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ZZT/MZX NewsLetter
Issues 1-4
Compiled By Chris Kohler
In case you never saw these first issues of the N.L., here is your chance! Each
issue has been kept totally intact, with only the removal of mailing headers
if the NL was originally E-mail. Included in this file are issues 1-4 of
the NL, also including the only supplement to the NL (1-1) and the results of
issue 3's poll! So without further ado...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ISSUE #1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ZZT/MZX Newsletter 12/20/94
Edition 1
Well as christmas comes around we think of love and- YEAH RIGHT you thought I
was gonna throw that crap at you.
Well here you go.
Well I think you will like this- Enjoy!
A live discussion will be held 12/24/94 about Advanced ZZT programming, under
private room: ZZTCHAT
If you are intrested in hosting or attending R.S.V.P.
NL Matt
The REVIEWS by Chris Kohler,
Ratings: Perfect\Kewl\Okay\Almost Fun\Poor\Garbage
School Sucks 7
\-------------
Hoo boy.
Y'know, just when I thought it was impossible to make a
crappy ZZT game, someone comes along and makes one. School
Sucks 7 is a very odd game. You just walk around a school
inhabited with demons (?), shoot them, and go on your happy
little way. All the teachers are out to get you and if they
catch you, you're gone. Finito. Of course, you can (and have
to) get rid of the teachers by picking up deadly items. (a
drill bit, a drug needle, a nailed piece of wood) But the
designer conveniently forgot to make killing them any more
than trial-and-error as you don't know which weapon works on
which teacher!
The main plot of this game is to make an atom bomb and blow
up the school. Of course, because of the stupidest
programming bug I have ever seen in my life, the final step
to the detonation keeps circling so you are asked infinitely
if you want to blow up the school.
There is also another stupid programming glitch. When you
play Doom on the Macintosh inside the school, it checks to
see if you have the floppy disk found in another area of the
game. If you play and then get the disk, it doesn't boot the
disk!
Everything else aside, the graphics suck. No shading here!
Just blocks of that obscene color (yellow). Ugh!
Y'know, this is one game I wish I hadn't played.
Rating: Garbage
One Day at School
\----------------
One Day at School has a bad concept. This kid (the designer,
Alex Arrowsmith) sort of threw together a yellow border game
with a ton of name-calling, I guess based on the kids at his
own school. You just walk around and do stuff to people
until you run into one of the endings. There are 3 endings:
1: Get your report card
2: Blow up the school
3: Blow up the school AND get report card
However, no matter how cool the concept of multiple endings
is, this game just doesn't pull it all together. Why is this
piece of trash called a game? Every board is thrown together
sloppily. Just plain BAD!
Rating:Garbage
DilloLand
\--------
Oh thank God! A good game! In DilloLand, you accidentaly
stumble onto the Dillo planet and have some wacky
misadventures. The first thing you do is enter a town where
you visit imaginative places and also the king, who informs
you that you must go off and find someone else, who gives
you another direction to go, and so on.
As you can see, this is a very linear game (literally - the
whole game progresses in one straight line! But that just
makes it more fun because you don't wander around as much!).
All the situations you, as Dylan the Dillo, can get into are
hilarious - killing Barney, finding 'Kinky 'r Us', and also
playing pinball with some hamsters.
The plot contrasts madly with the general silliness - you
are an armadillo who becomes the savior of the world.
Interesting. There are weapons to get and a bad guy to kill,
so get to it. There are a few bugs, but none of them should
get in the way of playing. All in all, a nice game!
Rating:Kewl
MegaWorld
\--------
MegaWorld is one in a series of "Mega" games. Unfortunately,
the series is poo. Now, this game has a nice title screen
and okay graphics, but the whole thing leaves me feeling
empty.
You are out to save your daughter, but you end up entering
this spaceship and touching a W to win. (I know - this
sounds very stupid). You go in a few basic action level
castles and go on some bland "quests" (finding keys). The
whole game takes place in 4 different one-room castles.
Wait - why am I telling you this? This game is just plain
bad - it's an attempt that just doesn't work. Don't even
think about it.
Rating: Almost Fun
Mission:Enigma
\-------------
You know, after this catastrophe of steenky games that I had
to play (oy), I finally got to relax and re-play one of my
favorite ZZT games, Mission:Enigma by Gregory Janson. This
game has it all: comedy, intrigue, sorrow, drama, suspense,
and everything else imaginable! You play a spy called on to
investigate a strange explosion at a fortress in the year
2040. From the title screen on, you are caught up in this
game's excitement.
Ah yes: the title screen. Rarely is a title screen, for ANY
game ever made for any system, this good. You (your
character) walks out on the title screen and you are treated
to a display of lightning, monsters, and neat-o keen-o
visual effects while being introduced to the main characters
in the game: You (of course), and your 2 friends who join
the party soon after the first level of the game: Karen and
Maleen, black and white wizards, respectively. Their
personalities give this game a very good overall appeal.
Well, let me start on the gameplay. The main part of this
game is solving puzzles of all kinds. The first main level
is 2 connected boards (the first floor of the castle and the
basement) in which you have to run around picking up items
and just generally solving the huge puzzle which is, how do
I get out of here? The answer is, "By moving boulders,
collecting water, blowing up air vents and just generally
thinking!" It's a lot of fun.
The rest of the game is more linear, as certain smaller
puzzles are presented to you right in a row, with your
friends helping you as they can. But don't think that this
game is all puzzles: it is probably the single most varied
in genre that I have ever seen!
