BMK BMK The Bitmap Kid Presents ------------------------- T H E A T A R I JJJJJJJJ AA GGGGGGGG UU UU AA RRRRRRRR JJ AA AA GG UU UU AA AA RR RR JJ AA AA GG GGG UU UU AA AA RRRRRRRR JJ JJ AA AA AA GG GG UU UU AA AA AA RR RR JJJJ AA AA GGGGGG UUUUUU AA AA RR RR Software in Development and Future Marketing -------------------------------------------------- (28/11/93) Everyone knows that the most important thing about a computer is not the computer itself, but the software that can be run on it. Although originally there was some doubt as to whether the Jaguar could really go anywhere despite its vastly superior technology, we have recently had those doubts abolished by the news that the biggest names in software will be working on the Jaguar. News of most projects is still few and far between, however I have put together some info on what's in store for the Jaguar's future... 'Master - it talks!' Hardware in Development. Even as we speak Atari are working on three or four major projects for the Jaguar. The first is the CD-drive, this will be late this year sometime and will also be manufactured by IBM. Once the CD-drive is released, it will probably take over as the main format for the Jaguar (this is what Atari are planning). The drive should cost around œ100. The second major item in development is the virtual reality helm. This should also be out this year sometime, but details on this are very little indeed. I have no idea on its cost, but will probably priced at an aggressively low cost in line with the Jaguar main unit and CD-drive. The Jaguar 2 - yes, the Jag isn't even out fully yet and they are planning (in ideas at least) the Jag Mk2! Facts are scratchy, but it is planned for 1996 and may be the original Jaguar bundled with a keyboard etc making it into a computer as well, or the computer element may be separate and the Jag will just be, errm, updated?!?! Games in Development. The games will cost around the standard console-priced games, from about œ40-70. This isn't such good news as it was originally hoped that they would be upwards of only œ20, but is hardly something to cry over considering 16-bits have been charging that for years for far inferior carts and games. Since last issue even more developers have joined Atari's battle, the list continues... 21st Century Software, Accolade, Activision, Argonaut, Brainstorm, Broderbund, Cross Product, Elite, Gremlin Graphics, Interplay, MicroProse, Millennium, Spectrum Holobyte, Sunsoft, UBI Soft, Virgin and William-Medway. CYBERMORPH is the game bundled with the Jaguar. You become a one-man rescue probe sent into an interplanetary battlefield to rescue stranded survivors of a dying war. Yep, you guessed it, it's a shoot 'em up. The Cybermorph is a adaptable, flexible machine with an outer skin programmed to react to its environment. If accelerating, it softly becomes streamlined to reduce resistance, when banking the wings extend to give maximum turn and when slowing down, the ship morphs into a less aerodynamic shape. Edge magazine (who are normally very sceptical) reviewed the game giving it eight out of ten. Edge said "...Cybermorph isn't perfect, but it's a damn good start. And that's exactly what the Jaguar needs." If you ask me, Atari couldn't ask for a better game than Cybermorph at such an early stage in the Jaguar's life and the developer's experience with it. The game developers, Attention To Detail, say, "We took advantage of the CD quality sound and stereo capabilities to enhance the player's experience. If game players wear headphones while they play Cybermorph, they will actually hear shots coming from the left [say] before they see them. Also, the holographic face uses the audio capabilities in its eerie speaking voice." BATTLEMORPH is the sequel to Cybermorph and will be out late this year. RETURN TO ZORK - could it be? Yes, apparently yes! The version will probably be very close to the PC CD-ROM version, but whether they'll add any improvements for the Jaguar (which is a possibility) is not yet known. ALIEN VS. PREDATOR is a texture-mapped 'kill 'em any way you can' game which sees the Alien, Predator and a Marine Corporal battling out in a maze of tunnels. Each character has his own special skills and you can choose to be any of the three. Rebellion Software (the developers of the game) say "The Jaguar is 100 percent faster than anything else on the market... with the Jaguar there are no limits. The 64-bit power gives you complete creative freedom." AvP uses full texture-mapping and a lot of the graphics were digitised from real props into the game. DUNGEON From the same people as Alien VS. Predator comes Dungeon. Dungeon is in a very early stage of development but is set in a medieval land of swords and sorcery, based around the Alien VS. Predator control system. Out late this year. HARDBALL 3 This game is from Accolade and is at an early stage in development. Look out for it next year. BATTLECHESS