Editorial

I must start this editorial with a couple of apologies. First to
Richard Hart who kindly donated the software for this issue's
competition because when I mentioned him last issue I called him
Richard Hunt. There *is* actually a Richard Hunt who takes SynTax
as well, so I have a slight excuse ... but only VERY slight!
Sorry, Richard (Hart!)!

Secondly there was a problem with two files last time. The ST
readers couldn't read the News file bacause it was too big and
SynWin users couldn't read the Voodoo2 files which had too many @
signs in it. Through force of habit, I still put the magazine
together using an elderly DOS WP and when it's finished, I open
each file using the original DOS reader programmed by Graham, then
go into Windows and use SynWin to check the maps, screenshots etc
and usually a few files while I'm there. Unfortunately the Voodoo
file wasn't one of them.  Apologies all round again! The file has
been repeated this issue and ST readers who want to read the news
from last issue can either load the file (NEWS56.ASC) into their
favourite WP or contact me for a cut-down version.

Anyway, back to the competition. Richard has sent me two pieces of
software as prizes - Myth: The Fallen Lords and The Roberta
Williams Anthology which contains 14 of her games from the
earliest (Mystery House) to KQ7 and Phantasmagoria 1, with a sneak
preview of KQ8.

Once again, I'll keep the competition simple. All I want to know
is the answers to the following five questions, all of which are
covered in this issue if you don't already know the answers. Send
me the answers by post or email and tell me which prize you'd
prefer. As always the hat will come into use if there is a draw
and the closing date for the competition is December 15th 1998.
Here are the questions:

1. Name ONE other game by the makers of Clandestiny.
2. What colour is the Pearled Unicorn card in Magic the Gathering?
3. Who wrote the game Acorn Court?
4. What utility was used to write The Magic Toyshop?
5. How many games are in the Forgotten Realms Archives package?

Simple, eh? Didn't I tell you it would be?

Now, not so much a competition as a challenge from Alex. Can
anyone beat his score and ratings for Might and Magic VI ... by
getting a LOWER score? When he finished the game, all four of his
characters were level 87, his score was 12742 and in game time he
had taken 3 years, 8 months and 27 days. Has anyone done it in
LESS time? Please let me know if you have.

As is usual at this time of year, there is a shortage of
contributions (reviews especially). No-one plays games as much
during the summer so I usually use up all the spare reviews in
September so by November, the 'cupboard' is pretty bare. A big
thank you to those of you who have continued to send in reviews
despite the good weather. But ... heavy hints dropped for 
reviews for the NEXT issue, please, folks.

Reviews don't have to be long - why not just let us know what you
love or hate about the game you're currently playing.  In the mean
time I am still playing Might and Magic VI and loving it. The
speed I am going, it could take me until the year 2000 to finish
it!

I will be taking a break to play Laurence Creighton's new game,
his 21st!, Going Critical, which has been sent for review by
Barbara Gibb from Adventure Probe who is selling it. As with his
other games, it is a Spectrum game emulated on the PC, Amiga or
ST. I haven't played one of Laurence's games before so am really
looking forward to getting to grips with his devious puzzles! All
proceeds for the game are going to the Probe coffers and the cost
is just œ2. If you also want to try to save England from another
Chenobyl, write to Adventure Probe Software (cheques etc payable
to Adventure Probe), 52 Burford Road, Liverpool L16 6AQ.

The idea of a paper version of SynTax has been generally well
received; comments pro and anti in this issue's Letters section. 
I'll have to work out the practical details now, to see if it is
feasible, make a sample copy etc. I'll let you know what's
happening in the New Year ...

... which will be when the next issue pops through your letterbox.
I'd like to be one of the first to wish you a very merry Christmas
and give you my best wishes for a healthy, happy and successful
1999.
                                                  Sue











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