To point out one particular spot, you just avoided drownig
and now you have to face 4 different enemies all fighting
you. This is done in RPG style, where you pick which
character to attack with, to attack or use magic, which
magic to use, and who to attack! There are life bars on the
side, and the battle never loses the whole dramatic aspect
of the game by selling out to "shoot everything" status. In
fact, the story advances as the battle goes on!
But the most awesome thing in this game would have to be its
kill-all be-all game-within-a-game, GEMini! It's an Othello
type game that you play against a supercomputer. The rules
are simple: move your gems around the board and get them in
a row before the computer does. But this requires a deal of
strategy, and like most things in this game, you must not
tale this game for granted, as if you think about how this
game was actually programmed, you will certainly start to
gape at the screen uttering a droning chant of
"howdidhedothathowdidhedothathowdidhedothathow...". I mean
it!
The graphics are superb! The use of color is magnificent.
The sounds are great, and the song at the end of the game is
magnificent.
Well, it looks like I'm almost done with this review, so to
sum up, let me say that ME has an overall professional feel
to it, and that you can't be disappointed by trying it.
Overall: Perfect
Dungeons of MegaZeux - Preview
\_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
I really can't rate this game because it is not complete.
But I will try to tell you about some of its features.
In Dungeons of MZX, a strictly side-scrolling game, you are
an explorer probing the dungeons. The view size is done
well, so you never know what you're going to see but you
never feel helpless. There is no robot editing, but who
needs it with a side scroller anyway? And the character
editor is in full use, so expect a really cool look to this
game.
There are enemies, traps, pits, and lava all waiting for
you, so why panic, right? But you do have extra lives on
your side as well as numerous secret passages - if you can
find 'em! Just dig!
All in all, DoMZX looks very promising and should be one of
the best first-run MZX titles.
Thanks Chris!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Games in the works:
All submissions are cut and paste and are the EXACT words of the letter
submissions.
This games is in the works by NL Spam,
It's about the bounty hunter Boba Fett in star wars!
It's gonna be a real jim dandy!
Expected due date: Febuary 95'
ALL
The MEGAZEUX special article by MW Herbie:
____
MegaZeux Beginner's Help (by Herbie Piland)
Hello! If something in MegaZeux seems wrong, this article might help
you...read on!
1) Why is MegaZeux so darn slow?
A: MegaZeux's speed depends ALOT on the view size...But don't make every view
size to different from each other when programming, because that will mean
your poor player will to press F2 ALOT to change the speed has the view size
changes.
2) Why do I get an 'Out of Robot Memory' error when I haven't use even half
my robot space.
A: Your boards are too big. Try using smaller board sizes. 100x100 is way too
big. 55x25 works fine, but you can probably make it bigger, it all depends on
how much RAM your computer has.
3) I tried to test my program while in the editor, but it said 'Game Over'
right at the start of the test.
A: This seems to be a bug. It only happens the first time you test.
Well those 3 things are the only things that are really strange about
MegaZeux. If I find anymore, I'll tell you. Next time: Basic Programming!!
Game Trader:
1. ZZT games that are not on AOL contact NL Matt
2. Solution to Solar Winds Pt: 1
3. Barney Bake 2- The Next Inceration
Wanted:
1. Solar Winds 2- Non-shareware
2. Jazz Jackrabbit episodes 2-6 not 1
3. SkyRoads *full version* Non-shareware
IF YOU CAN PROVIDE ANY OF THESE GAMES OR WANT ONE CONTACT NL MATT
Classifeds:
*********EMPTY*********
THIS NL COMES OUT EVERY 2 WEEKS! SO SEND IN YOUR MESSAGES SO THEY CAN BE
DISPLAYED NEXT ISSUE!
Personal:
*********EMPTY*********
THIS NL COMES OUT EVERY 2 WEEKS! SO SEND IN YOUR MESSAGES SO THEY CAN BE
DISPLAYED NEXT ISSUE!
I Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Newsletter! Remeber, this is the 1st
edition, the next one should be much better if *YOU* send
in tips, personal, classifeds and much more!
If you want to know what you can send in contact ZZTman1
Please tell me what you think of this Newsletter!
Please tell all your friends about this Newsletter!
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?
IF SO TELL ME!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS LETTER TO YOUR GROUP!
Hyperware etc,
Thank you for being part of this newsletter,
Sincerly,
Matt, Head of staff
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUPPLEMENT 1-1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the supplement for the ZZT/MZX Newsletter!
-----------------
Here is my review for ENigma!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----TECH CORNER----
With Charlie Goetzman
TodayÆs topic: Mission: Enigma
Mission: Enigma shows a tremendous amout of programming ability on the part
of the disigners. It shows good use of flags + excelent compression of code.
The game has a LOT of programming in it, and all of it has been written to be
very fast + efficient. I have allmost NEVER seen anyone do a better job of
ZZT-OOP. I really like the ASCII animation. It shows a great deal of skill.
Ratings:
FLAGS (1-10): 10 ôShows great use of flags in Enigmaö
COMMUNICATION (1-10): 9 ôExcellent communication between robotsö
COMPRESSION (1-10): 6 ôThere were sveral spots where they could have reduced
the size of the game by Cutting back the code, but they didnÆtö
OVERALL: 8.3 ôGreat job,ö
Any Questions or comments? E-Mail me at:
Spider124@AOL.COM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ISSUE #2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ZZT/MZX NewsLetter edition #2
-----------------------------------------------------------
Games in the works,
(Compiled by MegaKev)
MZX Kombat
------------------
A TWO player fighting game based on ZZT Kombat. Adds 3 new players, new music,
Improved bosses, and TONS of secrets!!!