I must admit Battlechess is my fave version of chess I've seen since I found it on the Amiga several (years?!!) ago. I wait with bated breath for a True Colour version etc etc etc... CHEQUERED FLAG II is a cheap PD version of Tetris. Only kidding, it's actually a high-speed racing game (what else?) which allows players to customise their cars. The game has full real-time 3D generated action - cars, buildings and roads are all rendered in real-time 3D with 100% true sound effects all flowing at a speed never before seen on console or computer (you thought the 3DO was fast!!!). Should be out early this year. ZOOL and ZOOL 2 are on their way too, already highly popular - could Enhanced Zool become the Jaguar's Sonic? Huuum.... BRETT HULL HOCKEY this is a footie game. Not. (But I bet you'll never guess what game it is!!) - 'Errh - Hockey?' - Damn. CHARLES BARKLEY BASKETBALL POWER CHALLENGE GOLF - another footie game (that's a joke - J-O-K-E - James Judge, in case you were getting confused...) featuring digitised figures. CRESCENT GALAXY Another shoot 'em up, this time from good ol' (ehum) Atari Corp themselves. You must blast your way through five worlds filled with asteroids, creatures and all manner of obstacles. The game features full 3D-rendering of creatures and planets with nine levels. Atari say "The difference between developing for conventional game platforms and developing for the Jaguar's 64-bit architecture is like driving a standard saloon car and a Formula One race car." Crescent Galaxy is out right now for œ50. EVOLUTION: DINO-DUDES - otherwise known as Humans or Dynolympics on other formats, this popular game from Imageitec Design has been vastly improved for the Jaguar combining 50 of the best levels from the other versions with an all-new 3D True-Colour backdrop and CD-quality music. Available now at 50 squid. JURASSIC PARK is said to be in the pipeline from Ocean. JIMMY CONNERS TENNIS ALADDIN The massive hit on the big screen and 16-bitters alike meets the power of the Jaguar. DRAGON - THE BRUCE LEE STORY RAIDEN Yet another shoot 'em up and said to be 'the ultimate arcade game conversion'. Speed and motion are amazing with no slow-down when mass objects are displayed on the screen. Also out now at œ50. CLUB DRIVE The most exciting holiday park in the 21st century is the theme for this pulse quickening excursion. At this fantasy driving resort, all vehicles are indestructible, and visitors can challenge their skills and courage by driving at (literally!!) breakneck speeds on some of the most treacherous terrain and returning completely unscathed. The game features a true 3D-game environment. KASUMI NINJA is a beat 'em up game with realistic backgrounds, fighters and animations. Ninja warriors utilise 91 different martial arts movements at lightning speed. TEMPEST 2000 An updated version of this old Atari coin-op now featuring star fields, CD-quality sound with manipulative abilities modernised. On the MegaCart also comes the original game for those sentimental ol' people! TINY TOON ADVENTURES A bright, colourful game taking full advantage of the Jaguar's capabilities and based on the popular TV characters. Help Buster and Babs Bunny together with Plucky Duck to save the planet Aurica from the bad youngster Montana Max. ...Plus many others. Who said Atari will never lead the world electronics industry again? Not that I'm being over optimistic.... Future Marketing. I am one of those very honoured to not only have seen, but also own some of the first bits of advertising/marketing for the Jaguar. The main look is a 'glossy black' with two, yellow, sexy cat-like eyes staring at you, all based around the very cool, bright red Jaguar logo. Yes, I know it doesn't sound much when I say it, (Sue'd have to pay me for that!!), but I was very impressed with the whole image (breathless would be an understatement) and I'm sure you will be too. The packaging is similar, nothing but those eyes, the logo, '32-bit Interactive Multimedia System', and a whole lot of glossy darkness... (at the front anyway.) Well in the U S of A the group named 'Atari' are being VERY aggressive indeed with their ads. A full range is already out and about and many of the most dedicated US Atari supporters are quite surprised at the sudden action of Atari. If all of Atari's Jaguar marketing goes as well what I've seen so far, they have nothing to worry about, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I'm certainly happy! Phew! The Atari Jaguar 64-bit Entertainment System (and Cybermorph game) - around œ199 Available on limited release (UK & USA) NOW! Available on full release (UK) early-mid 1994 Atari UK address: Atari Corp (UK) Ltd, Atari House, Railway Terrace, Slough, Berkshire, SL2 5BZ. ** Please note: Some of the descriptive text in this article is taken from sources other than my own immense mind. (But I'm sure I didn't 'cobble down' anything from a magazine...!) ** BMK BMK