Intro Maker
        (Public Domain Utility for the ST on PD 403)

                   Reviewed by Matthew Pegg

If you write your own adventures using STAC or any other language
which allows you to start a program from an AUTO folder, you might
find this utility very useful.  It allows you to create a jazzy
intro sequence complete with music, a scrolling message and a
sprite moving around over a static picture. And it could hardly be
simpler to use.

On booting up the program you get a standard GEM style screen with
pull down menus which access all the facilities of the program.
First you choose the background picture you want and define what
combination of scrolling text, music and sprites you would like in
your intro. You can have any combination of these or all of them.
The text editor is where you type in your scrolling message.  It
can be as long as you want.  Then you choose a font from the

handful available and you are all set.  The sprite section has a
collection of ready drawn ones that you can use but you can also
grab one from any Neochrome or Degas picture.

The music menu gives you a selection of tunes 'borrowed' from
commercial games.  If you are releasing a game into the public
domain presumably this would be unlikely to be a problem, but if
you are aiming to sell your game then copyright could be a big
problem.

After this you compile your intro and it will run as an independent
program. If you have a basic ST you have to compile it before you
can see it.  Machines with more memory allow you to preview it
first.

The process couldn't be simpler.  The program allows you to define
what program to load after the intro has run.  So if you place the
compiled intro plus your game program into an auto file the game
will run once the intro has ended.

This is a really useful little utility and using it couldn't be
simpler.  The programme is French and if you are not fluent some
versions might give you a problem.  The copy I got from Goodmans
PDL gives you the option of English menus which is obviously a
better bet.

There are a few snags with the utility of course.  It would have
been nice to be able to design your own fonts, and the ability to
import TCB Tracker or Quartet tunes would have been useful.  The
path the sprite takes on the screen is also out of your control.
Perhaps the next version might do something about these little
niggles?

Even so there can be no easier way at the moment for people with
limited programming skills to design flashy introductions to their
adventures.  It is quick, simple and easy to use. What more can I
say?