From Hyperware Feb-Mar 95
Legend of Zelda: Star Quest
----------------------------------------
Continuing the tradition of Zelda Games, Star Quest adds the ability for
multiple players, Interchangable characters, Spells, New Weapons, and MORE!!!
From Hyperware/Nintendo Apr 95
Earthworm Jim-MZX
-----------------------------
Based on the best rated game of 94, Earthworm Jim for MZX is a side scroller
which includes: 8 Main levels, 2 Sub-Levels, character animation, and TONS
of secrets!!!
From Hyperware Apr-May 95
So You want to Be a Super Hero 4
--------------------------------------------------
The fourth installment in this great series of games from Hyperware continues
in "The Death and Life of Xeux". The prelim copy of this looks great, with
interchangable characters, each with their own abilities, Fighting Style
Boss-Battles, and a password feature it's sure to be a winner. (Note to Author
of Game- How do you pass the robot boss?)
From Hyperware 2nd Quarter 95
Wiseman 3
----------------
Another crossover from ZZT, This continues the classic Wiseman series. The game
is looks good from the version I played, though it could use some major
character editing. Other than that, the varied styles of game play
(overview, sideview, 3-D) make this a fun game and will appeal to fans of the
original Wiseman series.
From Hyperware 2nd Quarter 95
Yoshi 1 MZX
------------------
A remake of the original ZZT game of Yoshi and the attack of the Mind Warping
fingernails, this game adds new graphics and features to make it a winner for
fans of the original Yoshi Game. Only gripe here is that the graphics are
not much of an improvement over the ZZT version, which makes for a poor
remake, Sorry Chris.
By YoshiSoft May-Jun 95
NOTE TO ALL GAME WRITERS, SEND A PRELIM COPY OF ANY GAME YOU WISH TO BE IN
THE PREVIEWS SECTION AND IT'S PLANNED RELEASE DATE TO MegaKev CC: NL Matt1 AND I WILL
WRITE IT UP IN THE NEXT NL!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reviews by Chirs Kolher: (ChrisK2018)
Ratings: Perfect\Kewl\Okie\Almost Fun\Poor\Garbage
Mission:Frog by AricWare/Macrosoft
\-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Well, Mission Frog is one of the last new ZZT games. While
MF is no Island Of Jerks, it certainly is a lot of fun to
play and really shows off Aric's creativity and skill with
ZZT.
You are a frog secret agent who must rescue the SuperFrog who
was given super powers through makeup testing. On your way
you travel through the Frog HQ which has some nice graphics
and effects to the FBI HQ where you must run some mini-quests
in the style of IOJ to find secret passcodes to enter the
building. Aric's irreverently funny dialogue style is really
showed off here.
Once inside the FBI building you are treated to a basic boss
battle and the final animated scene. If this sounds like a
short game, it is! But it is still a lot of fun. You will
definately be happy playing this one.
Rating: Kewl
The Bob Series
\-_-_-_-_-_-_-
It's hard to define the Bob series - it's less a game to play
and more a comedy act. They are pretty funny, but don't
excpect much action or adventure from them.
Bobs 1 and 2 are called Business Bob 1 and 2 and their
character is Business Bob from the Bob family. Along the way
you meet up with a wide variety of characters, such as
Hamster Bob, Pizza Bob, and Moron Bob, who all resemble their
names. Business Bob is called such because he is out to get
a job in Sick Co. in these games. At the end of Bob 2, he
transforms into Hero Bob, a generic superhero and Hero Bob 3
takes it from there. These games, as I said, are more like
jokes. They're worth the quick download if you want to see
something wacky, but if you want a game, well...
Rating: Okie
SPECIAL ARTICLES FOR THE NEWSLETTER
MZX: The first generation of 3rd party games in the works
Well, MegaZeux has been out for a while now and what
we've all been seeing is a rash of "30% complete!" games
coming out. Just to compile all these together and give you a
broad spectrum of the future of MZX, let's take a look at
these titles:
So You Want To Be A Super Hero 4 and Ghost are arriving from
Hyperware's Phontam. SYWTBASH4 is just like the ZZT versions:
a ZZT Kombat style fighter. With a nice intro, SYWTBASH4 is
an interesting looking game. Ghost is a two-player battle
style game. One player is the hero and one is the Ghost. They
both shoot it out on a battlefield and try to off each other.
A basic game, but pretty fun with 2 players.
Donkey Kong Country MZX is coming from SmokeySoft/HyperWare
and, while the graphics need a little work, it remains
faithful to the series. Not a bad game idea. I haven't seen
much of it, so I can't actually tell you much about the play.
Also, SmokeySoft is developing a fighting game engine
tentatively titled MZXKombat. We shall see what the future
holds for this engine - the preliminary game in which the
engine was built in is titled HyperWare vs. MacroSoft.
YoshiSoft/HyperWare is developing Yoshi I MZX, a souped-up
version of the original Yoshi ZZT. Following Yoshi I will be
Yoshi 4 Part 2.
And finally, /<icker is developing an awesome WiseMan 3 for
MZX. /<icker has shown with the preliminary copy of this game
INCREDIBLE mastery of MegaZeux, creating a game easily as
good as if not better than Caverns II! You must see this one
to believe it! This will probably be the best of the first
generation MZX games and /<icker should definately send this
off to Janson at Prodigy when it is finished for it will
surely win the contest.
