was the first time I ever played Checkered Flag on the Lynx. It is much better than the Jag version. I was surprised how much fun it is. The third competition started in the evening. It was a Joust competition on a XE game system. I never played Joust before, but it was very fun to play. I even won a few times, but after all I lost. Some time later we gave the prices to the winners. Rouven Gehm was on the 1nd place and Michael Neihs on the 2nd. Until almost 24.00 I was talking to Thortsen Butschke, Michael Neis, Rouven Gehm and Bj”rn Baranski - it was great ! The first day of EuroJagFest 2001 go into EuroJagFest History, that is for sure. There isn't very much to say about the 2nd day. Sadly is was more or less a flop. I guess future EuroJagFests will only be one day events. I'm sure I forgot a lot in this report because the atmosphere of the first day was so GREAT, there were so many details... you just had to be there to know how great it was... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Peter's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I only could be there on Saturday, but I must say that it was very, very cool again. There were about 18 people this time. Unfortunatly some of the cool guys from last year didn't come, hey Richard what was up with you? A three Battlesphere network would have been cool..... Rouven had one BattleSphere and I enjoyed it very much. Played it for a longer time than last year.... Then we had SpaceWar 2000 which also was cool, someone showed an unfinished proto of Caves of Fear and Lars showed us a demo of his new game which looked cool. I'm curious what it will be like when it's finished. Another new game for our Jaggy, that's cool :-) So much for the protos and the rare games. We had 3 Competitions: One with Super Burnout on the Jag, Lynx Checkered Flag with 6 people networked, and Joust on an Atari XE. The competitions were fun, even if I sucked at all of them. :-) My mom made diplomas for the winners, and she also made those cookies from last year again :-) All in all it was a great day. I played a lot of games I still don't own and meeting all these cool people is a wonderful thing. It's like being home. :-) I think everybody had a good time. I had a good time anyway. Lars made some videos with his camera so everybody should be able to see some little movies from the fest. There were also some people who made pics so the same here. Can't wait to hear how the Sunday was. What more to say? Hope to see everybody again next year and perhaps even more people. Peter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= //// Jan's Report =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The date of the JagFest was very bad for me and a friend. My friend had his 35th birthday and a party. So I had to travel alone without him. After 4 hours driving I arrived in Coesfeld. It was my first JagFest and it was great ! It was nice to meet people you never seen before or knew just from the net. I talked to a lot of interesting Atari-Freaks. Mad Butcher is one of them. He organized the gaming-competition with a lot of fun! I never played Lynx before against 5 other Checkered Flag drivers! It was real great fun! I could test a lot of games I don't own. I saw BattleSphere - I played the prototype SpaceWar 2000. Finally I could play Starcat's prototype "Star Alliance" and it looks great. I think the Jagscene has a new good programmer in Europe! Finally i want to thank the DvD and Starcat for organizing EuroJagFest 2001! See you next time --==--==--==--==-- || || Shutdown ....................... Power off, * + #, EOL, Game Over \__// ----------------------------------------------------------------- Buzzword Index: Buzzword Occurrences Infogrames 4 SpaceWar 13 Bug 14 Network 15 Protector 30 BattleSphere 41 Fest 136 Atari 160 CD 161 Useless Fact O' The Month: NTSC Jaguars have red power LEDs; PAL Jaguars have green power LEDs. Happy New Year! Your Editor Clay Halliwell clay.h@att.net --==--==--==--==-- (This issue printed on recycled photons) --==--==--==--==-- Bebop. Cola. Good! --==--==--==--==-- DNFTEC --==--==--==--==-- All your bits are belong to Jaguar --==--==--==--==-- Jaguar Explorer Online Magazine is a monoannual publication covering the Atari Jaguar community. Reprint permission is granted, unless otherwise noted at the beginning of the article, to registered Atari user groups and not for profit publications under the following terms only: articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each article reprinted. Other reprints granted upon approval of request. Send requests to clay.h@att.net. No issue of Jaguar Explorer Online Magazine may be included on any commercial media, nor uploaded or transmitted to any commercial online service, in whole or in part, by any agent or means, without the expressed consent or permission from the Editor or Publisher of Jaguar Explorer Online Magazine. Opinions presented herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, or of the publishers. All material herein is believed accurate at the time of publishing. If you think you're getting any sympathy from the shark, you're not. --==--==--==--==-- Atari, 400/800, XL/XE, 2600, ST, Mega ST, STe, Mega STe, Atari Falcon030, Blitter, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Panther, Atari Jaguar, AtariTel, Pong, and the Atari Fuji Symbol are all trademarks or registered trademarks of Infogrames Entertainment. All other trademarks and identifying marks mentioned in this issue belong to their respective owners. --==--==--==--==-- Jaguar Explorer Online Magazine "Your Source for Jaguar News" Copyright (c) 2001, White Space Publishers ****** ** ** ** ** **** ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: J E O :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: Volume 5, Issue 1 JAGUAR EXPLORER ONLINE November 31, 2001 :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::