++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS +++ NEWS ++ CRASH - THE CONTINUING SAGA Only months after being saved from extinction by EUROPRESS, CRASH is changing hands once again. This time, the buyer is EMAP, a name which some of you may recognise as being behind SINCLAIR USER. The two magazines are merging, and it seems that CRASH will all but disappear, with the SINCLAIR USER name surviving, which some people may consider to be the poorer magazine of the two. For Sam owners, these magazines now have little value, as Sam coverage is small, and adventure coverage is also small, despite the best efforts of the columnists involved. Although these magazines have long passed their heydays, it'd be a shame to see any disappear, so we hope that new life can be injected into them, and that they stay with us for a few more years. MORE >>>> SPECTRUM/SAM DISK COMPATIBLE ADVENTURES Several 48k Spectrum PAW games are currently being converted to Sam disk compatibility, with the blessing and active help from the relevant publishers. These games will require the users be able to load a legal copy of the Spectrum 48k ROM in order to play them. The games are converted using Plus D PAW and a modified form of SC_SPECLONE. Prices will be comparable to existing Spectrum tape versions and will feature Sam enhancements, in the form of menus and possibly new loading screens. If the first few titles prove successful, others games may be converted. (See Dave Whitmore's article for more info.) A NEW SAM DISK MAGAZINE LAUNCHED A specialist disk magazine entitled SAM AMATEUR PROGRAMMING & ELECTRONICS has been published by Shane Smith, a Sam enthusiast in EIRE. The magazine costs `2 and two issues have already been published. Further details may be found in the MORE >>>> MAGAZINES column, and Dave Whitmore's technical section. SQUARE ONE SCIENCE FICTION FANZINE A new Sci-Fi printed magazine is soon to be launched by several people involved with ZAT magazine, although it won't be dealing primarily with computer material, even if David Ledbury is connected with it! Some of the people involved with the production of SQUARE ONE include Darren Blackburn, Polly Sheppard and Mick Garbett. The format and style will be similar to ZAT, and SQUARE ONE will feature short stories, cartoons, Sci-Fi in the media (books, TV/Films/Video, etc.) and news, letters page and other general features. It seems that the magazine is being published and written by and for Sci-Fi enthusiasts, so it should prove to be a worthwhile read for fans of the genre. SQUARE ONE should be launched in May, priced around the `1.50 to `2 mark, being produced on a quarterly basis. For MORE >>>> further information, write to SQUARE ONE, 103 Chiltern Gardens, Dawley, Telford, SHROPSHIRE, TF4 2QJ. (an S.A.E. would probably be appreciated.) ADVENTURE PROBE 1992 CONVENTION The third ADVENTURE PROBE convention will be held at the Royal Angus (Thistle) Hotel in Birmingham, on Saturday, October 24th., 1992. Ticket price is expected to be `7.50, and a buffet is being arranged for the evening. Special accomodation rates are being arranged, and a good turnout is expected, due to the success of the two previous conventions. DARK TOWER and THE ANTTILIS MISSION Two new titles of adventure games have recently been released by popular Spectrum PAW writers. DARK TOWER is Jack Lockerby's new game, on the RIVER label, priced at `2.50, and THE ANTTILIS MISSION is Jon Lemmon's new game on his COMPASS label. MORE >>>> MYSTERY SAM HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT Rumours are circulating in Sam circles about a new hardware development that may be of great importance. As yet, we are unable to divulge any information, (even if we had much) but readers are advised to keep an eye on publications such as the Samco NEWSDISK for more information. FRED has just given a few details about this gadget, which may be able to increase the number of colours available to Sam, but thorough testing and evaluation needs to be done. NEW ZENOBI TITLES ZENOBI SOFTWARE, run by John Wilson, continues to publish quality adventures at low prices for the Spectrum. Most of the 48k games can easily run on Sam, using Spectrum emulators. Games now out, or due out soon, include T'WAS A TIME OF DREAD, THE VIOLATOR OF VOODOO, JESTER'S JAUNT, ARNOLD II, CURSE OF CALUTH, RED ALERT, FISHER KING, APRIL 7th., MAGIC ISLE and WIZARD'S QUEST. (Information gleaned from Tim Kemp's FROM BEYOND mag.) MORE >>>> SAM PRINT UTILITY Noesis Software's new utility, SAM PRINT has now been released, priced at `14.99. The utility comes as a two-disk package, although no manual is supplied. The program is fairly easy to use, although a few guidelines and explanations may be preferred by some users. G.I.GAMES CEASES TRADING Within weeks of G.I.Games securing the rights to sell Spectrum adventure games by St Brides, it has been learnt that Gordon Inglis has decided to cease trading, and ZENOBI may be taking over the publishing of G.I. titles. It may be advisable to check before buying any games. YOUR SINCLAIR TO GIVE AWAY THE GACPAC? Following the cover-mounted tape of the GRAPHIC ADVENTURE CREATOR (GAC), YOUR SINCLAIR is hoping to publish the GACPAC, a MORE >>>> suite of programs to help people writing adventures for the Spectrum using GAC. The GACPAC was written the a team of programmers known as THE ESSENTIAL MYTH, to help with text- handling and sorting, and as a means of increasing fonts for GAC adventures. Despite some difficulty in tracking down existing copies of this utility, Jon Pillar, of YOUR SINCLAIR, eventually succeeded after contacting the SAM ADVENTURE CLUB! PARAMOUNT PICTURES THREATEN LEGAL ACTION PARAMOUNT PICTURES, who make the STAR TREK films, have demanded that software authors do not use names, phrases or any other copyright material from STAR TREK films or programs. Action will be taken on a worldwide basis against any people who infringe their copyright. (Taken from ADVENTURE PROBE news.) *** --- ***