And that is all! See you next month!
-----
Mission:Enigma - The Unofficial Walkthrough
By Chris Kolher
THIS IS TOTALY STRAIGHTFORWARD! IF YOU ONLY NEED A HINT,
WATCH OUT WHAT YOU READ!!!!!
The Castle Exterior:
As you begin, stand in the space north of the rose bush until
the man runs up and enters the castle. Follow him in.
The Castle Interior:
First Floor:
Find the bookshelf that reads "Dos 9.1h Manual" and Read it.
The bookshelf will move. Enter the lower left room. A knife
will whiz by, grab it from the north or from the south. Touch
the wine bottle and break it, take a shard. Enter the lower
right room and touch the guard. Take the key and vest and
touch the door and insert the key. Go into the basement.
Ignore the bucket and oil drum and go west then north. A
guard will jump out. Touch him and take the ruby ring and
lantern. Pull the bar on the wall to your right. Now push the
bucket under the oil drum and shoot the drum. Pick up the
bucket full of oil. Exit the room the way you came out.
Go back outside.
Castle Ext.
Grab the clay from the moat and enter the other door. Grab
the gloves and leave the way you got in. Enter the castle.
Castle Int.
Go back in the basement. Go to where the bar is and go west.
Push the 2nd bucket under the section of water pipe that is
jutting out (in the middle horizontal section). Go to the
water switch ( ┬ ) and turn it off. Now go to the pipe
jutting out and shoot it to puncture it. Turn the water on
and immediately off or you get flooded out. Plug the hole in
the pipe with the clay and turn the water back on. Turn the
air conditioning (green box) to maximum. Go back to the first
floor.
Go into the upper left room from the middle left room. Uncork
the bottle of wine. Go back to the basement and shut the air-
conditioning off. Go to the vent that is right above the
wedge (brown , ) and cork it. Turn the aircon back on until
that vent explodes. Go up to the white diamond and touch it
and replace it with the ruby ring. Push the mirror up to the
upper right corner of the room. Touch the laser firing
mechanism in the UL corner of the room and fire the laser.
The wedge will set on fire, douse it with water.
Enter the room with the yellow boulder through the laser
room. Push the boulder into the vent so it explodes. Push the
boulder out of the room and touch the spring wall to move the
boulder. Through creative pushing you will be able to get the
boulder into the middle left room to the upper left room to
the room with the throne and 2 blue fakes. Place the boulder
on the right blue fake to open the throne and go in.
Second Floor:
After meeting Karen and Maleen, solve the basic electrical
field puzzle and go on your way. The next installment of this
walkthrough will be in the next issue of the newsletter!
Editor's Word:
Chris is a very good staff member and I would pay him if I got payed myself.
I would like to thank all of the NL staff for doing their best even without pay. If Mr. Case accepts our request we might get free time on out NL Screennames.
I have a request to ask of you, in this newsletter we have about 40 people signed up to it and I think we should ask AOL for a ZZT/MZX forum spot!
I NEED EVERY MEMBER TO SEND THIS! Please mail the petion to: SteveCase President of AOL inc. I will inform you on his decision. This is what it should say, please paste this on a E-Mail letter:
Hello, we are a part of a growing newsletter that covers ZZT and MegaZeux,
A game system that is very popular and easy to use, plus it has it's own programming language called ZZT-OOP. MegaZeux is a new but growing system that will in time replace ZZT. Both are good and we have realised that it needs more attention from AOL inc
. We are requesting a forum called "ZZT-OOP and MegaZeux Forum" We do not want to be paid. There are several other online systems (Prodigy, compuserve, etc) with ZZT/MZX centers or forum places for that system. AOL should too. NL Matt1, MW Herbie and the
rest of the NL staff (unoffical) plus our many members would be thankful if you would give us the privilege.
Please send your response to: NL Matt1
------------------------------------------------------------------
MZX Character Editing
By Herbie Piland
BTW, before I begin, I would like to say that I will edit character sets for
you, if you wish. Simply e-mail me and tell me what you'd like in your set. :)
Having trouble finding the right picture for your monster? Just can't seem to
do anything right in the Character Editor? Well fear no more! Here is Herbie
to help you out! :)
1) Basics
For things like characters that will be used for walls, they should connect
evenly...like the bricks in the dwarf town of Caverns. Things that will be
moving N S W and E and will have characters for each are easy. Simply draw the
N and W characters. Load the N character into the buffer, then take it out on
a new spot and Flip it. And you have the S character! Then load the W, drop it
somewhere else, and Mirror it! It's that easy. :)
2) Some warnings
You may notice when editing the solid block (character 219) that weird things
happen. This also occurs when you edit lines, dots, and letters. I suggest you
leave these alone.
3) A few tricks
Before I go, here are some tricks...
a) Copy your favorite characters from one program, then drop them in yours! :)
b) Be creative. Alot more can fit in a character than most think! :)
c) And if you get super stuck, just let me help you out. :)
Well that's all for this issue! See ya later! :)
Bout what I said in my last article about what my next would be, it was a
mistake...sorry. :(
__________________________________________________________________
Here's some good shorthand symbols: (credits to Spencer Soloway and Matt)
P.S. you gotta look at these sideways.
1. }:) "lil' devil"
2. B) "Wearing shades"
3. :c) "Pig headed"
4. [:-I] "Robot"
5. :) "Smile"
6. :( "Frown"
7. :o "Ouch"
8. <:) "Dunce"
__________________________________________________________________
Game Trading is not just in the NL. If you send in a name of a game you want
it will be place in the weekly suppliment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ISSUE #3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#3
From the HOS:
I know the NL has been behind desperatly lately, but it is hard to keep up.
I bet one of you has once said to yourselves, "Gosh, I could keep this up
easy!"
NOT SO.
The time the NL is sent does not depent on me, but the people who supply the
NL with the articles.
For instance, if (THESE ARE ALL JUST EXAMPLES) Chris forgets to send in the
reviews I will wait untill he does to send out the NL.
And, do any of you know Janson's E-Mail address?
P.S. if you are using an internet browser to view this document you might
want to use the command 'VIEW SOURCE' to see it better.
;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
MegaZeux
-----------------------------------------------------------
An Article By NL Clint
MeGa ZeUx!
It's now the official battle cry among us die hard ZZTers. Sure, we
all have out nice 486 with a Sound Blaster 16, and Super VGA capable display
and out 9600 baud modems. We had all out advanced texture mapping games like
DOOM, or our full speech games like King's Quest VI. Yea, we might not have
all the top quality stuff, but we were up there high enough to enjoy the
possibilites, and we had to face it - ZZT just didn't cut it. Sure, we were
Die Hards producing great games like Fred, Castle of ZaZoomda, Code Red, The
Arena, Sivion, and many other popular titles. But deep in our hearts we
knew that there had to be something more.
And then it happened. We were just browsing along the AOL ZZT court
when suddenly the words Mission: Enigma crossed our eyes. Of course with an
intruiging name like that, who would look at the description. And then the
name crossed my view - for some it was more radical and pronounced - for
others it meant nothing. Gregory Janson.
I myself stared at the name and said, "Hey, ain't that the guy who made Super
Tool Kit?"
I wasn't sure at the time if the games in the music box that comes
with the Super Tool Kit were ZZT or not, but the sudden recolition sent me
reeling. This is the guy who made Code Red and all those other favorites.
So I downloaded. One of the best weeks of my life was sure to follow.
Now what am I rambling about? Well if you noticed, Mission: Enigma
came with a catalog. The very catalog that showed me Zeux, And MegaZeux.
The description filled my eyes with tears: Best of ZZT and Zeux, SB support.
I soon got Zeux and Code Red (have you found all eight endings?) And that
was that. So the next month was spent ranting about with friends on the
boards, giving suggestions and trying to get our DARN names in the credits of
MZX (MegaZeux.) And then it was out and I personally spent another week just
trying to get it. And of course people are still trying to get it still (If
I hadn't changed my screen name, I'd still have it my mailbox ready to be
forwarded to someone. Sorry!)
I clearly say that I've spent the next two months enjoying the
treasure of MZX. Writing music, making my special effects and big monsters.
The crys of "I'm half done" or "30%" fill the air. Everyone boasting to
make the best game out. The ones without MZX watch and wonder, plead and
beg.
So, since your begging folks, I'll just tell you the wonders of MZX.
If I could best describe it - its like a souped up ZZT. You have to make
your formats for this though, as there's been a myth going around that it has
built in side view boards and 3-D Boards. Not so. These are developed by
talented programmers and if you want to sample them you have to write them
and asked. The side view system is tentavly titled MZX Kombat by Hyperware
and the 3-D engine in circulation (if Spider or myself gave it to you) is
called MZX 3-D by Majik (Myself.)
MegaZeux has large scrolling boards like Super ZZT, but it has
regualar sized font (80 X 25). The board is seen through a hole called a
viewport that is like a frame. Like a frame you can change its size and
color. There are Sixteen forground colors and background colors (ZZT only
had eight background colors.) You can edit characters to have them look like
anything you want them to. You can have animation. You can have Digital
Sample sounde effects. There is around 15 different types of pre made
monsters. There's moving water, fire, lava, ice, and more. There's lines
walls, floors, carpets, fakes, breakaways, and still more. There's puzzle
elements. You name it - it's there. And more.
Tools you can use in making it easier to do like blocking (Copying a
section of a board and moving it, copying it, erasing it, mirroring it, you
name it.) You can even import you old ZZT boards (objects become question
marks.)
And then there is a very powerful language use to program robots.
Robots are best described as super objects. You'll noticed the convienecy
as the Robots have there own enviroment when programming, and a variety of
options to make the programming easier and at the touch of your hand.
Need help using MZX? No problem. MZX has a complete, comprehesive,
loser-user help guide for everyone. Plus an included tutorial will help
beginners get started. Refrence debug windows are also included to show your
exact position and free robot memory for the board. Yea! That means no more
ZZT erasing your robots because there wasn;t enough memory to use them.
Don't
you hate that?
So now all you say is, "Bob, what if I still want to play my old ZZT
games?" Well I would respond "My name's not Bob, and so many games have
sequals and remakes for MZX. For example, I'm remaking my own game Sivion
for MZX for those of you who liked it (those of you who spent twenty flipping
minutes downloading it!) Plus, if Gregory Janson is reading this now, I'd
like to remake Code Red (Write me: NL Clint@aol.com)
So why you are sitting on your toush still reading me ramble. Do
what ever it takes: grovel, beg, demand, buy a new computer (CompuKid) but
GET MZX AND GET IT GOING!
NL Clint
------------------------------------------------------------*-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
NOTE FROM CHRIS:
I decided to get rid of some of the ZZT directory on my drive and save only
the good stuff - unfortunately I deleted some very imprortant games - (I
may need these for my all time best games review) - so pleeeeease please say
that you have Island Of Jerks 2:I Must Be Crazy (filename: CRAZY.ZZT) or
that you have CowQuest 4.I AM DESPERATE.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Best Games and Tools
Nominations:
Best Overall:
ZaZoomda
ZapZak in Epsilon 9
Code Red
Best Action:
Arena
The Lost Monkeys
Probation Center Of Hell
Best Adventure:
ZaZoomda
Dungeons 2
Code Red
Best Puzzles:
Zap Zak
Dungeons 2
Code Red
ZaZoomda
Best Series:
Yoshi
Island Of Jerks
CowQuest
Best Idea that never got off the ground:
ZZT-3D
ZZT Kombat system
ZZT Jam
PowerLock
Best ZZT Programmer's Tool
ZZT Tools
ZZT Power
ZZT Manual
Most Controversial Game
Deadland 2 with Kurt Cobain
Orgy (FUNGAME.ZZT)
Subject that got the most attention in ZZT Central
School Sucks:Crossover Series
The awaiting and arrival of MZX
The "AOL posts no games" scandal
HyperWare vs. Macrosoft
Best Game Designer:
Gregory Janson (Code Red)
Christopher Jong (Lost Monkeys)
Brian McFee (ZaZoomda)
Funniest Game/Series
Yoshi Series
IOJ Series
Beavis + ButtHead vs. Ren and Stimpy: The Moron Wars
Snargles
Best Shooter:
G Fighter
G Fighter 2
Yoshi's Road Apple
---
By all means, write-in votes are acceptable!!!!!
---
Please send all your votes to me.
;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;
\ PREVIEWS
|_/
|
By MegaKev
MZX Kombat
------------------
A TWO player fighting game based on ZZT Kombat. Adds 3 new players, new
music,
Improved bosses, and TONS of secrets!!!
From Hyperware Feb-Mar 95
Legend of Zelda: Star Quest
----------------------------------------
Continuing the tradition of Zelda Games, Star Quest adds the ability for
multiple players,
Interchangable characters, Spells, New Weapons, and MORE!!! From
Hyperware/Nintendo
Apr 95
Earthworm Jim-MZX
-----------------------------
Based on the best rated game of 94, Earthworm Jim for MZX is a side scroller
which
includes: 8 Main levels, 2 Sub-Levels, character animation, and TONS of
secrets!!!
From Hyperware Apr-May 95
So You want to Be a Super Hero 4
--------------------------------------------------
The fourth installment in this great series of games from Hyperware
continues in "The
Death and Life of Xeux". The prelim copy of this looks great, with
interchangable
characters, each with their own abilities, Fighting Style Boss-Battles, and
a password
feature it's sure to be a winner. (Note to Author of Game- How do you pass
the robot
boss?)
From Hyperware 2nd Quarter 95
Wiseman 3
----------------
Another crossover from ZZT, This continues the classic Wiseman series. The
game is
looks good from the version I played, though it could use some major
character editing.
Other than that, the varied styles of game play(overview, sideview, 3-D)
make this a fun
game and will appeal to fans of the original Wiseman series.
From Hyperware 2nd Quarter 95
Yoshi 1 MZX
------------------
A remake of the original ZZT game of Yoshi and the attack of the Mind
Warping fingernails,
this game adds new graphics and features to make it a winner for fans of the
original
Yoshi Game. Only gripe here is that the graphics are not much of an
improvement over
the ZZT version, which makes for a poor remake, Sorry Chris.
By YoshiSoft May-Jun 95
NOTE TO ALL GAME WRITERS, SEND A PRELIM COPY OF ANY GAME YOU WISH TO BE
IN THE PREVIEWS SECTION AND IT'S PLANNED RELEASE DATE TO MegaKev AND I WILL
WRITE IT UP IN THE NEXT NL!----*-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WINNERS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best Overall:CODE RED
Best Action:ARENA
Best Adventure:CODE RED
Best Puzzles: TIE: ZAZOOMDA and CODE RED
Best Series: Island Of Jerks
Best Idea that Never Got Off The Ground: ZZT KOMBAT
Most Talked About Subject In ZZT Central: Arrival of MZX
Best Game Designer: (Unanimously) Gregory Janson
Funniest Game Series: Island Of Jerks
Best Programmer's Tool: ZZT TOOLS
Most Controversial Game: TIE: DEADLAND 2 and ORGY
Best Shooter: TIE: Yoshi's Road Apple and G Fighter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ISSUE #4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
__ __ __
| \ | | | |
| \| | | |
| |\ | __ | |__ __
|_| |___| |__| |_____| |__|
ZZT-MZX Newsletter Issue 4
Head Of Staff: NL MattP
Vice Heads Of Staff: MC DOS 15, ChrisK2018
Official Game Reviewer: ChrisK2018
Well, we had some trouble getting this issue out, with the loss
of NL Matt and NL Clint. But we have done it, with a new staff
and some great articles! I know you were expecting the MZX
version but we decided not to undertake such a task in the state
we were in. So look for it later! I hope you enjoy this issue!
VHOS/OGR Chris Kohler
--The Good, The Bad, and The Yellow - Bordered:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ZZT Game Reviews
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Since there are finally some new ZZT games on AOL, I really
wanted to do some capsule revs on all of the games out at
this point to tell you what you should DL and what not to.
-O.G.R. and V.H.O.S. Chris Kohler.
Space Fighter 2000 - This is a pitiful attempt at a space
game. Your ship FREQUENTLY shoots itself causing hyper
frustration. And the author expects you to register this?
Recommended: No
Yea Dog's X-Men - Yellow bordered, badly programmed
garbage! 'Nuff said.
Recommended: Hell No
X Dead's Coliseum - Nice graphics and music, but the arena
is way too boring and buggy, and the end boss is
impossible.
Recommended: Only if you like arena games
METAL97's Dufus In Space: This game tries hard to be cool,
but falls short in many areas. However, the author has
definite potential.
Recommended: No
Dungeons of Doom: This is a really crappy game - the plot
and general theme are okay, but the execution and graphics
fall far short of expectations.
Recommended: No
Star Wars:Luke's Missions - Attempt at a gmae that doesn't
quite pull together - everything is too sparse and the
graphics and level of interaction are unappealing.
Recommended: No
Probation Center of Hell: First of all, nice graphix and
music! The STOOLK colors really add to the atmosphere of
the game. An intriguing story and challenging but not
frustrating enemies add to the fun.
Recommended: Yes
Wizrobe: At first I figured this for a Zelda game, but
unfortunately, it's only the name that was copied. This is
a 5-board yellow bordered object-free pile of crap that I
wouldn't endorse if I was paid!
Recommended: Christ No
NateSoft's Time Warpers II: This game isn't perfectly
awesome, but you can see the author's efforts and you can
tell that he has definite potential! While this game isn't
the best ever, I can't wait for further games from
NateSoft.
Recommended: Only to check out a newbie getting better
Duck Tales: We now present our first ever singing review:
Sing to ancient Duck Tales song.
Suck Tales! Woohoo!
Stupid little crappy game called Suck Tales!
Doodoodoodoo!
Someone strangle me, I may throw up!
This game is so crappy, I'm gonna blow up!
Someone shoot me, Christ this game sucks, Suck
Tales!
Woohoo!
Recommended: FUCK NO!
ZZT Learn: This is another attempt at doing a Learn ZZT
program that just doesn't work out. The instructions are
vague and incomplete, and it keeps saying, "Look at the
help file in ZZT". Ugh!
Recommended: Only for a laugh.
Damien Wellman's INsAniTy: THANK GOD! A GOOD GAME! This is
based on the UK game much like ZZT called Insanity, and it
is perfect! I love it! The whole game traps you inside of
it and doesn't let go until you finally finish! Ingenious
programming and haunting riddles make this game a MUST GET!
Recommended: Ohhhhh yeah.
To Cheat? Or Not To Cheat?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
BY MATT PERROTTI
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
(The topic debated here is the opinion of Matt Perrotti and not the rest of the
NL staff.)
A topic of debate in ZZT is the cheat codes. But do cheat codes take
the fun out of the game? That's an excellent question.
I myself believe that cheat codes sort of spoil the whole gaming
experience. A programmer takes hours, possible days of his life to perfect a
game.
I rarely use cheat codes. If I do, it's when I get stuck. Cheat
codes ruin what good programmers have in mind - a good game. I do, in fact,
have the MegaZeux cheat codes, straight from Greg Janson. I shall put them at
the very bottom of the NL, to prevent anyone who doesn't want them to get a
glimpse of them.
Some games naturally could use a bit of cheating. Some programmers
don't take into consideration how tough fighting a room full of dragons can
be. In other cases, the programmer considers this, and maybe only uses ten
dragons.
If you programmed a great game, then had somebody come up, use cheat
codes, and beat it in a few minutes after hours of testing and debugging, I
think that most people wouldn't be happy. Think about that!
How *KongoSoft* Began
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
BY MC DOS 15
=-=-=-=-=-=-
ZZT games have come a long way and so have MZX. But, there is a
little history about how I came about on AOL. It started when I first signed
on to AOL about October 1993 (I think). I was just enjoying how graphical
the service was and how useful it is. Let's skip to the good part. I happen
to look under Adventure games and found ZZT Adventure games here. I wasn't
that interested back then but I saw games like YOSHI ADD-ON, THE SIMPSONS
ADD-ON, but wondering how I could play them since it said Add-on. It wasn't
until a while after that that I saw ZZT 3.2 Ansi Adventure, the program
that I could use to play all the add-ons online. (NOTE: Usually people will
download games by name, meaning that If they have never heard of it and it
might sound boring they won't download it.)
So I decided to download the program and played The Town of ZZT that
came with the program. It's pretty challenging but I finally managed to beat
it. In the meanwhile I downloaded the Add-ons that interested me like Yoshi I
created by Chris Kohler and the Simpsons and I played them, exciting for an
Ansi game.
After a while I saw many ZZT games at AOL Central, In January 1994, I
decided to create my first ZZT game which I haven't even finished yet, called
DUNOCOON, a character I made up. I've only managed to do a few boards. Then
sometime in the beginning of summer I have created another game called Link's
Adventure Part 1. If you have this game you will notice that my company's
name was called --Mariocom-- beforehand. I've uploaded this game and was
surprised to see that it had a very good download count (Now over 2200
downloads.). I've also uploaded a Music Test for ZZT, DEAD-END!!
I've finally finished Link Part 2 in around August right before the
uploading to ZZT AOL Central crisis began. Unfortunatly, I couldn't get this
game no matter how hard I tried. Most people gave up but no not me! I was
determined to get to the bottom of this. PC Sylva kept saying that the ZZT
Library was backed up, but I say that was BullCrap!! Wasn't a game up there
since October when It stopped. I've eventually found a way to communicate
and bring more games to the Library. T Chong was the first as far as I knew
to start this group mail thing (Well, his was the first message I recieved
in a group.), wanted people to try his game which was excellent. The the
NL came rolling along. Everything was happening at rapid speed. The next
thing I knew, I was back in business again. I sent everyone my Version 1.1
of Link Part 2. Version 1.0 had yet another company name on it called *Kong
Software*. I finally decided on an official company name, *KongoSoft*. Then
I shifted into overdrive with *KongoSoft* Updates and stuff. And that how
I came about. Until Next time.
MC DOS 15 (Not for long.)
*KongoSoft* News Update (RE) #3
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
BY MC DOS 15
=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hey, all! Here's another edition to KSNU. For those of you
confused by the issue number I've started over from scratch and the first
two Updates were to my subscribers. I will talk about how to subscribe
later for those of you who are new or didn't recieve my message.
*The New NL Crew*
Lots of things have been happening during the creation of this NL.
As you may or may not know NL Matt1 and NL Clint are not here now and they
where the source of the NL, so naturally, plans that were made were
corrupted. So NL MattP, MC DOS 15 and ChrisK2018 are taking over.
**KongoSoft* Games in the making*
The game that I'm currently making, Link's Chaotic Adventure, is way
behind in production. Since this is my first attempt in making an MZX game
I don't want it ending up something similar to Link's Adventure Part 1 ZZT,
which by now I needs to be remade big time. So don't get upset everyone, I
might have to push to the release date of May at the latest, but trust me,
it'll be worth the wake. There are rumors going in my mind about creating
the first MZX movie where you just watch as the action goes on
(Unfortunately, another Link Adventure). If your getting sick of Link here
are some other titles in the making.
MZX Super Mario Brothers 3
MZX Donkey Kong Land
*Subscribe to KSNU*
If you subscribe to KSNU, you will receive every issue to date. If
you don't you'll have to wait till' the next NL which will probably say KSNU
#7 or something. To subscribe just E-Mail me so.
*EXTRA!*
I'm going to try to get a MEGAZEUX Forum on AOL central. This will
take a while.
*Key Symbols*
(RE) = Regular Edition
(SO) = Subscribers Only
(SE) = Special Edition (Subscribers only)
(EE) = Emergency Edition (Rare, please read carefully)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- CardShark Productions Update #3 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BY MATT PERROTTI
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
YES! Finally, this new issue of the NL has been released. I have
worked my butt off trying to organize everything. I hope you like it. If
not, live with it :)!
We are planning to eventually make a MZX version of this where you
get to actually test drive the games in the works, read reviews, and have
other kewl stuff available. I wrote this article after MC DOS 15, and I
know how influential he can be. I really hope that MZX Central can pull
through. We'll see!
Getting back on topic, CS Productions is off to a fair start in
1995. Sadly, Guyver13, the CEO, is off AOL. We still stay in touch though,
and he's planning to release Indiana Jones and The Dangerous Descent. I'll
upload when he finishes it.
I'm working on two games currently: Jon Won's MegaZeux Adventures
and Beavis and Butt-head. I sent out B and B a little while ago, but it has
slown down programming-wise, and for some weird reason, Jon Won is almost
done. Even though I thought I'd get B and B out before Jon Won, apparantly
not so. B and B should be out by Summer 1995, as I want to make it the best
MZX game to date (but it'll be hard to contend with such great programmers
as MC DOS 15, ChrisK2018, Phontam, T Chong, and others). Which leads me to
Phontam's "So You Want To Be A Super-Hero 4." This game rules. Great
music, a good plot, and fun overall. Keep up the good work, fellow
programmers!
GAMEPLAY1 (formerly GAMEPLAY12) is working on five different games,
to be released very shortly. Mechjock1 (formerly Pog102) has completed the
registered version of It and is working on the shareware version.
Well, that's all this update.
YoshiSoft Update
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BY CHRIS KOHLER
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Yoshi I for MZX is still being worked on and contrary to
MegaKev's article, it is NOT just a graphic improvement -
to see what I mean, write to ChrisK2018 for a pre-
production copy and check it all out! (Takes a while to UL, though,
so only write if you are independently wealthy or
have a 9600 bps or higher modem.)
If you want Yoshi 4 or the title screen of Yoshi 4 Part 2 for ZZT
email ChrisK2018. The title for Yoshi 4-2 is REALLY FRICKIN GOOD
and is included with this issue of the NL!
MZX Cheat Codes ----\
+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ |
V
BLANK SPACE
MEGAZEUX CHEAT CODES STRAIGHT FROM GREG JANSON!!!!!
Thanks to your new HOS, I got the cheat codes from Greg. Here they are!
On the command line in DOS in the MZX sub-directory, type in:
MEGAZEUX -ii! -prism
and MZX will load up. In MZX's play mode, various keys do various things,
but the effects will not be immediate. If you hit F10, it looks like
nothing happened. Right? Wrong. Check your stats. F10 maxes out your
health, ammo, bombs, etc. Here's other keys to put it:
F3 - ?
F4 - ?
F5 - Zap.
F6 - Gives all the keys.
F7 - Kills all enemies on screen.
F8 - ?
F9 - Energizer.
F10 - Maxes out stats.
I'm not quite sure what F3, F4, and F8 do, since I just got the codes and
Greg just said to hit any key from F3 to F10. HAVE FUN :D!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The NL - Issues 1-4
Published: Unknown
Series: NL
Inside: ZZT reviews, MZX troubleshooting, MZX Previews, Mission: Enigma Walkthroguh, Petitoning AOL for a ZZT/MZX forum, ASCII Smiley faces, and more
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